Roger Gibson Restorations
Perfect Originals-Engines and Cars
If you are a purist at heart and feel the Hemi was built the correct way the first time, then Roger Gibson is the man for you. In the restoration world, Roger Gibson is known as one of the foremost Mopar authorities. Being in the restoration (I hesitate to say business because he says he enjoys it too much) business since 1980, he has amassed a knowledge that is unsurpassed when doing a correct restoration. It all started as a hobby for Roger. While working as a car mechanic, he started to rebuild wrecked cars, then went into custom paint work on race cars. No longer able to keep up, Roger now has three to four guys in his employ. The painstaking attention to detail only allows Roger and his guys to complete five or six cars a year. The three buildings he utilizes cover approximately 5,000 square feet, and each is used to the fullest extent. The care Roger takes in each project is evident by the recognition that he has received. So if your original Hemi needs a factory-fresh appearance, give Roger Gibson Restorations a try.
Firepower Specialists Hot Heads Research And Racing/Power Play Inc.
Working construction in 1992, Bob Walker had a feeling that the early Hemi engine would see a resurgence in the near future. With that instinct, he formed the Power Play Company. Bob's interest in the Hemi began at the ripe old age of 12 when he would hang out with a kid by the name of Ed Garlits (yep, it's Big's little brother). As Bob grew older, he worked construction full time and in the evenings but would pursue his automotive passion. Even the old advertisements would tell customers to call between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Then, in December 2000 Bob saw the need to expand into the parts sales business, and so he and his wife, Debra, acquired Hot Heads Research and Racing Incorporated. With this acquisition, they can now handle every aspect of your early Hemi engine. With 1,500 square feet of warehousing and another 1,500 square feet of engine-building room, you can rest assured that your early Hemi engine will be given the attention to detail it deserves. If your Hemi's distributor is in the back of the motor, remember Power Play/Hot Heads Performance. With a complete engine-building facility, the folks there can build your early Hemi from a stock rebuild to a fire-breathing nitro-gulping behemoth. If you already have a block and crank, with their vast knowledge and parts supply, they can build to suit your needs. Even if all you need are the parts to build your Hemi, the Hot Heads catalog has enough content to keep even the hard-core builder supplied.
Mopar Performance
Crate Motors from Chrysler
The name Mopar has been synonymous with Hemi from the very beginning. Let's face it, at any national drag racing event, it doesn't matter what body you run in the pro-fuel ranks-your engine is a Hemi; just ask Ford man John Force. Now in the ever-changing marketplace, Mopar Performance is continuing to supply customers with its Hemi heart desires. If your needs are for a conservative engine (yeah, right; a conservative Hemi?) PN *P5249667 will land you a stock 426ci example with 465 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. For a small step up, the 472ci crate engine (PN *P5249666) gives you a slight horsepower and torque advantage with 525 hp and 540 lb-ft of torque. Of course, if you crave adrenaline-pumping power, you can order the ultimate in Mopar performance with the 528ci "king of the crate" behemoth. This monster will arrive with 610 hp and a whopping 650 lb-ft of mass-moving torque. Mopar Performance not only offers complete engines but in its catalog you will find a multitude of parts to complete your own Hemi build. Call your local Mopar Performance dealer for all your Mopar needs.