6.1 L Hemi, 425 hp and modern!

[MOPARS DO RULE]

I'd sure love to see a heads-up race between a new 6.1L and the legendary 426 Hemi, I mean they both have factory ratings of 425 hp. Unless the '26 was really more but the advertised numbers were fudged back in the day, I'm talking street Hemi of course.

Any one here with experience with both? I can't help be impressed with the new 6.1 from what I've seen and read. 

[72hemi]

I can tell you from experience I have physically seen a bone stock 70 hemi cuda (tuned of course) on radial tires run in the mid 12's in the quarter. The best I have heard of a new Challenger is high 12's stock. My money in a straight line would be a well tuned 426 street hemi.

[Chryco Psycho]

the key word here is potential
the 426 was detuned & under rated in street trim with medocre carbs & hyd cams is was not particularly awesome but with carb compression , better intakes & headers is SS trim 800hp was closer , the new engines are a lot closer to maximum potential out of the box

[71chally416]

If they were both in stock tune in the same chassis (the only fair way to compare them) my money would be on the 6.1. It weights 200+ lbs less and the car would hook better.
 

[MOPARS DO RULE]

the key word here is potential
the 426 was detuned & under rated in street trim with medocre carbs & hyd cams is was not particularly awesome but with carb compression , better intakes & headers is SS trim 800hp was closer , the new engines are a lot closer to maximum potential out of the box

Well to be fair the '26 had mechanical camshaft from '66 to 69, hydraulic in '70 and '71. Emissions.

[71chally416]

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/155_0310_hemi_426_crate_engine_dyno_test/index.html

[JeffAARy]

First off, this is not a fair comparison.  A 6.1 Hemi is 370 cu-in.  So it is at a 56 cu-in disadvantage.  If both engines had the same displacement the newer engine would dominate the 426.  It is made of lighter, stronger, lower friction parts.  It is cooled more effectively, has better ignition, and then there is the rather important matter of fuel injection vs. carburetion.

This is like when sports fans compare teams from different eras.  Take these two Super Bowl champions from each era the Hemi was available; the 1968 Jets and the 2008 Steelers.  There isn't a single player on the 1968 Jets that would have even been invited to the 2008 Steeler training camp, much less make the team.  The current players are so much bigger/faster/stronger it isn't even close.  I doubt any 1968 Jet would even see the field for any 2008 D1 college team.  Same with the Hemis.  Superior advances made in the last 40 years.

[ntstlgl1970]

my money would be on the 6.1L as well just because of the roller cam and tuned intake. Like CP said the newer motors are close to max out of the box. Someone should link the article in hot rod or car craft (?) where they did the some mods on a new hemi and made a lot of power as well.

[72hemi]

First off, this is not a fair comparison.  A 6.1 Hemi is 370 cu-in.  So it is at a 56 cu-in disadvantage.  If both engines had the same displacement the newer engine would dominate the 426.  It is made of lighter, stronger, lower friction parts.  It is cooled more effectively, has better ignition, and then there is the rather important matter of fuel injection vs. carburetion.

This is like when sports fans compare teams from different eras.  Take these two Super Bowl champions from each era the Hemi was available; the 1968 Jets and the 2008 Steelers.  There isn't a single player on the 1968 Jets that would have even been invited to the 2008 Steeler training camp, much less make the team.  The current players are so much bigger/faster/stronger it isn't even close.  I doubt any 1968 Jet would even see the field for any 2008 D1 college team.  Same with the Hemis.  Superior advances made in the last 40 years.

I have to disagree on this one. Indy heads builds 426 hemis base don both the 5.7 and 6.1 engines and the most power they are pulling n/a is 640 and with a blower 900. I have seen old school 426 street hemi's (non A990 hemi's) with a cam carbs and a tune (not even with head work) pull over 700 hp.

[Aussie Challenger]

  You cannot compare the two, as mentioned, two different eras.
  The 426 hemi was under rated for insurance reasons and as most know that motor has been evolving ever since it was first introduced. When modern technology is applied to the 426 hemi the numbers climb like a rocket taking off.   
  I am not taking away anything from the 6.1 hemi which is a great motor but it started life with most of the modern technology already applied, yes, there is room for more gains also.   
  MOPARS will rule in the real "HORSE POWER" stakes for many years to come.
         

[bb71challenger]

I think the old hemi would dominate but the new hemi would get much better fuel economy and be much easier to live with. Now if you are asking which one I would like to own new if I could? No doubt in my mind I would jump all over a 70 hemi 'Cuda/Challenger

[MOPARS DO RULE]

 

Some really great points, 370 cid vs 426 cid and the fact that 1963 was a long time ago, 1963 being when the '26 was designed.

The better comparo would be the "new" 392 cid Hemi vs the old late '50s 392 Hemi!
 

[Chryco Psycho]

Agian I would lean towards the old 426 , with fuel injection & modern tech applied I ma sure it would not only get far better milage but the power #s would be crazy , the 440 we put EFI on last is is just impressive

[Luvcuda]

First off, this is not a fair comparison.  A 6.1 Hemi is 370 cu-in.  So it is at a 56 cu-in disadvantage.  If both engines had the same displacement the newer engine would dominate the 426.  It is made of lighter, stronger, lower friction parts.  It is cooled more effectively, has better ignition, and then there is the rather important matter of fuel injection vs. carburetion.

This is like when sports fans compare teams from different eras.  Take these two Super Bowl champions from each era the Hemi was available; the 1968 Jets and the 2008 Steelers.  There isn't a single player on the 1968 Jets that would have even been invited to the 2008 Steeler training camp, much less make the team.  The current players are so much bigger/faster/stronger it isn't even close.  I doubt any 1968 Jet would even see the field for any 2008 D1 college team.  Same with the Hemis.  Superior advances made in the last 40 years.

Not to mention the fact that the Jets wouldn't have the referees in their back pocket to "EVEN" things out!    But I do agree with the engine choice...

[JS27N0B]

I would put my money on new technology. The 425 hp rating is net not gross like the original ratings were. The engine is lighter as well so in the same body it should be faster.