which is the best hemi engine?

[muddy4x4xfar]

hi im pretty new to car restoration. im after a 1970 dodge charger shell. im looking at engines at the moment. what is the best hemi engine to have in a charger . i have been told the 426. 
also forgive me if i seem dumb. but i am learning as i go along. i understand what a hemi is with regards to the cylinder head. but is a hemi engine just a v8 with hemi heads on.?
i which case what sort of engine would i need to be looking for.?

thank you everyone in advance for their help its much apprieciated.

chris

[Blown70]

IT is a big Block motor, much like the 440, of couse the most obvious the heads....

If you are doing a hemi, do a stroker. or 472/540/572  you will IMO like the extra cubes....

www.forhemisonly.com


Tom

[Rolling_Thunder]

I don't know - honestly I have driven 426 hemi cars as well as newer 6.1L Hemi cars...    I have to say I would take the 6.1 before the 426....     reliability, power, mileage...   what is not to like ?  Weighs less to boot...   

[mauve66]

of course there are stage 6 heads to turn a 440 block into a hemi ..........................

[Troy]

of course there are stage 6 heads to turn a 440 block into a hemi ..........................

Can you still get them? They really don't save any money vs building a real one.

Troy

[RD]

of course there are stage 6 heads to turn a 440 block into a hemi ..........................

Can you still get them? They really don't save any money vs building a real one.

Troy

good questions, but i would like to have them on a 400 block with a stroker crank (imagine the possibilities).

[TylerCharger69]

now...if your talking about comparison between the 354  the 392  or the 426.......well   the 426 of course.....as far as stroked options....i dunno....haven't had the pleasure of the stroked hemis.....but i imagine they are kick ass engines.....pricey though!!!

[Rolling_Thunder]

Crate 528 hemi = $18,000 + headers + pulleys + intake + accessories + carbs...   say $20,000   for 610hp

6.1L Hemi stroked to 440ci = $13,000 + headers + accessories...       say $15,000 for 630hp

Just an idea...     

[Cooter]

6.1 Liter 440 C.I. = 4.00 Bores and 5" stroke....Rod to piston ratio has got to be up there...630 HP

572 C.I. "426 style" HEMI= 4.50" Bore and 4.50" Stroke 800-900 HP

The newer HEMI just doesn't have the bore to go any bigger than 440 C.I.
Something to also think about.. Start with a bigger engine, end up with a bigger engine...

[Rolling_Thunder]

understandable - how much does the 572 hemi cost ?     I mean the 528 and the stroked new gen have roughly $5000 price difference...    add a supercharger or something

[Cooter]

understandable - how much does the 572 hemi cost ?     I mean the 528 and the stroked new gen have roughly $5000 price difference...    add a supercharger or something

Any newer HEMI and Trans will cost about $7000-$8000 at the local bone yard. Then, you build it, and add computer to fire it and the injecters.

I personally don't like either HEMI engine, cause for half the money either way, I can build the hell outta a wedge stroker engine. Dollar for Dollar, the wedge stroker is cheaper and makes just as much power...

[Troy]

Any newer HEMI and Trans will cost about $7000-$8000 at the local bone yard.

Not quite - I have a 5.7 that I paid much less than that for (well under $2k for engine, computer, wiring, all accessories, and trans with only 30k miles). I agree the costs of the computer, wiring, and fuel system can be up there. I'll be selling mine off as I decided to use the 5.9 Magnum that I already had instead. The original Hemi has a lot of "wow factor" visually though. I really don't care if I can build a faster 440 since I don't race but, alas, I sold off most of my 426 Hemi stuff too. I could practically build another car for what it'd cost to make it "correct" for my car.

Troy

[Belgium R/T -68]

When I decided to build a Hemi clone of the challenger it was definetly not for the power. Building my stroker "here" on the forum have teached me that you get moore power for less dollars if you stick to a 383-400-440. I just want one because it's soooooo cooooooool.

Per

[Rolling_Thunder]

i guess my opinion is based on what I am building my car for...    to me - 20hp difference is no big deal...     I am building my car for driveability - not all out performance...    I dont particularly care if my car runs 12.8 or 12.2...     it'll be safe, handle, stop, and drive ANYWHERE I want - no issue what-so-ever....     

Some people get off on the idea of 600hp but honestly how many of us actually have a legitamate 600hp street car ?  Oh and how many of those actually drive the car on long distance trips ?  I examined the reasons why people do not drive their cars - mileage, parts breakage, durability...   

[gtx6970]

Any newer HEMI and Trans will cost about $7000-$8000 at the local bone yard.

Not quite - I have a 5.7 that I paid much less than that for (well under $2k for engine, computer, wiring, all accessories, and trans with only 30k miles). I agree the costs of the computer, wiring, and fuel system can be up there. I'll be selling mine off as I decided to use the 5.9 Magnum that I already had instead. The original Hemi has a lot of "wow factor" visually though. I really don't care if I can build a faster 440 since I don't race but, alas, I sold off most of my 426 Hemi stuff too. I could practically build another car for what it'd cost to make it "correct" for my car.

Troy

Troy,
when your ready to off the 5.7 , call me . I have access to a rust free 72 dart needing a powertrain

[Dodge Don]

of course there are stage 6 heads to turn a 440 block into a hemi ..........................

Can you still get them? They really don't save any money vs building a real one.

Troy

They were Stage V Engineering heads as I recall. Don't think they are available anymore. Cool concept though.

[suntech]

The BEST hemi?

I think it depends on what you are looking for. I guess if you are looking for something to drive every single day, and you dont want to have any issues, the natural choice would be the new 5,7 or 6,1. There you have an engine that they sell today, in new cars

If you are a little more nostalgic, you go with the older "426 style" Hemi. Old fashion, but coooool!!!

If you strech it further, you get a new buildt "426 style" , with modern parts, and stroke the hell out of it!!!! Those motors can handle up to 4-3/4 stroke, and that gives you 604 cid, without touching the 4,5 bore!!
The weight can be reduced by 160 some pounds, just by using an aluminum block!

Then you got yourself a motor  

[Challenger340]

THESE Days, IMO, I think I'd go for the new 6.1L HEMI stuff for a 'Driver".

Side Note;
The Stage V Engineering Conversion Heads were waay ahead of their time, back when HEMI Blocks etc., were a tough commodity to to attain.
They Flowed very well, and were a "cut-above" other HEMI Heads for the time, IMO.

I'm re-doing a Drag Engine RIGHT NOW, that has a Set of Stage V Heads on a wedge Mega Block.

But these days, it becomes a moot point, IMO, to go for a "conversion" HEMI Head to be used on a Wedge Mega-Block, with the abundance of "actual" HEMI Blocks/Heads available ?

Nonetheless, I'll re-do the current Stage V Mill I have in the Shop now, and it'll push the Dyno @ 950hp. They are 'FINE" pieces !

Stage V Engineering is still around, but contact success is difficult.
Expect delays in dealing for parts/pieces etc.