Loading

How much horsepower does a 1966 426 Hemi have?

The 1966 Dodge Charger with the legendary 426 Hemi engine was a true powerhouse, boasting an impressive 425 horsepower. This iconic muscle car was a testament to Chrysler's engineering prowess and the company's commitment to delivering unparalleled performance.


The 426 Hemi: A Legendary Engine


The 426 Hemi, also known as the "Elephant Engine," was a high-performance V8 engine developed by Chrysler in the 1960s. It was designed to dominate the racing scene, and the 1966 Dodge Charger was one of the vehicles that showcased its incredible power.


The 426 Hemi featured a hemispherical combustion chamber design, which allowed for more efficient airflow and higher compression ratios. This, combined with its massive 426 cubic inch (7.0-liter) displacement, resulted in an astounding 425 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque.p>

The 1966 Dodge Charger: A Muscle Car Icon


The 1966 Dodge Charger was the first year of the iconic muscle car's second generation. It was a bold and aggressive design, with a long, sleek body and a distinctive split grille. The Charger was available with a range of engine options, but the 426 Hemi was the undisputed king of the lineup.


When equipped with the 426 Hemi, the 1966 Dodge Charger could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds and reach a top speed of over 150 mph. This level of performance was unheard of for a production car at the time, and it cemented the Charger's status as a true muscle car legend.


The Impact of the 426 Hemi



  • The 426 Hemi engine was a game-changer in the world of high-performance automobiles, delivering unparalleled power and torque.

  • The 1966 Dodge Charger with the 426 Hemi became an iconic symbol of the muscle car era, inspiring generations of enthusiasts and collectors.

  • Chrysler's commitment to developing cutting-edge engine technology, like the Hemi, helped drive the performance car revolution of the 1960s and 1970s.


The 426 Hemi-powered 1966 Dodge Charger remains one of the most legendary and sought-after muscle cars of all time. Its combination of raw power, iconic styling, and enduring legacy has cemented its place in automotive history.

What is the rarest Hemi engine?


Ball-Stud Hemi engine
The Ball-Stud Hemi engine, a rare find, was a cheaper alternative to the 426 Hemi but never made it to production due to financial and market challenges.



How much horsepower does a 1966 Dodge Charger 426 Hemi have?


But 1966 was also the year Chrysler's 426-cid Hemi V-8 came to the streets, and it made for the ultimate Charger. Actual horsepower was near 500, but Dodge advertised its Street Hemi at 425 bhp on a 10.25:1 compression.



Which is faster, 426 Hemi or 440 Six Pack?


The original 426 Hemi cars raced by the car magazines averaged 13.34 in a 1/4 mile race compared to the six pack's average time of 13.64. Although the Hemi is faster, the six pack can often take the Hemi in a shorter, stoplight to stoplight race.



Was the 426 Hemi a good engine?


The result was an engine that prioritized airflow, and that could take a literal beating. The Hemi was an iron anvil that made tremendous horsepower. In the early 1960s, Pontiac dominated dragstrips and superspeedways, capturing the hearts of car enthusiasts and buyers alike.



How much horsepower did the 440 really have?


And while the Mopar 440 does several things very well, we've always felt that with a few tweaks the engine was capable of well over the 375 horsepower rating it got from the factory.



How much horsepower does a 1966 Dodge Charger 440 have?


The 440 was rated at 375 bhp (280 kW) with a single 4-barrel carburetor. The 318 two-barrel "LA" Chrysler LA engine was now standard, but with wedge-shaped combustion chambers, unlike the previous 1966 polyspherical (or "poly") design, rated at 230 bhp (170 kW).



What was so special about the 426 Hemi?


Evolved from the Firepower Hemi of the 1950s, like its compatriots it used the hemispherical design to introduce spark as close to the center of the combustion chamber as possible and improve on the motor's volumetric efficiency.



How much HP did the 426 Hemi actually make?


But the gross numbers (“advertised hp” stayed the same for all of these engines in 1971. We will have to speculate how much the 426 hemi really made back in 1966. By 1971, it was 350 hp net, still a considerable number. Of course, much worse was yet to come: by 1980, the 225 six was down to a paltry 85 net hp.



How much horsepower did the 428 cobra jet really have?


Output was around 410 horsepower, but Ford rated it at 335 horsepower in an effort to calm insurance agents and con dragstrip rules-makers. The 428 CJ was offered in Mustang fastbacks and coupes (and in Ford Torino and Mercury Cougar and Cyclone models) with a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic.



How much power can you get out of a 426 Hemi?


“These 426 Chrysler HEMI engines can produce anywhere from 700 hp – 1500 hp,” Barton says. “The gap in horsepower range depends on how much money a customer wants to put into the engine. It depends on what people want. You can have different heads, different cams, and other different parts.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.