We recall back in 2011 walking the Mopar booth at SEMA seeing a particular third-generation Hemi on display. It wasn’t for sale – at least as memory serves – but was a representation of what the newly acquired Fiat-owned Mopar was capable of. It was indeed, an all-aluminum 7-liter (read: 426-cubic-inch) Hemi, albeit naturally aspirated. Rated at well over 500-horsepower, the big bore, long stroke engine was also found in at least one (but some say two) project cars on display that year. Since that show, we’ve always wondered what became of it. That is, until last year when the Drag Pak Challengers all arrived with a similar engine, consequently sweeping the 2018 NHRA Factory Stock Showdown class.

It was this same engine block, and a whole lot of internal components that became the foundation of what Mopar unveiled as its newest crate engine, the “Hellephant.” Yes, the 426ci Hemi is back, but capped with a re-engineered IHI supercharger pushing an estimated 15psi of boost through its aluminum heads (lifted from the 840-horsepower Demon), resulting in a face-melting 1,000-horsepower and 950 lbs. ft. of torque. And that’s through a set of specially-designed cast manifolds, folks. The package is specifically aimed at those folks looking for turnkey late-model performance for their classic Mopar (read pre-1976) and can be optioned with the full front assembly, standalone wire harness and everything needed to plop it between the shock towers.

Here’s the complete press release:
The Mopar brand is stampeding into the 2018 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show with a brand-new HEMI^®-engine-powered beast: the “Hellephant” 426 Supercharged Mopar Crate HEMI engine, which turns the crank at a mammoth 1,000 horsepower and 950 lb.-ft. of torque.

The “Hellephant” 426 Supercharged Mopar Crate HEMI engine is a Mopar-first for a 1,000 horsepower crate engine kit offered by an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

The press briefing today in the Mopar exhibit at SEMA also included the unveiling of the 1968 Dodge “Super Charger” Concept, the perfect package for highlighting the “Hellephant” 426 Supercharged Crate HEMI engine assembly and kit.

“Our enthusiasts crave power and performance, and our new ‘Hellephant’ Mopar Crate HEMI engine and kit deliver huge horsepower and torque in a plug-and-play package that is unique in the industry,” said Steve Beahm, Head of Parts & Service (Mopar) and Passenger Car Brands, FCA – North America. “The 1968 Dodge Charger is one of the hottest classic cars, which is why we decided to use it as a starting point for the ‘Super Charger’ Concept. It’s an amazing vehicle and a great showcase for our ‘Hellephant’ engine.”

The “Hellephant” engine hits the magical 1,000 horsepower mark via bulked-up displacement, with 4.0 inches of stroke and bore specs at 4.125 inches. An improved supercharger with a high-efficiency rotor is mounted on the all-aluminum block, which provides huge weight savings to keep the “Hellephant” light. The all-aluminum block, used in Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak race vehicles that dominated the 2018 NHRA Factory Stock Showdown class, was configured for the street in close collaboration with Mopar and SRT engineers from the motorsports world.

The engine and kit’s distinctive “Hellephant” logo provides a nod to the Mopar brand’s past and present. The logo and name call out the legendary 426 HEMI engine, first introduced in 1964 and nicknamed the “elephant” engine for its power and size, as well as the 707-horsepower Mopar “Hellcrate” Engine Kit, revealed last year at the 2017 SEMA Show. 

The complete engine assembly includes a water pump, flywheel, front sump oil pan, supercharger with throttle body, fuel injectors and coil packs. The first-ever 1,000 horsepower crate engine assembly offered by an OEM can be paired with the Mopar “Hellephant” 426 Supercharged Mopar Crate HEMI Engine Kit for relatively simple plug-and-play by experienced installers. The engine assembly and kit are designed for installation on pre-1976 street and off-road vehicles.

Additional features of the “Hellephant” 426 Supercharged Mopar Crate HEMI engine include valve covers imported from the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye and valve train, valves, locks and retainers pulled from the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. The engine build includes a special high-lift cam, as well as custom-forged pistons.

Dropping in the “Hellephant” is almost turnkey with the “Hellephant” 426 Supercharged Mopar Crate HEMI Engine Kit. The kit includes a powertrain control module (PCM), power distribution center, engine wiring harness, chassis harness, accelerator pedal, ground jumper, oxygen sensors, charge air temperature sensors, fuel pump control module and cam bus interface device. The PCM is unlocked and tuned to pump out 1,000 horsepower and 950 lb.-ft. torque.

As with the “Hellcrate” engine, Mopar will also offer an essential Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD) Kit, which includes an alternator, power-steering pump, belts, pulleys and more, and is among additional engine accessory hardware components available to assist in installing the “Hellephant.”

The kit ships in unique packaging, featuring the “Hellephant” logo and includes in-depth information sheets with helpful installation tips and requirements.

The “Hellephant” 426 Supercharged Mopar Crate HEMI engine assembly and kit will be available in the first quarter of 2019. For more information, visit www.cratehemi.com, and follow Mopar on Twitter (@OfficialMopar) using the new #Hellephant hashtag.