Evolution of the 5.7 Hemi

Discussion in 'Challenger R/T Engine & Performance Modifications' started by SRT-Tom, Apr 18, 2018.

  1. SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

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  2. Waylav2018TA

    Waylav2018TA Well-Known Member

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    Good info
     
  3. ZEN357

    ZEN357 Full Access Member

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    Thanks for the link!!!
     
  4. Climber

    Climber Full Access Member

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    I remember tuning my '70 340 Challenger with a timing light and simple hand tools. The most complicated part for me were the dual points in the distributor. Things have changed for sure. I do not why but these days the 5.7 Hemi gets a bad rap from some out there that say the 5.7 is "just a truck engine" and is not suited for a high performance car. Little do they know or realize. I see plenty of Challengers and Chargers running the 5.7 Hemi all over metro Denver and out away from the metro area. South Park and the San Luis Valley are just some of the wide open spaces where I have seen some of these cars open up, mine included. When the Colorado State Patrol chases down a speeder in their Charger at 130 mph they more than likely have a 5.7 Hemi under the hood. I have never been disappointed by the 5.7 performance or economy. I am doing a road trip to western Idaho in about two weeks and I am taking the Purple Thing. The posted interstate speed limit in Wyoming is 80 mph. I will be taking I 80 from Laramie to the Utah border and beyond. That is a lot of Interstate....Just set the cruise on 80 mph and keep the purple side up. I will post a trip report when I get back. I hope that I can behave myself and stay out of jail.

    Truck engine, my ass.
     
  5. SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

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    I can relate to the ease of tuning old cars. I had a 1971 'Cuda 340. The biggest ignition mods back then was upgrading to Accel points and rotor.

    By the way, did you know that the 340 was known as the "Giant Killer" at the track? Also, that the NHRA factored its horsepower up to 325 (from 275 advertised). Chrysler didn't lie, to gain a competitive edge, it just took the horsepower reading before the engine reached its maximum 6,000 rpm.

    Luckily for me, my insurance company based surcharges on engine displacement. lol.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2018
  6. 2009 Classic B5

    2009 Classic B5 Full Access Member

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    I have a 2009 R/T Classic B5 Blue 6 speed. It is the best road car I have had including my 1968 340 Formula S FB, which I still have. The Challenger gets 28+ MPG at 75-80 MPH driving from Denver to SoCal which I have done at least 10 times. It is comfortable and holds all the luggage for my wife and daughter which is something that cannot be said about a Mustang or Camaro, or many other sporty cars. I know that the newer 8 speed automatics are great, but I would still buy a 6 speed manual as it is so much more enjoyable to drive than an automatic.
     
  7. SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

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    MDS makes a big difference. The 6.1 Hemi does not have it. My SRT's best mpg was 19.
     
  8. 2009 Classic B5

    2009 Classic B5 Full Access Member

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    The 2009 6sp 5.7L does not have MDS, so this is actual MPG. Surprising the 6.1L is that poor. I have heard that 6.4L SRT's get 24-25 MPG.
     
  9. Climber

    Climber Full Access Member

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    My 2016 R/T 5.7 Hemi 6 speed manual does not have MDS. It is my understanding that the MDS is only available on the 8 speed auto. Yes, I am well aware of how automakers would not tell all when it came to torque and horsepower for fedgov and insurance purposes. That 340 was cranking out far more than the 275 hp it advertised. I shut down more than a few Fords and Chevys in some street races back when I had s**t for brains. Legal racing on the drag strip saw many a 340 take on a Mopar, Ford or Chevy big block and win in a quarter mile. My bride to be back then drove a '69 SS 396 Chevelle and it was no match for the 340. Just to be fair, I have seen a 69/70 Z28 take on a big block and win in a legal drag race. I never believed for a second that the output for a 68/69 302 Z28 was only 290 hp. Look at the '70 T/A Challenger 340 6 Pack at a "mild" 290 hp.....A while back there was a Youtube video of several drag races between a '70 T/A Challenger 340 6 Pack and a modern SRT Challenger....The '70 T/A beat the SRT six or seven times out of ten, if memory serves. I do not know what to think of that and I watched the videos. If I owned a '70 T/A it would not be put on a drag strip. The people that made the video said both cars were stock. Go figure.
     
  10. 2009 Classic B5

    2009 Classic B5 Full Access Member

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    I drove a '68 Barracuda FB 340 Formula S with a stock engine for many years. It turned 13.40 @ 105.38 best time at OCIR on a cool night. It was consistently in the 13.50's all the time. It stomped SS396 Camaros as they had no traction with polyglass tires. I still have the car and it is still fun to drive, but my '09 Challenger is far more comfortable and reliable, but much harder to work on.