6.1L vs. 426 hemi

Author Topic: 6.1L vs. 426 hemi  (Read 6821 times)

Offline ksmithers88

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6.1L vs. 426 hemi
« on: January 25, 2008 - 12:21:33 PM »
going to be starting a restoration on a 70 cuda here pretty soon and i'm torn between the two hemis. I'm leaning towards the 426 because i love the look of the shaker, but does the gas mileage of the 6.1 compensate for that? I've seen 13 city, 18 hwy on most sites for the 6.1L, for those of you with the 426, whats your typical gas mileage?

Any suggestions? :feedback:




Offline 73Chally

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Re: 6.1L vs. 426 hemi
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2008 - 01:07:40 PM »
Personally I would go with the 426.  I don't think mileage, for the amount I drive mine, would be enough to offset the look and "mystique" of the 426.  Also, the 426 will be more expensive out of the box (so to speak), but just keep in mind all the alterations you would have to make to put int the 6.1 and electronics.

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 6.1L vs. 426 hemi
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2008 - 01:16:45 PM »
Only you can really answer this , the look & cost are totally different leagues ,
 the 426 can be efficient but you really need to put in the right cam & use better carbs than the carterbrocks , using the hyd cam & carter brock carbs brought the Hemi to its knees , using Hollys on a cross ram with a mechanical cam will easily get the Hemi over 600 HP . If you prefer the modern Htorod approach the 6.1 is a great choice , the milage will be better & the power will be less than a good 426 but probably not far behind a hyd cam carterbrock 426

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Offline thedodgeboys

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Re: 6.1L vs. 426 hemi
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2008 - 03:42:19 PM »
 :iagree:


I too debated the hemi gen 2 or gen 3 options as well as a good small block strocker.  :rofl:
You have to ask yourself what you wish to accomplish.
How will you drive your car?
Do you want 400 HP, 500 HP, 600HP,
400 use the 6.1 500 6.1 or 426 600 426…
I think you could get 20 mpg out of the right 6.1 setup. (I will let you know)
If you want turnkey low maintenance efi …I would (did) choose the 6.1 (you can put a shaker on a 6.1) :woo:
But it’s your call.. BUILD WHAT YOU WANT!   We will all watch and love it. :popcorn:
And drive it alot. :2thumbs:
Ps. Indy has a new 426 hemi based off the 6.1… :stirpot:
IMO

Just found a part number for a turnkey 6.1 from mopar for under $9000.00 P5155067
« Last Edit: January 25, 2008 - 03:55:48 PM by thedodgeboys »
Go Fast & Have Fun...
70 6.1 HEMI 6-speed Drop Top...

Offline Oldschool

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Re: 6.1L vs. 426 hemi
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2008 - 04:09:24 PM »
Only you can really answer this , the look & cost are totally different leagues ,
 the 426 can be efficient but you really need to put in the right cam & use better carbs than the carterbrocks , using the hyd cam & carter brock carbs brought the Hemi to its knees , using Hollys on a cross ram with a mechanical cam will easily get the Hemi over 600 HP . If you prefer the modern Htorod approach the 6.1 is a great choice , the milage will be better & the power will be less than a good 426 but probably not far behind a hyd cam carterbrock 426




 :iagree:   Once again, well said oh Great One....     :worshippy   
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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 6.1L vs. 426 hemi
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2008 - 02:34:36 AM »
Thanks  :2thumbs:

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Offline Dragula

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Re: 6.1L vs. 426 hemi
« Reply #6 on: January 26, 2008 - 09:20:41 AM »
:iagree:
If you want turnkey low maintenance efi …I would (did) choose the 6.1 (you can put a shaker on a 6.1) :woo:

I have a 426 style hemi with efi, and with the one cam I had, it was getting over 16mpg with 4.10 gears in my Cuda. I have since upgraded it a little and its now gpm, but the HP is almost 800....At the car shows, there's no comparison.  For all out value, the 426, for a really cool small block, the 6.1....I have to say when its all said and done, the 6.1 is probably only marginally cheaper, and does not bring the value of the car up as much, but it is your car.

Offline Ornamental

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Re: 6.1L vs. 426 hemi
« Reply #7 on: January 26, 2008 - 07:33:40 PM »
However...

I can tell u 1 thing. A hemi isnt a hemi unless its a 426+

THe smaller ones just dont seem like "Hemi's".


Nah, I wouldn't mind having a 50's Dodge pick-up with a smaller Hemi under the hood.




You were saying...?   :poopoke:
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Offline Carlwalski

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Re: 6.1L vs. 426 hemi
« Reply #8 on: January 26, 2008 - 08:07:04 PM »


:iagree: I agree. Check out this video of Jimmy White's 331 or 354ci? Hemi, man, that thing sounds MEAN. Dad has the 6.1L Hemi in his 300C SRT8 and it's an awesome engine. I'd love one but with a manual trans but still it has great pickup, response and sound. The sound is very Hemi - mechanical. You can basically hear all the internals giving orders, it's a unique sound and a blast to drive. I can appreciate the new gen conversions but I still prefer the oldschool versions. 472, 528, 540, 604, Nothing will ever be as nostalgic factor like the good ole original 426ci Hemi.


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Offline Ornamental

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Re: 6.1L vs. 426 hemi
« Reply #9 on: January 26, 2008 - 08:19:55 PM »
[Homer Simpson voice]Mmmmmm...  Heeemiii...[/Homer Simpson voice]
I loved that sound! Just had to add it to favorites.

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Offline GreenFish

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Re: 6.1L vs. 426 hemi
« Reply #10 on: January 26, 2008 - 11:52:20 PM »
If the only thing stopping you from putting a modern Hemi in your ride is the shaker, you can put a shaker on the 6.1 or other CID modern Hemi. You can even use a carb version of the 6.1. You can make it work if you want. But like everyone else said. Its all about what you want. It will be cool either way.
70 cuda, 440, KB pistons, 10.5:1 compression, edlebrock heads,RacerBrown cam, 5-Speed Tremec, Megasquirt EFI

Offline go-fish

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Re: 6.1L vs. 426 hemi
« Reply #11 on: January 27, 2008 - 09:22:01 AM »
I vote for 3G Hemi. Or Supercharged 408 :)

Offline hemiken

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Re: 6.1L vs. 426 hemi
« Reply #12 on: January 27, 2008 - 09:29:27 AM »
Hey Go-Fish, :crazy:


Have you seen the 440 Small Blocks Mopar are doing................. :woohoo:
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Re: 6.1L vs. 426 hemi
« Reply #13 on: January 27, 2008 - 09:51:27 AM »
 :bananasmi

nivvy

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Re: 6.1L vs. 426 hemi
« Reply #14 on: January 27, 2008 - 09:52:07 AM »
Hey Go-Fish, :crazy:


Have you seen the 440 Small Blocks Mopar are doing................. :woohoo:

that would be cool......