Z-Gad Posted July 12, 2001 Share Posted July 12, 2001 Has anyone checked into swapping a Hemi (426 in my dreams) into a Z? Would size be the limiting factor, or is there a problem with alternator/distributor placement? I have always lusted for the hemi's, but a Hemi Z, now we're talking!! Although I am in the middle of my current project, I still have dreams... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 I't a big wide motor, and heavy. But the neat thing is after you put a Hemi in your Z you could change your name from Z-Gad, to Gad-Zooks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 It can be done but you will need to construct a tube chassis to keep this torque monster from twisting your z into a pretzel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 trust me my man i am a mopar enthusiest and i have drooled over that particular idea many a cold night and while it would be a wild ride i think it would be extremely traction defecient. but then again if i could do it i probably would. i saw a mag that showcased a quad turbo 426 that pushed 1400HP!!! and managed to net 20MPG!! the two limiting factors would have to be size/weight and of course that whole $14,000 pricetag tends to discourage my bank account Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 The 426 is the widest of the Hemi lot. Its just to big without major front end/firewall/subframe/rollcage/rear end work. The 331/354/392 etc would be a tad smaller, but still they are major lumps of iron, and as mentioned even a stock crate motor is over 12k. Unless your looking to be a funnycar pilot, I'd look at a poked and stroked 360, built right it'll give you all the pucker factor you'll need, if not, a blower or Squeeze could. Not trying to shatter anyones idea at all, hey if you have the deep pockets for it, go for it, but man its overkill I'm telling ya. Just an opinion... Respectfully, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Gad Posted July 13, 2001 Author Share Posted July 13, 2001 Agreed, it would be overkill. You are also correct on the crate motor...I've been looking and they are EXPENSIVE! However, I do have a rolling chassis where I have replaced everything but the hatch, roof and hood. Since it is stripped to bare metal (for a few years now...), I have had some time to decide on a powerplant. I have been mulling over possibilities for motors and the Chevy, Ford, Buick, etc swaps would be more than enough for me and they are becoming better documented everyday here, but the Hemi would be unique, at least for a little while... Could you imagine the looks on the Mopar guys faces to see a Hemi stuffed into a Z body!! (Hemi would have to be written on the rear quarters of course just like the old mopars) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 That probably sounded harsh, didn't mean it to if it did, sorry, but yeah I can see them looking in awe at a hemi stuffed into a Z. If you want to go big mopar that might fit a tad better and don't mind the moving of the firewall a bit, I'd look at the 440, they are stroking them pretty darn big (over 500 inch, but one in particular caught my eye at www.speedomotive.com a 494 inch stroked 440). Another big one that is supposedly pretty good is the stroked 400, they take it to 450 inches. Smallblock strokers, how about a 550 horse 340 stroked to 392? All of them could probably be put together for a 1/3 the price of that elephant motor. Not as cool looking granted, but just as fast... Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 actually lone the stroker kit i've seen takes the 340 up to 408 inches but i'm sure they make the 392 kit as well. i've thought about the 451 as well, they take a 400 block (bore on that thing is 4.34!) and slap in a 440 crank and rods with the 400 pistons. i recently was corresponding with a shop owner who put one of those into a rx7 and he said after years of building 440s that one 451 convinced him to never bother building a 440 again he told me they rev like a totally different kind of animal here is a pic to show you the differance in weight. the smaller skirted pistons are for the 451 and the larger ones are off a 440 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 I remember seeing a yellow Z with a 354 Hemi in it. I wish I still had the site address. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 I saw that car at the 95 Atlanta convention. It was for sale a year ago or so. BTW, Scott Bruning of http://ZTherapy.com has put a 440 in at least one Z car. Give him an email if you are interested in how he did it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 Hey I found the pic, check it out! http://www.arches.uga.edu/~dbarry/hemiz.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Gad Posted July 13, 2001 Author Share Posted July 13, 2001 That 345 looks really nice in there. The Hemi orange and the yellow engine compartment are making my eyes tear...beautiful, just beautiful thanks Pete for the Scott's name...I'll drop him a line to see how much butter was needed to grease that 440 into the engine compartment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 I could be wrong, but I think thats a earlier red ram or De Soto type hemi they put in that Z. They were smaller dimensionally I believe and displaced like 241 and 276 inches. Heres a couple picts for comparison: The 331,354 and 392 looks more like this: Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 The Hemi looks at home in the Z, but I think the carb looks a bit puny??? I'd expect a manifold and carb with some BEEF to it on a hemi. Just a thought. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted July 14, 2001 Share Posted July 14, 2001 No, it's a 331,354,392 type, look at the water pump area, and where the upper rad hose connects. But the oil filler and intake look like the Desoto's engine? [ July 13, 2001: Message edited by: Mike kZ ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.