Hey guys what are the pros and cons of doing a Hemi conversion, and what would be the most cost effective and give you good street performance?

got more info? budget? limitations? expectations?

the 2 are totally different and cannot even be compared without more requirements...do you want all out power or driveability? EFI/carb? budget?

depending on the car and what it's got now, a big block might drop in with just an all out stroker build costing $5-6K, but if its a small block car, then you need everything to drop it in, and could spend closer to 10-12K

a hemi driveline out of a junkyard could probably be had for less than $5K...but then you have wiring, custom engine mounts, headers, etc. to worry about.

if you are talking about a newer 5.7 or 6.1 Hemi in I hope you can do your own work. Otherwise it will be very expensive and won't run even w/ a mild 440.
For somebody like me w/ limited skills I'd stroke the 440, or maybe supercharge it. Pretty easy ti make 600hp with a 440. Not sure how much work it would take to make a 5.7 turn out those numbers...and don't forget about torque. It depends on your wallet and what you want out of the car.

Heres the situation: the car is a challenger that currently has a 383 in it, my buddy kinda got me thinking it would damn near be cheaper to get a used Hemi and drop it in with a sb 727. Heres what I already have, I have a standard bore 440 with a forged crank, and 440 source stealth heads this is all at the machine shop. Even if I build the 440 using the stock crank and rods, pistons and rings would cost nearly as much as a stroker kit. Now I started thinking Hemi's are on craigslist for around 2k with low miles I am going to spend a least that on the stroker kit alone, then getting it machined assembled, (not to mention all the bolt on stuff intake, oil pan, carb) I would be in around 6-7 k total. If I got a good deal on a Hemi, ( lets say under 3k with the wiring harness and fuel pump) my transmission guy would rebuild me a 727 with 4 pinion planetary gears for under $500 (parts included in that price). I would be in 3500 in parts and once installed would have a car with decent power and that can be driven long distances without hesitation. When it comes to performance I know what I can get out of a 512 stroker from what everyone tells me but I think a Hemi with 350-400 hp and 450 fpt would be ok with with me. I think I may have to get a 6.1 to get those kind of #'s I have seen them new for around 6k) I dont really know how to install any kind of engine but there are many shops in my area that have done LS1 changes in Government Motors cars so I think I can get the change done for probably about 2k in labor. Tell me how this sounds am I off or does this make sense.

You can do your 440 way cheaper than 6k. Jeesh you can buy fulley assembled 500ci 500hp units for 5k. Those "Hemis" you are looking at online are from wrecked cars/trucks. Who knows how well one is going to run. You going to stay w/ EFI? Plan on spending $$$ on sensors and extensive wiring. And headers? Plus the new Hemis are drive by wire. No need to even stroke it. Youcan call summit and get a rebuild kit w/ forged pistons for waht $7-800? Those Hemi conversions look easy however I don't think it's something an average Joe can do in his gargae.

The 440 is cheaper.....BUT, the Hemi is wicked cool. They can be converted to a carb for the price of an intake at $399, carb $550, MSD coil on wire $650 ignition. I am not sure what else is needed, but I am sure I missed a few things like headers and engine mounts,...and of course the SB trans. Its still only 345hp while your 440 should be closer to 500hp and a bunch more torque. Its your call.....But they are cool.

I think with the basic carb conversion and headers the 5.7 hemi is puting out around 400hp

As posted... different animals but both good. One consideration is the transmission. Gen III hemis are like gen II hemis in one respect... they make their power with good breathing and RPM more than mid range torque like a 440/500.

It takes a good transmission to get the 5.7 to move a full size car well and retain some efficiency. Low first gear, increased stall convertor, lockup and OD with a rear gear that will let it spin. With a 727 I believe it would be dissapointing. A Keisler 4 speed OD would be a much better match.

torqueaddict-440 stroker-simple

From an ease of installation perspective, if the car already has a big block in it, it would seem easier and possibly less costly to go with a 440 stroker.

In MY opinion, go with the 440. Forget about the cost and work involved. Even from a looks standpoint, I walk right past 60s/70s cars that have the new 5.7/6.1 Hemis in them at carshows. Just doesnt look right...regardless of how it runs

My opinion.. I would go with the newer hemi if possible. Sure it would cost more but in the end I think it would be worth it. I think with a mild cam, headers, intake, etc you would be more than happy with the engines power, street manners and better handling thanks to the lighter hemi engine. Ive seen new challengers run mid 12s with bolt ons while still being n/a. Your lighter car should be able to do that and then some with ease. Besides its always cool to show people that mopars do NOT require 440+ cube big blocks to keep up with the ford/chevy crowd...

TorqeAddict...You will be way ahead to go with a mild stroker 440. If you can assemble it yourself you can stroke, machine and asssemble a 500 inch mild stroker to make 550 hp and maybe 600lbs torque for about $8k and that includes carb to pan,ignition and headers. I built this for a friend's 70 Challenger and he runs on 89 octane fuel. With the AC on it will just boil the tires in any gear.
I've been looking at every option to get 600 hp from my new SRT8 Challenger and a supercharger will be $6k alone. I will need to stroke it, ported heads cam and so on plus pay a tuner big$$$ to dial in the calibration.
If you go new Hemi you will have to redo accessory drive system for water pump alternator and power steering, rig electric fans, conversion kits for starter as new hemi is on the opposite side.
Un less you have big$$$ to spend this is a no brainer.
PS I have yet to have a new Hemi catch my 10 second wedge GTX to tell me his engine "looked cooler. I get a LOT more respect from the 10 second time slip.

I've had all the scenarios you've listed. As to the late Hemi conversion, figure up what you think it'll cost and then double it.

The 5.7 Hemi runs good, much better as it builds RPM's. If you had a light Dart I'd be more inclined to lean towards the late Hemi.

If it were my car I'd stay with the big inch engine.

Robert

Guys call me stupid but if a wedge stroker cost 8k from carb to pan, how is that cheaper than a Hemi if you can get a fully assembled motor for under 3k not to mention I could go the cheap route and put a carb on the Hemi and make out even cheaper than a fuel injected Hemi even if I pay someone 3k to install thats still cheaper. I really do value you guys opinion and this will allow me to make a better call

I think it's more HP per dollar for the stroker.The $3k hemi is a 345hp engine,the $8k stroker 440 is more like 500+hp.Considering you have a big block installed in the car now,the 440 bolts in,while the hemi needs to adapt.You need a new trans,motor mounts,wiring and an aftermarket ignition and fuel controller if you want more hp,exhaust,etc.it adds up!I like the new hemi,but if it comes down to $'s,you have a lot of BB part ready to go.
RT