Quote:

the 440 wedge was never meant to be what the 426 hemi is



Amen to that. The 440 was an engine designed for dump trucks and Imperials. The Hemi was specificly designed for racing. That being said the 440 is pretty impressive that it was able to morph into a fairly good street/racing engine. As far as the Hemi/Wedge thing goes the Hemis have some inherient problmes with effciency. The surface to volume ratio is terrible. Very heavy and clumsy piston needed for any kind of compression and an Ardvark valve train with a huge amount of mass. Are they a better power maker? In pure form yes. Soley because of their pumping ability. The "modern" wedges are a much better choice overall though. Back in the day there was no better choice than a Hemi for max power levels or its abilty to deposit more cast iron on the race track in a weekend than any other engine.


1959 Bugeye Sprite
1967 Charger Black L code
1967 Coronet R/T Convert Green 440 auto bought from original owner
1968 Charger R/T Bronze 440 4 spd console AM/FM
1969 Super Bee WM21H B5 A40 D21 N96
1969 Barracuda Formula S 340 Convert pilot car
1969 Hemi Road Runner RM23J D32 Omaha orange 4.10 Dana N96 N85
1970 Super Bee WM23N FE5 V1X 3.91 axle package, N96
1970 Road Runner RM21N B3 V1X D13
1971 MG Midget
1971 Road Runner RM23H GW3, A57
1972 Road Runner RM23P FY1, D21