That thing got a HEMI?
So... what's a Hemi anyway?
How many times have you heard that phrase thrown around? You
may have heard the commercials, even remember or heard of
the legendary Chrysler HEMI engines of the 1950s, '60s and
'70s, but do you know what makes a Hemi engine, well, a
Hemi? Chrysler's marketing campaign has helped to revive the
awe of the Hemi engine and has helped to associate the term
Hemi with big, powerful engines.
|
 The
Hemi engine was introduced by Chrysler in 1951 in a new line of V8 engines called the "Hemi."
The name Hemi came from the shape of the cylinder heads, which had a hemispherical design
to the cylinder head's combustion chamber. While not a
new design for the time, it was a first for passenger cars.
Most cars prior to the 1950s used what was known as a flat
head where the valves are in the block, rather than in the
head, and open in a chamber beside the piston. This very simple
"Flat Head" design is still in use today but mainly in
smaller, cheaper engines such as lawnmowers. |
The Hemi engine is different from the standard
V8 engines in three main ways:
-
First the combustion chambers are
hemispherical in shape, which creates better thermal and
volumetric efficiency. Thus, the engine can create more power
without increasing compression This in turn requires a higher
octane fuel.
-
Second, the valve placement within the
combustion chamber are directly across from each other, as
opposed to side-by-side. This allows for better flow of the
intake and exhaust gases.
-
Third, the spark plugs are better positioned
within the chamber to provide maximum ignition combustion.
A photographic comparison of the Hemi and other
typical engine types:
|
 |
 |
| Hemi Head |
Typical Head |
The term, "Hemi engine", is a trademark of Chrysler
Corporation, although the concept is used by many manufacturers.
Photo courtesy Daimler Chrysler
5.7-liter HEMI Magnum V-8 engine from the
2003 Dodge Ram
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Photo courtesy DaimlerChrysler
5.7-liter HEMI Magnum V-8 engine
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More Hemi Information:
The
Hemi Guy - Jon Reep
Howstuffworks "How HEMI Engines Work"
Good information about the HEMI engine and specs from the Dodge trucks. This
engine has an awesome design and great performance
What is a hemi
and how is it different from a regular car engine?
Good explanation about how the Hemi engine differs from standard V8 engines.
The
new Dodge Hemi V8 engine
About the revolutionary retro new Mopar Hemi V8 engines for Dodge cars and
trucks.
HEMI : The Official
DaimlerChrysler Corporation HEMI engine Web site
Chrysler Hemi engine: Information From Answers.com
Chrysler Hemi engine Early Hemi in a 1957 Chrysler 300C . A Chrysler Hemi engine
is one of three different internal combustion engine families.
Hemi Head Comparison
Detailed
explanation of the Hemi
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