The HEMI Engine: Hot Rod Garage Explains This Famous Motor

In Episode 47 of Lincoln “Tech Tips,” brought to you by Lincoln Tech and Hot Rod Garage, Tony Angelo explains what HEMI engines are and why they're significant in automotive performance. Tony breaks down that HEMI stands for hemispherical combustion chamber, describing how the dome-shaped design allows for optimal spark plug placement, larger valves, and better overall airflow compared to flat-head engines of the 1950s. The video covers the legendary performance of HEMI engines from the 1960s into the 1970s, and mentions Chrysler's revival of the technology in 2003 with their Gen 3 HEMI engines. The content concludes with a promotional message about Lincoln Tech's automotive education programs.

Transcript:

00:00: [Music]

00:02: Welcome back to another Lincoln Tech Tip. Today we're going to talk about what a Hemi is. You've heard the term "Hemi”, and you know it's synonymous with performance and power from a Chrysler engine, but what does it mean? Hemi stands for Hemispherical Combustion Chamber.

00:15: That means a half circle or dome shaped combustion chamber. In the 50s when Chrysler started applying this technology, most of their stuff was flat heads and the Hemi was a big step forward in performance. Basically because at that half circle dome they were able to put the spark plug at the top, the shape afforded the use of very large valves, and they were able to make large ports flow in a true flow through design.

00:34: All that added up to tons and tons of performance. The Hemi engines of the 60s and 70s were legendary performers on the street and track.

00:43: In 2003 Chrysler revived the Hemi line with their new Gen III Hemi with the Apache cylinder head and those engines have absolutely stood up to the Hemi name, and they make a ton of power and are lots of fun.

00:54: Lincoln Tech can teach you how to have a career working with cars. See LincolnTech.edu.

Introduction by Robert Lanni. Video by Hot Rod Garage & Lincoln Tech.