I've been lookin for a cool old engine for about a year and have come across 1 of each of these in the last week. Both are complete engines and "ran when pulled". However, no matter what route I decide to go I will do a mild overhauling. I will be building a car around this engine so it will be a hoodless/fenderless early 30's coupe or sedan. I am not looking for huge power #'s, but I would like to have something with atleast 375-400 HP. I guess my question is considering price to rebuild, overall performance and cool factor, what route should I go? I know both engines are extremely heavy and expensive to rebuild but which one would be my best bang for my buck? The Hemi is an icon but I've always loved the look of the "W" blocks...
W will cost you double the price of an SBC to rebuild. The hemi will cost 3-4 times an SBC. Loose figures I know.
I think they'll cost about the same to rebuild and upgrade, but W parts are nearly impossible to find. Chrysler Hemi parts are everywhere but you have to pay for them. The 375-400hp number will be a lot easier to achieve with an extra 44 cubic inches.
The 392 will get you in the 500hp ballpark cheaper and longer than a 348, and I would still have a hard time choosing by style except that I think of a hemi as a fenderless hot rod/drag motor, and a 348/409 as a superstock 60's street/drag motor in large full fendered cars...my vote goes narrowly to the hemi for performance, and to the 348 for unique style points...which means more to you in the end?
I really don't see a comparison. I've had both and really didn't have much luck with a 335 HP 348. At 400+ hp I don't think it would last long. It's a truck motor, not a Hemi
you can get parts easily for the "w" motors there are several place online. http://www.lamarwaldenautomotive.com/ http://www.show-cars.com/ between the two you should be able to find everything you need. I'm sure you know about chrysler hemi parts place like hothemiheads.com and performance automotive warehouse (PAW)
Edelbrock now has heads, intakes and water pumps for the W-motor, MSD makes a drop-in distributor or you can get the adapter sleeve from Lamar. Cams are available, and reproduction oil pans are too (plus a really sweet Stef's pan that's about the same price). The buy-in for a 348 should be a LOT cheaper than a Hemi or 409. Unless it's a running engine with tri-power, don't pay more that a few hundred bucks for one. And if it's a truck block, pass on it--just doesn't make sense with the availability of 348s. Walden is real, real close to releasing a stroker kit for the 348: good rods, forged pistons, stroker crank and rings. They're shooting for it being around $2,000 for the whole reciprocating assembly, and it'll punch the 348 out to 427. Top it with a set of Edelbrock heads and an original intake (or the Edelbrock one), and it's suddenly surprisingly affordable to have a W motor. I've got a line on a $250 block, and am seriously thinking about building one for my '62 Suburban. I don't think there's any way to build a cheap Hemi. As for weight, they're lighter than a Big Block Chevy by a good bit. With aluminum heads and intake, they weigh real close to a small block Chevy with iron heads. -Brad
The 348 is a cool looking motor, but nothing says badass like seeing the sparkpugs in the valvecovers.
Screw in rocker studs are an absolute must on the W motor. They're super cool, but the 392 is in a class of it's own.
This is a no-brainer....392 Chrysler all the way. I like the 348 Chevy, but it isn't even close to being in the same league as the 392 Hemi as a basis for a hot rod engine. Sure you can buy all that stuff that Brad was talking about to improve the 348, but if you were to make the same mods to both, the 392 will run circles around the 348. The 392's combustion chamber and rotating assembly is superior to the 348...Edelbrock heads and stroker kit, or not.
i just had a 348 rebuilt,it cost me around $3500 ,my 327 cost was $1500 how much would a hemi cost to redo
thanks for all the input...i'm thinkin' no matter what way i decide to go, it'll be cool and a fun ride. either one will be a cool on an engine stand too!
I had the same problem. When faced with a choice, Get Both. They both look cool. The Hemi is better. If you do get both engines, you can change mind and still be right. Lucky667
I have a stroked 409 (474) Over 500 hp.. I doubt I could have built a hemi for the same $$... However you can't go wrong with either one JMHO
Dude its a HEMI throw a drag star intake and 6 97's on it little hotter cam backed by a 4spd. All Im gonna say is hold on brother!!!
Well I have a blown & stroked 409 in my Deuce and a blown 392 in my 30 nostalgic drag car..... I like them both.... As mentioned above, is the 348 a truck motor, referring to truck heads? 409 heads may be placed on a 348 motor, if you only have 348 truck heads.... 348 would be much less to build than the 392, however; the 392 will run circles around the 348..... Lots of hemi's out there, how many 'W' motors are in hot rods?
Funny the ignorance in this thread. Many of you seem to be nut coddling Hemi Zombies, and not your own nuts. Nothing against a Hemi but we are talking a street driven hot rod, not the Greer Black and Prudhomme car. Many more Chevys sold with 348s and 409s that Mopars 392s. As Brad said, the aftermarket on the W's is great now. Really this gents decision should come down to WHAT CAN HE FIND AND WHAT DOES HE WANT? The fact is, there are very few truly street driven hot rods that dip into the 13's. Mokan has proven this for several years. Kerry is under that mark with a small hemi and a blower, Flamedabone is there with a Poncho.What I am getting at is the choice is more of a style factor than any real performance issue. Unless the budget is open ended..............
Yeah, my choice was based on what I wanted, not what others suggested. That said I built her on a pretty tight budget. There's nothing wrong with a W motor or a hemi but you have to choose what YOU like.
The Jalopy Journal
