So I read the disgruntled review, and while I'm not taking sides or defending anyone, I'll just remind everyone that there's always 2 sides to the story. This review is from my own personal experience with the service at Arce. I'm a car guy, do most of the work myself but my old trusty 4runner recently ran into a fuel problem. Replaced fuel pump, filter, pressure regulator, and injector (remanufactured). Decided that the injectors may have been incorrect or not tested. I took my old injector into arce and they performed rebuilds and tests of all 4 pieces informing me that 1 was not salvageable. The turn around was quick and the service was knowledgeable and friendly. Sandy and Dave and the other guys got me in and out and demonstrated great customer care. I bought two new OEM injectors and used 2 of the good ones they rebuilt. So far, car is running fine but we will see as time goes on. Lessons learned: always replace parts with OEM parts and when even your regular mechanic is stumped at the issue, go to Arce for an assessment and great customer service. PS, Dave gave me a 50pct discount since they couldn't salvage all of the injectors. Highly recommended. read more

Dave and Sandy are a pleasure to do business with. His work is the best! He puts 100% in his work and expects it from his help. He is recognized by the industry and humble about his awards. Great guy, great team. read more

Brought in four fuel injectors for rebuilding. It was done within two days and the price was fair. Even showed me a video of the injectors on the machine to show they were all spraying within 2-3%. Highly recommended. read more

I had previously went to another machine shop close by who was just absolutely horrible if I'm being honest. This is my first time building a motor so I would've appreciated some good customer service and stuff. Unprofessional, not organized at all, dirty. Shit was garbage. I asked for my block to be bored, decked, line honed, balanced etc and pretty much just looks like they gave me a bored block, deck looked absolutely horrible, tbh i don't even know if he touched it. Dude told me he didn't feel the need to balance it like motherfucker it's my motor lmao. The overall experience was ass. Luckily it was cheap as hell so when I took it here I wasn't completely annihilated. Found ARCE and told them the situation and the owner (sorry I forgot your name) came out and had a look at it. Told me everything he thinks I should have done and explained stuff to me if I didn't know what it was and I agreed. The best customer service by far. They instantly made me feel more confident compared to the other shop, not to mention they did more to my block in 2 weeks than the other one did in 2 months. Not to mention at the end of it all I was given a receipt and descriptions of what everything was done and how much it costed. I was just given some generic receipt at the other place lmao. Will definitely be taking my head in to get decked and springs/retainers installed. read more

Arce Engines - ARCE deck - Auto Repair Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Awesome place. This is now my place to go to get any machine work done on my engine parts. Great service, friendly, no BS. Highly recommended! read more

I had Arce go through a set of Toyota 3.4 cyl heads with one having a burnt exhaust valve, I had my head's gone through and had my injectors tested and cleaned at Arce, I got my parts back and I got my eng back together and this thing runs better than it has for a long long time, Very nice and down to earth people to deal with. Thanks again Arce. Doug read more

They balanced my 4.6L crankshaft quickly and cheaply, I only see a small balance hole drilled on the balancer, which is good. Fast friendly service, good communication, and i even liked the office lady who called! read more

I originally found this place on Google while I was in Bahrain looking to build an AMC 401 for my Wagoneer. I communicated with Dave a few times while I was in Bahrain. He was always Very clear that any pricing we discussed was for budgeting purposes Only, and that none of our conversations were ever to be considered quotes for services. (Read that as he is an upfront kind of guy, he won't bite you in the back, he'll punch you in the face. Respect that.) I toured his shop when I returned, I was sold quickly that this was the place when he A) let me in to his shop (OSHA go back to your closet, his machines were not operating) and B) showed me his Balancing machine. So everyone knows, he claimed to have acquired his machine from Solar Turbines. The gas turbine engine his machine is built to balance spins VERY fast (a random number is 20,000 RPM), for the un-initiated top fuel drag car engines spin at around 15,000 RPM's, Formula One engines spin at about 25,000. I decided to accept that as fact when he tapped the bench it rests on with his finger and the needle on his vibration gauge danced like it had been hit by a blow torch, my 401 redlines at 4,000 RPM. He accepted a substantial deposit with no guarantee of when I would deliver my engine pieces. When I did deliver he worked me in to his schedule to meet my deployment schedule. I delivered my engine in late January, I redeployed in March, so he had a few race guys (regular customers) preparing for race season, himself included. I was not his priority as far as I was concerned, yet he was able to complete the machining within my time frame. Further more when it came to my cylinder heads we/he had a time of it, getting the spring pressures correct sent him in circles. Not his fault, I brought in after market heads with stock parts for him to assemble and set correctly, it's my Jeep and I accept the fact that if it doesn't fight me tooth and nail the entire way it isn't going to work at all. I introduced Dave to my nightmare and he winced but found a solution that worked and works. [Once again Dave, my apologies and thanks]. After all that I recommended a friend of mine to him with issues of his own. A VW cylinder head that someone had installed incorrect parts in (PRIOR to Dave receiving it.) He worked it as agreed. When it was returned with the claim that something was wrong he spent the time to identify what was wrong and provided a solution. I never heard if Dave charged my friend for the additional services, I don't believe he did. This is a Great place to have machine work done. If the rest of the services Dave provides are in anyway similar to his machining services they are beyond reproach. Lest you think I have forgotten about Mike, thank you too Mike, the education you provided me was and is invaluable. read more

Dave and his team did a valve job and transmission service on my 14 year old Camry, I'm am so pleased with her performance. We picked her up from the shop and drove her 400 miles which included over the grapevine. She drove beautifully. Very happy with the service and recommend Arce Engines to friends and family. read more

I had to get my aftermarket flywheel and pressure plate balanced together since the company I bought them from does not balance them as a complete unit. Mike was there for both the drop-off and pickup. I was happy with my experience and appreciated that Mike walked me through the entire process of how they balanced my flywheel and pressure plate. They were able to get my setup back to me two days earlier than what was planned which was a joy to hear. The owner of the shop races modified and super late model race cars using the engines they build, so they definitely know what they are doing. If I ever need anything balanced or any engine help, I know where to go. read more

Arce and his crew did a great job on my engine overhaul. The engine runs perfect. They are really easy to deal with and did a great job explaining everything that needed to be done. Thanks again!!! read more

Thanks for all your help Dave and the guys at arce machine shop. Even though you guys were busy as hell, you made my problem yours and for that I can't thank you enough. The truck runs like a sewing machine now and the customer is happy as hell, and so are we. Also refreshing not to have to listen to foul mouthed ranting and raving every time I have been in there. Looking forward to doing business with your shop for years to come, cheers. read more

WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE! Took over a year to rebuild a Pontiac 400 engine with failed oil pump. Finally got engine put together and a day later staring harassing me for the payment. I was out of town which I informed one of his mechanics of while dropping off some parts. Told him if it were finished before I return to town, just bag it and I can settle up once back. He said ok, no problem. Well a week later the owners are beating me up with calls for payment. I asked to pay in five days upon inspection of engine and received an email from the owner threatening $100 a day storage if I didn't pay. This shop in no way is customer friendly! Did not help me along the way at all! Asked me to order my own parts because he didn't have time to deal with it! Then when those parts were wrong... you guessed it I had to eat the cost! There's more but I'm actually tired of giving this any more of my time and energy. Stay away from Arce engines! You'll be glad you did. read more

The engine work done by Arce was on schedule; excellent quality, and under the $$ quote. They definitely will get my business in the future !!! read more

I have been in the auto repair business for over 40 years. I am a certified master mechanic and machinist. I have taught automotive repair for 27 years. I needed some machine work done that I am not equipped to do. All the machinists that I used to go to are dead! So I sought out a new shop to use. ARCE's was my overall choice. I got to meet some of the crew, very professional from the start. I am very happy with the work that was done. I had a block honed and a very expensive crank and rods balanced. The crew treated it like it was their own. I am very pleased with the work that was done and have referred others to ARCE's read more

I have been using Arce engines for years now, with everything from complete engine rebuilds to auto repairs and Dave and his crew are the best! They always exceed expectations, their work is always done on time, and usually before the expected completion date. I highly recommend Arce engines for all your automotive needs! read more

Dave and his crew walked me through all of the steps to get my rotating assembly ready. They did a great job and even saved me some money on ordering all the components. read more

attention: never go to arce enterprise in el cajon on denny way to get any type of engine fixed, rebuilt, worked on etc. they dont do good work. they dont know how to work on high performance engines and will take your money and give you a broken motor back. the owner dave arce doesnt stand behind his companies work!!!!! save yourself the trouble and stress and go somewhere else!!! read more