About Eddie Haines - A Passion for restoring HEMI Engines

I have been building Hemi engines since 1983. I have built all different sizes from the little Dodge 241 through the big 528 cubic inch. I've built these engines for drag racing as well as for everyday driving. Most of all I built them for the love of their uniqueness. It's a way of life. Only Hemi engine lovers can explain the feeling you get, whenever you hear one, or are in the presence of one. There is no other sound in the world that can compare to a Hemi coming to life. I have been around many of the best in the industry including Keith Black, Larry Shepard, Tom Hoover, Ray Barton, Roland Leong, Johnny West, Herb McCandless, Bruce Larson and the grand daddy of them all "Big Daddy" Don Garlits. I have come a long way with my education on" what and how to" do by listening to the industries best. I've traveled from the east coast to the west coast in search of knowledge and the barn find! I continue my quest for the Hemi Engines by searching for them and bringing them back to life. For me it is a successful feeling to do this. I find and build Hemi Engines and put them in the hands of people who really appreciate fine quality by using the best components available.

In 1972, my father took me to the local drag strip "Atco Dragway" in New Jersey. It was there I saw and heard my first Hemi experience. It was the "The Green Hornet" Funny Car that ran 220mph. I was totally amazed at what I just experienced and from that moment on (you know when a top fuel engine runs right through your bones, it shakes so hard), I was an instant Hemi engine fan. I thank my father for that night and we would go as often as we could. Little did he know that just that evening together as father and son, had such an impact on me. This also was the track that the golden voice of Bob Frey was the track commentator and got his first start.

It took me 11 more years until I bought my first 426 Hemi. Back then they were cheap. In 1983, $3000.00 bought a complete engine. I bought it from a well know racer and Hemi great, Joe Gerdelmann.  From its stock configuration, I transformed it into a bracket racing engine. From that moment on, my quest for the drag strip was on. Later that year, I approached fellow racer, Mike Jacobs. I knew he was the guy that could provide the car(a 68' Cuda),and with my engine, we started our own racing team. We were the only Hemi powered car at the track back then. Every time that engine was fired up, the crowd in the grandstands, would turn and raise to their feet. It has a very distinct sound , everyone who knew it, would look for us and point as to where we were in the pits. As each round of eliminations would progress, we would win more of the crowd. Usually by the nights end, we would have most of them on our side. I can't tell you how many times I would watch the crowd point in the air, toward the direction of the lane we were in. After launching of the car, they would always point towards our lane and hope with high anticipation that they were right!!! If they didn't choose us, they lost.

It was a proud night for me when my father (unannounced) showed up at the track and saw us win every round and the event that night. I remember he came over to us in the pits and shook my hand and said "I just saw you guys win the final round". In my other hand, I held $500.00 of winnings. It was this feeling I would feel, that inevitably was the start of my engine building career. I have built many Hemi engines, as well as wedge engines, over the years. There will be no sign of letting up.

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