Hughes Engines- Good to go?

[timty2]

It's re-build or replace time for my '68 440! I have compared the specs and $$$ from 3 sources: 1 Local (Riverside CA), Mopar, and Hughes Engines. From a bang-for-the-buck stand point, I am pretty much sold on Hughes's Stage II configuration (www.hughesengines.com) Has anyone here used or is using a Hughes "Crate" engine? Just looking for a few opinions, mainly from a reliability, quality or service point of view. The 440 is from/for my 68 Charger.

[PRO]

Hey timty2 I have not run their complete engines but I have run their fully ported heads and their cams,The heads get a 10!!!their (hyd) cams get a 8!!Their service was excellent and friendly,I dont think you'll be disappointed with their complete engine,Stage II is that the 526HP?I think its an easy 11 sec et in a 3700 lbs car right?about $5K,sounds hard to beat to me ....PRO...

[timty2]

Thanks for the info PRO! I've decided to take a step down to the Stage I. I am really just going to drive this baby on the street, with the occasional run at Pomona, so the Stage II may be a little too aggressive (an 11:1 compression ratio!) The Stage I is rated at 475 hp with a more reasonable 10.2:1.

Just wanted to say thanks again PRO. You have responded several times to my questions, and in reading some of your posts elsewhere, you are obvoiusly "Running on all Eight!"

Tim

[Hemi Mike]

Although not a "crate", not a big block either, I am using their stage 1 head assemblies and 224/230, 504/515 cam on the Mopar Performance 9:1 360 shortblock. The heads are awesome, meticulous in machine and assembly.
They were also very helpful in selecting the parts to make my combo run on pump premium. They were dead on. This thing makes for a wicked daily driver. Cam makes GREAT power.

[chrisfly]

I am getting ready to drop a 440 into a 68 chrysler. I did not buy a stage 1 motor from hughes as I didn't know about them at the time. I built my 440 with a few more quality parts and a little more machining. I am running the stage 1 heads, 2330 camshaft, hd rocker shafts w/ 1.6 roller rockers. Motor is 10.25:1. As soon as I get this thing in the car, I will let you know how it runs. Chris at hughes said I was going to run into traction problems. I will be running a bf drag radial (275). This cam is milder than their stage one long block but chris says with the rockers and compression I should still be at 475-500 hp. I have heard nothing bad about the quality of their work or how their engines run. I have some of their parts already, look good. The heads and intake are still at their shop. Hope this helps.

[spudsdude]

Mopar is working on there 500 cu stroked 440 crate engine, I believe the price was estimated at $6k complete. If your getting a boxed engine why not go big =)

just my 2 cents


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1967 Coronet
383 4bbl

[BigBlockDuster]

I picked up some stage 1 small block heads from hughes and they looked great!!Havnt run em yet though..
As far as crate engines are concerned....I looked into both for my big block duster project and have decided to go with the mopar crate 500 575hp. I like the fact that everything is NEW and for a crossbolted block with stage VI alum heads and other goodies you get, the price is hard to beat.

Happy roddin dude

[IceMans68RdRunner]

Hughes had made some good stuff!!!!

Bryan

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68 Road Runner, 32,000mi.
*440 .30 over
*.528 lift Mopar Purple Shaft cam
*Ductile Rockers
*TCI 3000 stall
*Richmond 4.30 gears
*Edelbrock Torker 440 intake
*830 Holley Double Pumper
*Cheetah Manual Shift Valve Body.
*Stock 906 Heads
*Firestone 30.10.15 slicks
*10:3:1 TRW Pistons

[kchristopher]

Before you purchase an MP crate RB motor, cruse over to the moparts.com bulletin board and read a little about the problems people have been having with quality control. Between MP and Hughes, I would definitely pick Hughes.

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68 Cuda, twisties style
http://members.xoom.com/magnumcuda/sprfish.htm
96 Club Cab 4x4, Cummins 5spd