When Chrysler built the Daytona's, why wasn't the MAXWedge 426III good enough for -

grey, you're mixing a heck of a lot of info in there that hasn't got much to do with the other. Daytonas, fer 'xample, came out LONG after the first stree hemis in 64

And you have to remember that "big head" technology just wasn't "there" in 64, none of the stuff we have today. While the max wedges were impressive, they required VERY special pieces, manifolds, heads, intakes and a fairly wild cam. The street hemis which were just as fast were a far milder engine to drive AT THE TIME.

I doubt the max wedges could EVER have met any smog requirements in 68 or later, and I have no idea how Chevy ever got the original Z28s to pass. I well remember a factory stock Z28 and how it ran, and "I think not."

Heck, maxies didn't even have carb heat or crossover ports in the heads.

And even though "some" sixpacks (which again weren't around in 64) could stay with a hemi, they were QUICKLY outpaced in a modified situation. AGAIN, this was long before some of the "big heads" that we have now were available.