Photos by Dean Larson

Happy #hemiday

On the oh-so appropriate date 04/26, Chrysler’s parts and performance division, Mopar, revealed pricing information and opened the ordering process for the supercharged, 426 ci Hellephant crate engine. Boasting 1,000 hp, we think the engine is a relative bargain at its advertised $29,995 price.

Chrysler made huge waves at SEMA 2018 when it announced the arrival of its most potent supercharged HEMI engine to date. Displacing the magical 426 cubes, it was clear this wouldn’t be just any old HEMI. Chrysler dubbed the engine the Hellephant, honoring both its line of Hellcat HEMIs and the original 426 HEMI’s nickname, the elephant engine.

But what really made headlines was the engine’s advertised output of 1,000 hp, making it the first crate engine offered by an OEM to eclipse four-digit-horsepower. Chrysler accomplished this outrageous output with the increase in displacement, coupled with high-efficiency supercharger rotors.

Car and Driver was quick to point out the engine’s convenient pricing at $29.99 per horsepower, and we’ll agree with them, that’s a pretty decent price for anyone attempting to make 1,000 hp reliably.

“The reaction when we revealed the ‘Hellephant’ engine at the SEMA Show was just amazing, and the momentum continued after the show, with close to 1,000 people expressing interest in buying this engine,” said Steve Beahm, Head of Parts & Service (Mopar) and Passenger Car Brands, FCA – North America. “Power and performance is ingrained in our brand’s DNA, and there is no better time to open pre-orders of this 1,000 horsepower, supercharged engine than on HEMI Day.”

On the Mopar site, you’ll find the Hellephant engine listed under the title 426 Supercharged Crate HEMI Engine, part number P5160194. Then there are a couple extras available, like the 426 Supercharged Crate HEMI Engine Kit, part number 77072500, which will make installation “relatively easy plug ’n’ play for experienced installers,” according to Chrysler. This kit is priced at $2,265, likely your best and easiest bet for controlling this engine. Several other kits are available, including front accessory kits, air-conditioning kits and more.

Chrysler has set up a special site, www.cratehemi.com, to facilitate the pre-order process.