Hey guys, sorry, haven't checked this forum lately. Spend more time on KawiForums. Will definitely spend more energy here- we need it. I have serious Z questions and all those dorks know about is 250 weedeaters and which helmet-mohawk looks best w/ their punk-*** zx600.
Yeah anyway, Mopar (Chrysler's MOtor-PARts division for Plymouth Dodge Chrysler Studebaker Packards) Made the Max Wedge engines from 62-64. They were high compression engines (11:1 or 13.5:1 !!!) in either 413 or 426 ci sizes. They were offered in small to intermediate sized cars like the early Darts and Polaras. You Chevy guys know about the COPO cars, right? Corporate Office something something.. I feel terrible- I'm a Chevy guy but can't remember it right now (I'm trashed and been arguing w/KF guys). Anyway, same sorta thing. Full-on race engines, 410/420 hp (413ci) or 415/425 (426ci)with 500+++ lb.ft. of torque. Valve springs so thick they couldn't use v.seals, so they burnt massive amounts of oil. Two Carter carbs at opposite corners of the engine. When you ordered this option for your "cheap/economy" car, for about $374.00, you also got a locking diff, aluminum hood and front fenders, and special (super cool and effective) hood scoop. At the time Nothing available from ford or GM could beat it at the strip. And it was cheaper than the closest competitor. In 64 they put Hemi heads on the same motor to make the RaceHemi, which I believe was only offered to Mopar-sponsored teams (NASCAR, drag, etc), which led to the SUPER-famous "de-tuned" Street-Hemi, found in late-60's to early 70's street cars like Roadrunners, Chargers, Challengers, GTX's, Barracudas/Cudas, etc..
Anyway, this was a super-powerful engine/option, that nobody knows about (anymore), and I've been using it as a user name for like 6 years on all kinds of forums. Oddball, powerful, misunderstood, unappreciated vehicle, like my Z1000.