What's faster ??

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68 beeper
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What's faster ??

Post by 68 beeper »

Some one please tell me what's faster ......... both standard a 426 hemi or a 440 :-k
SAV@RPM
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Re: What's faster ??

Post by SAV@RPM »

Not a lot to choose between a Hemi and a 440 six pack, but too many variables such as axle ratios, auto or four speed. Having said that, same car, same rear end ratio and same gearbox a good Hemi will always beat a good 440.
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morgan
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Re: What's faster ??

Post by morgan »

68 beeper wrote: Sat May 16, 20 9:36 pm Some one please tell me what's faster ......... both standard a 426 hemi or a 440 :-k
Stock 440 in a gen2 charger was rated 375hp
Stock Hemi in a gen2 charger was rated 425hp (although this was viewed 'conservative'.)

BUT the hemi added 25% to the price tag, dropped the warranty from 3 years to 1 year/10k. Plus its allegedly a pain to keep in tune. So thats why they didnt sell many it seems.
These days a well set up 440 can add the same bang for less wedge(sic:)) in a road car. The real racers still love a Hemi though - the tuning options are endless. BUT - and here is the real kicker - NOTHING sends a visual statement like those fat valve covers. "Yeah. Its got a Hemi..." so for bragging rights there is no contest !
"Cum homine de cane debeo congredi." Woof.

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Pete
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Re: What's faster ??

Post by Pete »

When launched from memory the 440 had a rev limit of 5200 rpm, against the Hemi's 6000 rpm.
That makes a big different at the "Top end".

Remember that the 440 was originally a truck engine, whereas the Gen II hemi was race-orientated.

Modern design and materials have changed these baselines a great deal.

The Torque of the 440 makes a big difference in every day use and environment over a 426 hemi....
Pete Wiseman; Cambridge.

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DaveB
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Re: What's faster ??

Post by DaveB »

I just dynoed a stock 426 Hemi a fortnight ago,factory dual four barrels,duel point ignition,only pulled to it to 5000rpm and it made 480hp/490tq
it would have made over 500hp at 6000rpm,but I wasnt there to try and break it.
A stock 440 stuggles to make 375hp,383s stock are poor,in fact there all pretty poor stock,318 poly being the worst :lol:
I recently did a 440 with out of the box eddys,10:1 comp,.509 hyd cam,750 vac sec,stamped steel rockers,that did 505hp/510tq,enough to dominate a Hemi,and a third of the price,BUT it dont look like a HEMI :lol:
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RobTwin
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Re: What's faster ??

Post by RobTwin »

DaveB wrote: Sat May 30, 20 9:18 pm I just dynoed a stock 426 Hemi a fortnight ago,factory dual four barrels,duel point ignition,only pulled to it to 5000rpm and it made 480hp/490tq
it would have made over 500hp at 6000rpm,but I wasnt there to try and break it.
A stock 440 stuggles to make 375hp,383s stock are poor,in fact there all pretty poor stock,318 poly being the worst :lol:
I recently did a 440 with out of the box eddys,10:1 comp,.509 hyd cam,750 vac sec,stamped steel rockers,that did 505hp/510tq,enough to dominate a Hemi,and a third of the price,BUT it dont look like a HEMI :lol:
As Dave may remember, we had our 426 Max Wedge dyno'd at EDA a few years ago (10+?) and that was rebuilt to pretty much stock spec and that made 450hp & 500tq. That also only went to about 5000rpm and was still rising :-k Factory rating in '63 was 415hp & 470tq

So if you can find one, a 426 max wedge fills the gap nicely between the performance of the 440 & hemi :)
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Pete
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Re: What's faster ??

Post by Pete »

The reality is that you can wind up the wick more on a Hemi than a Wedge style motor - just add ££££££££

Lots of it!!!!!
Pete Wiseman; Cambridge.

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Matt74
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Re: What's faster ??

Post by Matt74 »

So what is it about a HEMI that makes it so much better than a 440?
It must be more than just the hemispherical combustion chambers so what else? Heads, cams, lighter reciprocating parts?
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Pete
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Re: What's faster ??

Post by Pete »

It is purely down to the Heads and the flow levels on both Inlet and Exhaust - in essence most of the bottom end is the same architecture.
Pete Wiseman; Cambridge.

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DaveB
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Re: What's faster ??

Post by DaveB »

Biggest problem with the Hemi,is the hideous dome on the pistons,no real quench area,and very heavy,saying that,the cylinder Head flow out weighs all other problems,its why BB chevys are poor street engines,but add some compression and cam,they will make more power than a 440.

Rob,the Max wedge head is quite good,but rarer than Hemi stuff.

The Trickflow 240 & 270 are probably the best head for the price,my pump gas 451,just made 728hp @ 7000rpm :lol:
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Pete
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Re: What's faster ??

Post by Pete »

Great info, Dave - as you say the Hemi Pistons are colossally heavy, which is a paradox in an engine you want to rev hard.

I believe the Pistons weigh 5 tons each at 6000 rpm, and it is a square law so the weight (Pull) on the rods increases at an alarming weight when you give it the beans!!!
Pete Wiseman; Cambridge.

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