How much horsepower did the old Charger have?
The old Dodge Charger offered a wide range of horsepower, from about 230 horsepower in base V8s to as much as 425 horsepower with the 426 Hemi, with intermediate options like the 440 Magnum and 440 Six-Pack filling the middle of the spectrum.
The Charger’s horsepower depended heavily on the year and the chosen engine and trim. Across its early generations (1966–1974 and beyond), Dodge offered several V8 options, and performance numbers varied with carburation, emissions equipment, and rating standards of the era. Below is a guide to the main engine options and their typical horsepower for key periods.
1966–1967 Chargers: early power options
These early years introduced the Charger with a range of V8s. The following figures represent typical factory horsepower for the main engines available.
- 318 V8 (2-barrel): approximately 230 hp
- 318 V8 (4-barrel): approximately 250–270 hp
- 383 V8 (2-barrel): approximately 270–290 hp
- 383 V8 (4-barrel): approximately 335 hp
- 426 Hemi (optional, R/T): approximately 425 hp
In this era, horsepower numbers could vary by the exact configuration and year, with the Hemi representing the peak performance option for those years.
1968–1970 Chargers: peak power era
In the late 1960s, Dodge offered its most potent Charger combinations, including the famous Hemi, as well as robust 440-based setups. Typical figures for major engines are listed below.
- 426 Hemi (optional, R/T): 425 hp
- 440 Magnum (2-barrel/4-barrel options): around 375 hp
- 440 Six-Pack (three two-barrel carburetors, available on some models): around 390 hp
- 383 V8 (4-barrel): around 335 hp
- 318 V8 (base), around 230–250 hp
These numbers reflect widely cited factory figures from the period; actual output could vary by emission controls and specific package configurations. The 426 Hemi remains the standout in this era for raw horsepower.
1971–1974 Chargers: continued power with emissions era
As styling evolved and emissions standards tightened, Chargers continued to offer strong V8 options, though horsepower generally trended lower than the late 1960s peak for some configurations.
- 383 V8: roughly 250–335 hp depending on carburation and configuration
- 440 V8: roughly 350–375 hp depending on setup (4-barrel and higher-performance packages)
Again, exact numbers varied by year and option package (for example, R/T or performance-oriented packages could push the upper end of the range). The overall takeaway is that the Charger remained a high-performance option even as engines adapted to new regulations.
Summary
The Dodge Charger’s horsepower over its early generations ranged from about 230 hp in base configurations to 425 hp with the 426 Hemi, with notable mid-range options like the 440 Magnum and 440 Six-Pack delivering substantial performance. For precise figures, it helps to know the exact year and trim level, since horsepower varied with engine options, carburetion, and emission-era rating standards. The Charger’s appeal lay in offering a broad spectrum of power to suit both daily driving and strip-ready performance.
Summary of takeaway: horsepower in the old Chargers varied widely by engine and year, from roughly 230 hp to 425 hp, with memorable peaks from the big-block and hemi-powered models that defined the era’s muscle-car reputation.
How much horsepower did a 1970 Charger have?
Horsepower was listed as 425 (at 5,000 rpm) with torque (lbs-ft) rating of 490, at 4,000 rpm. How many HEMI engine-powerd 1970 Chargers were produced? Records indicate a total of 112 for U.S. production, with an even split of 56 4-speeds and 56 automatics.
How many horsepower does an old charger have?
The side and rear styling cues are reminiscent of the 1968 through 1970 models. Base performance was increased, with the 3.5 L 250 hp (186 kW; 253 PS) V6 engine replaced with a Pentastar 3.6 L producing 292 hp (218 kW; 296 PS) at 6350 rpm and 260 pound force-feet (350 N⋅m) of torque at 4800 rpm.
How much horsepower does a 1973 Dodge Charger 440 have?
Still available in 1973, the big 440 engine was rated 275 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 380 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm. Changed for '73 was the four-barrel carb. Out was the old Holley and in was a new, bigger, Carter Thermoquad with 1.50-inch primary and 2.50-inch secondary barrels.
How much horsepower does a 1966 Dodge Charger 383 have?
325 bhp
The 383 4-barrel was rated at 325 bhp (242 kW) and the 426 Street Hemi at 425 bhp (317 kW) remained as options.
