- Dodge brand’s growing Direct Connection performance parts lineup announces two new series of crate engines for street and strip: the Hellephant and HurriCrate series of engines
- Hellephant and HurriCrate engines, as well as additional Direct Connection products, will be on display in the Dodge brand exhibit at the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nov. 1-4
- Direct Connection supercharged Hellephant series of crate engines boast the most powerful lineup of GEN III HEMI®-powered cast iron and aluminum engines to date, offering outputs ranging from approximately 900 to over 1,100 horsepower, based on preliminary estimates
- All-new HurriCrate series of crate engines will include a Cat 1 version delivering up to 420 horsepower and a Cat 3 version that reaches up to 550 horsepower, based on preliminary estimates
- Direct Connection is expanding its line of officially licensed parts, with the introduction of Direct Connection 1500 HEMI® Crate Engine offered by longtime partner DSR Performance
- Direct Connection factory-backed performance parts are available through a network of nearly 100 exclusive Dodge Power Brokers dealerships and online at DCPerformance.com
November 1, 2022 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – Dodge is introducing new supercharged and turbocharged muscle to boost the brand’s growing Direct Connection performance parts lineup, announcing today two new series of crate engines for the street and strip: the Hellephant and HurriCrate series of engines. Dodge will showcase powerplants from both new engine lineups, as well as additional Direct Connection products, in the brand’s display area at the 2022 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, Nov. 1-4.
The Direct Connection supercharged Hellephant series of crate engines boast the most powerful lineup of GEN III HEMI®-powered cast iron and aluminum engines to date, ranging from approximately 900 to over 1,100 horsepower, based on preliminary estimates. The all-new HurriCrate series of crate engines will offer a lineup including a Cat 1 crate engine that delivers up to 420 horsepower and a Cat 3 engine that reaches up to 550 horsepower, based on preliminary estimates.
Direct Connection is also expanding its line of officially licensed parts, with the introduction of the 1,500 hp / 1,000 lb.-ft. Direct Connection 1500 HEMI Crate Engine offered by longtime partner DSR Performance.
Direct Connection, the Dodge brand’s exclusive source of factory-backed performance parts available through Dodge Power Brokers dealers, continues to grow after launching earlier this year. The rollout of the Hellephant and HurriCrate series of crate engines follows another slate of recent additions to the Direct Connection lineup this summer, including a Direct Connection Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak Rolling Chassis for grassroots drag racers, a Dodge Challenger body-in-white kit, Direct Connection-licensed carbon fiber SpeedKore parts, a licensed vintage Dodge Charger carbon fiber body from Finale Speed and more. Direct Connection will also offer performance parts for the all-new Dodge Hornet.
“We’re bringing the Hellephant back and adding new HurriCrate engines to augment the Direct Connection lineup with two new families of crate engines. The demand from enthusiasts for performance parts for the street and strip continues grow, and Direct Connection will continue to be there to feed it,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer – Stellantis. “Since Direct Connection first launched back in March our performance parts line continues to evolve, backed by the factory and by our network of Dodge Power Brokers dealers.”
Direct Connection Hellephant Engine Series
Direct Connection’s family of Hellephant engines all feature a 3.0L IHI supercharger and GENIII HEMI engine block available in cast iron or aluminum and are designed for either premium or E85 fuel. Expanding from the original 1,000-horsepower Hellephant 426 Supercharged crate engine, Direct Connection will offer three new variants with upgraded hardware and fuel systems to maximize power output.
The new lineup of high-horsepower Direct Connection crate engines will launch with a new naming convention that indicates engine block material (cast iron or aluminum) and fuel type. Each engine name begins with an “A” or “C,” for aluminum or cast-iron block respectively, followed by a numeric representation of fuel type — “30” for premium fuel (E15 max) or “170” for E85 fuel — with numbers corresponding to the alcohol content “proof” in the recommended fuel type.
The Hellephant lineup of four crate engines includes:
- A30 Crate Engine: Formally known as the Hellephant 426 Supercharged HEMI crate engine, the A30 makes use of a 426 cubic-inch bored and stroked GEN III HEMI aluminum block and features 4340 H-beam rods with forged aluminum pistons and 3.17-inch supercharger pulley to achieve 1,000 horsepower on premium fuel
- A170 Crate Engine: Building on the performance of the A30 with upgraded fuel system with flex fuel capability, the A170 delivers over 1,100 horsepower with E85 fuel, based on preliminary estimates
- C30 Crate Engine: This new entry in the Hellephant lineup starts with an upgraded 376 cubic-inch cast-iron long block and features a 3.0L IHI supercharger with larger throttle body, stronger rods, pistons, upgraded hardware, and an improved valvetrain to produce approximately 900 horsepower on premium fuel, based on preliminary estimates
- C170 Crate Engine: Building on the performance of the C30 with upgraded fuel system and flex fuel capability, the C170 will deliver over 1,000 horsepower with E85 fuel, based on preliminary estimates
The C30 and C170 Hellephant Series crate engines include several upgrades to optimize cylinder pressure capability and deliver maximum performance on premium or E85 fuel configurations. Highlighted features for the C30 and C170 crate engines include:
- New 3.0L IHI supercharger with improved intercooler, larger snout and a 3.02-inch pulley for increased boost
- 105mm throttle body with new housing, blade, shaft and geartrain for increased airflow
- Upgraded cylinder heads with upgraded valve guide and seat material
- Upgraded pistons with top land cutback to improve combustion sealing
- Upgraded connecting rods with new material and revised bushing material to support increased combustion pressure
- Main and rod bearing material upgraded to copper-lead for increased load capability
- Upgraded crank damper to absorb torsional impacts due to increased combustion pressure
- Improved head and main cap fasteners for increased clamp load capability
- Billet steel main caps for improved strength
- Ethanol sensor and upgraded fuel rail and injectors for improved fuel flow to support E85 fuel (C170)
Direct Connection HurriCrate Engine Series
The all-new Direct Connection HurriCrate Series engines are derived from the 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo engine. The Hurricane, named one of Wards 10 Best engines and propulsion systems for 2022, delivers more horsepower, more torque and fewer emissions than many naturally aspirated V8s, offering resto-mod builders and racers a technologically advanced, high power density crate engine solution.
The HurriCrate series of crate engines employs state-of-the-art engineering and technologies that include two low-inertia, high-flow turbochargers for rapid response to throttle inputs, Plasma Transfer Wire Arc (spray bore) coating in the cylinder bores for an ultra-thin, low-friction wear surface, and high-pressure direct fuel injection.
The HurriCrate engine series features options based on the desired level of performance. The HurriCrate Cat 1 crate engine offers up to 420 horsepower, while the HurriCrate Cat 3 delivers up to 550 horsepower, based on preliminary estimates. The Cat 1 utilizes the inherent torque advantage of the Hurricane engine’s twin-turbo inline six-cylinder design to deliver 468 Ib.-ft. of torque by 2,500 rpm, while the Cat 3 delivers its max 531 lb.-ft. of torque at just 3,500 rpm.
Plans for a racing variant, the HurriCrate Cat X crate engine, are currently under development for race applications, including a future Drag Pak.
Cat 1 Crate Engine Highlights
- Twin turbocharged with liquid charge-air cooling turbos delivers 22 psi of peak boost
- Cast aluminum pistons with cast iron top ring land insert
- 10.4:1 compression ratio with premium fuel recommended
- Single high-pressure direct fuel injection with pump actuated by a dedicated chain-driven shaft
- Engine-mounted water-to-air charge cooler with a dedicated cooling circuit with single inlet
Cat 3 Crate Engine Highlights
- Twin Garrett turbochargers with liquid charge-air cooling turbos delivers 26 psi of peak boost
- Enhanced performance is delivered by lightweight, oil-jet cooled, forged aluminum pistons with an anodized top ring land and a diamond-like coating (DLC) on the pins to minimize friction
- 9.5:1 compression ratio with premium fuel recommended
- Dual high-pressure direct fuel injection with pumps actuated by a dedicated chain-driven shaft
- Engine-mounted water-to-air charge cooler with a dedicated cooling circuit with dual inlet
Additional HurriCrate engine series highlights include:
- Two low-inertia, high-flow turbochargers, each feeding three cylinders, for rapid response to throttle inputs
- Plasma Transfer Wire Arc (PTWA) coating in the cylinder bores for an ultra-thin, low-friction wear surface
- Dual overhead camshafts with wide-range, fully independent variable valve timing
- Dual water-cooled exhaust manifolds integrated in the cylinder head
Hellephant and HurriCrate series crate engine horsepower and torque specifications are preliminary estimates Full details on the Hellephant and HurriCrate series of crate engines, including pricing, availability and final specifications, will be announced in 2023.
For more information visit DCPerformance.com, the online headquarters for Direct Connection. For more information on Dodge and to follow along on the brand’s Never Lift plan, which provides a 24-month road map to Dodge’s performance future, visit Dodge.com and DodgeGarage.com.
Direct Connection
Dodge muscle was born in the 1960s, when Dodge innovated performance upgrades that led to domination at the track and drag strip. As the muscle car enthusiast community exploded, so did the desire for factory-backed go-fast parts. In 1974, Direct Connection launched as the exclusive source for performance parts and technical information, straight from the manufacturer. As an industry first, Direct Connection changed the game with a massive portfolio of performance parts sold through the dealer network with technical information and how-to performance upgrade guides.
Fast forward to today, and with the release of the most powerful and fastest production vehicles in the world, Dodge has become synonymous with high performance. With a new generation of muscle car enthusiasts looking for “ready to run” parts, Direct Connection returns as the new source for high-performance parts and technical expertise straight from the factory.
Dodge Power Brokers
Dodge Power Brokers dealers are equipped with staff trained to deliver a performance-focused customer experience. Power Brokers dealership features include:
- Network is the exclusive source for new Direct Connection performance parts
- Dealership staff meet set standards of comprehensive knowledge and expertise in high-performance areas
- Each Dodge Power Brokers dealer features a dedicated webpage with contact information and biographies on staff trained in high performance customer service
- Staff trained to walk customers through Dodge vehicle performance features and available Direct Connection upgrades
- Customers can purchase a vehicle with Direct Connection upgrades directly from a Dodge Power Brokers dealership
- Direct Connection Modern Performance parts installed by a Dodge Power Brokers dealer have the added benefit of maintaining the balance of the three-year/36,000-mile vehicle warranty (complete warranty details available at DCPerformance.com)
Dodge//SRT
For more than 100 years, the Dodge brand has carried on the spirit of brothers John and Horace Dodge. Their influence continues today as Dodge shifts into high gear with a lineup that delivers unrivaled performance in each of the segments where they compete.
Dodge drives forward as a pure performance brand, offering SRT Hellcat versions of the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger and Dodge Durango, as well as an R/T plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version of the all-new 2023 Dodge Hornet, representing the brand’s first-ever electrified performance vehicle. Dodge delivers the drag-strip dominating 807-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock; the 797-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Redeye, the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world; and the 710-horsepower Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, the most powerful SUV ever; and best-in-class standard performance in the compact utility vehicle segment with the Dodge Hornet. Combined, these four muscle vehicles make Dodge the industry’s most powerful brand, offering more horsepower than any other American brand across its entire lineup.
In 2022, the Dodge brand ranked No. 1 in the J.D. Power APEAL Study (mass market), making it the only domestic brand ever to do so three years in a row. In 2020, Dodge was named the “#1 Brand in Initial Quality,” making it the first domestic brand ever to rank No. 1 in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS).
Dodge is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.
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