[MultiMopars]

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Build an engine around a different block. The 1970 and later high-nickel content blocks (and the new ones, even more so) are a lot stronger.

And losing the original block would be a really bad thing.

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I totally agree.

Your value on that car will drop dramatically if you lose the original engine, and if you decide to sell the car you have options. The new buyer may want to continue to race it. If not and they want the original engine back in the car, there is always a market for a used built Hemi.

Not to mention if you are going to try and be competitive with Dave Dudek's Hemi RR in F.A.S.T. you have to totally rebuild the original engine and do some SERIOUS modifications.
The rumor is that the best running 44o six pack car in F.A.S.T. is running 14:1 compression. I would not take the chance of doing that to the original engine. If you want to keep the original engine consider PURE STOCK rather than F.A.S.T. I would still take it apart and blueprint it. The stock type tires are definately the FUSE for these cars in both venues. This is not nearly as hard on them as dumping the clutch at 6K with big slick that hook and send a super shock throughout every componant in the car. However, with a stock cam required in PURE STOCK it will limit your RPMs and possible harm to the original engine. Still taking a chance.

I have a 1966 1 of 11 Hemi car that has a BUILT NHRA stock spec 1966 date code Hemi (they did not put the V.I.N. on them in 1966 so it is considered the original engine for this car)in it. If it was a V.I.N.ed engine to the car I DEFINATELY would have bought a second engine.

BTW, my car is for sale and offered in the classified secton here considering trades.