Mopar's 1,000 HP ‘Hellephant’ Crate Engine Takes Over a 1968 Charger

Mopar’s 1,000 HP ‘Hellephant’ Crate Engine Takes Over a 1968 Charger

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Dodge has done something extraordinary, and car enthusiasts couldn’t be happier. Mopar has officially introduced the Hellcat-inspired “Hellephant” engine.

This new crate engine from Mopar delivers an astonishing 1,000 horsepower and 950 pound-feet of torque, all while running on regular pump gas.

As some may already know, the name “Hellephant” is a nod to Chrysler’s second-generation 426 Hemi, nicknamed “The Elephant” due to its immense power, weight, and size. Like its predecessor, the Hellephant displaces 426 cubic inches but goes a step further with an aluminum block and a massive 3-liter twin-screw supercharger. For comparison, the Demon’s supercharger is 2.7 liters.

Instead of simply showcasing this beast of an engine on a stand, Dodge decided to install it in a 1968 Dodge Charger to celebrate the car’s 50th anniversary. A true American tribute.

The Charger’s chassis underwent extensive modifications to accommodate the four-digit horsepower from the Hellephant engine. A T-6060 six-speed manual transmission, borrowed from the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, was added to help transfer the power to the road.

Dodge sourced a 1968 Charger from Craigslist for this project. The car was then lowered by two and a half inches, its wheelbase extended by two inches, and the front overhang shortened. The body was widened by four inches, and the drip moldings and wing vent were removed. Additional upgrades included a front splitter and rear spoiler. The headlights were swapped for those from a 2019 Challenger, while the fiberglass hood features a Demon-style hood scoop. Even the side mirror got an upgrade, borrowed from a ’71 Duster.

One of the most distinctive features is the exhaust system. It takes a sharp upward turn through the trunk floor pan, exiting where the taillights would typically be. Interestingly, the only part of the car left untouched was the body sides.

The Hellephant engine is set to be available in the first quarter of 2019. Expect to see plenty of classic Dodge Chargers roaring down the road with 1,000 horsepower soon after.

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