What's the best way to get a Hemi?

[chargervert]

I bought a brand new Mopar Performance crate Hemi engine in 2005. I have never run it. It was a Cummins built 472 Hemi engine. They are known to have issues. I am planning on using the engine in my Daytona stock car project. I am going to have a machine shop go through the engine, and I am installing an Edelbrock top end kit on it. After paying $12,600 for the crate engine, and 5 grand for the top end it,the $2000 Fitech fuel injection system, and whatever the machine shop charges I will have close to $ 25,000 in the engine. I also have an original 426 Hemi block, with the crankshaft and rods that I am going to build as well. I will be using the top end from the 472 crate Hemi engine to build this engine. When I get them done I will be able to tell you which is the better way to go. The new crate Hemi engines are being built much better than the one that I have, so that would have to be factored in,but they cost more too,which would be money well spent if there are no issues with them.

 

[chargervert]

This is the 472 Hemi, and the bare block is the 426.

 

[Joe Barnes]

If you want to play you have to pay

 

[chargervert]

When you build Hemi powered cars, there is no cheap way to do it!

 

[Cranky]

If you decide to piece one, I know a couple of people who have parts....

 

[Richard Cranium]

Best way to buy a Hemi? Option 4 or 5 may make the most sense.


Best way to buy a Hemi

1. Buy a complete original Hemi
2. New 426 crate Hemi
3. I piece at a time
4. Someone dies and leaves you a boat load of money
5. Sue someone

 

[chargervert]

6)Accuse someone in high places of misconduct, and get a payoff to buy a Hemi ! Hush money can buy a lot of Hemi!

 

[Lefty71]

I’d get the crate engine home and promptly tear it down and inspect / fix everything that needed it.

This is never the popular answer, but in so many cases it is the right one....

 

[Fran Blacker]

Only dumb luck will get a cheap hemi today. I bought back a hemi I sold 8 years before. The next week I had a chance to buy another, no money. Called a friend and he bought it.

 

[Hemirunner]

You don’t want one. They’re big, heavy and don’t make any power!

 

[Budnicks]

I voted crate Hemi
but in reality there's more answers than that

really depends on the build
if you just want a Hemi & not worried about originality
a crate hemi is the quickest & easiest way
none of them are affordable, but a crate hemi is reasonable

& unless you wait for ever to come across great deals
or browse swap meets constantly
days of any cheap hemi are all but gone
$15k-$25k easily depending on what & where you get it
upwards of $40k + for a true alum. race engine complete
"used"
or are daily searching the -www- or racingjunk.com
or national dragster etc., they know what the **** is worth too

or if you are in the business & have multiple contacts
to source parts one at a time, it may be a bit easier/cheaper

& that's if you even know what you need
or have the needed funds & paying for shipping on-top of it
adds up really fast with heavy parts across the country

good luck, Happy MoParing
& I hope you have a fat wallet/bank account
it ain't cheap, there are no "budget Hemi builds"

 

[747mopar]

You don’t want one. They’re big, heavy and don’t make any power!

But they're so cool!!! Lol

 

[Lefty71]

You don’t want one. They’re big, heavy and don’t make any power!

I see what you did there Jedi.

 

[chargervert]

I will be paying the long dollar to get the 472 crate Hemi where I want it to be for the Daytona stock car. The 426 Hemi short block ,I bought it for a really fair price. It is a 68 casting,1970 date stamped,un VIN stamped block, It was rough bored 0.10 over,and was magnafluxed. It has a standard crank,two sets of rods,main caps and bolts,correct Hemi oil pan,and fuel pump. By using the new top end that will be coming off the 472 crate engine,building the 426 should be reasonably inexpensive. The only thing I don't have to build the engine is the rocker arms. I had already bought carbs,a ModMan Indy intake,and a cam and lifter kit matched to work with the Mod Man intake. Plus I bought polished ceramic TTI headers for both Hemi engines.

 

[POMONAMISSEL]

my cam grinder has a virgin 70 426 block n heads . he's selling them , but it not for the shy pocket book .

 

[chargervert]

Virgin original Hemi blocks,are a name your own price part,that the right buyer will pay the longbuck for!

 

[POMONAMISSEL]

i believe he's asking the kind of money for it , lol !

 

[Darter6]

I'm guessing it's been 10 years ago when we did this one. 472 MP crate built buy Cummins.We were lucky,knew someone working for Mopar at the time. Was told "Don't buy until I tell you". About 6 months later I get a call to pick it up in Salt Lake City Utah.
That thing was a beast even with a single 4 bbl.

 

[Mike67]

My vote is BLOWN!!!!
Asks @HEMI-ITIS

 

[Hemirunner]

my cam grinder has a virgin 70 426 block n heads . he's selling them , but it not for the shy pocket book .

I used to own some NOS 68 hemi head castings that were new in the boxes. My buddy owns them now. I haven’t seen them since 1993 lol. Not sure what they look like today.