What is Dodges strongest engine?
The strongest Dodge engine is the 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8, with the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon standing as the peak example of its power. In street-legal production, it delivered up to 840 horsepower on 100-octane fuel, making it the most powerful Dodge ever. The broader Hellcat family also showcases the same engine family with impressive, but lower, outputs.
Overview of Dodge’s powerhouse V8
At the center of Dodge’s modern performance lineup is the 6.2-liter Hemi V8 family, all built around a supercharged push for high horsepower. While the Hellcat variants push the envelope for daily-usable performance, the Demon era highlighted Dodge’s capability to extract extreme numbers from a stock engine with specialized tuning, fuel, and tires. The following list breaks down the main variants and their headline horsepower figures.
The following list presents the major 6.2L supercharged Hemi variants and their official horsepower ratings. This helps illustrate how Dodge escalated from pony-boat power to drag-strip numbers within a single engine family.
- Challenger/Charger SRT Hellcat: 707 horsepower
- Hellcat Redeye: 797 horsepower
- Dodge Challenger SRT Demon (93-octane rating): 808 horsepower
- Dodge Challenger SRT Demon (100-octane rating / race fuel): 840 horsepower
These figures show the horsepower ladder within Dodge’s modern lineup, culminating in the Demon’s peak output under race-fuel conditions. They reflect how Dodge has leveraged the same basic engine architecture to reach a wide range of performance levels over the years.
The Demon: the apex of Dodge’s horsepower
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon was built specifically to be the most powerful production car Dodge had ever offered. With enhanced tuning, a more capable fuel system, and the option to run on high-octane race fuel, the Demon could be rated at 840 horsepower with 100-octane fuel, while the 93-octane rating was commonly cited at 808 horsepower. Though it was a limited-run model, its numbers are routinely cited as the high-water mark for Dodge’s street-legal engines.
Beyond the numbers, the Demon showcased how far Dodge could push a single engine family with factory support, special tires, and track-focused tuning. Since the Demon’s run, Dodge’s production has continued to offer the Hellcat lineup as the practical high-performance option, with the same 6.2L V8 under the hood in various tuned forms.
What makes the strongest engine so formidable
Several elements contribute to why the 6.2L supercharged Hemi V8 stands as Dodge’s strongest engine. While the technologies span years of refinement, the core strengths include high-boost forced induction, robust internal components, and calibration designed for maximum power at the track. The Demon’s peak figures come from a combination of boosted air, premium fuel, and racing-inspired drivetrain tuning, all coordinated by engineers to deliver extraordinary straight-line performance while staying within safety and reliability limits for a production platform.
Before diving into the key features, note that the Demon era represents Dodge’s most extreme factory-backed horsepower. The current production lineup continues to rely on the same family of engines, delivering exceptional performance with a focus on daily usability and reliability for a broader audience.
Key features that help the Demon achieve peak horsepower include enhanced charging, upgraded fuel delivery, refined ignition timing, and performance-oriented protections that allow the engine to sustain high power levels under controlled conditions. These elements, in concert with tires and aerodynamics tailored for drag racing, explain why the Demon could achieve its record numbers.
In summary, Dodge’s strongest engine is the 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 family, with the Challenger SRT Demon marking the zenith of horsepower—reaching up to 840 hp on race fuel. The broader Hellcat lineup remains the accessible, high-performance benchmark for most Dodge enthusiasts today.
Bottom line: the powerhouse engine in context
Today’s Dodge performance story centers on the 6.2L Hemi V8 family. The Demon’s peak numbers are a historical high, while the Hellcat variants continue to push the envelope for street-legal horsepower in a more widely available package. For many fans, that combination—extreme power from a robust, production-ready engine—defines Dodge’s strongest engine to date.
Summary: Dodge’s strongest engine is the 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8, with the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon representing the pinnacle of output (up to 840 hp on 100-octane fuel). The Hellcat family demonstrates the engine’s versatility, delivering substantial power across different tuned variants. The Demon remains the historical high-water mark, while the modern lineup continues to offer exceptional performance grounded in this same engine architecture.
What is Dodge's most powerful engine?
Dodge's most powerful engine is the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 found in the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. When running on E85 ethanol, this engine produces a peak of 1,025 horsepower and 945 lb-ft of torque, making it the quickest and most powerful production car engine the brand has ever produced.
You can watch this video to see the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 in action and learn more about its engine: 58sEngineering ExplainedYouTube · Jul 11, 2018
- Engine: Supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8
- Peak Horsepower: 1,025 hp (on E85)
- Peak Torque: 945 lb-ft (on E85)
- Vehicle: Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
- Performance: Achieves 0-60 mph in 1.66 seconds and runs the quarter-mile in 8.91 seconds
Is a 392 the same as a 5.7 HEMI?
No, a 5.7L HEMI is not a 392; a 392 is a larger 6.4L HEMI engine. The "392" refers to the 392 cubic inches of displacement, while the 5.7L engine is approximately 345 cubic inches (5.7×61.024=347.85.7 cross 61.024 equals 347.85.7×61.024=347.8 cubic inches).
- 5.7L HEMI: This engine displaces approximately 345 cubic inches and is a common V8 found in many trucks and cars.
- 392 HEMI: This is a larger, more powerful 6.4L engine that displaces 392 cubic inches and is used in performance models like the SRT 392 and Scat Pack.
Can you get 1000hp out of a 5.7 HEMI?
Yes, a 5.7 Hemi can make 1,000 horsepower, but it requires extensive modifications including forced induction (supercharger or turbo), forged internal components, a complete fuel system upgrade, and an engine management system with a custom tune. Building a 5.7 Hemi to this power level involves upgrading parts like the connecting rods and crank to handle the increased stress, and using components like a supercharger or turbo to achieve high output.
This video demonstrates the process of building a 1000hp Hemi engine: 1mHotDamnRacingTeamYouTube · Apr 5, 2025
Key modifications for 1,000 HP
- Forced Induction: A supercharger or turbocharger is essential to significantly increase horsepower.
- Engine Internals: Stock components like the crankshaft and connecting rods can fail at this power level, so they must be replaced with forged parts.
- Fueling: Upgraded fuel injectors and a higher-volume fuel pump are needed to supply the engine with enough fuel.
- Engine Management: A custom tune is critical to optimize the air-fuel ratio and timing for the new components and high power output.
- Supporting Modifications: Other necessary upgrades include long tube headers, an upgraded exhaust system, and potentially an E85 fuel setup.
Is there a 7.0 HEMI?
Three generations have been produced: the FirePower series (with displacements from 241 to 392 cu in (3.9 to 6.4 L) from 1951 until 1958; a 426 cu in (7.0 L) race and street engine from 1964 through 1971; and family of advanced Hemis (displacing between 5.7 and 6.4 L (348 and 391 cu in) since 2003.
