Dodge Brings Again the Hellephant, Plus New HurriCrate Engines

4 years in the past, Dodge confirmed up at SEMA with a thousand-horsepower crate engine that you might simply purchase off the shelf. Properly, assuming you knew precisely which shelf to take a look at, and precisely when it will be stocked, as a result of that complete aisle emptied out in a matter of days. Now, although, the Hellephant is again — and it’s introduced some pals and siblings together with it.

The Hellephant has expanded right into a four-engine household, making between 900 and 1,100 horsepower relying on the spec. However, for its large return, it’s bringing one other member of the Stellantis steady to the Direct Connection retailer: Two variants of the new twin-turbo six-cylinder, dubbed the HurriCrate. By no means not on model, I suppose.

Hellephant patrons can decide certainly one of two choices every for 2 totally different standards, making a type of Punnett sq. of engines. It may be had with a cast-iron or aluminum block, and prepped for pump gasoline or flex gasoline. Oddly, the cast-iron block has significantly decrease displacement than its aluminum brother — a mere 376 cubic inches to the aluminum’s 426. All put on a three-liter supercharger, although enhance numbers and pulley sizes change between choices.

HurriCrate loyalists get a mere two choices, every named for a sort of local weather change-influenced pure catastrophe: the Cat 1 and Cat 3. This naming scheme leaves two, 4, and 5 open, so don’t be stunned if these spots within the lineup are ultimately crammed. The Cat 1 will get two turbochargers, pushing 22 lbs of enhance by way of a water-to-air intercooler setup. The block’s 10.4:1 compression ratio appears oddly excessive for a boosted engine, notably one with solid pistons, however maybe the liquid cooling can actually forestall engine knock at that sort of load.

The Cat 3 upgrades to Garrett turbos making 26 psi at their peak (no model is given for these on the Cat 1), in addition to cast pistons. Compression drops to a extra conventional 9.5:1, and the gasoline injection and intercooling methods are revamped. The Cat 1 claims 420 horsepower, blaze it, whereas the Cat 3 bumps the quantity as much as 550.

Pricing has but to be launched, although Stellantis guarantees firmer numbers in 2023. If that Cat 3 comes at an inexpensive worth, possibly we’ll lastly start to see the tip of 2JZ Supremacy within the tuner scene. Or, at the very least, we’ll see a competitor to the venerable B58.