TheSamba.com :: View topic - Chico Performance Racing (Anibal)

Wed Dec 09, 2009 10:26 pm

here it is and will be updating the performance of engine over the next year or so.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQIdk5Kkw00

Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:56 am

I'm alittle slow at this but it's time for my 2 cents. It's been about 20 years or so since I've built a motor but I got back in the vw thing and have got bitten by the bug. Ha. Anyway, I'm about 90% done with my
build, and I just wanted to say it's been awsome dealing with Anibal.
He has answered a hundred questions or so, he ships everything on time, and the prices are very reasonable. Not one negative thing to say, everything positive. Thanks alot, Anibal. Eric

Thu Jan 28, 2010 8:05 pm

In november 2008 I ordered a 1776cc from Chico, great engine, very nice, looked just the way I wanted it, the only thing i was not too happy about was the lack of customer service from Chico once the engine was paid off and delivered, Im 2000 miles away from California so customer service was very important for me.
In my visit to California the following year (2009) for the Classic Show I went to Chico's shop to say hello, he took the time to show me his shop and his work, For this I thank him !
From day 1 my engine was running a little hot, ( I was a little worried and I wanted to stay in touch with Chico so he knew what was going on) I understood I had to break it in first so I tried to keep him posted when my engine reached 500 miles and 1000 miles then the last time I emailed Chico he said that we will talk when the engine hit the 1500 miles mark, so I did, I emailed Chico twice and never got a response, He never followed up with me so I stopped bothering him. However I still like Chico and believe he is a great VW engine builder. I just feel that once he got my money, I was not good enough for him.

To sum things up, Great engine no problems but poor costumer service. It would have only taken him 2 minutes to email me and put me at ease.

Thu Jan 28, 2010 8:33 pm

I would try calling him. I think I had one e-mail out of five that was not returned and when it wasn't returned, I called him. From my experience Chico always called me back or answered his phone. Sometimes it's easier to handle things over the phone. The only drawback to phone conversations is that there is no record of what was said.

Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:55 am

Nah!, it was not like that when we first started negotiating, we always did emails until I got the engine. I also had a problem with the fan hitting the fan shroud which I still have, he told me what to do but it did not work and again, no follow ups.
Don't get me wrong, Chico's engines are awesome, I'm very happy with my engine, I just want Chico to do a better Customer Service for those that are not mechanics like myself.
Would I buy another engine from Chico? YES, just under different terms.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:36 pm

I had Chico Performance build a long block for me...It's on the way.

Bore 90.5 Carbs 40 IDF's 34 vents
stroke 82 fuel 91
Compression 8.5 to 1 main jets 150
Cam eagle 120 air jets 200
timing 30' E-tubes F7
Air temp 78 exhaust 1 1/2 header with phatboy

RPM HP Torque
2500 58 121
3000 72 126
3500 91 137
4000 108 141
4500 117 137
5000 125 131
5500 132 126
6000 126 110

I sent him my carbs...dist....gen. stand..crank pulley, had him put a new oil cooler on. I have all my tins freshly powder coated and ready to put on.

If this motor is anything like the great service Anibal provides, it will be a winner. His customer service and communication is first rate Good on him.
Paul

Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:21 am

I had a 2017 long blockbuilt by Chico last July, I also got a set of 44 idf's and sachs clutch setup. I finally got around to installing my straight axle setup and the engine and fired it up last night. Damn she's nice! Total quality from Chico. Super torque throughout the rpm range, even though I haven't smashed the throttle to see how much she has on tap. Kudo's and thanks go out to Anibal. Thanks!

Tue Mar 02, 2010 12:26 pm

This guy has a great reputation on his engine builds.

He knows the inside details of what works.

Once you start selling engines mailorder, the sky is the limit to the problems that arise.

With today's Walmart mentality customers, there will always be someone who isn't happy...

Thanks
B

Tue Mar 02, 2010 2:56 pm

I received the motor from Anibal at Chico's, I couldn't be more happy with the way it all went. AAA+ THE MAN KNOWS WHAT CUSTOMER SERVICE IS ALL ABOUT.
It wont be in and running for a short while, I'm doing a winter build / refurbish on the car.
I mocked up the motor
Paul

Tue Mar 02, 2010 3:40 pm

dyno'd my now 3+ year old mild 2017cc, 105.80hp 119.19tq, couldn't ask more for my daily driver, did I mention super reliable ? :knock on wood:

Fri Mar 05, 2010 9:28 pm

My experience with Chico, great engine.
Customer service isn't his strongest point, but I would assume as a business owner that he would need a Clone of himself to be on the phone and the other building engines. Hence, I understand he is busy and it's hard to do everything at once.

He has answered every question I had, when I got a hold of em....lol
Never made me feel like an asshole for asking any question.

The boys at CB Performance are a different story, their too good to talk to anyone and MAKE you feel like an asshole for calling in to ask questions. Makes you think twice about possibly spending my hard earned money with them. Guess you have to catch them on a good day.

Anyhow, overall I'm happy with my purchase. Though I live in the Midwest, (CHICAGO) were there is little to no physcos like myself investing this kind of money on a BEETLE...lol so beetle people are FEW and far inbetween in the midwest.

this is my engine, built by chico.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8_BWnNdgwg

This is the car
www.vwbug.webs.com

Thu Apr 22, 2010 6:41 pm

Just got my 1904 from CPR insalled and HOLY CRAP!!! This thing runs like a raped ape and idles like a dream. It has tons of torque from 2k up and pulls amazingly. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: On top of this quality build, Anibal is a stand up guy with HUGE patience and great customer service. He answered 2 call while he was on vacation for example. He's got a customer for life.

Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:10 am

CPR IS AWESOME!!!

se habla espanol :D

Wed Jul 21, 2010 7:48 am

I bought a set of reconditioned rods from Chico. They look really nice, communications by email were great and shipping was fast.

Tue Aug 10, 2010 12:57 pm

Rods look good, fast shipping will buy from him again. Thanks Dave T

Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:50 pm

I ordered a set of 85.5 AA pistons. No complaints.

Thu Jan 27, 2011 2:58 pm

received my 1776 type one engine from chico last week , was a pleasure doing busines with him he was great about shipping to the U.K. =D>

Sat Mar 12, 2011 2:13 pm

Just ordered my 2332 today. Chico is a helluva nice guy. Now just waiting 8-10 weeks.

Wed Mar 16, 2011 3:19 am

Chico built my engine and shipped it to me in Australia. I would say that he has done nothing but an outstanding job. Full stop.... All of my question and worries about the build where answered professionally. I have had no problem with the build at all. Thank you

Tue Mar 29, 2011 1:53 am

I had chico build me his 100 horsepower 1914cc package and could not be more pleased. I'm really happy I took the time to do my homework on all the builders out there. The great thing about Chico is that from the first time I called to even more calls after my order was placed, he was happy to speak with me and let me know how things were going with the build. He happily took the time to explain in comprehendible detail all the questions I had. I called back with some other questions even after a week it was in my car and he still took the time to talk to me. His work exceeds his reputation. There were a few builders I was going back and fourth between but I ended up trusting Chico. I told him exactly what I wanted out of my daily driver and he delivered. The engine is a work of art.
Thanks,
Dante

P.S. when I showed up at my local air cooled vw club I opened my engine bay and was the official cool guy at the club...

356 porsche owner "What?! a CHICO engine?!!"

you rock chico