TECH The New Generation

A MODERN DAY, HIGH-POWERED HEMI

This years amount of new Hemi parts has allowed engine builders to push the limits and nd weaknesses.
Wisecos 7.0L Blower Pistons
Specically designed by Josh Rickards of Vaca Performance and Brian Nutter of Wiseco, these blower pistons feature an inverted dome, a lowered ring pack, and a relocated piston pin, all in efforts to improve on late-model Hemi owners piston options. With this rod and stroke, these pistons will provide around 9.3:1 compression.

Written by Jake Amatisto Behind the Lens: The Author & Dimitri Cretikos

hen we rst heard that a revamped, EFI-version of the Chryslers venerable Hemi engine was to be released back in 2005, we wondered how long it would take before we started seeing Dodge Magnums, Chargers and Chrysler 300Cs tearing it up on the dragstrip with modded 5.7L Hemis. Within the rst couple years, late-model Hemi cars didnt really do anything impressive, but we can safely say thats not the case anymore.

Despite being housed in such heavy cars, the Mopars of today still run strong, and recently we heard that the 9-second barrier was broken in just four short years, and it seems these guys drop up to a second in elapsed times each year. Although only a couple hardcore guys have gotten into the nines, for the most part, the late-model 5.7L and 6.1L Hemi engines are undeveloped when it comes to high-performance and racing parts, but the cool thing is that were starting to see more and more

4The late-model Hemi engine block has to be

one of the strongest blocks to come in any production vehicle. Between the solid lifter valley, skirted crankcase, and side main bolts, we dont doubt that this block can support 1,200 horsepower.

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4Here, engine builder

Josh Rickards of Vaca Performance installs the

late-model reluctor ring on the K1 stroker

crank. It is important to retain this piece, as it is how the computer senses the relation of the crank to the cam.

Engine Block

Late-Model Reluctor Ring

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A MODERN DAY, HIGH-POWERED HEMI

Recently we heard that the 9-second barrier was broken in just four short years.
Its exciting to write about such a new engine combination, especially when it has parts in it that have not been released to the aftermarket yet. Rickards and Wisecos Brian Nutter came up with an inverted dome (not a reversed dish) design that provides a much more efcient ame front and provides more quench area than previous dished designs. Rickards explained, The problems with the rst generations of late-model Hemi pistons was that they came with a reverse dish, not inverted dome. With the reverse dish you lose a lot of quench area of the cylinder head. With this new Wiseco set, weve developed a piston that allows the ame front in the cylinder to be much more controllable. Rickards continued, The wrist pins have also been relocated clos-

Ring Package
The ring package was moved down .125-inch to accommodate the supercharger. Since these are specically designed blower pistons, the ring lands will be less susceptible to lifting under high loads (below). The piston pin on these pistons is way up there, seemingly just a fraction of an inch from the bottom of the piston. But surprisingly, the pin boss only intrudes with the oil ring. Totally Square Engine hardcore parts starting to be released, despite this downed economy. This years amount of new Hemi parts has allowed engine builders to push the limits and nd weaknesses, and it seems everyday were learning about new components that will make the late-model Hemi run quicker and faster. With a steady stream of new, hardcore engine parts being released this year, these engines may start to be taken more seriously when it comes to performance and racing. It happened with Fords Modular engine, and now its become a major threat in some heads-up drag racing classes. The new Hemi aftermarket is a little far off to support purpose-built race motors, but its getting there. Last year we covered a Vortech supercharger install and dyno tune on fellow ofce park tenant Dimitri Cretikos blown 6.1L Hemi Charger. This year, Cretikos wanted to step up the power with a K1 Stroker kit, as well as some trick internals that have yet to be released, so Fastest Street Car was there to check it out. When it comes to late-model Hemi building skills and design, Josh Rickards of Vaca Performance is the man to talk to, and you could even say the 5.7L and 6.1L Hemis are Rickards specialty. Rickards claims this new 426 engine will propel a full interior Charger into the 10-second range.

the

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4The K1 Technologies
crank features a 4.080-inch stroke while the block is also bored to 4.080, a

totally square engine. This provides the

Mopar-essential 426 cubicinch number.

4The rst generation of

late model Hemi stroker kits required the builder to remove the piston squirters. With Wisecos new 6.1L blower pistons, you can still retain them.

Piston Squirters

nmcadigital.com

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TECH The New Generation

I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.
Josh Rickards Vaca Performance
er to the crown, and the ring package has been moved down .125. The skirts are coated and they come with priority pin oiling, plus theyve been notched for the factory oilers. The piston oilers basically cool the underside of the pistons by squirting a bit of oil though a series of dual-nozzle gadgets that get bolted into the crankcase. The ability to use the piston oilers with these pistons is a big deal because, before, anytime you ran a 426 stroker crank, you couldnt run the oilers because the stroke. These, however, have notches that permit you to use them. Its nice to know that under high-boost some cool oil is getting directed to one of the hottest, most intense parts of your engine. The K1 Technologies crank we opted to use is a forged 4340 steel piece with a 4.080 stroke to give our Hemi a classic 426 cubic-inches. K1 Technologies is a company with attention to detail and have regarded themselves as one of the most meticulous when it comes to checking tolerances. The counterweight placements on this crank are designed for improved performance and the journals feature a .125-inch llet radii. Other features include a straight-hole oiling system for better lubrication and the crank has been Nitrided for improved bearing life. Of course, the crank also has the provisions for the factory reluctor ring, too.

A MODERN DAY, HIGH-POWERED HEMI

Milodons Late-Model Hemi Stuff

We originally contacted Milodon for the oil pan, pickup, and windage tray for this engine build. Unfortunately, we ordered the wrong pan for the body style we plan on dropping this beast into. Milodon does offer a pan that would work with our 6.1L stroker, we just couldnt get one in time. We could, however, make the windage tray work with the factory pan with some slight massaging. For more info on their Hemi pans, check out milodon.com.

4The connecting rods we used on this

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build came from K1 Technologies. They are forged from 4340 steel and feature an H-beam design that will be up to the task of holding on to our supercharged slugs, even when pushing a 4,000-pound land yacht down the track.

Connecting Rods

The K1 rods are forged, 4340 steel H-beams that have been shot peened for improved fatigue life, come with bronze wrist pin bushings, and are finish honed in the USA. They are also weight-matched +/- 1 gram on each end and also come with the ultra-strong ARP 2000 fasteners. For the oiling system, Rickards retained the factory oil pump, but opted to go with a Milodon windage tray and pan kit. Unfortunately, we ordered the wrong pan and had to temporarily use the factory one, but we do want to mention that

4The ring package is a secret setup that Josh

Rickards claims will be a real help in making big power with this engine. With a low-tension oil ring, this engine can turn over with only about 9 pounds of force. Compare that to the 25-30 pounds a big-block Chrysler has, and you are talking about a lot of freed-up power.

Secret Setup

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TECH The New Generation

I set this engine up to be totally streetable on pump gas.
Milodon does have a whole line of aftermarket pans and trays for the late-model 5.7 and 6.1L Hemi engines. The windage tray is an improved design over factory steel gasket/windage tray, as it does a better job of shielding the crank from the splashing oil. Windage control is something that is rarely tested with the late-model Hemi engines, so Rickards was curious to see if it was worth any power. With a few late-model crazies already running in the 9-second zone, we asked Rickards if he thought this powerplant could ever propel our Charger project into the 9s. He said, I set this engine up to be totally streetable on pump gas, daily driven even. Now, if Dimitri wants to go even quicker than this after its done, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve With it having 426 cubic-inches and heads that ow 330 cfm, we dont think power will be a problem, but Rickards ended the call with,but were going to need a bigger blower. g

A MODERN DAY, HIGH-POWERED HEMI

Time To Drop It In
Now that our K1 Technologies Stroker Kit is bolted in place, its time to drop the shortblock in the car (the top ends of these engines are assembled with the engine in the car ~editor) and assemble the top end. In the next installment of our New Gen Hemi, well cover the heads and induction setup were using on this project, along with some real word dyno numbers from Vaca Performances Dyno. Super Damper

4ATI sent us their Super Damper for this

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E
Automotive Racing Products 800.826.3045 arp-bolts.com Milodon Inc. 805.577.5950 milodon.com Automotive Racing Products 800.826.3045 arp-bolts.com

high-powered Hemi build. Some basic features include 360 laser-etched timing marks and they exceed SFI 18.1 specs. We ordered this one with 5-percent overdrive, this way we can run the desired 12-pounds of boost without having to go too small on the supercharger pulley.

Vaca Performance 562.622.2508 vacaperformance.com K1 Technologies 616.583.9700 k1technologies.com ATI Performance Products 877.298.5039 atiracing.com Wiseco Pistons 800.321.1364 wiseco.com Fasteners

4ARP supplied the fasteners for the

buildup, including the full set of main studs for our Mopars beefy crankcase.

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