I need a short hemi lesson....

[mauibarber]

Hi everyone,
I have a quick hemi question.   I see that I can purchase a 5.7L Hemi Crate Engine, Carbureted, @ 360 Horsepower, for approx.  $7200 dollars.
For nearly $13,000 dollars (6k more than the 5.7L) I can purchase a 465HP / 426 Hemi Mopar Performance Crate Engine. 

My question is why is it Six thousand dollars more for 100 more hp?  I must be missing something.  Please educate this hemi noob. 

Is this 426 worth the extra cash based stricly on performance or are people buying these just to have a "matching" engine to there car?
Thanks,
Alex

http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/122/Mopar-Performance-Parts-Crate-Engines.htm

[myk]

I'm guessing that the current 5.7 "modern" hemi is probably cheaper because it's being mass produced and widely available.  The "classic" style 426 hemi is a unique piece of machinery that makes it a specialty piece, thus with greater cost to MP and possible buyers.

The worst part of the $13K hemi is that MP crate motors, including the hemi, are reported as lacking in quality...

[Troy]

Original Hemi parts are a bit complex and expensive to manufacture. It's not so much the block or rotating assembly as it is the heads and valvetrain. Adding up the cost for rocker shafts, rocker arms, rocker stands, springs, heads, valves will be almost as much as the total cost for the modern Hemi. If you're purely judging the price/performance ration then you need to also note the extra 130 ft/lbs of torque. Try getting that out of the new Hemi and then compare prices again. Of course, not many people need that much power so if you can live without it then price is a much bigger factor. If you do need that much power then the 472 crate isn't much more and bumps to 525 HP and 540 ft-lbs torque. For another $2500 or so the 528 Hemi has 610 hp and 650 ft-lbs and it's probably still got a lot of room to grow. Yes, I know you can build a comparable 440 for about half of that but I, personally, would rather open the hood and see the elephant motor in there just because it puts a smile on my face. Any time you want mucho power you're going to have to spend money but most all of that is wasted if your car never sees the track. Probably the best deal in crate motors is the 360 shortblock (I think it's around $1300) with some magnum heads. Same power as the little Hemi and less than half the price to finish. Mopar Performance also has complete 360 Magnum crates in 320, 380, 395, or 435 (402") horsepower with the best still $1000 cheaper than any Hemi. Lots of choices whether you're buying based on looks, raw power, or price - it's all in what's best for you and your car. Oh, and the 360 Magnum is almost a direct (cheap) bolt-in.

Troy

[TylerCharger69]

Oh...man.....go with the 426.....that's a REAL Hemi...lol....j/k

[ChargerSG]

5.7L is the poormans Hemi(as myself, putting a scrap 5.7L in 69 Charger) but a 426 is a real hemi....

[Ghoste]

As far as Mopar crate engine quality, there have been some issues but overall I think they are likely a better bargain than some of the other crate engines out there and I have heard of quite a few quality issues with the Brand X boys too.  I think for some reason the Mopar tales are beginning to take on a life of their own.