When Hughes Engines, Inc. was formed in 1969 as Hughes Engineering, their purpose was to build Stock and Super Stock class-racing cylinder heads for AHRA and NHRA class racing. Since then, they have grown into a complete, custom engine building facility.
They are strictly a "Mopar shop," and they offer many very specialized parts and procedures that are either unknown or unavailable from other shops. They are more than happy to lend their expertise to current or potential customers. According to the guys at Hughes, "World class tech support comes free with every Hughes Engines product we sell. We do our best to provide you with the very latest Mopar parts and tell it like it is. If you are looking for 21st century help and some real Chrysler parts, contact us.
Editor's Note--Although Hughes Engines doesn't sell what they consider a "crate engine," here are a couple of combinations they have developed that you can get.
Block: New, fully machined R3 (Siamese)
Crankshaft: 4-inch stroke (forged)
Connecting rods: Steel H-Beam
Pistons: Custom forged compression ratio 14.0:1)
Camshaft: Hughes Engines proprietary flat tappet
Heads: CNC ported Indy 360-1
Intake: CNC ported Indy 360-1
Carburetor: AED custom built 1000 CFM-4150 type
Gettin' Busy: 701 horsepower and 589 lb-ft of torque
Block: 340/360 seasoned block fully machined
Crankshaft: 4-inch stroke cast crankshaft
Connecting rods: Scat cast I-beam
Pistons: Icon Forged (10.1:1compression ratio)
Camshaft: Hughes Proprietary hydraulic roller
Heads: Hughes-prepped Edelbrock RPM
Intake: Super Victor intake manifold
Gettin' Busy: 504 horsepower and 530 lb-ft of torque
In the very early '70s, a new division of Mopar was developed that was dedicated to the design and fulfillment of special parts for Super Stock drag racers. This group expanded in the '70s and '80s as the Mopar Direct Connection parts line. In 1987, the performance division became the Mopar Performance Parts Division, with the aim of enhancing speed and handling in vehicles for both track and road use. Mopar Performance has been around for a long time, and with their network of dealers that are available, you can pick out you Mopar Performance crate engine at a dealer near you.
Get It: Mopar Performance • see your local dealer or retailer
Block: New, fully machined 340 block (R3 cast iron)
Crankshaft: 3.310-inch stroke Mopar Performance cast
Connecting rods: Mopar Performance I-Beam
Pistons: Diamond Racing cast (Compression Ratio 9.7:1)
Camshaft: "509" Purple Shaft
Heads: Mopar Performance aluminum
Intake: Aluminum Six Pack
Carburetor(s): available separate
Gettin' Busy: 375 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque
Pay the Man: 10,799.99-11,187.99 dependant on vendor
Block: New, fully machined R3 with Siamese bore
Crankshaft: 4-inch stroke (forged)
Connecting rods: Mopar Performance I-beam
Pistons: Diamond Racing Forged (compression ratio 10.0:1)
Camshaft: Hydraulic flat tappet
Heads: Mopar Performance aluminum
Intake: Mopar Performance high-rise Single plane (M1)
Carburetor: Available separately
Gettin' Busy: 540 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque
Pay the Man: 12,950.00-13,199.00 dependant on vendor