Why is the 426 Hemi better than the 440?

[mopar 3 B]

Only reason the Hemi made it into street production was because racing at the time mandated it. Just like the Daytona and the Super Bird.
It wasnt that the public needed the extra power or liked the styling.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Very simple
HEMI,EITHER YOU WANT ONE OR YOU HAVE ONE

The cost difference to run a hemi is the valve train.Everything else cost the same.

 

[fratzog lover]

The 150 mph 78 Fury police car urban legend needs to die.

 

[silversedan]

I think if I could not build it myself I wouldn’t have one or three .

 

[mopar 3 B]

Not sure a 72 would even do it. There had to be a reason troopers held onto the 69 and 70 model years for what seamed like forever.

 

[RoadRunner1970]

I have read that a 440 six pack can beat a Hemi ?

 

[Michael_]

I have read that a 440 six pack can beat a Hemi ?

Me to but i think only if both engines are stock.
And most likely not in a high speed race.

 

[6PKRTSE]

Me to but i think only if both engines are stock.
And most likely not in a high speed race.

I like my Hemi better than my 440 Sixpack because I can change the plugs in 5 min....

 

[44070dart]

I would have to disagree with that statement. A >well tuned< Hemi would not lose to a a 440 x6 IMO. I remember Hemi's being a bit of a bitch to tune back in the day.

 

[TetanusShot]

1/8 mile: 440>Hemi
1/4 mile: Hemi>440

 

[yella71]

I would have to disagree with that statement. A >well tuned< Hemi would not lose to a a 440 x6 IMO. I remember Hemi's being a bit of a bitch to tune back in the day.

I think that a lot of people just did not know how to tune an engine back then. same is true today....

 

[Sixpactogo]

IMO, The main reason why the Hemi is superior to the 440 and all of the Ford and Generic Motors engines is because of the Heads and the way they are configured. It allows for better breathing. Better breathing makes it easier to dispel used gases and make more horsepower.

 

[moparedtn]

Why does the sun rise in the east?

 

[AR67GTX]

Well i know the Hemi 426 is better than the 440.
2.
Both Engines have nearly the same amount of Horsepower

Not really - factory ratings are deceptive. The Hemi was advertised with a rating of 425 HP at 5,000 rpm. Especially after the cam upgrade in 68 that rating was way short of it's maximum HP rating which was probably more in the area of 5800 to 6,000 rpm. I've been helping a friend with restoration of a 69 Hemi Roadrunner and the engine was built back stock except for a roller hydraulic cam. Not sure of the exact specs on the cam but at idle my stock 440 in my GTX sounds tougher so it's not a big cam - although it is a roller. It made 505 HP on the engine dyno. That's considerably more than a 440/375 - which I hear a lot of members believe was certainly not under-rated. When I was in college way back when, I took my 64 Plymouth to the 1/4 mile strip and got matched up (not really matched up - no one else in my class) with a 67 Hemi Charger. When light hit green and we took off I initially stayed with him in first and thought this may not be as bad a slaughter as I figured. But then that Hemi started stretching it's legs and just started steadily pulling away in higher gears and higher rpm that no amount of pressure on my gas pedal could make up for. That was just pure HP and lots of it.

 

[Sixpactogo]

When light hit green and we took off I initially stayed with him in first and thought this may not be as bad a slaughter as I figured. But then that Hemi started stretching it's legs and just started steadily pulling away in higher gears and higher rpm that no amount of pressure on my gas pedal could make up for.

Like I said, That is what superior breathing does for you. Chrysler rated the Hemi at 425 hp mostly for the insurance companies. They knew it was +450. Tom Hoover had a lot of input and knowledge of the 426. He told me many years ago that is was no secret.

 

[gkent]

If ya need to be told you'll just never understand !!

 

[IQ52]

On the same day and the same cubic inches....I fear no Hemi with my Wedge.

 

[44070dart]

On the same day and the same cubic inches....I fear no Hemi with my Wedge.

That's a bold statement sir ..

 

[Kern Dog]

Why does the sun rise in the east?

How much wood can a woodchuck chuck ?

 

[cosgig]

Same goes for 8 /4” vs Dana. Sure, they’re comparable and both will do the job to a point. That point being when the 8 3/4” tops out, the Dana is just getting started!