Opinions on B&L resin 6.1 HEMIs

[Jantrix]

I'm planning a future project and am perusing my resin options and I really like the look of the B&L resin 6.1 hemis. But the look really TALL. Has anyone used one yet and did they fit under the hood in a 60's muscle car or will I need to get creative? Also the belt seems thick on the website photos. I'd likely replace it with a piece of bicycle inner tube so it's not a deal breaker, I just want to know what I'm getting into before I spend the $$. Thanks in advance.

[Ace-Garageguy]

The main parts of the BNL 6.1 Hemi engine and gearbox appear to be made from molds taken from Revell's version of this engine. Sadly, there is one Revell version (in the Magnum wagon) that's ridiculously overscale. Depending on which version BNL used for the master, you may have a problem.

If you're not specifically needing the dual EFI on the BNL version, you can get a complete Revell kit (recent Challengers and Magnums have the basic engine) for about the same money as the BNL resin version, and have the rest of the kit left over for parts stash duty.

Again, the Revell Magnum wagon is the one with the too-large engine.

To answer more of your question, I've test-fitted the correctly-scaled Revell version in several earlier chassis / body combos, and other than the typical crossmember, engine mount and firewall mods you almost always have to make for swaps of this type, you should have no real problem.

PS. The huge drive belt on the BNL version is also ridiculously overscale in width as well for some strange reason. I guess measuring is still just too hard.

Edited October 20, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[Jantrix]

 

PS. The huge drive belt on the BNL version is also ridiculously overscale in width as well for some strange reason. I guess measuring is still just too hard.

 

Yes there are several of the BNL 6.1's that use that belt. It looks about 6 inches wide in scale. I am kicking around a Challenger purchase. I'm guessing the Revell's are superior to the AMT's? Thanks again Bill.

What I'm also kicking around is adapting a modern intake/valve cover, to a classic 426. Just for flavor. I may try to cut one down from a Viper engine I've got floating around.

[Mark]

The AMT Challenger kits are very good, but none include engine detail.

[Jantrix]

The AMT Challenger kits are very good, but none include engine detail.

Oh, I didn't realize the AMTs were curbsides. Excellent info thanks.