RE: Chrysler Hemi Under Threat - Mopar Doesn't Care
Thursday 8th July 2010
The Iconic Hemi V8 could be under threat if the marketeers at Fiat-owned Chrysler get their way.
Chrysler Hemi Under Threat - Mopar Doesn't Care
Mopar builds hot Challenger as Chrysler backs away from iconic V8
The moniker was first used in the 1950s and 1960s before the 1970s oil crisis killed it. But Chrysler brought the Hemi back in 2003 and has used it in various Jeeps, Dodges and Chryslers.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the US car maker is once again turning away from its iconic engine and its distinctive hemispherical combustion chamber in the search for a more refined (and fuel-efficient) image. Instead, more marketing prominence will be given to Chrysler's new Pentastar V6.
The V8 isn't dying though; it will remain in the Challenger and various other Dodges, bearing the 'Hemi' badge, and will continue in the Chrysler 300C and some Jeeps without the 'Hemi' name.
Chrysler's famous Mopar performance division, meanwhile, is busily ignoring the Hemi's new-found shyness, and has announced a full-model Mopar version of the Dodge Challenger.
The Mopar Challenger starts as an R/T-spec model, fitted with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and adds a bonnet-venting (sorry, sorry, hood-venting) system, a cold-air intake, front strut brace, a strut-tower brace, and a bespoke engine cover.
Inside, there are new leather seats, new gear shifters (for manual and automatic versions), and a bespoke leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Only 500 of the Mopar Challengers will be built, painted black and with a choice of red, blue or silver highlights. Other styling tweaks include a black chrome grille surround and black wheels.
Discussion
The new Hemi, I'm led to believe, isn't really a Hemi at all in that it has conventional combustion chambers.
The original found fame as they are difficult to engineer with pushrod valves. In a true Hemi the valve stems are in line; so the inlet blocks access to the exhaust valve for a straight rocker arm. Therefore the Hemi had curly ones or something.
Overhead cam Hemis are a simple proposition that have been reasonable common.
However as previously stated I don't think the new Chrysler engine is a true Hemi. The name is "HEMI"; which stands for "High Efficiency Multi Injection" or some rubbish. In typical American fashion the come up with the acronym first and then mangle words into it. See also Navy SEALs; SWAT Teams and ICE Agents.
The original found fame as they are difficult to engineer with pushrod valves. In a true Hemi the valve stems are in line; so the inlet blocks access to the exhaust valve for a straight rocker arm. Therefore the Hemi had curly ones or something.
Overhead cam Hemis are a simple proposition that have been reasonable common.
However as previously stated I don't think the new Chrysler engine is a true Hemi. The name is "HEMI"; which stands for "High Efficiency Multi Injection" or some rubbish. In typical American fashion the come up with the acronym first and then mangle words into it. See also Navy SEALs; SWAT Teams and ICE Agents.
Ok, right, going to throw this one out here for the PH'ers to rip apart:
Why is it when a European brand release something a bit daring and sporty, they list a load of features based on ever evolving engine development, current motorsport science, new production materials, ECU programs etc etc
Basically, it's at the forefront of motorsport engineering.
However, when American car producers create something a little out of the norm the extras or "developments" are extra ventilation or a "strut brace". To be honest, I wouldn't buy one of these because of the swathes of plastic interior trim and underpowered/oversized engines... (the former is an assumption based on a large amount of previous experience) but why does it look to me as they're squeezing the extra cash out the buyer for special editions when it appears the extras are neglegable when it comes to real performance??
What's happened to 'function-over-form' cars?!
If this is out of place, do excuse me. It's a thursday, work is crap and my old Saab took a chunk out my finger last night. Sigh.
Why is it when a European brand release something a bit daring and sporty, they list a load of features based on ever evolving engine development, current motorsport science, new production materials, ECU programs etc etc
Basically, it's at the forefront of motorsport engineering.
However, when American car producers create something a little out of the norm the extras or "developments" are extra ventilation or a "strut brace". To be honest, I wouldn't buy one of these because of the swathes of plastic interior trim and underpowered/oversized engines... (the former is an assumption based on a large amount of previous experience) but why does it look to me as they're squeezing the extra cash out the buyer for special editions when it appears the extras are neglegable when it comes to real performance??
What's happened to 'function-over-form' cars?!
If this is out of place, do excuse me. It's a thursday, work is crap and my old Saab took a chunk out my finger last night. Sigh.
Futuramic said:
The new Hemi, I'm led to believe, isn't really a Hemi at all in that it has conventional combustion chambers.
The original found fame as they are difficult to engineer with pushrod valves. In a true Hemi the valve stems are in line; so the inlet blocks access to the exhaust valve for a straight rocker arm. Therefore the Hemi had curly ones or something.
Overhead cam Hemis are a simple proposition that have been reasonable common.
However as previously stated I don't think the new Chrysler engine is a true Hemi. The name is "HEMI"; which stands for "High Efficiency Multi Injection" or some rubbish. In typical American fashion the come up with the acronym first and then mangle words into it. See also Navy SEALs; SWAT Teams and ICE Agents.
Looks pretty hemi-spherical to me.....The original found fame as they are difficult to engineer with pushrod valves. In a true Hemi the valve stems are in line; so the inlet blocks access to the exhaust valve for a straight rocker arm. Therefore the Hemi had curly ones or something.
Overhead cam Hemis are a simple proposition that have been reasonable common.
However as previously stated I don't think the new Chrysler engine is a true Hemi. The name is "HEMI"; which stands for "High Efficiency Multi Injection" or some rubbish. In typical American fashion the come up with the acronym first and then mangle words into it. See also Navy SEALs; SWAT Teams and ICE Agents.
theyoungupstart said:
Ok, right, going to throw this one out here for the PH'ers to rip apart:
Why is it when a European brand release something a bit daring and sporty, they list a load of features based on ever evolving engine development, current motorsport science, new production materials, ECU programs etc etc
Basically, it's at the forefront of motorsport engineering.
However, when American car producers create something a little out of the norm the extras or "developments" are extra ventilation or a "strut brace". To be honest, I wouldn't buy one of these because of the swathes of plastic interior trim and underpowered/oversized engines... (the former is an assumption based on a large amount of previous experience) but why does it look to me as they're squeezing the extra cash out the buyer for special editions when it appears the extras are neglegable when it comes to real performance??
What's happened to 'function-over-form' cars?!
If this is out of place, do excuse me. It's a thursday, work is crap and my old Saab took a chunk out my finger last night. Sigh.
1. They are hardly underpowered lolWhy is it when a European brand release something a bit daring and sporty, they list a load of features based on ever evolving engine development, current motorsport science, new production materials, ECU programs etc etc
Basically, it's at the forefront of motorsport engineering.
However, when American car producers create something a little out of the norm the extras or "developments" are extra ventilation or a "strut brace". To be honest, I wouldn't buy one of these because of the swathes of plastic interior trim and underpowered/oversized engines... (the former is an assumption based on a large amount of previous experience) but why does it look to me as they're squeezing the extra cash out the buyer for special editions when it appears the extras are neglegable when it comes to real performance??
What's happened to 'function-over-form' cars?!
If this is out of place, do excuse me. It's a thursday, work is crap and my old Saab took a chunk out my finger last night. Sigh.
2. It is not just the Americans who produce these special editions take a look at Lotus for instance.
3. My Saab took layers of skin off my knuckles (sump clean by any chance) so i understand your anger
Dave
davemac250 said:
Er, so not really a performance model then?
More like the factory version with a K&N strapped on???
Be more interesting if the engine was the 6.2.
6.2? More of the usual uninformed babble then...More like the factory version with a K&N strapped on???
Be more interesting if the engine was the 6.2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezk0e1VL80o&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLa6NGduJ_c&fea...
Topical, at this time of the year.
Futuramic said:
The new Hemi, I'm led to believe, isn't really a Hemi at all in that it has conventional combustion chambers.
The original found fame as they are difficult to engineer with pushrod valves. In a true Hemi the valve stems are in line; so the inlet blocks access to the exhaust valve for a straight rocker arm. Therefore the Hemi had curly ones or something.
Overhead cam Hemis are a simple proposition that have been reasonable common.
However as previously stated I don't think the new Chrysler engine is a true Hemi. The name is "HEMI"; which stands for "High Efficiency Multi Injection" or some rubbish. In typical American fashion the come up with the acronym first and then mangle words into it. See also Navy SEALs; SWAT Teams and ICE Agents.
Here we go again The original found fame as they are difficult to engineer with pushrod valves. In a true Hemi the valve stems are in line; so the inlet blocks access to the exhaust valve for a straight rocker arm. Therefore the Hemi had curly ones or something.
Overhead cam Hemis are a simple proposition that have been reasonable common.
However as previously stated I don't think the new Chrysler engine is a true Hemi. The name is "HEMI"; which stands for "High Efficiency Multi Injection" or some rubbish. In typical American fashion the come up with the acronym first and then mangle words into it. See also Navy SEALs; SWAT Teams and ICE Agents.
Taken from another thread:
It is a Hemi! It's a shallow angle Hemi with twin plugs. Journalists and ignorant people keep going on about how its not a hemi because the chambers aren't purely hemispehrical- well thats rather pedantic. Perhaps they think it's funny or that it makes them look clever. Hemi is a generic name for a general description of the layout of combustion chamber. If we're to be this pedantic- then technically the classic Jaguar XK engine isn't a Hemi either and nor is the classic Alfa Romeo twin cam, because the chambers aren't exactly Hemi-spherical. If the new chrysler Hemi isn't a hemi- then technically nor is the BMW M30 or M20 small sixes. So how do these internet pundits suggest we classify these engines also? Are we supposed to call the BMW M20- a shallow-22-degree-2-valve-with-offset-valves-canted-at-a-V (included angle)(with lots of squish in the E30 325is case)? This is typical of non technical people trying to be technical and is similar to RobM77 generalising about DBW being the root of all evil when he really knows little about it.
So from now on-
1) hemi is a Generic name (and of course in Chryslers case 'Hemi' is a trade name)- that signifies a 2 valve layout with valves canted to one another and is usually of a cross flow layout.
2) it doesn't matter that the valve angle is shallow- (as is the case of any decent modern engine) or that this particular variant has alot of squish (Porsche 962 racer anyone?) or that it has twin plugs
3) If we go by these 'clever' definitions laid down by either internet pundits or journalists- no one would ever release a modern Hemi ever because the surface to volume ratio of the chamber is far too large for reasonable heat loss and a fast burn.
Look at how many types of Pent roof chambers there are- open pent roof chambers, high squish closed chambers, deep pent roof chambers- shallow angle pent roof angle chambers- but they're all fundamentally pent roof chambers.
So can we stop this b
ks please?theyoungupstart said:
Ok, right, going to throw this one out here for the PH'ers to rip apart:
Why is it when a European brand release something a bit daring and sporty, they list a load of features based on ever evolving engine development, current motorsport science, new production materials, ECU programs etc etc
Basically, it's at the forefront of motorsport engineering.
However, when American car producers create something a little out of the norm the extras or "developments" are extra ventilation or a "strut brace". To be honest, I wouldn't buy one of these because of the swathes of plastic interior trim and underpowered/oversized engines... (the former is an assumption based on a large amount of previous experience) but why does it look to me as they're squeezing the extra cash out the buyer for special editions when it appears the extras are neglegable when it comes to real performance??
What's happened to 'function-over-form' cars?!
If this is out of place, do excuse me. It's a thursday, work is crap and my old Saab took a chunk out my finger last night. Sigh.
Why is it when a European brand release something a bit daring and sporty, they list a load of features based on ever evolving engine development, current motorsport science, new production materials, ECU programs etc etc
Basically, it's at the forefront of motorsport engineering.
However, when American car producers create something a little out of the norm the extras or "developments" are extra ventilation or a "strut brace". To be honest, I wouldn't buy one of these because of the swathes of plastic interior trim and underpowered/oversized engines... (the former is an assumption based on a large amount of previous experience) but why does it look to me as they're squeezing the extra cash out the buyer for special editions when it appears the extras are neglegable when it comes to real performance??
What's happened to 'function-over-form' cars?!
If this is out of place, do excuse me. It's a thursday, work is crap and my old Saab took a chunk out my finger last night. Sigh.
Someone who doesn't understand American performance-car culture.American car manufacturers sell their top-end muscle cars knowing full-well that just about every component can and will be upgraded and modified. Things like extra ventilation and strut braces are in preparation for owners dropping bigger 'crate' V8s in for drag-racing.
OK, so yes, in Europe we see this as 'function over form', but there was a time when we would design our cars for an upgrade with a new exhaust system, a pair of Webers etc. Nowadays we seem to design our cars with 'nothing to see here' and 'don't you dare touch this' written all over them, meaning any modifications are either relegated to remapping, extreme expense overhauling bits designed not to be touched, or pathetic 'individual' touches involving changing the bodywork for the sake of it.
At least the American manufacturers respect the individuality of their customers.
too true, when I first got into 'merican cars and bought a Trans Am. It was amazing just how much aftermarket stuff there is available, you can change everything and quite easily too (can be expensive if you need to pay someone to fit them for you though). If you're into the older types it's quite hard to find one that's stock.
Twincam16 said:
theyoungupstart said:
Ok, right, going to throw this one out here for the PH'ers to rip apart:
Why is it when a European brand release something a bit daring and sporty, they list a load of features based on ever evolving engine development, current motorsport science, new production materials, ECU programs etc etc
Basically, it's at the forefront of motorsport engineering.
However, when American car producers create something a little out of the norm the extras or "developments" are extra ventilation or a "strut brace". To be honest, I wouldn't buy one of these because of the swathes of plastic interior trim and underpowered/oversized engines... (the former is an assumption based on a large amount of previous experience) but why does it look to me as they're squeezing the extra cash out the buyer for special editions when it appears the extras are neglegable when it comes to real performance??
What's happened to 'function-over-form' cars?!
If this is out of place, do excuse me. It's a thursday, work is crap and my old Saab took a chunk out my finger last night. Sigh.
Why is it when a European brand release something a bit daring and sporty, they list a load of features based on ever evolving engine development, current motorsport science, new production materials, ECU programs etc etc
Basically, it's at the forefront of motorsport engineering.
However, when American car producers create something a little out of the norm the extras or "developments" are extra ventilation or a "strut brace". To be honest, I wouldn't buy one of these because of the swathes of plastic interior trim and underpowered/oversized engines... (the former is an assumption based on a large amount of previous experience) but why does it look to me as they're squeezing the extra cash out the buyer for special editions when it appears the extras are neglegable when it comes to real performance??
What's happened to 'function-over-form' cars?!
If this is out of place, do excuse me. It's a thursday, work is crap and my old Saab took a chunk out my finger last night. Sigh.
Someone who doesn't understand American performance-car culture.American car manufacturers sell their top-end muscle cars knowing full-well that just about every component can and will be upgraded and modified. Things like extra ventilation and strut braces are in preparation for owners dropping bigger 'crate' V8s in for drag-racing.
OK, so yes, in Europe we see this as 'function over form', but there was a time when we would design our cars for an upgrade with a new exhaust system, a pair of Webers etc. Nowadays we seem to design our cars with 'nothing to see here' and 'don't you dare touch this' written all over them, meaning any modifications are either relegated to remapping, extreme expense overhauling bits designed not to be touched, or pathetic 'individual' touches involving changing the bodywork for the sake of it.
At least the American manufacturers respect the individuality of their customers.
you can get the remapping software to access every GM car made in the last 10 years for about £500. You can change anything you like (engine and gearbox) as many times as you like. You dont see the same for BMW, Merc or Audi do you?
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