426 Hemi or 440 Stroker? Some quick pros/cons please...

[marangen]

For 68 Charger R/T....

Have been on to this some time ago - got some advice -  and was planning to Stroke my 440 bacause:

1) Cheaper than Hemi: maybe 6-8,000 usd vs 12-15,000 usd....
2) Less maintenance and more street-able (I don´t intend to race, but who knows...)
3) Even more fun to drive under normal cirucumstances, Hemi rules at higher speeds for shure, but if I don´t intend to race...
4) OK Hemi has the looks and sound, and the emblem on the doors - but first 3 points in favour of 440...

BUT - now I am reconsidering!

Found a seller of new Mega Hemi Block + ALL the parts (New mopar alu heads, new X intake, 2 new Holleys 750's etc...). Price is OK!

Q's/Comments

1) Economy - this is my keeper so less relevant. OK, lots of money, but difference may be well invested money! The Hemi will have very good resale value (as a Hemi-clone admittedly, true R/T though) and maybe/probably worth more than added expense which includes engine mount and 727 overhaul (on the cards anyway) and Dana....  Hemi wins this round after closer thoughts!

2) Quite important for me. If both are built professionally with only new parts (Hemi even new block, 440 is not), and both use streetable set-up with regards to cam and compression etc., is not streetability similar? Or is Hemi so much more nervour at idle (especially when cold), set-up problems with 2 Holleys a problem (like six-pack) etc, that 440 wins this round?

3) 440 stroker (I was thinking of about 500ci) is tons more fun I've been told. Makes me wonder. True? Hemi is tons more cool to look at etc, but if 440 really rules under 80mph, under normal fun street and highway cruises then that is a bit sad to hear! Sure I will kick some occasional -ss with it, burn some rubber and drive fast, but if Hemi is not delivering as the 440....? Opinions here please!

4) Hemi rules big time! This one has X-intake - so I wont have big Hemi Air Filterbox or whatever it is called. Maybe a pity but X-intake is X-intake....

Any opinions would be very much apreciated!

Martin

[daytonalo]

I just built a 472 hemi, 11-1 comp, mopar alum heads , 440 source  6 bolt crank , and had assem , total cost 10 k

[marangen]

well - good for you (to live in the States)!

forgot to say I'm based in Sweden, so it costs about 30% to ship things and pay custom duties....

any thoughts about my queeries, that is what I´m interested in....

M

[myk]

The only thing a Hemi brings to the table is bragging rights and the "wow" factor.  If you're just interested in power the 440 will do just fine, built properly.  Besides, the 440 costs less and I can't justify the Hemi's cost just for a wow or cool factor...

[SeattleCharger]

My initial reaction reading what you wrote,
  what stands out is how often you mention the fun factor of the stroker 440, and the under eighty fun driveability, which is what you are going to do,

     then you mention the hemi sounds cool,

           and the other factor is cost,

    the cost thing, assuming money isn't the main factor, you want the engine you want in the end, right?

        well you mention the fun of the 440 many times, that you would actually enjoy driving the car more with the 440, and also will be stop and go driving mostly,

            and the cool factor?    440 sounds cool to me, when I think of a charger, especially an R/T, 440 big block is what I think of,  nothing uncool about it,
    if it was a choice between a small block and a big block hemi, of course hemi is better, but a 440 big block is all charger and all cool, don't even worry about that, and you mention the fun of 440 stroked and how this is how you will drive,  seems easy choice, and it even costs less,
  Don't know if this helps, just my 

[daytonalo]

It also brings another 30 k in value , I like that !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chryco Psycho]

It also brings another 30 k in value , I like that !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree , if you plan to sell the Hemi will bring more than thew cost to install it & build it