The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Or……”To Hemi or not to Hemi”

Sorry I haven’t posted in a while, between the holidays, the flu, and a debilitating spastic attack induced by visions of Dave frolicking with Elton John and Freddie Mercury’s Corpse…………..the Brits do have a reputation for being a little quirky. Makes one wonder how in the hell they managed to conquer the world.

Anyhow. I’ve pulled myself together enough to get back to work on my car. I looked into buying a Hemi to put in the car. My hopes and dreams were crushed by the realities of the market place. Ray Barton gave me a price of $17,800.00 (USD). I think I could have trimmed it down to $16,500.00. The local machine shop wanted $15,000.00 for a pretty plain version. Soooo………………I decided to rebuild the 440 that’s in the car.

The car goes into the shop January 31, 2004……….

Rebuild Engine. 10 ½ :1 forged pistons. Hughes Hydraulic Cam and roller rocker set. Edelbrock RPM Performer intake and aluminum heads. 850 CFM Holley. MSD Ignition and distributor. All associated machine work to balance engine. Dyno and tune engine.

Rebuild Transmission. Rebuild 727 transmission. Shift Kit. 2200 Stall converter.

Exhaust System. New TTI headers and complete prefab exhaust to include muffler and tips.

Frame rails.

Paint Engine Bay to match existing exterior color.

My goal is to try and produce 500 hp and comparable torque…………..

Every supplier I’ve talked to asked me what my goal for the car was. Here’s my response.

“I’m a short, fat, middle-aged white guy. And when I see another short, fat, middle-aged white guy in a Z06 Corvette……………….I want to blow his doors in.”

So that is my goal. A thirty year old understated street cruiser with the ability to go head to head with the best technology the automotive industry has to offer.

I’ll post pictures as soon as it’s done……..probably in March.

Short Fat middle aged white guys unite! Where do I get my membership card?

The sort of duration you will need with a hydraulic cam means you will most likely need 3000-3500 stall. Maybe even 4000 if you want to run the best times possible on the track.

What rear gears are you thinking about?

Dave;

I've bought the 2832 grind with the 1.5 roller rocker. I'll get .524 on the intake and .540 on the exhaust. The rear end is a 355 sure grip in a 741 case. The rear end is howling and that is going to be rebuilt.

As an aside, I read the thread on Hughes engines. So far Dave has been very cooperative.........we shall see. I'll report back to the board.

I'm also working to get with the Crysler Historical Society to see about getting build records.............I'll report my efforts on that as well.

Membership Card?

We don't issue membership cards. We issue a six pack of shiners and a blond.

Got 'em coming your way. Sit back and enjoy.

Use a 3000 stall converter. You might want to think about lower rear gears too.

Thanks Jono!

I agree with Dave on the Stall converter. That's a whole lot of cam/motor to hold back with a 2200 converter. A tranny cooler might help dissipate the heat of the converter as well.