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In the realm of muscle cars, the Dodge and Plymouth Max Wedge V8 may not be a name that instantly springs to mind, but it holds a pivotal place in the annals of automotive history. You see In the early 1960s, years before the muscle car craze reached its zenith, these unsung heroes were setting drag strips ablaze and laying the groundwork for a revolution that would lead to the muscle car era.
Now To truly understand the Max Wedge's significance, we must rewind to a time when the term "muscle car" had not yet been coined. In the late 1950s, Chrysler Corporation's quest for dominance on the drag strip was already in full swing. Their first-generation HEMI engines were potent, but they didn't quite fit into the intermediates of the era. Consequently, the HEMI was retired in 1958, making room for what would become the Max Wedge Engine.
In 1962, the automotive landscape witnessed a seismic shift as Chrysler unleashed the Max Wedge 413. And This was no ordinary engine; it was a fire-breathing 413 cubic inches monster of raw power, purpose-built to dominate the drag strip. The Max Wedge received a plethora of performance enhancements, from strengthened internals to a high-lift cam, a bespoke intake manifold with dual 650-cfm Carter AFB carbs, Giving it its unique look and custom heads with larger ports and valves. Now just to give you an idea of what a monster this engine was, this massive V8 boasted a compression ratio of 13.5:1
Intressting fact the unique wedge-shaped combustion chambers gave this engine the “Max Wedge” name. for those that wondered anyways
This formidable powerplant was not intended for the faint-hearted. Available in select Dodge and Plymouth intermediates (with station wagons being the only exception), it was marketed as the Ram-Charger 413 for Dodge and the Super Stock 413 for Plymouth. The Max Wedge packed a punch with power ratings ranging from 410 to 420 horsepower, depending on the compression ratio. Notably, the Plymouth Savoy, affectionately dubbed the "Melrose Missile," etched its name into the annals of drag racing history by becoming the first factory stock car to breach the eleven-second quarter-mile mark, clocking in at a blistering 11.93 seconds in the summer of '62. That time is fast by todays standards, I mean the 2023 BMW M3 rwd sedan completes the quarter mile in 11.6 Seconds. And these new BMWs are stupid quick.
But While these engines where technically street-legal, living with a Max Wedge engine on a daily basis was not for the faint of heart. The long-duration camshaft, designed for high-speed performance, resulted in a rough idle and lackluster low-speed response. And then there was the thirst for fuel, a voracious appetite that made it a true gas-guzzler, far from economical.
Now In anticipation of the 1963 racing season, NHRA made the strategic choice to impose a displacement limit of 427.2 cubic inches for factory Super Stock vehicles. Consequently, it's no mere coincidence that both Ford's 427 and Mopar's 426 engines were meticulously developed for the 1963 racing season. These powerful engines could be readily ordered in special factory lightweight variants of Super Stock-qualified models.
And for this change in rules the Max Wedge underwent a transformation. Engineers increased its stroke from 3.18 inches to 3.75 inches, resulting in a new displacement of 426 cubic inches. This Stage II version was available in two configurations, each boasting different compression ratios and power outputs. However, even with these enhancements, the Max Wedge wasn't destined to be the star of the show for long.
The Max Wedge was ultimately overshadowed by the arrival of the legendary street HEMI 426. With more street-friendly characteristics, the HEMI quickly stole the limelight, and the Max Wedge gradually faded into the background.
#Mopar #Wedge #MaxWedge #V8
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