SEMA: 1000hp Dodge Super Charger restomod debuts

FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automotive) has rolled out a unique take on the 1968 Dodge Charger – a car possibly best remembered in Australia for its role in the Steve McQueen film, 'Bullitt'.

For the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas this week, FCA introduced the Dodge Super Charger, based on a 1968 Charger, but heavily updated and powered by a 'Hellephant' V8, developing 1000hp (746kW) and 950lb.-ft of torque. That's an incredible 1288Nm in metric terms!

The 'restomod' Super Charger recaptures the sleek, menacing lines of the 1968 Charger – a car that flew the flag for Dodge in NASCAR racing back in the day. But it's the 'Hellephant' mill that will have the fans salivating. The 426 cubic-inch 'Mopar' HEMI V8's name recalls both the Hellcat V8 (repurposed by Mopar as the 'Hellcrate' motor at last year's SEMA) and the famous 'elephant' 426-cube Hemi V8 that was the engine to beat in US drag racing circles back in the 1960s.

Put together by FCA's Product Design Office (PDO), the Super Charger marks the 50th anniversary of the Charger in this form and is finished in De Grigio metallic grey paint. Modern-day Dodge Challenger headlights are fitted behind the original grille and the Super Charger is adorned with fibreglass for the bonnet scoop and the flared wheel arches. The PDO team has removed the original door handles and rain guttering, and the original side glass (replete with vent windows) has been replaced by one-piece windows.

A T-6060 six-speed manual transmission from the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat channels torque from the monster engine through to the rear wheels of the Super Charger. Brakes are six-piston Brembo units and the wheels are standard 20x11-inch alloys from the Challenger SRT Hellcat, complemented by custom 20x12-inch alloys at the rear.

“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,” said Steve Beahm, Head of Parts & Service (Mopar) and Passenger Car Brands, FCA - North America.

Mopar, FCA's spare parts division, is offering the 'Hellephant' as a crate motor – an engine that can be purchased over the counter by tuners. According to the company, the Hellephant is a 'plug-and-play' unit, scheduled to go on sale during the first quarter of 2019. Further information is available at a dedicated website www.cratehemi.com.

“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,” Beahm said.

The supercharged V8 is an oversquare design (wider bore, shorter stroke) featuring high-lift cam and custom forged pistons. Mopar has developed the engine specifically for pre-1976 street and competition applications.

As a crate motor it comes equipped with water pump, flywheel, front sump oil pan, supercharger with throttle body, fuel injectors and coil packs. An additional Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD) kit includes an alternator, power-steering pump, belts and pulleys.

A 'turnkey' kit is available also, for relatively easy installation – the 'plug-and-play' bit – comprising a powertrain control module (PCM), power distribution centre, engine wiring harness, chassis harness, accelerator pedal, ground jumper, oxygen sensors, charge air temperature sensors, fuel pump control module and cam bus interface device. Restrictions are lifted for the PCM, which is tuned to deliver the full power and torque potential.