How Much Is a Hellcat Motor? Crate Engine Pricing, Redeye Specs & Swap Costs
The 6.2-liter Supercharged HEMI V8 engine—famously known across the automotive world as the Hellcat motor—is one of the most celebrated, pavement-shredding factory powerplants ever engineered in American muscle car history. Cranking out an astonishing 707 to over 800 horsepower right out of the crate, this supercharged beast transformed Dodge muscle into modern drag-strip legends and spawned a massive restomod swap culture for vintage muscle cars, pickup trucks, and custom hot rods. However, buying a Hellcat motor requires navigating brand-new Mopar factory crate packages, salvage yard pullouts, and extensive auxiliary conversion components. Total expenses range from 10,000 dollars for used cores to 35,000 dollars or more for turn-key restomod builds.
Factory Mopar Crate Engine Pricing and Variants
For enthusiasts purchasing brand-new, factory-assembled engines directly from Dodge or authorized Mopar performance distributors, the Hellcat engine is sold under the official trade name Hellcrate. A brand-new standard 6.2L Supercharged HEMI Hellcrate—delivering 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque—typically retails between 16,500 and 19,000 dollars for the complete turn-key long block assembly.
For builders seeking even more aggressive performance, Mopar offers the Hellcrate Redeye engine assembly. Featuring an enlarged 2.7-liter IHI twin-screw supercharger (up from the standard 2.4-liter blower), reinforced connecting rods, a high-strength forged crankshaft, and upgraded valvetrain components, the Redeye pumps out 797 to 807 horsepower. Brand-new Hellcat Redeye crate engines command between 21,500 and 24,500 dollars.
The following technical comparison chart outlines the factory specifications, supercharger sizes, and crate retail prices across official Mopar Hellcat engine variants.
| Hellcat Engine Variant | Displacement & Supercharger | Factory Horsepower / Torque | Crate MSRP / Market Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Hellcrate 6.2L | 6.2L V8 / 2.4L IHI Supercharger | 707 HP / 650 lb-ft | $16,500 to $19,000 |
| Hellcrate Redeye 6.2L | 6.2L V8 / 2.7L IHI Supercharger | 797 HP / 707 lb-ft | $21,500 to $24,500 |
| Demon 170 Crate (Limited) | 6.2L V8 / 3.0L Supercharger | 1,025 HP / 945 lb-ft (E85) | $28,000 to $35,000 (Allocated) |
| Hellephant 426 Supercharged | 7.0L All-Aluminum / 3.0L Blower | 1,000 HP / 950 lb-ft | $30,000 MSRP ($45k+ Market) |
| Used Salvage Pullout (707 HP) | 6.2L V8 Complete Long Block | 707 HP / 650 lb-ft | $9,000 to $14,000 (Used) |
At the apex of Mopar crate performance sits the limited-production Hellephant 426 Supercharged HEMI crate engine. Delivering a monstrous 1,000 horsepower and 950 lb-ft of torque straight from the crate, Hellephant crate motors launched with an official MSRP of roughly 30,000 dollars, but secondary auction market premiums routinely push prices past 45,000 to 60,000 dollars among elite collectors.
Salvage Yard Pullouts and Used Marketplace Costs
Builders on tighter budgets frequently source complete engine pullouts from wrecked Dodge Challenger Hellcats, Charger Hellcats, or Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawks at automotive salvage auctions like Copart or specialized automotive dismantlers. A running, verified used 707-horsepower Hellcat engine with moderate mileage (20,000 to 50,000 miles) typically sells for 9,000 to 14,000 dollars.
Complete turn-key salvage packages—often called dropout packages—include the engine, supercharger, alternator, power steering pump, starter, wiring harness, factory computer (PCM), gas pedal assembly, and sometimes the heavy-duty Tremec 6-speed manual or ZF 8HP90 8-speed automatic transmission. These comprehensive dropout bundles trade between 15,000 and 22,000 dollars.
The following itemized budget breakdown illustrates the total realistic hardware and labor expenditures required to complete a restomod Hellcat engine swap into a custom chassis.
| Conversion Component | Estimated Cost Range | Essential Function | Notes / Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hellcrate Engine Assembly | $16,500 to $22,000 | Core supercharged engine | Factory warranty on new Mopar units |
| Mopar PCM Swap Wiring Kit | $2,400 to $3,200 | Engine management computer | Plug-and-play unlocked PCM & harness |
| Supercharger Heat Exchanger & Rad | $1,200 to $2,400 | Thermal intercooler cooling | Dual-pass aluminum with electric pump |
| High-Volume Fuel System (EFI) | $800 to $1,800 | E85/Gasoline fuel delivery | Dual in-tank pumps, high-flow return line |
| Built Drivetrain (ZF8 or Tremec) | $4,500 to $7,500 | Transmission power handling | Heavy-duty clutch / torque converter |
| Dana 60 / Ford 9" Rear Axle | $2,800 to $4,500 | Withstand 650+ lb-ft torque | Posi-traction, 35-spline forged axles |
| Custom Headers, Mounts & K-Member | $2,000 to $4,000 | Chassis physical fitment | Aftermarket tubular front subframe |
Caution is essential when purchasing salvage Hellcat motors. Due to the high-performance nature of supercharged engines, wrecked vehicles frequently suffer hidden structural damage, including cracked aluminum oil pans, bent crankshaft snouts from front-end collisions, supercharger rotor seizure, or oil starvation from vehicle rollovers. Always perform a bore-scope cylinder inspection and compression check before buying.
Ancillary Components Required for a Hellcat Swap
The engine itself is merely the starting point; dropping a 700-plus horsepower supercharged HEMI into a classic 1968 Charger, modern pickup, or custom chassis requires thousands of dollars in supporting mechanical and electrical hardware. The most critical component is Mopar’s official Hellcat Engine Control Module (PCM) Swap Kit.
This plug-and-play wiring kit costs approximately 2,400 to 3,200 dollars and includes an unlocked powertrain control module, engine harness, drive-by-wire accelerator pedal, oxygen sensors, and a power distribution center. Furthermore, supercharged engines demand massive cooling capacity; an auxiliary dual-pass heat exchanger system for the supercharger intercooler adds 1,000 to 2,000 dollars, while high-flow dual fuel pump modules add another 800 to 1,500 dollars.
Drivetrain and Fabrication Upgrades
Funneling 650 to 707 lb-ft of instant torque into a chassis will instantly shred factory stock axles, driveshafts, and gearboxes. A proper Hellcat swap necessitates a reinforced drivetrain capable of handling extreme shock loads. Most builders pair the Hellcat with a built Tremec Magnum 6-speed manual transmission ($4,500 to $6,000) or a standalone-managed ZF 8-speed automatic ($5,000 to $8,000).
Downstream, the rear differential must be upgraded to a heavy-duty Dana 60 or Ford 9-inch rear axle with 35-spline axles ($3,000 to $5,000). Custom motor mounts, headers, and front suspension K-members from aftermarket fabricators add another 2,500 to 4,000 dollars. Ultimately, a complete, turn-key professional Hellcat restomod swap typically tallies between 32,000 and 55,000 dollars in total hardware and labor.
How to Plan and Source a Hellcat Engine Swap in 4 Steps
Follow this structured mechanical roadmap to select, source, and prepare for a high-horsepower Hellcat engine installation.
Choose Between Brand New Crate and Salvage Pullout
Determine your budget and warranty preferences. Choose a new factory Mopar Hellcrate ($17,000+) for peace of mind, or source an inspected salvage dropout ($11,000) for cost savings.
Order Mopar Plug-and-Play Management Harness
Acquire the official Mopar Performance Hellcat engine controller kit. This unlocked PCM eliminates factory anti-theft immobilizers and integrates electronic throttle and oxygen sensors.
Engineer Adequate Supercharger Cooling Logistics
Design a dedicated low-temperature radiator and high-flow electric water pump circuit strictly for the supercharger air-to-water intercoolers, keeping intake air temps below 130 degrees.
Upgrade Chassis Bracing and Drivetrain Components
Reinforce the vehicle frame rails, install subframe connectors, and install a heavy-duty transmission and 35-spline rear axle capable of absorbing 700-plus horsepower without twisting.
Frequently Asked Questions (9 Questions Answered)
Q1: How much does a brand new Hellcat crate motor cost?
A brand-new factory Mopar 6.2L Supercharged Hellcrate engine typically retails between 16,500 and 19,000 dollars, with Redeye versions costing 21,500 to 24,500 dollars.
Q2: How much is a used Hellcat engine from a salvage yard?
A used, running 707-horsepower Hellcat engine pullout from a wrecked Challenger or Charger typically costs between 9,000 and 14,000 dollars depending on mileage and condition.
Q3: Does the Hellcat crate engine come with the supercharger?
Yes, factory Mopar Hellcrate long block engines come fully assembled with the factory 2.4-liter (or 2.7-liter on Redeye) twin-screw supercharger, throttle body, and water pump.
Q4: What is the horsepower rating of a standard Hellcat engine?
The standard 6.2L Hellcat engine produces 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque on 91 or 93 octane pump gasoline.
Q5: How much does a complete Hellcat swap cost in total?
When accounting for the crate engine, Mopar PCM wiring kit, transmission, rear axle, cooling systems, custom fabrication, and labor, a complete Hellcat swap costs between 30,000 and 50,000 dollars.
Q6: What is the Mopar Hellcrate Engine Controller Kit?
It is a specialized 2,500-dollar plug-and-play wiring and computer kit provided by Mopar that allows builders to run a modern Hellcat engine in vintage or custom non-computer vehicles.
Q7: What is the difference between a standard Hellcat and a Redeye motor?
The Redeye features a larger 2.7L supercharger (boosting to 14.5 psi vs 11.6 psi), stronger connecting rods and pistons, a 6,500 RPM redline, and delivers 797 horsepower.
Q8: Can you put a Hellcat motor in a classic muscle car?
Yes, Hellcat engine swaps are popular in classic 1968-1970 Dodge Chargers, Challengers, and D-100 trucks using aftermarket tubular K-members and swap wiring harnesses.
Q9: How heavy is a complete Hellcat engine with supercharger?
A complete fully dressed 6.2L Supercharged Hellcat engine weighs approximately 575 to 600 pounds, making it surprisingly compact for its immense horsepower output.
Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways
In conclusion, understanding how much is a hellcat motor? crate engine pricing, redeye specs & swap costs provides essential clarity, practical strategies, and actionable advice. By incorporating these foundational insights, adhering to verified safety guidelines, and following structured best practices, you ensure reliable, long-term outcomes while preventing common mistakes. Stay informed, consult certified professionals when needed, and maintain consistent quality care.