Why do people drool over an HEMI engine? (or 'abuse' the HEMI)

[Mefirst]

OK, here goes...

The "STOCK" 426 Hemis (1966-71 Street Hemis) run in Stock (Eliminator) where they today indeed can run against 440-6 and the 1962-64 Max Wedge cars.

Earlier the Street Hemis ran with different weight rules, etc.. But the NHRA has changed the rules so today its possible to see them running against each other.. There was also a rule change that made it possible to use aftermarket Hemi blocks/iron heads (within set specs) this because there just isn't old "stock" parts left to build true Stock Eliminator engines from, but the rest has to be with set specifications, like valvetrain, cam, rotating assembly, carbs...

The Super Stock engines are a different ball game al together...

/Tom

[dukeboy320]

I'll take a 440 over a Hemi any day!

[hemi68charger]

I'll take a 440 over a Hemi any day!

I'll take one of each, can't make up my mind........... 

[mauve66]

I'll take a 440 over a Hemi any day!

I'll take one of each, can't make up my mind........... 

hhmmmm, one driving the front axle and one driving the rear axle........................

[375instroke]

What I'm getting at is that the Hemi has a higher potential, thus it's exclusive use in top fuel and the highest index in Super Stock.  If anyone is trying to save a buck, why are we into these cars, anyway?  There's always Chevy and Honda.

[rick]

Well, I'm 47 years old got my first 383 when I was 16. Now after 16 or 17 mopars later I just got my 426 Hemi built and ever sense I was 8 I wanted a Hemi . The old boys said there's nothing like it status I guess. But 650 hp I sure hope it tares me a new ass. Can't wait Hemi rules all that how it is!

[Lennard]

Cause they look powerful and awesome and I want one!

[1974dodgecharger]

What I'm getting at is that the Hemi has a higher potential, thus it's exclusive use in top fuel and the highest index in Super Stock.  If anyone is trying to save a buck, why are we into these cars, anyway?  There's always Chevy and Honda.

YUP there you have it folks right there...the 440 is limited in power building vs a HEMI.  A HEMI will eat it up whatever power adders you throw at it vs a 440. 

[Ghoste]

I don't know about that.  Once you get to a certain dollar level perhaps but SS and TF are so different from street engines that its like comparing apples to walnuts.
The wedge head technology has come a looooong way since 1969 and it is soooooooo much cheaper than anything Hemi.  If you throw an equal amount of money at a Hemi and a 440 in the street driven world (and many classes of drag racing) the Hemi will get its ass kicked over and over again. 
That said, I'm putting a Hemi in my car in a year or two as well.

[HPP]

In a similar vein, why do guys drool over 340 instead of a 360?

A lot of the same parallels apply to the Hemi vs 440.

[Ghoste]

Good comparison because I have to admit I'm guilty.

[Cooter]

When we have LS. engines that will crush  426 Hemi today, the Hemi is like a Mercedes/Porches/whatever, look at me, I paid the cost to be the boss mentality. Until that 6.0 puts em on the trailer that is.....

[Ghoste]

Cooter, sorry man but I disagree.  I know mine won't be the fastest out there by a long stretch and I know its going to cost me a shit load of money.  But I don't give a rats ass about anybody thinking I'm the boss.  When I was a kid the Hemi was king and I've wanted one since then, I'm going to fulfil that item on the bucket list before I can't enjoy it.  Its for my own satisfaction and thats all.

[Aero426]

  Its for my own satisfaction and thats all.

Still a bucket list deal for many.   

[ACUDANUT]

Some people here pay more for a stroker/build kit, but yet a 426 would have been cheaper option and 100 percent more eye candy. 

[six-tee-nine]

Got nothing to do about being the fastest car.

It's all about the answer to that Always returning question : "hey do you have a Hemi in there?" And then you reply with a gigantic smile on your face : " Of course...."

At a show a beaten dog of 426 will get more attention then a wamed up 440 stroker when they look at cars. There's the Hemi and then you have the other V8's thats how alot of peole see it.
Lots of people dont know jack about Mopars but overall they know 1 thing : Hemi

[viper r/t]

When we have LS. engines that will crush  426 Hemi today, the Hemi is like a Mercedes/Porches/whatever, look at me, I paid the cost to be the boss mentality. Until that 6.0 puts em on the trailer that is.....

[charge69]

I would imagine that, far and away, most people on here that have a HEMI, do not race them or even abuse them these days. I know I do not and could care less if Joe Blow with his hopped up 273 or LS could beat me. Doubt they could beat me to the bank after an auction no matter how much power they have! Ha!

When people hear that my Charger is an original Hemicar and still has the original motor their eyes get big but, when I open the hood, their eyes get even bigger as drool starts to form in the corner of their mouth while looing at it and the Charger.  Sure, the Charger in itself is a fine looking automobile but the HEMI engine just tops it off.

I am lucky to have found a Hemicar long ago for a realistic price and also lucky that, at least for now, I could recoup my restoration cost .  As I said, the look on people's faces when I pop the hood is worth the price of admission!  By the way, been largely finished with the restoration for over a year now and it has yet to see a car show. Just driving it around is good enough for me.  That is what I did back in 1976 when I bought the Charger (no real car shows around here back then) and I enjoyed it just as much!

[moparnation74]

I would imagine that, far and away, most people on here that have a HEMI, do not race them or even abuse them these days. I know I do not and could care less if Joe Blow with his hopped up 273 or LS could beat me. Doubt they could beat me to the bank after an auction no matter how much power they have! Ha!

When people hear that my Charger is an original Hemicar and still has the original motor their eyes get big but, when I open the hood, their eyes get even bigger as drool starts to form in the corner of their mouth while looing at it and the Charger.  Sure, the Charger in itself is a fine looking automobile but the HEMI engine just tops it off.

I am lucky to have found a Hemicar long ago for a realistic price and also lucky that, at least for now, I could recoup my restoration cost .  As I said, the look on people's faces when I pop the hood is worth the price of admission!  By the way, been largely finished with the restoration for over a year now and it has yet to see a car show. Just driving it around is good enough for me.  That is what I did back in 1976 when I bought the Charger (no real car shows around here back then) and I enjoyed it just as much!

Absolutely Stunning!!!

[charge69]

Thanks MN74,  it is much better looking in person and always brings a smile to the onlooker's faces.

[dyslexic teddybear]

Can anyone come up with an example of an engine that has been MORE penalized/restricted/handicapped or outright banned from competition by racing sanctioning bodies then the hemi?

Think the reason...... really is more then the big valve covers.......

[Ghoste]

Nope.  (but it would have been interesting to see what happened had the Ford SOHC been allowed to live)

[ws23rt]

I was at a gas stop in the late seventies with my 68 hemi RR.  While checking the oil the attendant came over to help.  
He said wow, where did you get those head covers?  I want those for my engine.
The engine has an appeal that goes beyond the original intent. It just plain looks good to the hood poppers of all kinds.

[Ghoste]

Appealing on a lot of levels!

[charge69]

ws23rt, that is funny but, I had my Charger back then also and had the same thing happen to me!  They actually thought I bought those "head covers" and put them on a regular engine!  You would think the spark plug wires would have given them a clue!

Even back in the late '70's, I had people "curb" me and want to look at the engine and try to buy the car almost every time I took it out! I had lots of fun cruising around North Houston back then.