Author Topic: 392 Hemi I need the advice of the experts  (Read 793 times)

Offline Srobinson4

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392 Hemi I need the advice of the experts
« on: September 22, 2007 - 02:43:13 AM »
As you all my know I just finished my car.  It is a 1973 Challenger with matching 340.  I also just came into a 392 Hemi.  I know nothing about engines.  However, I like the way this bayboy looks.  What I need to know is:

1.  Can this engine be made to fit without much modification to my car?

2.  What are the pros and cons of the 392 when compared to the 340?

As always you help is greatly appreciated.




Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 392 Hemi I need the advice of the experts
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2007 - 02:51:13 AM »
Never say never , 392 Hemi nut has one in his car
 But it is not an easy swap , the 392 will not bolt in , you will need mounts & headers custom built , the 392 is wider than the 426 & is harder to fit , it will require a small block 727 or 4 spd bell & an adapter to mate the crank to the flywheel or flex plate , the 392 is also heavier then the 426

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline Dragula

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Re: 392 Hemi I need the advice of the experts
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2007 - 08:30:47 AM »
1-I don't know about Schumacher mounts if they make any, the one I did, we made an engine plate that sits on the front frame rails. If you put stock type mounts in, there isn't really any place to run the headers, so to do it right, you will need to modify the front frame rails slightly for a full plate. We actually made about three engine plates before we were happy with the position of the engine.

2-392 hemis are like 340's with hemi heads that don't flow like big hemis. They CAN make big power, but they require lots of work and money to do so. Typically a stock will drive just like a stock 340, thats 100lbs heavier if left stock. They don't make a ton of hp until you really ut some money in the heads. Check out the flow numbers on Hot Heads website for stock heads.

3-They are not cheap to build. For the same money you could build a 426 hemi. The headers being one of the bigget expenses as well as the transmission adapter. In our case even the pistons were custom and cost around $1100, or the same price as the custom headers did.

4-The only parts you re-use are the heads and valve train, block and crank, and the valve covers unless it came with the dual quad intake. Other than that, your going to be buying a lot parts.

« Last Edit: September 22, 2007 - 09:35:36 AM by dragula »

Offline jeryst

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Re: 392 Hemi I need the advice of the experts
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2007 - 08:52:19 AM »
I have a 331 hemi, and considered the same thing. I would have wound up putting 5-10 times the money in the hemi vs the 340. Just wasn't worth it. Sell the hemi to someone with a streetrod and lots of money.

moparniac

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Re: 392 Hemi I need the advice of the experts
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2007 - 08:57:38 AM »
I have a 331 hemi, and considered the same thing. I would have wound up putting 5-10 times the money in the hemi vs the 340. Just wasn't worth it. Sell the hemi to someone with a streetrod and lots of money.

 :iagree:

Offline Dragula

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Re: 392 Hemi I need the advice of the experts
« Reply #5 on: September 22, 2007 - 09:55:24 AM »
That engine really didn't make enough power, so we put a small under hood power adder on it :money: