early hemi in cuda?

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    Author Topic: early hemi in cuda?  (Read 16149 times)

    Offline sixpack340

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    early hemi in cuda?
    « on: April 20, 2009 - 10:36:20 AM »
    has anyone ever seen a cuda or challenger with an early hemi installed? my old man has a 354 hemi laying in the barn and he suggested that it'd be pretty cool to put that in my cuda. i think its a cool idea but didnt know how hard it would be and also if a shaker could be fitted for it. so anyone ever seen this done before? :clueless:
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    Offline 72hemi

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    Re: early hemi in cuda?
    « Reply #1 on: April 20, 2009 - 10:46:34 AM »
    I've seen it done in a late 60's dart and it looks completely out of place. As cool as the idea seems, you will get a lot of people hating on you for putting that early engine in an e-body. Kind of like putting a flathead in a Mustang. But it is your car and you should do what makes you happy.
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    Offline scf100

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    Re: early hemi in cuda?
    « Reply #2 on: April 20, 2009 - 10:55:58 AM »
    put newer '426' style valve covers on it and it will look bad to the bone!

    PS, I have a 354 Hemi waiting on a hot rod project......cool motor....update it with a modern water pump,distrib and get a trans adapter...all that stuff can be had from Hot Heads or Performance Automotive Warehouse....just google them.
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    Offline 71chally416

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    Re: early hemi in cuda?
    « Reply #3 on: April 20, 2009 - 11:16:55 AM »
    Quote from: 72hemi on April 20, 2009 - 10:46:34 AM
    Kind of like putting a flathead in a Mustang.

    How do you compare a 1st Gen Hemi, that relegated the Flathead to obscurity and dominated Alcohol funny car for decades in it's Aluminum Donovan form while running circles around the much newer Aluminum BB Chevy clones to a Flathead? ??? It's still the only real Hemi V-8 ever put in a production american car uncompromised by corporate bean counters. The 426 was a Wedge motor designed in the 50's with Hemi heads adapted to fit, like the LA wedge was just the old Hemi block adapted to use cheaper to produce Wedge heads. :grinyes:
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    Offline Chryco Psycho

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    Re: early hemi in cuda?
    « Reply #4 on: April 20, 2009 - 11:33:25 AM »
    Yes it can be done , no I would not do it , the early hemi is wider than the 426 , it causes problems with the steering , you will need custom headers built for it , & custom oil pan , you could fit a shaker with some creativity
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    Offline 72hemi

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    Re: early hemi in cuda?
    « Reply #5 on: April 20, 2009 - 11:42:17 AM »
    Quote from: 71chally416 on April 20, 2009 - 11:16:55 AM
    How do you compare a 1st Gen Hemi, that relegated the Flathead to obscurity and dominated Alcohol funny car for decades in it's Aluminum Donovan form while running circles around the much newer Aluminum BB Chevy clones to a Flathead? ??? It's still the only real Hemi V-8 ever put in a production american car uncompromised by corporate bean counters. The 426 was a Wedge motor designed in the 50's with Hemi heads adapted to fit, like the LA wedge was just the old Hemi block adapted to use cheaper to produce Wedge heads. :grinyes:

    Very easily. The Ford flathead V8 is the early 50's "cool" hot rod engine from Ford as the early hemi is the "cool" hot rod engine from the 50's for Chrysler. Just because the flathead isn't a hemi doesn't mean the comparison doesn't hold up.
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    Offline farmertan

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    Re: early hemi in cuda?
    « Reply #6 on: April 20, 2009 - 11:55:57 AM »
    I was on a cruise w/my father in law sat. and we whent to a collection of cars the guy had a model a rat/rod w/flat head my kid said look a hemi i had to point out the oval w/ford stamped in it on the valve cover and say no not even close,but its still a cool engine.Dont worry all was not lost the guy had a couple vipers.I would save that hemi for a rat/rod project.
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    Offline sixpack340

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    Re: early hemi in cuda?
    « Reply #7 on: April 20, 2009 - 12:33:58 PM »
    i understand some people would not like the idea of it, but, they can get bent for all i care. i think it would be a neat combo as it sounds pretty rare. i understand it would not be a direct bolt in procedure and i fifured steering would be an issue. the headers would also add some headaches im sure. but as long as i wouldnt have to do some weird rack and pinion setup and make the car look like a lame pro touring cuda, id be up for the challenge. i still want the car to look pretty close to stock and not modded looking to the roof. what kind of steering mods would have to be done? anyone seen any write ups on this conversion?
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    Offline heminut

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    Re: early hemi in cuda?
    « Reply #8 on: April 20, 2009 - 02:36:19 PM »
    Quote from: 72hemi on April 20, 2009 - 10:46:34 AM
    I've seen it done in a late 60's dart and it looks completely out of place. As cool as the idea seems, you will get a lot of people hating on you for putting that early engine in an e-body.

    HUH!!!! :sly:

    I guess the saying 'If you haven't been there then you don't really know what you're talking about' would apply here! I had a 392 in my Cuda for 6 years and NOBODY 'hated' on me! All I ever got was comments about how cool it was.

    Quote from: scf100 on April 20, 2009 - 10:55:58 AM
    put newer '426' style valve covers on it and it will look bad to the bone!

    426 hemi valvecovers won't even come close to fitting!

    Quote from: Chryco Psycho on April 20, 2009 - 11:33:25 AM
    you will need custom headers built for it , & custom oil pan ,

    No need for a custom oilpan, the stock center sump pans that came in the passenger cars fits just fine.

    It's not a drop-in swap, but not hard to do. It's definately a tight fit and CP is right about the headers, there are none made for that application, and you would have to run manual steering, as there's not enough room for the bigger power steering box. If you're seroiusly contemplating doing it give me a PM and I can help you out.
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    Offline wally426ci

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    Re: early hemi in cuda?
    « Reply #9 on: April 20, 2009 - 03:59:53 PM »
     :eek4:

     :puke:
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    Offline 71chally416

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    Re: early hemi in cuda?
    « Reply #10 on: April 20, 2009 - 04:21:58 PM »
    Here's a 392 in a Demon>


    But my favorite old Hemi vid is this one. If you don't like this, something is wrong with you.  :grinyes:

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    Offline sixpack340

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    Re: early hemi in cuda?
    « Reply #11 on: April 20, 2009 - 04:31:39 PM »
    THATS WHAT I WANT, THATS WHAT I WANT!!!!   :droolingbounce:
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    Offline 71chally416

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    Re: early hemi in cuda?
    « Reply #12 on: April 20, 2009 - 04:45:42 PM »
    With all the 426 style crate motors now and millions of the new style Hemis out there the only ones that are really special anymore are the 1st gen. I myself think they sound the best and have a sound all thier own, but I grew up listening and watching them run at the local tracks so I'm biased. I'd say if you have a good core on hand to build up, go for it. :2thumbs: 
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    Offline cudax34me

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    Re: early hemi in cuda?
    « Reply #13 on: April 20, 2009 - 06:07:11 PM »
    i say go for it.get with heminut,he will get you goin.
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    Offline Ghost

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    Re: early hemi in cuda?
    « Reply #14 on: April 20, 2009 - 06:08:22 PM »
    Isn't there a member here with a 392 HEMI in a Cuda?
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