What are the greatest engines ever to come out of Detroit?. While all of the big players made masterful motors during the horsepower wars, few had as big an impact as the Chevy big block and Dodge's's 426 Hemi. Both are known to produce monstrous power reliably, and their basic DNA is still used for the fastest drag racing cars to this day. What makes them so special, though? One mechanic gives some insight with a side-by-side comparison. Big Block Chevy VS 426 Hemi For those of you who aren't familiar, Tony Defeo, better known as Uncle Tony, is a lifelong mechanic and author who has forgotten more about classic cars than most of us will ever learn. He's an absolute treasure trove of muscle car trivia and hot-rodding tips. While he's most familiar with classic Mopars and is well-known within that community, he is intimately familiar with all cars of the muscle car era. When he speaks, the rest of us in the car community gather around and listen because what he has to say is of utmost importance to anyone who hopes to carry the torch. Chevy VS Hemi Block Highlights Both engine designs started in the 1950s. Both engines use four-bolt mains, with the Hemi featuring a cross-bolted design to prevent cap walk. The Chevrolet block is beefier, with thicker castings that offer greater strength. In his most recent upload, Uncle Tony gave us a side-by-side look at the legendary 426 Hemi and a Chevrolet Big Block engine. More specifically, the blocks used for either and how they stack up. With as storied a career as Uncle Tony has with drag racing engines in particular, he has the authority to tell the tale of these motors, and he does so in a way that only someone who was there can.The video is just about 25 minutes long, and it's no quick gloss over these engines from a superficial perspective. It's a deep dive into the individual strengths and weaknesses. It gives viewers a better look at the foundations on which some of the most powerful internal combustion engines are built. Uncle Tony also taps into the history of these engines, starting in the 1950s. That makes it more than just a great piece of reference material for engine builders, but educational entertainment all muscle car nuts will love. Timeless Relics From The Horsepower Wars via Hot Rod Hoarder (YT) As you watch this clip and compare these engines in your own mind, you're bound to ask what it would have been like if they were combined into one incredible motor. Well, that's something we almost saw when Chrysler engineers developed the Ball Stud Hemi. Even though prototypes were built, they never went into production. That motor actually combined the bottom end of the Hemi with the top end of the Chevy. While Uncle Tony doesn't get into the heads in this clip, he has covered the Ball Stud Hemi in a prior video, which is worth going back and watching for more context on what makes both engines so great.