Mopar is bringing back the “426” moniker on its next 1,000-hp crate engine. Yup, you read that right: The Hellephant, a play on the fact that the old 426 Hemi was called the elephant engine, will hit four digits for horsepower and bring along 950 lb-ft of torque. It was introduced today at the Las Vegas SEMA Show. Mopar actually installed the new powerplant in a ’68 Charger it’s calling the “Super Charger.” It goes on sale in the first quarter of next year.
The supercharged 7.0-liter (426-cubic-inch) V8 gains displacement through a bigger bore and stroke (4.125 x 4.0) and the block is all aluminum, as opposed to the Hellcat motor’s cast-iron lower end.
The Hellephant crate comes with a complete assembly including a water pump, flywheel, front sump oil pan, supercharger with throttle body, fuel injectors and coil packs. When bought with the crate engine, according to Mopar, it’s a “relatively simple plug-and-play” kit for experienced installers. It’s designed for installation on pre-1976 street and off-road vehicles, but c’mon, hopefully we’ll see one at SEMA next year in a Fiat 124 Spider.
You will have to get Mopar’s FEAD Kit, which includes front-end accessory items like an alternator, power-steering pump, belts, pulleys and more.
If you actually do the math, it’s 427.65 cubic inches, but “426” is the brand name.
Now, about that Dodge “Super Charger.” This is SEMA, so it gets a slick paint job, new bronze rims, fender flares and what looks to be a Demon hood, along with that 1,000-hp Hellephant engine. To handle the power, it comes with the Hellcat’s six-speed manual transmission.
The hideaway headlights are tweaked to get the Hellcat LEDs in there and the door handles and drip rails were removed. The front door smoker’s windows were removed as well, replaced with one piece of glass. Both front and rear bumpers are custom made from fiberglass and the rear features the new Hellephant logo as opposed to a key cylinder. The body also drops 2.5 inches in the front and 3.5 inches in the rear. Six-piston Brembo brakes slow everything down in front, hunkered down under 20-by-11-inch wheels. The rears measure 20 by 12.
The interior is just as customized as the exterior with satin black trim, more Hellephant logos, a Dodge Viper steering wheel, Mopar gauges and more. The center console features an ignition button and toggle switches. The seats were replaced with Viper seats, covered in synthetic suede, and use a four-point Sabelt harness. A roll cage was installed for good measure, though if this thing ever actually hits the track I’ll eat the computer I’m typing this story on.
FCA hasn’t announced a price yet — it will come closer to launch, but check out Mopar’s online shop for more information.
