By SEMA Editors
 The ’68 Dodge “Super Charger” Concept is adapted to accommodate the Hellephant engine, enabling the car to slam 1,000 hp to the pavement through a stock T-6060 manual six-speed Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat transmission. |
Mopar revealed a brand-new HEMI-engine-powered “Hellephant” 426 Supercharged Mopar Crate HEMI engine, which turns the crank at 1,000 hp and 950 lb.-ft. of torque, at its press conference during the 2018 SEMA Show. The press briefing also included the unveiling of the ’68 Dodge “Super Charger” Concept, which highlights the Hellephant 426 Supercharged Crate HEMI engine assembly and kit.
The Hellephant engine hits the 1,000hp mark via bulked-up displacement, with 4 in. of stroke and bore specs at 4.125 in. 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 engineers from the motorsports world.
The engine and kit’s Hellephant logo and name call out the 426 HEMI engine, first introduced in ’64 and nicknamed the “elephant” engine for its power and size, as well as the 707hp Mopar “Hellcrate” engine kit, revealed at last year’s 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 1,000hp 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-’76 street and off-road vehicles.
Additional Hellephant 426 Supercharged Mopar Crate HEMI engine features include valve covers imported from the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye and valvetrain, valves, locks and retainers pulled from the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. The engine build includes a special high-lift cam and custom-forged pistons. The Hellephant 426 Supercharged Mopar Crate HEMI engine 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.
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 Hellephant 426 Supercharged Mopar Crate HEMI engine assembly and kit will be available in the first quarter of 2019.
’68 Dodge “Super Charger” Concept
The ’68 Dodge Charger is reimagined with modern elements from the current Dodge Charger SRT and the Dodge Challenger SRT lineup to create a unique package for showcasing the Mopar brand’s new Hellephant 426 Supercharged Mopar Crate HEMI engine and kit.
The ’68 Dodge “Super Charger” Concept is adapted to accommodate the Hellephant engine, enabling the car to slam 1,000 hp to the pavement through a stock T-6060 manual six-speed Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat transmission.
The custom De Grigio Grey Metallic classic ’68 Dodge Charger, which is marking its 50th anniversary in 2018, feeds the Hellephant fresh air through a supersized hood scoop modeled on that of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. The hood features fiberglass construction on the outside with inner-steel construction inside carried over from the original vehicle. The ’68 Charger’s pop-up headlamp design is tweaked to plant Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat headlamps permanently behind the grille. The original’s door handles and drip rails are shaved away, creating a clean, streamlined appearance. Front door vent windows are removed and replaced with a one-piece side glass. The ’71 Duster mirrors add a more modern appearance.
The ’68 Dodge Super Charge” Concept assumes a wide body stance due to front and rear fiberglass wheel flares painted in the De Grigio Grey Metallic body color. The front wheels push forward 2 in. to accommodate the flares and shorten the Charger’s overhang, extending the classic’s wheelbase from 117 in. to 119 in. Front wheels are stock 20x11-in. Devil’s rims pulled from the Challenger SRT Hellcat, while the rears are upsized 21x12-in. custom-milled aluminum Devil’s wheels. The body drops 2.5 in. in the rear and 3.5 in. in the front to hug the pavement. Six-piston Brembos deliver a stopping-power advantage over the ’68 brakes.
Custom fiberglass front and rear bumpers are flushed up and shortened cross-car to provide an integrated design. The custom fiberglass front chin splitter takes influence from the Demon, while the custom rear spoiler is inspired by the modern Charger R/T. The trunk key cylinder lock is shaved and the Satin Black fuel door embellished with a custom-milled aluminum “Hellephant” medallion. Vehicle graphics and badging are Satin Black vinyl decals, including the Hellephant logo on the front fenders, “Super Charger” badging above the doors and classic tail stripes at the rear.
The lower exhaust tips are eliminated and replaced with Alfa Romeo Stelvio 5-in. dual-walled exhaust tips re-engineered to run through the taillamp housing. The brake lights have been reconfigured with LED lights that glow around the exhaust tips.
Inside, door panels and interior trim are Satin Black with the Hellephant milled medallion applied on the upper door panels. The Dodge Viper steering wheel also carries the Hellephant medallion at its center. The instrument panel insert is the same De Grigio Grey Metallic body color and the dash is customized with a full array of Mopar gauges.
The body-color center console holds a manual shifter from the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, as well as the ignition button and toggle switches for the headlamps, wipers, fog lights and hazard lights. The stock front seats have been replaced with Dodge Viper seats re-wrapped in Alcantara leather accented with red stitching and are fitted with four-point Sabelt black racing harnesses. The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon seat delete option opens up the rear and also sheds weight while making space for a custom 2-in. roll cage designed to follow the profile and harmonize with the shape of the day light opening (DLO). A Challenger SRT Demon net allows for storage of racing equipment, such as helmets and gloves. A black Challenger SRT Hellcat carpet covers the rear of the interior, while the front features custom floor mats modified from the current Charger SRT and Mopar pedal kits for the Challenger.