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Built 354 hemi

cervag2004

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Sep 17, 2012
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Schertz,tx
Good day yall i have 2 questions and was wondering if yall could give me some advice . I am restoring a 68 318 charger and this weekend i ran into a fully built 354 hemi with 0 miles built for a supercharger and i had to jump on it.. First question has anyone put a 1st gen hemi into a 68 charger or a b bodiy, And 2nd question how do you think people will think of it . I mean i would love to get a 426 hemi but they are upwards of 20k. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
I've seen sever B-bodies with Gen I hemi's in them. The general consensus is that it's a mopar... i mean who s legitimately going to trash a second gen charger? I say build it how you want -- your car!
 
I was off in lola land or something with my post! Deleted.. try again lol.

Haven't seen that done, doesn't mean you couldn't or that it wouldn't be cool but I wouldn't if it were me but that's just me. I've always wanted one but it would definitely go in something like a hot rod.

My biggest concern would be who built it and what was done to it? I would gather as much information as possible, cam specs, who built it, pistons, compression, etc. Buying a motor with a bunch of unknowns can get you in a lot of trouble.
 
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First, if i could find a fresh 354, i would jump on it too!
Second, i'd find something appropriate to put it in, blower or not. I have a couple candidates, but i would look for a gasser sort of car to put a blown hemi in.
Now for my personal opinion,since you asked. I have seen the early hemi swaps into later cars. I always wondered why? A 440 will fit anyplace a gen one hemi will, gain almost ninety inches in your case, and make more power than an early hemi, and be lighter. Let me stress, this is my opinion. My opinion is as always however, it's YOUR car, do what YOU want.
(If that were my hemi, a blown 354 would find itself in my 49 Plymouth business coupe. Like i say, wish it was mine!)
 
The thing about the Gen1 & 2 Hemi is the eye candy when you open the hood. There's nothing like seeing fender to fender valve covers, especially when they say Chrysler Fire Power on the valve cover.
 
As stated above, it's your car at the end of the day! Personally, I would put a 440 in a Gen II Charger. Lighter and really no issues with mounts, exhaust, etc. A Gen I hemi will bring it's own issues with what I've stated above. How are your fabrication skills? Are you up for the challenge? 440'
 
There is a reason it is called a First generation Hemi.
In each generation, like any product , the engines weaknesses were refined Weight, port design, weak bottom end, rear distributor, etc... Gen 2 were deep skirt, narrower between the outsides of the heads, ports/flow improved. Common RB engine dimensions, parts availability. Crankshaft torque convertor mounting system etc...
Nice old design, but really more at home in a fifties Mopar, street rod, nostalgia race car.
 
I don't think you're gonna get too much hate regarding a Charger...with a Hemi.
 
Put one in my Diplomat
C59B7C11-D988-4710-BB13-626FBFFD9B92.jpeg
A5429B9E-AF49-408D-B100-5DDAB9600FE8.jpeg
 
Looks great, but a regular 383/440 would be lighter, more hp and torque for less money.
Even a mild 360 would be more efficient, but hard to argue with the look...
 
I say go for it - you will have something unique at the end of the day, and it's a lot sexier than the 318 that is in there at the moment.
 
Theres a few 68. 9 Darts up here with 354, 392 installed.
 
Looks great, but a regular 383/440 would be lighter, more hp and torque for less money.
Even a mild 360 would be more efficient, but hard to argue with the look...
but wouldn't have that look and cool appeal:thumbsup:
 
You said it was built for a supercharger. Is there one on it now or are you planning on putting one on there ?
If you're going to run it NA, you might want to find out what the compression ratio is as built. Might be a real dog with no huffer. A real heavy dog at that.
 
You said it was built for a supercharger. Is there one on it now or are you planning on putting one on there ?
If you're going to run it NA, you might want to find out what the compression ratio is as built. Might be a real dog with no huffer. A real heavy dog at that.
This is correct^^^not just compression but also cam specs and head work but I do agree with what many others have said, its your car, do what makes you happy!!
 
Thanks guys i really appreciate everyones in put. I am movong forward with installing the 354 into the 68 charger. Any one know someone that has done this swap before just to get an idea what will need to be done besides motor mounts. Also here are some pics of the hemi.

20210502_205359.jpg 20210502_205349.jpg
 
That sure rocks the underhood appeal. Looks to be on an intake ready to go? Personally I would find an engine dyno and run it on that? Just to see its pluses and minuses. Like what was mentioned. If it's built lower compression with a more stock cam profile that superchargers typically like? Due to less valve over lap and wide lobe separation. But now on a N/A setup? May very likely be disappointing in performance. REALLY missing its huffer. Again, if you get and can post some engine build specs on your hemi setup? And what supercharger was in mind for the build? Will help tremendously on advise what to expect. The builder may have had other thoughts and ideas all together?

But love the look! I've always liked that old school long oil tube.
 
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They look Kewl... no doubt about that !
That said...
the 354's were typically as slow as fawk.... they really do need a Blower.

I'll 2nd the Dyno it first suggestion.... just to make sure the swap ain't all for nothing.
 
your main issue as others have realized is the engine is a lot taller than a 440. The crank sits below the block,not in it. and it is 850 plus pounds. then the adaptor for the transmission.
 
Maybe speed isn't what he's after. With traffic the way it is today it's better to be conservative driving and make it home safe. You still can't beat the look of a Hemi under any hood whether it be 1st or 2nd generation.
 
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