Starting a new project roadster and I want to put a hemi in it, which one should I use 270, 331, 354 ,????? I know they are expensive but Its what I want!!! I am more worried about finding hard parts. transmission adapters and such. Any info is appreciated. If you are in Texas and have one for sale pm me!! I am looking at a 331 Chrysler right now. But I want to make sure its what I need.
What are the goals of the motor? What type of car? Period, if so, to what period. Fit under the hood w/o bulges for valve covers? Street only use, street/strip, something else? A little more information would help for suggestions. Did you check the evil Scootermcrad info? I say evil, because if you read it, you want one. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118764
I am building a traditional looking deuce roadster ,but I drive long distances.I live 6o miles from where I like to hang out, I want it to be able to maintain highway speeds. The guys I run with like to haul ***. I will probably just run a hood with no sides, I want a manual transmission for sure,I am not looking to race it .
Theres a lot of info on here about baby hemis, there's a couple of clubs and social groups, you can search and find a lot, there were quite a few for sale in the cl***ifieds on here.
Hey George......is that a typo? I can't imagine how the "long" '51/'53 block is better. Sure limits the trans choices.......don't you think? To BobbyFullen, the 'short' block Chrysler ('54 up) and all the Dodge and DeSoto blocks take the same trans adapters which are readily available from several sources. Unless you are using an early Ford '32/'49 p*** and trucks thru '52 or '53 transmission, or the 331 you are looking at is a 'long' bellhousing model AND is in good shape AND is fairly inexpensive, I would recommend the shorter block without the integral bellhousing to give you the greatest flexibilty in trans choices. Ray
I'm going with a '51 331 because the long blocks are easier to find. I hope to get last 331 heads since they are the best flowing from what I hear. Hot heads has an adapter for a lot of trans choices but you are going to pay for them. I plan on running a G Forces t5 trans if I can which is rated to 500hp. Edelbrock 6x2 intake and a **** load of machining to get me where I want HP wise. Take a look at Scootermcrad's hemi tech posts. There's a lot of material in those threads.
There's a reason they're easier to find....54-55-56 heads all flow well, the '54 heads/intake are a direct bolt on.
354's are ****. In fact I'll take all of them you can find so you're not tempted to waste your time. ;-) FWIW, I've been running the overbored 354 in my coupe for a while and haven't been able to blow it up. Twisted axles, broken clutches, and ujoint yokes, yes, but the engine is fine. The cast iron A833 O/D trans has done great as well. With the overdrive the engine can drive the car faster than you want to go. With the 3.70 gears my top mph in the quarter was 115.10. That was only in third gear but it was wound up pretty good.
My 241 Red Ram, runs down the highway 80 miles per hour with no problems..I like it because it was a easy fit in my 1935 Ford.. Duane.
Here's the '54 331 in my Deuce. Have driven it all over Colorado and to Vegas and back several times, 630 miles, one way. Runs whatever speed desired, no worries. 1) Expensive to build ?.......yes. 2) Worth it ?........HELL YES ! Also, here's a shot of the hood-side........ Johnnie.
The Chrysler engines will be easier and more affordable to get speed parts for compared to the Dodge and DeSoto engines. Simply put there are more HiPerformance parts out on the market for the Chrysler. Are you running a hood? This may play into your choice as the Dodge hemi is a bit narrower than the DeSoto or Chrysler. A bit more info on your end result will help to guide this project in the right direction. Al (41hemi)
I disagree Geo. Dennis Varni's Rolling bones built 32 sedan goes everywhere long distance..and at high rates of speed. he logs a ton of miles on his baby red ram... and zero problems.....he does run a t-5(which is KEY IMHO) Building a good stout street 331(long block) would fit the bill... Doing a Small Red Ram trying to match a Chrysler would be VERY expensive.... I run both and love them........
Still a 241 is tiny & he didn't say how big a car it is, but considering how fast a 37 HP VW can go....
So many extended bell 331 haters out there... Maybe I should start a new "I love extended bell Hemi blocks" club. HAHA! Extended bells are GREAT for manual transmissions. All you need is an adapter plate instead of an adapter plate and then an expensive bellhousing. Wilcap has everything you need. Sure, the early heads aren't as great as the later ones because of small valves, and what-not, but still really great engines and you can do a ton with them. For those of you that want to p*** on extended bell Chrysler blocks, just send 'em to me! I'll add 'em to the pile. I like 'em! LOTS to read here, but in short, there are TONS of parts available for Chryslers, and more and more are becoming available for DeSoto and Dodge Hemis. They're all good, and they are all capable of giving you good highway speeds and plenty MORE! My suggestion is, try to find a complete motor, whatever you get. The more complete the better. Piecing them together can get frustrating. Especially when you have a few different flywheels, starters, and cranks to sort out. The link to the HEMI Tech is in my signature. Grab a drink, a comfy seat, and a pad of paper to take notes and get to reading! Excellent choice...
My Dodge Red Ram HEMI sits on highway speeds all day on the middle carby then for p***ing the outside carbs open up for plenty of power in a roadster, uses less gas too
Get one of each,what the heck,im going to some day.Igot a 241,going to wait to get another ,then another,then,another.YEA im wishin..................YG
Im surprised how cheap the 331's are in comparison to the 392 etc, been quite a few lately in the trading section. These can be scary $$$ to build compared to a SBC so maybe go the '92 if you can . Resale value later on for the Chrysler powered cars seems higher then the other hemis too, if thats important to you. Guys are the rebuild costs on the 392 much higher then the 331? The extended block on some of the earlier 331 is rather deep so you may need to consider that too although Scootermcrad has pointed out you dont need a bellhousing so that may save some space. Good luck with this, any hemi in a rod is a good thing.
You can find hemi's in the darndest places, like agriculture irrigation systems out in the field watering the corn. That and old MOPAR P/U's and big trucks where you just wouldn't think to look. I'd do my homework before I'd pay a middleman's fee. pdq67
You can actually machine off the long bellhousing and then redrill the block. Any competent machinist should be able to do it. May need a short belhousing block though to get the right mill coordinates. I have a 341 that was used as a field irrigation pump. Some dummy made an adapter to use a remote oil filter. The hose they ended up using was 5/16" rubber. Starved the engine and the crank broke between the first and secong main web cracking the block. The cam and heads were useable though. Bill
any hemi is a good hemi but i like the Chrysler's my self. and by the way if BBQ is any better than the place in Llano i don't need to taste it !!!! you lucky dog
thanks, 1933 Dodge Roadster 54 Dodge HEMI 904 MoPar trans & 83/4 MoPar rear......I know the Chrysler family HEMIS are bigger & more powerful however I have been a baby Dodge HEMI fan for years...... As for possible speed check out the Markly brothers salt racer yep baby Dodge HEMI......
Plenty of parts available for all of them . However be careful when you buy one parts are not interchangable on most of them . So get the book and ask lots of questions . Above all have fun ..
Any Hemi is a good Hemi for a traditional hot rod. You're going to want to start saving now for the cost of the rebuild. A good way come up with a dollar amount is figure out the cost of a SBC and triple it. I'm partial to the 241 & 270 Dodge Hemi's because I love their smaller overall size, but beware they are notorious for cracked crankshaft since the came from the factory without a harmonic balance. If I a was you I'd look for a Chrysler Hemi 331 or 354, because they have the most aftermarket parts and speed equipment available for them. Here's some inspiration for you it's my 241 dodge hemi.
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