Chrysler offered its 426 Hemi engine briefly and in very limited numbers in some '65 Mopar intermediates, but with 12.5:1 compression and competition-grade tuning, it was too high-strung for the street. That changed in '66, when the 426-cid Hemi V-8 was added to the regular production options list. And one of the muscle cars that benefited from this change was the 1966 Plymouth Satellite 426 Hemi.
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Creating the Street Hemi required numerous changes to the race engine, including substituting cast-iron cylinder heads for aluminum ones and dual Carter four-barrels for the racing Holley carb. Among other alterations, the compression ratio was reduced to 10.25:1, a milder camshaft was installed, and a choke was added to the rear primaries so the engine could start in cold weather. As delivered from the factory, the race Hemi developed an estimated 550 bhp. The Street Hemi was rated at 425 bhp, though actual output was higher.
At Plymouth, the new engine found a home in the restyled Satellite and its less-plush Belvedere sibling. The Hemi was specially assembled at Chrysler's Marine/Industrial Division plant and ordering it added about $1,000 to a Satellite two-door hardtop or convertible, pushing the price close to $4,000 even without other options. Transmission choices were a four-speed manual or the TorqueFlite. The standard axle ratio with both was 3.23:1 and a Sure-Grip limited-slip diff was optional.
The engine came with a host of performance-enhancing extras, including heavy-duty suspension and police-grade 11-inch drum brakes (the front discs available in full-size Mopars weren't offered). Still, the nose-heavy Hemi Satellite was sloppy in turns and took a long time to stop. Around-town fuel economy was 10-13 mpg.
None of that was unusual for a truly hot machine of the day, but finally, here was an ultra-supercar that wasn't also burdened with poor driveability. Car and Driver called the 1966 Hemi Satellite "the best combination of brute performance and tractable street manners we've ever driven...."
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