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Published on 16 September 2020

Yes, the Hemi you have when you don't have a Hemi. I'm amazed that Chrysler got away with that claim to high performance fame, given that its combustion chamber design differed so much from Chrysler's legendary Hemi V8. The six's shallow valve angle did hint at a slight curvature, but it was nowhere near the steep valve angle of the V8, the spark plug was not located deep between the valves like the V8 and it was not a cross-flow design like the V8, so the Hemi claim was quite a stretch. Even the legendary Phil Irving described it as a "hemi-truth". Even so, it was an excellent engine that was more than a match for rival Ford and GM-H sixes. Efficient and durable with outstanding V8-style torque, which was ideal for towing. It also responded well to performance tweaks in the sensational R/T Chargers with their triple Weber carbs and all.