I know that people have mixed opinions on Consumer Reports, however I found this amusing regarding the Dodge Hemi in the 2004 March issue review of four SUV’s.

“Dodge heavily promotes the optional 335-hp, 5.7- liter Hemi V8 engine, but here’s no magic behind the Hemi label. It refers to hemispherical or dome-shaped combustion chambers, a common design for more than 50 years. Acceleration was quick, but fuel economy, at 12 mpg overall, was the lowest.”

 

The current Hemi is NOT even a hemispherical design.

Call it a semi-hemi?

 

really???? What is the shape of the combustion chamber then? if it wasn't hemispherical, it would classically be referd to as a wedge head if i'm not mistaken. That is that some part of the flat surface on the head remains over the top of the cylinder sleeve. Thus preventing domed pistons that are sometimes used to hemi heads to obtain desireable compression ratios....

-ii

 

haha i got my brother now. for some odd reason he is a dodge fan. im working on him, hes gonna be in love with ford very soon. i just keep finding all these negative things about dodge and he never has something bad about ford to say thats true. well he had one thing to say, the old models were the worst rated trucks ever in safety. but i just comeback and say "and now their the best rated trucks ever" he cant win

 

I assume alot of people are with me in just having assumed that the chambers were hemispherically shaped seeing as how they call it...a Hemi! Where did you hear that they were not?

 

Dodge advertising is refering to this engine as "the legendary Hemi". This leads one to assume that in some way this is a classic engine re-introduced.


Key point to take away? Dodge fluffs up the facts in their advertising so only believe half of it.

 

Next they'll be installing a rotary engine

 

No, I definitely didn't think this was the classic engine reintroduced. In fact, I've been saying for months how they're ruining the heritage of what WAS a legendary engine. 2003 was the death of the word "Hemi" instilling passion in most. But I did assume at least that it was an actual hemi-design engined and not a complete fake. I'd like some info on this one way or the other as that just seems unconscienable.

 

Most engines today use a Pentroof Hemi head design. I don't know if Dodge make the head any more round or curved than the pentroof. Dodge just markets it strongly. I don't think they say this engine is the legendary Hemi, but that is is inspired or designed upon the legendary Hemi. Despite what you say, the marketing is working. Ram sales are up 30%. New Durango sales are up too with 40% or 50% having the 5.7L motor.

 

30% of not much is still not much.

Besides, a 30% increase gets them back after a 30% drop in past years.

 

I'm not saying that I don't believe you, but I do find it hard to swallow that Durango sales are up. Have you seen how damn ugly those things are now? A Titan would win a beauty contest if it's competition was the Durango.

 

January 2004 Durango sales up 38% year over year. Even if you don't like how it looks, it is probably the best in its market says most reviews I have read.

"Yearly totals for the Dodge Ram were a record 449,371 units, a dramatic increase of 13 percent versus 2002 when 396,934 units were sold."

Okay, I was wrong about 30%. Maybe I was thinking of 2002 over 2001. Not much more than half F-Series sales, but hardly chump change. That still leaves it in the top 5 nameplate sales in the US.

Regardless, I fail to understand what any of this thread has to do withthe 2004 F-150.

 

And the other manufacturers don't?

 

Don't care what the call the engine

Dodge guys are getting under 15 seconds in the 1/4 mile on stock engines

And that 5.7 is only getting started

Lots of room for increased ponies

 

Hold on guys.....i'm writing an email to Dodges Marketing department an Email letting them know they have to change the "Hemi" name to the "Pentaroof"......


LOL....


-ii