Is the Dodge Magnum RT a HEMI?
The Dodge Magnum RT is indeed powered by a HEMI V8—specifically Chrysler’s 5.7-liter HEMI engine—making it a HEMI-powered wagon in its production years.
Overview: the Magnum RT and its HEMI powerplant
Produced from 2005 to 2008 on the LX platform, the Magnum RT was Dodge’s high-performance wagon variant. Its standout feature was the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 under the hood, paired with a traditional automatic transmission. The R/T trim was designed to offer a blend of practical wagon utility with sports-sedan-like acceleration, a hallmark of the HEMI-era Dodge lineup. While the lineup later expanded to higher-performance variants, the Magnum RT itself relied on the smaller HEMI V8 rather than the larger SRT models.
Engine specifications
The core specifications of the Magnum RT’s HEMI powerplant can be summarized as follows:
- Engine: 5.7-liter HEMI V8
- Power: roughly 345 horsepower, with minor year-to-year variation
- Torque: around 375 lb-ft of torque
- Technology: Multi-Displacement System (MDS) and variable valve timing
- Transmission: typically a 5-speed automatic transmission
These figures reflect typical ratings for the 5.7-liter HEMI in the Magnum RT era, with small variations depending on model year and emission specifications.
What HEMI means and how it applies to the Magnum RT
To understand the badge, here’s a concise explainer on HEMI:
- HEMI refers to the hemispherical combustion chamber design used in certain Chrysler engines
- The HEMI badge has been used across multiple displacement engines, including the 5.7-liter and the later 6.1-liter variants
- The design aims to improve airflow, torque, and efficiency at higher outputs
- Today, HEMI is both a technical term and a branding identifier for a family of high-performance engines
Concluding: On the Magnum RT, the HEMI badge signals the 5.7-liter hemispherical V8 at the heart of the vehicle, rather than a non-Hemi base engine.
Magnum RT versus the SRT8: notable distinctions
Understanding the lineup helps clarify what “HEMI” meant for each variant and why the Magnum RT is not the same as the more extreme SRT8.
- Magnum RT: 5.7-liter HEMI V8, ≈345 hp, ≈375 lb-ft, wagon body, standard/typical performance tuning
- Magnum SRT8: 6.1-liter HEMI V8, ≈425 hp, ≈420 lb-ft, higher-performance suspension and brakes, sedan-like performance in a wagon body
Concluding: The RT is indeed HEMI-powered, but it uses the smaller 5.7L HEMI. The SRT8 represents a separate, higher-performance step with a larger HEMI engine.
Summary
In short, yes—the Dodge Magnum RT is a HEMI. It uses Chrysler’s 5.7-liter HEMI V8, a hallmark of the mid-2000s HEMI era. The Magnum lineup also included the higher-performance SRT8, which used a larger 6.1-liter HEMI. The Magnum wagon itself was produced from 2005 through 2008 and remains a notable example of a practical, V8-powered performance wagon from that period.
Is the 5.7 Magnum a HEMI?
Yes, the "5.7" refers to the engine's displacement of 5.7 liters, and it is a Hemi engine, known for its hemispherical combustion chambers. The 5.7L Hemi is a V8 engine produced by Chrysler (now Stellantis) and is found in many Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep vehicles.
- Displacement: The "5.7" indicates the engine's 5.7-liter displacement.
- Engine type: It is a V8 with hemispherical combustion chambers. This design is a key feature that gives the Hemi its name and helps with performance.
- Vehicle applications: The 5.7L Hemi has been used in numerous vehicles, including the Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Chrysler 300.
Is the 5.9 Magnum a HEMI engine?
No, the 5.9 Magnum is not a Hemi; it is a different engine series from Chrysler, and it was replaced by the Hemi engine. The 5.9 Magnum V8 was part of the Magnum engine line, while the Hemi V8, like the 5.7L version, is a distinct and more modern engine with its own unique design.
- 5.9 Magnum: This engine was part of the Magnum engine family, which was released in the 1990s and was used in Dodge and Jeep vehicles like the Ram and Dakota.
- 5.7 Hemi: This is a different engine that replaced the 5.9 Magnum in the early 2000s, offering more horsepower and a different design with its signature "Hemi" (hemispherical) cylinder heads.
- Engine Series: The two engines belong to different developmental lines. The Magnum series was an evolution of the older LA engine line, while the Hemi is a more recent and advanced design from Chrysler.
What engine does the Dodge Magnum RT have?
5.7 L Hemi V8
The Magnum had four engine options; the SE features the 190 hp (142 kW) 2.72 L LH V6, the SXT had the 250 hp (190 kW) 3.5 L V6, and the RT had the new 340 hp (254 kW) 5.7 L Hemi V8.
Does an RT have a HEMI?
Yes, a Dodge R/T (Road/Track) model is often equipped with a 5.7L HEMI® V8 engine, which is a type of HEMI engine. The R/T is a trim level that represents the "Road/Track" performance package for many Dodge vehicles. While a standard R/T typically uses the 5.7L Hemi, a separate R/T Scat Pack is a higher performance trim that uses a larger 6.4L Hemi engine, so R/T itself does not automatically mean 6.4L Hemi.
R/T and HEMI engine relationship
- Standard R/T: Often features a 5.7L HEMI V8, which is a powerful and popular engine.
- R/T Scat Pack: This is a higher-performance R/T trim that includes the more powerful 6.4L HEMI V8 engine.
- HEMI®: This is a brand name for a specific type of V8 engine architecture from Chrysler, the parent company of Dodge. It is not exclusive to the R/T trim.
Therefore, an R/T car has a HEMI engine, but not all R/T cars have the same HEMI engine.
