is it worth it to go Hemi?

[The Cuda Guy]

I dont know what your budget is but you could save a lot of money by doing what some of the other guys posted, keep your 440 freshen it up a bit, new rings, with a larger cam maybe some Stealth CNC heads and an Alum 6pk set up, with the 6pk setup your shaker conversion will be much easier as they make repo parts to make your shaker set up like the orig. 

Its your car man do what is going to make you happy, if you are always going to sit around and wish you had a hemi, then just get the money togeather and do it.

Don     

[Chryco Psycho]

the bottom line is the heads & valve train cost more then an entire stroker build ,so bang for the $ the 440 /512 is the way I would build it , the hemi is a huge investment for no significant gain in power if any at all

[1970 RT Challenger 1970]

The Cool and Wow factor is there with the Hemi and the 440 6 pack. Your car sounds pretty nice just the way it is.

Like the man at the Parts Counter says, "If you wanna to play, you gotta pay!"

For the Hemi conversion, you could buy a new car, pay down your mortgage, buy more investments, etc, etc.
For some that's a big deal, for others it's not.

If money is no object, do both the 383 and Hemi, and swap engines every couple years!

It's your car, enjoy whatever you decide and do.

[GreenFish]

Thanks for all the opinions guys. I'm not really concerned with power. I know, I'm only 33 and I seem like an old man already when it comes to making power. I guess since I got busted racing a few years back the speed doesnt seem as appealing to me any more. I dont get to the track much so i kinda feel like "what's the use?". So i just want a cool street car now.

Ill probably change my mind a few hundred times between now and the time ill have any cash anyhow.

I did talk to a friend and he suggests the best way to build a hemi is one piece at a time. YOu know like, buy heads one year, a few months later get the valve train. Maybe pick up some valve covers at Carlisle. It will take awhile but not as big a load on the bank account.

I have to admit a 6pack would be cool, how hard is it to keep the thing reliable?

[matt63]

I agree that adding some wow factor by going to a 6 pack set-up is okay.  A nice EFI set-up is pretty cool too.  It adds to driveability too.

[GreenFish]

I agree that adding some wow factor by going to a 6 pack set-up is okay.  A nice EFI set-up is pretty cool too.  It adds to driveability too.

on EFI.. the FAST EZ EFI system is very attractive. Everything you need under $2K, and it hides under an aircleaner

[hpe600rt]

it all realy depends on what you like and can aford to do its your car and you will have to drive it,so do what you want

[Topcat]

Thanks for all the opinions guys. I'm not really concerned with power. I know, I'm only 33 and I seem like an old man already when it comes to making power. I guess since I got busted racing a few years back the speed doesnt seem as appealing to me any more. I dont get to the track much so i kinda feel like "what's the use?". So i just want a cool street car now.

Ill probably change my mind a few hundred times between now and the time ill have any cash anyhow.

I did talk to a friend and he suggests the best way to build a hemi is one piece at a time. YOu know like, buy heads one year, a few months later get the valve train. Maybe pick up some valve covers at Carlisle. It will take awhile but not as big a load on the bank account.

That's how I did mine. It's been 20 grand later to do it. But I went complete stock look down to the bolt. Of course you may not care about it being stock looking. But I like em that way.

It costs way more to do it if you want it to look original. In July I'll paint it and put it all together.

[somedaysoon]

 For wow factor you need neither a hemi or 6-pack, get creative. Pete

[cudadave72]

If power is not a concern for you then I'm all for having the same power plant the car was supposed to come with. I know I can make tons more power with a 440 or a Hemi but I think its kinda neat to tell people that my car is small block after I make an 11 second pass. But then again I'm kinda weird that way. I say go with your gut feeling!

[AARCUDADEN]

I myself am a small block kind of guy but would love to own a hemi. It to me is what you can afford and what makes you happy its your car but to me a hemi is a money pit. A nice 440 stroker would make good power for a fraction of the price  my    

[Chryco Psycho]

the 6 pack is very reliable once it is set up correctly

[whitesatinmopar]

the 6 pack is very reliable once it is set up correctly

We all know CP has no troubles tuning any motor, he gets them running smooth and purrrrrrrrrfect.  I have had no problems with my six pack and I vertually know nothing about tuning and tweeking comparred to most people here. Mine is set way rich (it seems) and I'm sure rejetting would help also both in running and power. But I don't have it to worry about gas consumption whenever I do drive it. And with the 3" Flowmaster 40's it sounds great, especially with the headers opened    Sorry for going on, but that set up just makes me smile just thinking about it, She is my toy, my lil boy toy.     I'm wondering and anxiously awaiting to hear the Dart's 440 dual quad fire off......................  oh my, this hobby is so much fun.    It will keep ya young,................. poor, but young.   

[Oldschool]

I like 'em both, but as a long time Hemi owner, I have developed a love of those big ole awkward heads....      The BEAST is my 9th Hemi car.  They have been anywhere from box stock to built strokers.  They each have their place.  Right now I am diggin' the big sound and big power the BEAST makes.  Who knows, a year from now I might not own the BEAST and will have a big block of some sort.  Time will tell....       

HEMI'S ROCK!           

[GreenFish]

ok so I think i'm going to go the budget route and use a 383 but stuff either a 440source 438 or 496 kit in it.

Give it a stock sleeper look with steel wheels.