The Great Hemi Debate

[Mork]

There were a few discussions here with relation to the Dodge "Hemi" being just a marketing ploy to sell more trucks. Actually the term Hemi does refer to a actual difference in the way the engine is made.
In a HEMI engine, the top of the combustion chamber is hemispherical. The combustion area in the head is shaped like half of a sphere. An engine like this is said to have "hemispherical heads." In a HEMI head, the spark plug is normally located at the top of the combustion chamber, and the valves open on opposite sides of the combustion chamber. Actually it is an outdated technology as there are better, more efficient ways of gaining horsepower.
below is an interesting link to read.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/hemi.htm

[01Blackerado]

It is being used as a saling tool though as far as IM concerned cause its now being offered in everything that dodge has!!!

[Silverado Brethern]

i think its quite strange that the dodge hemi is a 5.7 350 which is the same as the engine as what is in my trcuk only with different heads...hmmm

[dhspring]

Dodge brought back the hemi probably as a ploy so sell more iron, I agree with Mork, it's probably outdated technology, but whatever sells is king. I certainly would not go buy a particularly vehicle just because it's got a hemispherical combustion chamber, and I don't particularly care for Dodge products. I think Dodge is trying to recapture some magic from the Hemi Daytona chargers with the raised spoiler in the 70's when they really were hot items.

[jeverett]

Isnt it weird how a 5.3 can blow a 5.7 HEMI away??? However, I LOVE IT!!!!

[djpbaby]

I have yet to see a 5.3 blow away a 5.7 hemi. With 345 horses, how can a 5.3, even a 2003 or 04 with 295 horses even think about it. We did beat one hemi a while ago, but we were racing it against a 03 chevy SS. It definitely is a marketing ploy though. Where is the 10 second factory hemi motor? Heck, they were faster than that, but you would at least expect a 14 second truck with a comparable hemi motor. If that was supposed to be their fastest truck, why is the R/T Ram equiped with a Viper V-10 that smokes about any pickup. Even with all that good stuff said about mopar, I'd rather be dead than drive one. It costs too much to drive a Dodge. Long live the vortec heads!

[jeverett]

I almost beat one (2004 RCSB 2wd) and I'm in a Z71. I got beat by 1 truck length. I had 285's at the time also. HEMI's suck, and as soon as I get my custom tune, it'll be staring at my tailgate.

[seniorbigs]

Marketing ploy for sure. However, the Hemi is a runner. It's about time they dumped the 5.9 and 5.2.

[01Blackerado]

I beat the living crap out of hemis and i have a 5.3l 01 silvy. Dont get me wrong the hemi is bad i mesn BAAAAD that truck weighs so much and it pushes it with no problems if i could get the engine i would seeing how chevy invented the first hemi motor.And anyone who wouldnt drive a dodge hemi is a fool i can't beleive the amount of crap that is given from one vehicle owner to the next. Its all the same we bash them they bash us but when all said and done the only real reason we win is cause we have lighter vehicles. For the price of the hemi there is no better STOCK built truck its one of the fastest and the SS silvy just plain cost too much to buy and have it barely be able to beat the hemi which cost thousands less!!!!!