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Why are 426 hemis expensive ?

Build a 383. You'll love it.

It's not worth all of the trouble of building a hemi out of trash over just building a mild 383.

Big blocks are much more streetable than hemis and aren't as finnicky to tune.

383's are GREAT motors...
I think I might go the 440 route and try and get 540 horsepower off of it
 
I think I might go the 440 route and try and get 540 horsepower off of it
Stroked 383 to 496". Idles at 800 rpm, 15" vacuum at idle and 610hp at crank at 5,200 rpm. A mild 431 stroke out of a 383 using same build will be around 540-550 hp at crank. Use what you have.
 
Stroked 383 to 496". Idles at 800 rpm, 15" vacuum at idle and 610hp at crank at 5,200 rpm. A mild 431 stroke out of a 383 using same build will be around 540-550 hp at crank. Use what you have.
And with a 383 or 400 you will have a bit more room under the hood for air cleaner clearance.
 
Jeeze!, And I passed,up a hemi cuda with a spun bearing for $800 in the late 70's but that was after I bought my 70 r/t se charger for $800 didn't have much money then. Had to borrow some cash to buy the charger. I still remember the Vin #XS29UOG118943
 
Ernie Facepalm.png
 
My pain was I bought a new 68 Road Runner for $3000 and dealer offered a 68 GTX Hemi for $3600 that he had on the floor, but being in the military and commuting 400 miles a week end didn't think it was a good idea. The 383 in the Road Runner got pretty good gas mileage although at .35 for hi test who cared, unless you were doing as driving as I was. Stationed in Dover De and home every weekend in NY.
 
I see repaired Iron blocks on marketplace every once in a while for around $1000
I turned down a '70 hemi block asking for $1000. It was cracked. And already had extensive welding repair. If it had one without the other? Then maybe. But for me? Not both. New wound and past scars? Was a bridge too far. (Actually the past scars spooked me the most.)
 
if you think a hemi is expensive or rare price a 69 ZL1. that was a $4000 option!
 
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Why are diamonds expensive? There certainly isn't a lack of them but the jewelry industry has convinced to every woman on the planet that they are a "must have" and then controlled the market driving the prices up. Similar deal here, Hemis have the reputation of being of being "the" Mopar engine to have thus investors started snatching them up thus those with Hemi stuff began to ask higher and higher prices and here we are.

I laugh when I read/hear people say things like "they aren't all that" or "I wouldn't have one" etc. when we all know that given a chance today every true Mopar person would jump on one if they could, I certainly did... lol

RZEJ9402.JPG
 
Why are diamonds expensive? There certainly isn't a lack of them but the jewelry industry has convinced to every woman on the planet that they are a "must have" and then controlled the market driving the prices up. Similar deal here, Hemis have the reputation of being of being "the" Mopar engine to have thus investors started snatching them up thus those with Hemi stuff began to ask higher and higher prices and here we are.

I laugh when I read/hear people say things like "they aren't all that" or "I wouldn't have one" etc. when we all know that given a chance today every true Mopar person would jump on one if they could, I certainly did... lol

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Ok. You're right. Gezz. I have posted before that I have an IDEAL candidate for a hemi upgrade. My '69 GTX 4-speed (That already has the 18 spline A833 and Dana.) The car is not close to # matching. 440 period correct, but not #. D32 code for an auto. And have opened the hood many of times and imagine a big 'ol elephant peaking back? The problem? How to pull a very decent running 440 all to get that extra power and of course that Hemi bling? Make no mistake. I'm very capable of screwing up something that doesn't need fixing?
 
Ok. You're right. Gezz. I have posted before that I have an IDEAL candidate for a hemi upgrade. My '69 GTX 4-speed (That already has the 18 spline A833 and Dana.) The car is not close to # matching. 440 period correct, but not #. D32 code for an auto. And have opened the hood many of times and imagine a big 'ol elephant peaking back? The problem? How to pull a very decent running 440 all to get that extra power and of course that Hemi bling? Make no mistake. I'm very capable of screwing up something that doesn't need fixing?

LOL aren't we all... thats the trait of any true car guy...

A 69 GTX would be a perfect candidate for a Hemi (as would most vintage Mopars). I'll not argue speed/power or any of that since we are not talking about race cars, I will say that every time you open that hood you will be smiling, I know I do every time I look at my Hemi (even though its not even in a car yet).

For me personally, I think of it this way, I am a life long Mopar guy, have owned many cars from the time I was around 15 and in my thinking not having at least owned a 426 Hemi just seemed like I had missed out. Sure, you could apply this reasoning all sorts of ways but it made/makes sense to me which is why I have one. Mine is going into my 70 RR that is pretty chopped up to start with (tilt front end) and I think it will be an awesome street car.
 
For a mopar fan a Hemi 426 is THE HEMI but you want a hemi why not a 3rd Gen swap, 5,7 are widely available, not that expensive and still fun to drive.
 
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