What is the Dodge Hellephant engine?
The Hellephant is a 7.0-liter (426 cubic inches) Hemi V8 crate engine from Mopar that delivers about 1,000 horsepower and roughly 950 lb-ft of torque, designed for aftermarket, custom builds and drag-focused projects rather than factory production vehicles.
In more detail, the Hellephant represents Mopar’s bold push into ultra-high-performance crate power. Announced in 2020, this supercharged V8 builds on the modern Hemi architecture and is offered to enthusiasts who want to transplant modern power into hot rods, trucks, and other custom builds. It is not a direct drop-in for production Dodge models and typically requires significant fabrication, wiring, and drivetrain integration to run reliably in a given chassis.
Origins and purpose
The Hellephant emerged from Mopar’s push to provide turnkey performance powerplants to the aftermarket. Built around a 7.0-liter Hemi V8, it pairs a forced-induction system with modern fuel-injection and control electronics to produce headline horsepower figures. The crate engine is marketed primarily to builders, hot-rodders, and racing enthusiasts seeking high-end, big-power capability for custom applications.
Key specifications
Below is a concise overview of the core specs that define the Hellephant crate engine.
- Displacement: 7.0 liters (426 cubic inches)
- Configuration: V8 Hemi
- Aspiration: Supercharged
- Power output: approximately 1,000 horsepower
- Torque: approximately 950 lb-ft
- Fuel system and electronics: modern electronic fuel injection with appropriate wiring and control hardware
These specifications establish the Hellephant as a high-end crate engine designed for serious performance builds, rather than a consumer-vehicle option from a showroom Dodge model.
Availability and installation considerations
Enthusiasts contemplating a Hellephant installation should understand the practical requirements and limitations that come with such a powertrain.
- Not a direct factory-fit drop-in: installation requires custom engine mounts, exhaust routing, and chassis modifications.
- Drivetrain integration: transmission compatibility, driveshaft adjustments, and a suitable cooling system are essential.
- Electrical and control systems: a compatible ECU/wiring harness and integration with vehicle instrumentation are typically needed.
- Fuel and cooling upgrades: upgraded fuel delivery and cooling capacity are usually required to support the engine’s power output.
- Legal and regulatory considerations: emissions and safety regulations vary by region and may affect the legality of street use.
- Availability and pricing: Mopar markets the Hellephant through official channels; availability and pricing can vary, and many buyers expect a substantial investment beyond the engine itself for installation.
In practice, buyers work with performance shops or specialists to tailor the installation to their chosen vehicle, balancing power, reliability, and local compliance.
Impact and legacy
Summary: The Dodge Hellephant is a 7.0-liter supercharged Hemi V8 crate engine that delivers around 1,000 horsepower and roughly 950 lb-ft of torque. Built for aftermarket and custom builds, it represents Mopar’s bold foray into ultra-high-power powertrains, requiring specialized installation and compliance considerations but offering a straightforward path to extreme performance for qualified projects.
Is the Hellephant Street legal?
No, the Hellephant crate engine is not street-legal for vehicles manufactured in 1976 or later, as it is designed for pre-1976 vehicles or for off-road/competition use only. You are responsible for ensuring that your specific vehicle modification complies with all applicable federal, state, and local emissions laws and regulations, which it will not for modern cars.
- Intended use: The Hellephant is a performance crate engine designed for vintage vehicles built before 1976 or for competition/off-road use.
- Emissions: Installing it in a vehicle manufactured in 1976 or newer may violate emissions laws in your area, notes Direct Connection.
- Responsibility: The customer is responsible for complying with all relevant laws and regulations regarding vehicle emissions, according to Direct Connection.
What's the difference between a Hellcat and a hellephant?
The Hellephant is a 1,000-hp, 7.0L supercharged V8 crate engine from Mopar, while the Hellcat is a 707-hp, 6.2L supercharged V8 engine that is found in production Dodge vehicles. The Hellephant is a custom, more powerful crate engine built on the Hellcat but with larger displacement (426 cubic inches) and an all-aluminum block for weight savings, whereas the Hellcat is a mass-produced production engine.
You can watch this video to see a comparison of the two engines: 55sAutotopia LAYouTube · Oct 9, 2021
| Feature | Hellephant | Hellcat |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 1,000 hp | ~707 hp |
| Torque | 950 lb-ft | 650 lb-ft |
| Displacement | 7.0L (426 cubic inches) | 6.2L |
| Block Material | All-aluminum | Iron block |
| Production Status | Crate engine for custom builds | Production engine in many SRT models |
| Source | Mopar's performance division | Dodge's SRT division |
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How many Hellephant motors were made?
The original Hellephant engine had a limited production run of just 100 units. However, Dodge has since released new versions of the Hellephant engine in the Direct Connection catalog, making more available for sale.
- The initial 1,000-horsepower, 426 cubic-inch Hellephant was limited to 100 units, which sold out in less than two days.
- Dodge has since introduced other Hellephant engines and will continue to add more to the Direct Connection catalog.
- For example, the newer C170 version is based on the engine in the Challenger SRT Demon 170 and can produce 1,100 horsepower on E85 fuel.
What exactly is a Hellephant engine?
The Hellephant Name
That's the nickname given to the second-generation Hemi that came out in race-only form in 1964, then in street form in 1966 as the Street Hemi. It got the name "elephant engine" due to its large size, heavy weight, and prodigious, ground-pounding power.
