Mopar V8 crate engines now available

MOPAR Australia is offering a limited number of its most-powerful production engines – the 527kW Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 6.2-litre supercharged V8 and 361kW Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT 6.4-litre naturally aspirated V8s – through local Jeep dealers.

Suited to “motorsport and off-road applications”, says Mopar Australia, the crate engines are available from $29,000 and $16,000 respectively (plus GST) in “long” configuration, meaning each is sold with a water pump, front sump oil pan, intake manifold with throttle body, fuel injectors, and coil packs.

While Mopar Australia and Jeep Australia have provided no other information, a quick look at Mopar’s US website tells us the engines are two of five available V8 Hemi offerings in the United States’ market, selling there for $US17,925 ($A26,890) and $US9600 ($A14,400) – which means the local offer is a pretty sweet deal when you factor in the cost of freight.

The Mopar US website further offers V8 crate engines including the 345-cube (5.6-litre) Hemi V8 from $US7495 ($A11,240), uprated 6.2-litre supercharged V8 Redeye from $US21,807 ($A32,710), or the monstrous ‘Hellephant’ 426 cubic inch supercharged V8 from $US25,795 ($A38,690).

Taking a look through the specifications, we find the ‘345’ offering up 257kW and 508Nm, the ‘Redeye’ 601kW and 972Nm, and the ‘Hellephant’ 820kW and 1423Nm – yes, that’s 1-4-2-3 Newton metres!

North American customers can pair the Hemi V8 of their choosing with factory-supplied front-end accessory drive kits, exhaust headers, and even transmissions… all for a little extra coin. By way of an example, a Tremec Magnum automatic is available from $US5250 ($A7875).

No such luck here, we’re afraid. But we’re sure Mopar enthusiasts will have no trouble sourcing the relevant parts.

Our advice? Get in quick!

Mopar V8 Hemi crate engine price guide:

*Based on US market recommended retail pricing current July 1.