Can someone explain it to me?

 

i dont really know the details, i just know they are crazy. they pump out massive hp and insane tq. and for a truck, that thing is NOT your usual pick up truck.

 

Hemispherical combustion chambers. And its just in the trucks for now, the Dodge Magnum and LX's (replacement LH cars) will have them. Go to allpar.com for more research.

 

Try this

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

From what I can tell from that article, they were a big thing years back. But considering HEMI engines can only have 2 valves per cylinder, and a modern 4 valve engine can make more power its more marketing than anything else.

I think Dodge is just bringing the HEMI back for the name. A lot of old domestic car and truck fans will eat em up not realizing that the HEMI isn't as superior to todays engines as it was back in the day.

Anyone feel free to call me an idiot on this one. I'm not an expert on V8 engines.

 

I owned a Dodge hemi MANY years ago, when they were tops for hp and torque. But, times moved on, and now the multi-valve, FI engines do more with less: less weight, less fuel, less grief and less wear and tear. Dodge is doing the nostalgia thing, like the retro thunderbird, the retro buick ads, etc. I am sure that the big hemi pumps plenty of ponies and twist, but in a pickup, it's the low end torque that hauls the tons of s**t from place to place. Does anyone remember the four end to end hemi salt flats rod that topped 400 mph? That's one way to use them.

 

Dated technology... American car companies = teh suck when it comes to engine tech.

 

from what i was told, the hemi engines in dodge now are lighter by appox. 20% and the costs of an hemi engine is cheaper than the regular v8 engines in trucks.

 

HEMI's were big back in the muscle car days. That's why they are so special. I guess Dodge figures the muscle car guys are know into pickups and bringing back the HEMI will keep the Mopar guys with Mopar.

 

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

 

People mistakenly assume that hemispherical combustion chambers are an American invention and only apply to big V8s. That is simply false. Many European manufacturers used hemispherical combustion chambers as early as the 1930s.

In my opinion, they work best in dual overhead cam engines. Their strength is that a properly designed hemispherical combustion chamber is that it flows very well.

Their weakness, and the reason they are not used more commonly used today, is they do not promote as much "swirl" or air/fuel mixing as a pent-roof combustion chamber, and this is necessary for clean emissions.

Alfa Romeo 4 cyl DOHC "Hemi" head

 

People mistakenly assume that hemispherical combustion chambers are an American invention and only apply to big V8s. That is simply false. Many European manufacturers used hemispherical combustion chambers as early as the 1930s.

In my opinion, they work best in dual overhead cam engines. Their strength is that a properly designed hemispherical combustion chamber is that it flow very well.

Their weakness, and the reason they are not used more commonly used today, is they do not promote as much "swirl" or air/fuel mixing as a pent-roof combustion chamber, and this is necessary for clean emission.

Alfa Romeo 4 cyl DOHC "Hemi" head

 

Agreed

 

While the Hemi cars were pretty awesome, and certainly one of the fastest street racers around, there was one slightly hotter MOPAR option:

The 1969.5 440 Six Pack A12 "M-Code" Super Bees and Roadrunners These cars were lighter than the Hemi cars, with a lift-off fiberglass hood and virtually no options, just a 4-speed and a Dana 60 rear. They were only built for 6 months.

Don't get me wrong, I love the 'Hemi cars, especially the 'Cuda, but my money would always be on the M-code car.

 

For your perusal: