1974 Plymouth Barracuda - HomeBuilt Hemi 'Cuda

The words Hemi and 'Cuda are easily combined in print, and in the minds of Mopar lovers everywhere. But, what if you want to combine them when the engine's a modern Hemi and the 'Cuda's a well-preserved E-Body? Where do you do it? In Matt Thun's case, you use the closest vehicle-assembly facility—namely, his two-car garage.

"The previous owner had it for over 14 years, but only drove it 4,000 miles, so he hadn't done a whole lot with it," says Matt. "It had chrome all over the engine compartment, it was leaking oil, the seats were split, and it had those black rubber ‘knee-knockers' on the front and back."

Matt had plans for the 'Cuda that didn't include keeping it as it was. "I began wanting to restore it, and put it back to how it was from the factory," he says.

Over time, the 318 showed its age, and Matt considered either rebuilding it, or replacing it with a 340. But a third choice soon emerged: The 5.7 Hemi. "In 2003, when I first heard about the new Hemi, I had the urge to call up my insurance man and ask him to tell me when they would total one out," says Matt, who later saw one in a 'Cuda at a Monster Mopar Weekend in St. Louis. The following spring, at Mopars at the Strip, he saw that car—and its owner—again. "I said that my 318 needed to be rebuilt," says Matt. "He told me he had a low-mileage Hemi out of a Dodge Magnum that he'd sell me for half the price of the estimate I had to rebuild my 318, or build a 340."

Not long after, that engine was Matt's. What made it work was a K-frame that was notched for A/C compressor clearance, a rear-sump oil pan, some engine-block trimming—to make the starter fit, and some "massaging" of the number 1 cylinder's header pipe for clearance.

Once done, Matt had a Hemi 'Cuda—one that offended some "purists." I've run across people that don't like that I've put that engine in an older car," says Matt. But Matt says there are also plenty who like his modernized 'Cuda. "Especially people who like the new cars, and those who have a mild interest in cars but may not own a classic. They seem to be intrigued by it. That keeps the hobby alive."

Is this a swap for you? Matt adds some more details before your vintage E-Body meets its new Hemi. "The alternator needs to come out, and you should take out the second valve-cover stud on the passenger side before you do the body drop, because that ripped the paint. With those two things out, there's plenty of room."

Fast Facts
1974 Plymouth Barracuda
Owned by: Matt Thun, Olathe, Kansas