For good/mean street usage - 68 R/T - 440 or 426...?

[marangen]

Trying to decide what to do with my charger 68 R/T triple black....

currently has 383 - don´t ask me why - and I plan to drive it this season whilst thinking of 2007....

Should I get it back to original with non-# rebuilt 440 using all the best goodies that I can get OR get the mighty Hemi?

Pros and cons?

I want lots of power (>450 if possible) - preferably with great feeling of endless power throughout register - won´t be driving lots past 5-6000rpm I regret to say, easy/steadfastly tuned engine, great sound, preferably not headers but HP manifolds and some mufflers - will have kids in car!

Hemi is undefeted champ - I know and IF I go for it I´ll always have a smirk on my face etc - but honestly - is it worth it?

Will Hemi outrace 440 easily - or only at high speeds?

Hemi is tougher to tune and stay tuned?

Hemi is best >5000rpm they say...

Hemi is nervous at idle - not suitable for street/traffic use?

Taking car for 1-2-3 hours on the highway at 70mph would be an advantage if engine allows for...

Fuel consumption similar?

Sound level - similar?

Cost - yes - at least twice the money - but above considerations at least as important!

Any imput would be appreciated!

Martin

[Ghoste]

440.  I love the Hemi but a fact is a fact and the 440 is almost the ultimate street/strip engine.  The Hemi was a race engine DEtuned for the street.  Simply put, the compromises that Chrysler had to engineer into to make it streetable meant it was already on the verge of running like a piece of flaming turd when you got it.  That is why it needed so much maintenance and a razor sharp tune.  You couldn't afford to let it slide.  The 440 was a hopped up passenger car engine so even if it was out of tune, is still ran like a good engine.
I know you aren't talking about a stock engine but the same compromises still come into play.  Dollar for dollar, the 440 is the winner on the street by a big margin.

[Chryco Psycho]

I agree bang for the $ the 440 will win
both are good engines & if you are thinking of selling the hemi will bring more $$

[Jon Smith]

build a mild 500" stroker
it'll leave a stock hemi standing, and they're not that expensive to build these days

[firefighter3931]

build a mild 500" stroker
it'll leave a stock hemi standing, and they're not that expensive to build these days

Big Wedge....hands down ! 

Ron

[Ghoste]

I was wondering when you were going to chime in for the wedge. 

[Blown70]

I agree, Go with the 440 for what you are thinking of doing.  Most street hemis will be left in the dust with what you can do with a 440.  If you do some fun stuff with the 440.

I will have a hemi in mine but it will be supercharged.  Forced induction is what a hemi asks for.


TOM

[Mefirst]

Here is one alternative if you want muchos power AND it runs on pump gas, then again Friday night cruise friendly, that I dont know about...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Fcgiurl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcgi.ebay.com%252Fws%252F%26fkr%3D1%26from%3DR8%26satitle%3D8044257027%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1&item=8044257027

The Hemi does have that "WOW" effect, but still the cost of a Hemi engine is just silly. But if you have the money to spend, then go with the Hemi.. Personaly Id rather build two 440 for the same cost as one Hemi...

/Tom

[rare69]

i have spent the better part of a year researching this very question,and talked with several professional engine builders and got the same answer from all, you can have twice the motor for the same price going with a 440!

[Mike DC]

Another 440 vote.  The Hemi is awesome but not the most cost-effective & reliable.

I also agree to build a stroker 440.

Use a 4.15" stroker crank (about 496 cubic inches total), and don't bore the cylinder walls any more then nessecary.  Use big aftermarket aluminum cylinder heads (Indy or Edelbrock) with some basic bowl-porting, and back-cut the valves a bit.  Maybe a roller cam too.  If you keep the compression low then you can run the lower-octane gas. 


All this will preserve the basic characteristics of a stock 440 magnum, but on the larger scale of the 496" engine.  A TON of horsepower/torque that builds evenly throughout the whole RPM range.  Big fun and small problems.

       

[emanscharger]

Hi Martin
    i just dropped the money on a race hemi..it's being built right now..stroked and bored to 496 inches..stage 5 heads.all steel internals..all the good stuff..it makes 750 horse and 630 pounds of torque..it's going in my 70 charger..already purchased a kiesler 5 speed and a dana for it..just wanted to give you some imput..I've seen plenty of basic stock hemi cars at shows..there cool..but i saw a 69 runner that a guy i know has..426 inch hemi with a big roller and head work..750 horse..it sounded like a beast..it was enough for me to drop the hammer on one..don't kid yourself..when you pop the hood and show that elephant off..it's special.  Now if your a working stiff like me and don't want to be in debt..like i am now..go for the 440 stroker..it is a killer motor..well worth the money. but if your in the finacial position to do a hemi..go for it!  Erich

[Silver R/T]

440 is the way to go for street