Respected V8 Chrysler Engine

V8 Chrysler engines have long been respected as some of the most powerful, well built engines on the market. The Chrysler V8 engine is probably better known by its other name, Hemi. The Chrysler Hemi engine is called this because it contains a hemispherical combustion chamber rather than a side by side chamber as many other V8s. While these engines are built by Chrysler and used in their automobiles, they also have a long history of being used in other GM cars and trucks as well, mainly in Dodge, Plymouth, and Jeep. V8 Chryslers also have the distinction of being resurrected and put back into production as most GM companies have had their engine production cut or completely eliminated as GM moved towards more corporate engines that could be used by all of its car manufacturers. In fact, Chrysler stopped producing the hemi engine for over 30 years, and it wasnt until 2003 that the model was finally reinstated.

The V8 Chrysler Hemi engine exists in three very distinct models, the first of which was also referred to as the Chrysler FirePower engine and was produced from 1951 until 1958. This engine was first introduced as a standard feature in both the Chrysler New Yorker and the Imperial.  After 1958, the hemispherical head design died out and wasnt used again until 1964, when the second generation of V8 Chryslers came onto the market. These engines were the first to use the brand Hemi, and were extremely successful and used in many Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth sports and luxury cars. The Chrysler V8 engine developed in 1964 was primarily for use in NASCAR, but after failing to meet the requirements for availability to the general public, the Chrysler engine was not allowed to be used during the 1965 season. This led the company to introduce the street version in 1966 which was available in the Dodge Charger and Plymouth Satellite. Many other muscle cars were developed using this engine until its production was again stopped in 1971.

Finally, in 2003, the people at GM finally came to their senses and Chrysler started producing V8 Hemis again.  Although these engines were originally confined to Dodge trucks and SUVs, a few years later they were finally put back into newer model muscle cars such as the Dodge Charger and Magnum. While designed and manufactured by Chrysler, this engine is primarily used on Dodge and Jeep vehicles and the only Chrysler to currently feature this engine is the Chrysler 300. Overall, V8 Chryslers have a long history and are considered some of the best engines ever to be made.