To the outsider, a Hemi is a Hemi right? Now if you're ready to beat me upside the head for that statement, please, wait a minute! To anyone who has ever had any experience with one of these motors of legend, the term Hemi conjures up feelings of...well, now I got goose bumps. Although these motors came into being in the '51 production year, early hemispherical engines had a limited production of only eight years. Then in 1962 Chrysler made a request of the engineering staff to develop an engine and vehicle combination capable of winning stock car events and timed-acceleration drag racing events around the country. Naturally, the Hemi design was the engine of choice. The final platforms consisted of a single carbureted 426ci "track" engine, a single four-barrel carbureted 396ci "track" engine, and a two four-barrel 426ci "drag" engine. The first of these engines ran under its own power on December 6, 1963. The drag race version was built later that same month. The 396ci engine had been removed from the rules and was never built.
Fast-forward. The Hemi engine is still as popular as ever with more versions available now than you can shake a stick at. With all of the available aftermarket suppliers, enthusiasts can build just about any size and style Hemi they wish. Even Mopar Performance has stepped up to the plate by listing a part number in its catalog that will land you a brand-new Hemi Crate motor. What we have compiled here is a list of some of the more recognized builders and suppliers of the legendary pachyderm of lore, giving you, the reader, some insight into what's available. We contacted several noted engine builders and parts suppliers and had them send us an engine (boy, don't we wish). Actually, we had them send us literature of what they do and how they do it. The folks at Ray Barton Racing Engines, Hot Heads, Mopar Performance, Roger Gibson Restorations, and Indy Cylinder Head all stepped up to help us with the information we needed.
Super Stock-Legal And More
Ray Barton Racing Engines
Even the name Ray Barton evokes an image of pure racing performance. Though Ray doesn't mind that, he would also like to make it perfectly clear that he also does complete engine restorations. Having been in the engine business for 32 years, Ray's knowledge of the Hemi engine has been proven by the fact that his engines have held national records on different occasions. Ray has been at his current location for the last nine years and currently has from 13 to 17 employees, depending on the flow of engines. The efficiency at which Ray conducts his business allows him to turn out a complete engine every two days. His facilities, located in Wernersville, Pennsylvania, covers 5,000 square feet of work area, allowing him to do almost all aspects of engine building except grinding cranks in-house. All engines that come into Ray's shop receive the same attention to detail, whether it is a race engine or is to be restored. All parts are meticulously inspected and massaged as needed. Ray has enough available area to take care of the customers' needs all the way up to a dyno run to break in the completed engine to make sure of it's quality. With the endless availability of crate motors on the market, Ray has joined the race with his "Krate" motors. Available in either 528 ci or 572 ci, these fire-breathing monsters are built to exacting standards with Ray and his guys giving each one personal attention to assure a quality end product. Another aspect of Barton Racing engines is its supply of aftermarket parts. Whether it is a set of rods, pistons, a cast cross-ram intake, or even a set of its Stage V Hemi heads, Barton Racing can supply you with all of your Hemi needs.
Roger Gibson Restorations
Perfect Originals-Engines and Cars
If you are a purist at heart and feel the Hemi was built the correct way the first time, then Roger Gibson is the man for you. In the restoration world, Roger Gibson is known as one of the foremost Mopar authorities. Being in the restoration (I hesitate to say business because he says he enjoys it too much) business since 1980, he has amassed a knowledge that is unsurpassed when doing a correct restoration. It all started as a hobby for Roger. While working as a car mechanic, he started to rebuild wrecked cars, then went into custom paint work on race cars. No longer able to keep up, Roger now has three to four guys in his employ. The painstaking attention to detail only allows Roger and his guys to complete five or six cars a year. The three buildings he utilizes cover approximately 5,000 square feet, and each is used to the fullest extent. The care Roger takes in each project is evident by the recognition that he has received. So if your original Hemi needs a factory-fresh appearance, give Roger Gibson Restorations a try.
Firepower Specialists Hot Heads Research And Racing/Power Play Inc.
Working construction in 1992, Bob Walker had a feeling that the early Hemi engine would see a resurgence in the near future. With that instinct, he formed the Power Play Company. Bob's interest in the Hemi began at the ripe old age of 12 when he would hang out with a kid by the name of Ed Garlits (yep, it's Big's little brother). As Bob grew older, he worked construction full time and in the evenings but would pursue his automotive passion. Even the old advertisements would tell customers to call between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Then, in December 2000 Bob saw the need to expand into the parts sales business, and so he and his wife, Debra, acquired Hot Heads Research and Racing Incorporated. With this acquisition, they can now handle every aspect of your early Hemi engine. With 1,500 square feet of warehousing and another 1,500 square feet of engine-building room, you can rest assured that your early Hemi engine will be given the attention to detail it deserves. If your Hemi's distributor is in the back of the motor, remember Power Play/Hot Heads Performance. With a complete engine-building facility, the folks there can build your early Hemi from a stock rebuild to a fire-breathing nitro-gulping behemoth. If you already have a block and crank, with their vast knowledge and parts supply, they can build to suit your needs. Even if all you need are the parts to build your Hemi, the Hot Heads catalog has enough content to keep even the hard-core builder supplied.
Mopar Performance
Crate Motors from Chrysler
The name Mopar has been synonymous with Hemi from the very beginning. Let's face it, at any national drag racing event, it doesn't matter what body you run in the pro-fuel ranks-your engine is a Hemi; just ask Ford man John Force. Now in the ever-changing marketplace, Mopar Performance is continuing to supply customers with its Hemi heart desires. If your needs are for a conservative engine (yeah, right; a conservative Hemi?) PN *P5249667 will land you a stock 426ci example with 465 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. For a small step up, the 472ci crate engine (PN *P5249666) gives you a slight horsepower and torque advantage with 525 hp and 540 lb-ft of torque. Of course, if you crave adrenaline-pumping power, you can order the ultimate in Mopar performance with the 528ci "king of the crate" behemoth. This monster will arrive with 610 hp and a whopping 650 lb-ft of mass-moving torque. Mopar Performance not only offers complete engines but in its catalog you will find a multitude of parts to complete your own Hemi build. Call your local Mopar Performance dealer for all your Mopar needs.
Pro-Mod Bullet
Indy Cylinder Head
Although Indy Cylinder Head is best known for its aftermarket Wedge designs, the folks there have been known to dabble in the Hemi market too. When Indy builds its version of the Hemi, you can rest assured that the carcass around the Hemi heart will command serious respect and demand the mindset of a maniac to pilot it. For Indy Cylinder Heads, it all started around 1970 when no one was offering quality aftermarket upgrades. So Ken Lazzari began to fill the void and offer his services. Now, 31 years later, if you have Indy Cylinder Heads design and build your Hemi, you can rest assured that a tested and dyno-proven fire-breather will arrive, ready to propel your quarter pounder to victory. From start to finish, every aspect of your motor will be Indy designed and built-a complete aftermarket monster. Employing anywhere from 15 to 20 guys, the CNC machinery is constantly producing parts to satisfy the consumer. So if a rogue elephant will fill the bill for you, Indy Cylinder Heads will be the place.
