Big Chief's "New" Engine Isn't New—And That's Exactly Why It Matters

Alright, Street Outlaws fans—let’s talk. There’s been a whole lot of noise lately in the racing world, and at the center of it all? None other than Big Chief himself. Word on the street is he’s back with a “new” engine—but if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know that “new” isn’t quite the right word.

In fact, that’s where the whole controversy begins.

Photo by Big Chief 405

See, this isn’t some fresh-off-the-dyno, mega-budget, Hemi-powered setup. Nope. Chief brought back the aluminum Pontiac-style motor he was rocking way back in 2017. The same beast that powered the Crow and turned heads while tearing up pavement. But now? It’s back, refined, upgraded, and battle-ready.

And the internet? Oh, it’s split.

The Hemi Crowd vs. The Hardcore Street Racers

On one side, you’ve got folks scratching their heads. They’re saying, “Chief, what are you thinking? This won’t cut it for NPK!” They're expecting billet blocks, 41X setups, maybe even twin-turbo monsters with enough power to lift the front tires halfway to orbit.

But here’s the thing: Chief isn’t chasing NPK clout. He’s not trying to out-spend the competition or follow the blueprint to a “perfect” build. He’s not about flexing on social media with 3,500 horsepower builds. He’s about the streets. About grip, guts, and grit. And that old-school Pontiac motor? It fits the mold perfectly.

Photo by ProTorque

It Ain’t About New—It’s About Right

While some might see this move as playing it safe, anyone who’s watched Chief over the years knows better. This is strategy. This is chess, not checkers. That Pontiac block isn’t just familiar—it’s dialed in. It’s been through wars. Chief knows every bolt, every quirk, every nuance. There’s no learning curve. No trial and error. Just pure, instinct-driven performance.

Meanwhile, other racers are still figuring out how to keep their new setups hooked on sketchy surfaces. Chief? He’s already staged, already launching, already tuned for that gritty, unpredictable back road where most others struggle to get down.

Let’s not forget—in street racing, traction is king. That aluminum block? It’s light. It helps the car bite and get out of the hole faster. When every pound counts, especially on unprepped streets, that kind of edge means everything.

Real Power Doesn’t Always Show Up on a Spec Sheet

We get it. People love big numbers. 3,500 horsepower. Twin-turbos. ProChargers that sound like jet engines. But none of that matters if you can’t plant the power when it counts.

Chief isn’t building a car for the ‘Gram. He’s building it to win. He’s building it for the kind of street racing that made him a legend in the first place.

And that’s what separates Big Chief from the pack.

Photo by Big Chief 405

Not a Step Back—A Power Move

Let’s be honest—Chief’s never been afraid of going against the grain. People didn’t get it when he made certain calls before. But what did he do? He showed up and made ‘em eat their words.

This isn’t a rookie taking wild swings. This is a seasoned street racer making a calculated move, tapping into what works instead of what’s trending. It’s a reminder that in street racing, new doesn’t always mean better.

What Chief’s doing isn’t just smart—it’s real. And in this game, real always rises to the top.

More Than an Engine—It’s Identity

Bringing back that engine isn’t just about performance. It’s a statement. It’s about honoring the streets that built him. Loyalty, hustle, instinct—that’s what this culture is about. That’s what Street Outlaws Talks is about.

This move is Chief saying, “I know who I am. I know what wins. And I don’t need to change to stay dangerous.”

And honestly? That’s a message the whole scene could stand to hear.

So next time someone calls Big Chief’s engine setup outdated, ask ‘em this: Can you even keep up on the street?

Because when it’s midnight, and the asphalt is barely holding together, and all that matters is feel, focus, and finesse—Big Chief’s got the advantage. Not because he’s got the flashiest setup, but because he’s still doing it for the streets.

And that, my friends, is what makes him a threat—every time he lines up.