426 hemi

[Challenger340]

Dunno if this is relevant, but, I had a customer recently with an original '69 Road Roach, HEMI . He claimed he put 134,000 miles on it prior to parking it in the early 80's.
At first I was skeptical of this claim. Subsequent to getting to know the guy better, and re-doing the engine, complete with .008" ridge in the std. bore cylinders, (prior to us reboring, etc.) I'd have to say he was being truthful in his claim. Heads were wore right out, etc., but no evidence of anyone EVER having been in there !
I Never did see the car.

I guess what I'm saying here is the HEMI's are probably more reliable than I gave 'em credit for, Bad valvetrain geometry and all, depending on the Drivers driving style. I DO think he probably babied it.

[472 R/T SE]

Gotta agree with Ron.  If you go the elephant route, go with a 472.  It does get spendy tho, with the motor I spent a little over $21k. 
I'm runnin' the Stage V intake, a little under stalled but runs great in traffic.  On my trips to Seattle I averaged right at 13 mpg and that was playing around with my buddies.

This motor replaced my 440-6.  I've never ran either thru the traps so I have nothing to go on but the mileage was the same with the 472 stronger on the top end.  The 472 will boil the tires @15-20 mph with the 3:55 gears. 

[69Chrgr]

I'm also looking for the best route to go on the Hemi for my 69. I'm hearing that the crates have gotten much better than the past. Anyone have any experience with the 528?

[THE CHARGER PUNK]

hey thallium it would be pretty cool if u went with panther pink and stayed with the hubcaps already on the car  just my -MATT

[BigBlockSam]

hey thallium it would be pretty cool if u went with panther pink   

don't go pink, unless your ready to take some abuse. ok pinky

[thallium]

oh hell no. Sorry charger punk,  No way is it going to be pink, and after it gets painted, those hub caps are gone too! I'm thinking of the slotted mags from wheel vintiques.  Good chance it's getting these

[emanscharger]

Hey Guys,

    with all the hemi talk i wanted to throw my 2 cents in..if your going to spend all the coin on the hemi..get a pro to build it from scratch..for a little more money than a crate motor would cost..i had august from speedomotive build me a 496..it just got off the dyno on monday..it made 740 horses and 630 pounds of torque..it's being shipped to me now..as soon as I get it in..i'll report on the performance of it!  Erich

[472 R/T SE]

Hey Guys,

    with all the hemi talk i wanted to throw my 2 cents in..if your going to spend all the coin on the hemi..get a pro to build it from scratch..for a little more money than a crate motor would cost..i had august from speedomotive build me a 496..it just got off the dyno on monday..it made 740 horses and 630 pounds of torque..it's being shipped to me now..as soon as I get it in..i'll report on the performance of it!  Erich

So what did that run ya' $$ if I may ask?

[last426]

I have a different point of view.  First, although I don't drive it all that much, the hemi is reliable like any other American big block.  If I were you, I would get the base 426 and might, just might, throw 2 fours on it for the visual effect.  I would not prepare it in any way to race; I mean, you are not going to race it, right?  Since a Date is such a visual car, put an engine in that is visual and reliable and contributes to the car, not takes from it.  The thing about my car is that no one even looks at the body or interior, they just stare at the engine.  On yours, the external appeal will only be complimented by the underhood look.  Kim

[1fine69]

what about a new 5.7 hemi crate motor?