Tell me about the Chrysler Spitfire Hemi!!

I found one at the bone yard today out of either a 58 or 59 Windsor. I think it is a 354 - help me out here.

 

58 would be a 392, methinks. 59's were non-hemi's if I remember right.

 

Actually, Windsors and Saratogas in 57-58 came with a 354 poly, which you can convert to a hemi, but it's not the same. In '59 they ditched both of those and went to 383's, etc. Neither of those models ever came with a hemi (by the way, Chrysler called the hemis "Firepower" and the polys "Spitfire").

But the '58 poly isn't a slouch either. Here's the specs:

Engine Bore & Stroke: 3-15/16" X 3-5/8"
Engine Displacement: 354 Cu. In.
Compression Ratio: 10.00:1
Horsepower: 290 @ 4,600 RPM
Torque: 385 Ft. Lbs. @ 2,000 RPM

Those are the specs for the Windsor, the Saratoga made even more power out of the same engine (different carb or something, I think).

If you got a 354 hemi out of a '56 Chrysler it would actually make a little bit LESS power stock (but it would probably end up making more power if you worked it over )

 

So sounds like the 354 Poly could be quite a runner - Thanks

 

Few people see the performance potential in the Poly motors. The heads flow almost as well as the Hemi heads do, and for the most part, all Hemi bolt on speed parts will swap over. It's also a bit lighter because of the smaller heads, and that can help compensate for the few missing ponies.

And they have those cool curvy valve covers with "Spitfire" stamped in'em. I wouldn't think twice about using one in my ride.

-Jeff

 

This is sorta strange......, I found one on thursday, looking in one of the local yards. It's a Spitfire, looked kinda cool, and you don't see too many of those running around. Hows about can you tell what year the car is? It's a Saratoga, but anyone have any block info? Or different stylings of the car? What years they were made with the Spitfire?

 

BTTT

 

They introduced the poly in Windsors in '55, in 301ci form, in '56 they came in 331, and in '57 and '58 it was the 354. Saratogas (with a poly) were only '57 and '58. I think Saratogas only came with a 4bbl carb, and that engine was the same as the 4bbl option engine you could get in a Windsor. Based on the specs I have, I'd guess that the only difference between '57 and '58 was compression ratio (9.25:1 with 295hp and 10:1 with 310hp).

 

So bascialy in a Saratgo, i'd have to be a 354? I was looking for a 354 or a 392 for my truck, but hell if this is almost as much power as a hemi, and some pounds lighter. I might just grab this and wait till I find some heads to convert it over. I didn't ask what they wanted for it, what are these going for, or what's a good price?