Old school Hemi power questions

[IowaCharger69]

I have opportunity to get my hands on a 354 Hemi. It's seized but 100% complete. best part is it's my father-in-law's and it's totally free. I am very interested, but I have some questions I should get answers to before I go nuts and start putting stuff together in my head, by that I mean starting to figure out what I can sell to get this motor going!

So.....
I have heard of a few people putting these engines into their later Chargers and Cudas, but I cannot find good examples on line. Is this a simple swap? I really want to pull the questionable, non original, 400 out of my 69 Charger and flop this mini-phant (an smaller cheaper elephant).

What transmition options do I have?

Is the 331 354 and 392 basically the same block? Are the intake, exhaust etc interchangeable?

Are the horsepower and torque ratings as good as I have read? 330-ish hpwr 400-ish torque? [gross ratings]

Will I survive my first all Mopar car show if I pop the hood and one of these is in there?

Thanks guys. And please, if you read all this and think it is just a bad pipe dream, talk me out of it now, before I spend the next summer working on it.

[Charger1973]

First thing I would check into is parts availability.   

[IowaCharger69]

I checked into that. Turns out there is plenty of stuff out there. It's a little spendy, but nothing like trying to buy or build a 426. The interchangeability is going to be key in determining just what parts are actually available for me. If they are interchangeable, then I have even more options.

[Charger1973]

Cool.  Did the guy ever call you on that 440?

[IowaCharger69]

Yeah, thanks for the reminder, I need to get back with him. I have had an insanely busy week. I have been swamped with swap meets and trying to start up my own business.

[IowaCharger69]

Here's a couple pf the answers I have found for myself.

As far as transmissions options.... http://www.hothemiheads.com/transmission_adapters/chrysler_to_727.518.html

As far as parts availability eBay has a ton and.... http://www.pawinc.com/hemicatinfo.html

I still haven't found much as far as others that have attempted this.

[Charger-Bodie]

this is just my opinion so disregard if its not welcome but, if i were you id spend the money on a 440 and save alot of cash and hassle . unless you are only doing for the fact that youll have a hemi under the hood youre money [and less of it] will be spend and more power made and its alot more straight forward swap!!

[mikesbbody]

  the 440 would be cheaper and make more power parts would be easier to find.

[Brock Samson]

unless you really want the old school hemi i'd stick with the 440 drivetrain.. imo..

[rt green]

old school hemi's are popular with the street rodders.  some people build them for old dragsters.  maybe you could sell it and get some cash for your charger?  just an idea

[Crazy440]

You can get some good info over on this site.
Crazy

http://www.thehemi.com/forums/

[Doright]

There is a lot to know with the Old Hemi's! as far as interchangeability's Rocker arms for one.
I have one of the Hard too find Chrysler 392's with the Good rocker arm set up in my 57 but I'm not about too to pull it and put it in my Charger.
The 392 was a good engine when it was built right.
An entire book could be written about the differences in all the diffrent Hemi's.
And I agree I would stick with the 440 cheaper more reliable, I have seen a couple 392's in 3rd gen Charger's and yep they are cool but was it worth the trouble? have to ask the guy's who did it   

[old man]

I think I must agree with everyone else on this subject. Stay with a 440 and you will be pleased with the end result. I was offered an old 354 a year or so ago and I passed. The only thing I would have done with it would have to make a display piece out of for shop. It would look cool cleaned up and repainted on a engine stand. You can make decent power out of them but the cost versus the cost of a 440 would outweigh the cool factor. Why not find a 400 and make a stroker out of it.

[IowaCharger69]

I appreciate all the input. I think you guys are right about the cost of building a 440 vs. the 354. That said, it is REALLY tempting to put a HEMI in my car regardless. I am going to take the motor off his hands anyways cause it's free. But I will probably stick with the 400 that's in it for now.

[Charger1973]

I appreciate all the input. I think you guys are right about the cost of building a 440 vs. the 354. That said, it is REALLY tempting to put a HEMI in my car regardless. I am going to take the motor off his hands anyways cause it's free. But I will probably stick with the 400 that's in it for now.

Thats whats in my car.  At first I wanted a 440 til I read about the 451s on here.  Im convinced thats the way to go now.