Information on Chief motors
 

Anyone who has first hand knowledge about the Chief 950SC or 1000SC please fill me in on all of the goods and bads. Thanks fo sharing your experience.

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

I believe Parnell (Nautikitty) has big Chiefs in his 41 Saber, enough to break the century mark. You might want to e-mail or PM him.

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Parnell is the perv you want to talk to as DR says.

Here are those 950/1050 Chiefs at work, of course the 6's on boxes help.

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From what I have ever read, Chief is one of the most respected engine builders out there. A guy down here has, I believe, Chief 800's in his 35 Cafe Racer. He's three years on these motors with no problems. He is fanatic about the basic maintenance but the motors have proven their worth.

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

Hey from another engine builder Tommy , his entire operation and the quality and workmanship of what he produces is top notch. Also one of the nicest hardest working people you ever want to be associated with.As far as i know there is no bad to be known here.The engines are world re known for quality and reliability.Hope this helps you out Laz Mesa www.mesabalancing.com

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I have read some negativity on here before. Something about not using top quality parts when engine was tore down and didn't last long, this and that. Could have been somebody with bad blood, who knows. I have seen some of their displays at the Miami boat show and they look awesome, but looks can be deceiving I guess.

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

I have seen the way Tommy builds and operates his biz, he uses the best of the best for engine parts. Every engine buyer requires a special price and not everyone wants to pay for the top notch parts when quoted. Every project has a price and a list of parts to build a motor, with Tommy you get what you pay for, honesty and the experience to back it up. I build my own motors and buy alot of his products and I speak from hands on activity with a great guy.


ALBERT

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

SR-24
Where did you hear this from? I am currently at CHIEF right now putting my new 950's in my 41, and I can assure you that there IS nothing but top shelf equipment in ALL of Tommy's engines.

Hey Albert, what's up? Come by sometime.

Robert

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

No first hand experience here nor have I ever heard anything negative. Looked at Chief 4-5 years ago. Unless I'm totally losing it, He had a wide array of offerings, they were reasonably priced and he had a detailed Bill of Material for each package so you knew exactly who made the block,crank,rods pistons,etc. Just my .02--Lou

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

SGrady has very good luck with him. I have heard all good re: Chief and would consider when my time comes.

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Tonto, it was here on the board in some thread, but it's probably been at least two years ago. Like I said, all his stuff looked good to me from what I saw. His displays were top notch and I would think that somebody who puts that much time into their displays probably puts that much time and effort into their product as well.

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

Really good guy and nice stuff
www.chiefengines.com

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I've been running Chiefs for 3 years in a triple engine set up, injected and supercharged with -0- problems. First class folks in every respect.

Steve David

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

Steve, what kind of superchargers are you running on your engines?

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

I just checked Chief's web site-Merlin Blocks, Lunati cranks,Oliver rods. Good stuff. I guess I wasn't losing it after all!--Lou

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

I have heard a lot of good things today and I talked with Tommy yesterday and he was very helpful. Anyone who has Chief's please let me know about longevity and maintenance.

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p/m sgrady. He may be out at Smoke Run this weekend. I have talked to him re: Chief and he is very aware of what's going on. He has a pre-designated maintenence schedule and replaces/tunes BEFORE it breaks. Been with Chief for years. :)

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

SR 24: They are Whipples atop a base 500 EFI. The only change from the original Merc 500 EFI was the addition of Merlin heads. Tommy used them in lieu of the existing heads for higher torque. They average 710 HP at 730 lbs of torque @5,500. The bulk of the torque is in the mid 3000 rpm range.

Take care,
Steve

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

Robert some people talk a whole lot of crap for the sake of what.
I`m real busy racing, I just won two races in a row, Marathon and
Sarasota and I race next weekend in Dania. So you are getting the
APACHE ready with those pretty in pink blower motors. :) Good luck
Robert and say hello to the tribe at CHIEF ENGINES.

Albert

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

Sr-24 is remembering a thread when a person (who is no longer around) took a boat with a pair of Chiefs and robbed parts to replace them with inferior parts and then sell the parts. Therefore, when the motors were tore down the less desirable parts were found. Not Chiefs fault at all. Just to set the record straight.

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Hey Tonto,
Tried to call you today about Atl.
Give me a ring.

Greg

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

Oh yeah, I have 675 Chiefs in my '96 Gun, only 30ish hrs. They are strong as death and I trust Tommy fully to repair/replace anything.

Greg

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

They sound SWEET too!

LS JR.

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

very classy, Laz

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WellAdjusted -
Lookin at putting Chiefs in the Trojan? :D:D What was the deal in dripping springs on July 4th W/E?

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

Hey eyezlee- My fault ( the starboard ignition switch went out). They (GRDA) were loving the boat though!

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

Scott,
I'll give you a list of parts in my 950's.....................................
Merlin Pro 1 blocks
Lunati crank
Oliver rods
Dart CNC'd heads
JE pistons
Jessel valve train
Blower Shop CNC'd billet super chargers
Holley HP carbs
and the coveted "CHIEF" valve covers
and you should see the paint, way cool candy pink. I'm taking pics and will post them when I get done.
And the best part is a guy that REALLY GIVES A SH!T putting all these parts together! :drink:
Robert

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

Greg (CASHBAR),
I'll give you a call today. Hopefully we're out of here next Sat. SeaRay leaves this Thurs.

Steve David,
How are you and the family? Sorry we haven't gotten together while we've been down here, but I didn't realize how busy I would be getting the boat put together and planning the wedding and all. Good luck racing this season.

Albert,
I know about the busy part. I feel like I have a fulltime job at Tommy's just getting my own boat put together.

Robert

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

I know one thing Jack Clark at Jaguar speaks VERY highly of Chief Engines.

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

Thanks Tonto for the pm! I may givre you a call in the next few weeks.

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

I have had Chief 540/625s for a year now, just change oil and add gas. Tommy and the crew are great.

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Nauti Kitty and Primal Instinct just ran the smoke on the water poker run this weekend with 4 950's and hauled the mail all weekend. We never let up all day saturday and they purred like the well oiled machines they are. Tommy's motors are as good as it gets and he personnally is the best, period. NK :drink:

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Thanks NK! Reliability is very important to us. How many hours do you have?

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Tommy is a great guy to work with and as far as I have heard his motors are great.

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I had two Chief blower motors in my Cig and loved them so much I put three in the Black Thunder. Add fuel and change the oil, that's it!!! The best thing is you're doing business with great people.

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Tommy says good for 200 before going through the top end. Pretty damn good for 950 hp! :cool: NK

BTW 90 and counting.

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Like NK said, we ran the snot out of them all day at SOTW as well as a little 50 mile fun run we did the day before and a full day of boating on Sunday. Only maintenance needed was a quart of oil at the end of the weekend. :cool:

Tommy and everyone at his shop have been knowledgeable, friendly, consciencious and honest in all of my dealings with them. Tommy also went above and way beyond and took care of me prior to a Key West run last November. Can't say enough good things about his first class operation.

We're already over 100 hours on the engines. Time flies when your having fun!! :D :D

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Thanks OSO. I couldn't remember much about the thread but you're exactly right, I remember now. I think at least one or two people are assuming I'm bashing Chief Engines but if they would just read a little closer and pay more attention they would see that I'm not at all, just stating what I had read. I just didn't remember that parts had been swapped, so you're right, that doesn't have anything to do with Chief at all.

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

If you did not remember about the parts being swapped, then you should have used discretion when making any false accusations. Sorry my friend if
I`m a little upfront because I dont protect many people unless I know them well, I know Tommy well enough to go against anyone trying to bash him or his operation. :blaster:

Albert

Re: Information on Chief motors
 

I never bashed him, I just stated that someone else had.