Editor’s note: The 1980s was a transition period for engine technology in America. The iconic carburetor gave way to fuel injection. Cubic inches were out, and liter designations marked a new era for engines — one when power and fuel economy were no longer mutually exclusive. This modern engine age has featured some of the best innovation, technology, and performance yet.

So what have been the best powerplants of these last 30 years? We asked you to help us answer that very question via Facebook and Instagram. Factoring in your votes and comments, we’ll unveil the rest of the Top 10 in the coming days.

6.2l-hellcat-hemi-v8-engine-accessory-belt-view

#2 – Third Generation Chrysler HEMI

First, a little history.

Most enthusiasts know that the modern HEMI (marketing name) isn’t technically a “hemi” (a technical designation referring to an engine’s hemispherical combustion chambers), but just in case there’s any confusion, know this:

Today’s HEMI isn’t a “hemi.”

At least not like the original designs from the early 1900s, nor those made famous by Chrysler’s legendary 426-cubic-inch “Elephant” which made Mopar a household name during the original American muscle car era.

Today’s HEMI engines still have valves opposing central spark plugs, but not the hemispherical combustion chamber inside.

A clear line has been drawn in the sand between the famed Hemi of yesteryear and today, but they have something in common:

Both engines are formidable and magnificent.

The 5.7L Eagle

It was 14 years ago, when a brilliant advertising campaign by Chrysler reintroduced the American public to the HEMI name. Suddenly, people who didn’t know how to check tire pressure were walking around asking: “That thing got a HEMI in it?”

The first of the third-generation HEMI engines—the  5.7L V8—launched for model year 2003 in the Dodge Ram pickup trucks, and later found their way into Dodge’s Durango, Magnum, Charger, Challenger, the Chrysler 300C, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Like the famed Hemis of yesteryear, the 5.7 is rated at about one horsepower per cubic inch. Inside the ’03 Ram truck, the new HEMI produced 345 horsepower and 398 ft.-lbs. of torque. It used a coil-on-plug, distributorless ignition system and two spark plugs per cylinder to shorten flame travel. This lead to more consistent combustion and reduced emissions.

Many of the new HEMI-powered vehicles featured new-at-the-time variable displacement technology—Chrysler’s Multi-Displacement System (or MDS), which would deactivate four of the V8 cylinders under light loads and steady speeds.

Chrysler revised the 5.7 for the 2009 model year, introducing Variable Valve Timing. This new addition improved fuel economy, increased horsepower to 357-395, and built torque to 389-410 ft.-lbs., depending on the application.

The 6.4L/392 HEMI Apache

Just two years into the Gen. III HEMI era, Chrysler introduced a bigger and badder mill—the 6.4L. There are special-edition Dodge Challengers with the “392 HEMI” badge, and crate engine versions are sold as 392 HEMIs, but the 6.4 is a different block and build than the crate engine.

The 6.4L HEMI produces as much as 485 horsepower and 475 ft.-lbs. of torque in the modern Dodge Challenger and Charger. The 392 crate engine version is rated for 525 horsepower and 510 ft.-lbs of torque.

Then for 2015, Chrysler changed the world and we all appropriately lost our minds.

The 6.2L Hellcat

Hellcat engine parts

For 2015, Chrysler made the correct decision to unleash the most powerful domestic production engine ever. The supercharged 6.2L Hellcat V8 makes 707 horsepower. The end.

*drops mic*

Just kidding. But what more needs said? Hot Rod took a long, detailed up-close look at the Hellcat, and walks us through every engine part and how it’s similar or different from the Apache. It’s worth a look.

Not everyone’s impressed by power numbers. But most of us are.

And this piston-firing superhero is a major part of the Gen. III HEMI (marketing name) rising to #2 on our list, despite not technically being a Hemi.

Gen. III HEMI Modifications

If you own a third-gen. HEMI, here are some commonly sold parts to keep it running:

The 5.7L

The 6.4L (392)

The 6.2L Hellcat

You can see the current list of our Top Engines of the Last 30 Years here.

Author: Matt Griswold

After a 10-year newspaper journalism career, Matt Griswold spent another decade writing about the automotive aftermarket and motorsports. He was part of the original OnAllCylinders editorial team when it launched in 2012.