Hellephant C170 Engine: What It Is, What It Makes, and What It Costs

Hellephant C170 Engine: Specs, Power & Where to Get One

In 2019, Dodge dropped a crate engine into the Mopar catalog that made everyone stop scrolling: the Hellephant. 1,000 horsepower. 950 lb-ft of torque. A supercharged 426-cubic-inch HEMI built for installation into virtually anything with enough room to hold it. It was a statement — and it still commands waitlists and dealer markup four years after launch.

If you've been searching for a Hellephant C170 engine, a Demon 170 crate swap, or just want to know what the "426 HEMI for sale" results actually are, this is the breakdown.

What Is the Hellephant C170?

The Hellephant is Mopar's supercharged 426 crate engine, built on an all-new 6.98L (426 ci) HEMI block. The "C170" designation refers to the complete crate kit — engine plus supercharger, accessory drive, and controller — packaged for custom installation.

The key specs:

• Displacement: 426 cubic inches (6.98L)
• Supercharger: 3.0L twin-screw (larger than the standard 2.4L Hellcat unit)
• Rated output: 1,000 hp / 950 lb-ft torque (on 91-octane)
• Block: All-new architecture, not a stroked 6.2L — the 426 is its own platform
• Heads: Ported, high-flow aluminum — designed to support the larger supercharger's airflow
• Fuel system: Returnless, high-flow injectors included in the C170 kit

The 3.0L supercharger is the critical difference between the Hellephant and a standard Hellcat. The 2.4L Eaton TVS on a stock Hellcat runs out of airflow capacity above 850 whp. The Hellephant's 3.0L unit is designed for the 1,000 hp output range from the factory — not as a modified compromise, but as the baseline.

Hellephant vs. Demon 170: What's the Difference?

The Dodge Demon 170 (2023) is a production vehicle powered by a supercharged 6.2L HEMI making 1,025 hp on E85. The Hellephant is a 426 ci crate engine making 1,000 hp on 91-octane pump gas.

They're not the same engine. The Demon 170's power comes from E85 fuel mapping on the 6.2L Hellcat architecture. The Hellephant achieves 1,000 hp on pump gas through displacement — 426 ci gives the engine more thermal headroom at equivalent boost pressure, which is how you get four-figure output without requiring race fuel.

For custom builds, the Hellephant is the relevant unit. The Demon 170 engine is only available in the production car.

What Does a Hellephant C170 Kit Include?

The C170 complete kit includes:

• Hellephant 426 long block
• 3.0L supercharger assembly (installed)
• Accessory drive and brackets
• Powertrain Control Module (PCM) — standalone, no donor car required
• Wiring harness
• Fuel system components

It's designed to be a complete, standalone powertrain. You supply the chassis, transmission, and supporting systems. Mopar supplies everything else.

What Does a Hellephant Build Actually Cost?

The C170 kit has carried an MSRP around $29,995 since launch. Street pricing varies — supply has been limited, and dealer markups have been common since the initial release. Budget $32,000–$38,000 to acquire the engine kit through normal channels.

That's the engine. The complete build cost is a different number:

• Transmission: A proper 1,000 hp-rated automatic or manual — $4,000–$12,000
• Fuel system: High-flow pump, lines, surge tank for a custom chassis — $1,500–$4,000
• Cooling: Radiator, intercooler (if supplemental), lines — $1,000–$3,000
• Install and tune: Labor + dyno time — $3,000–$8,000 depending on complexity

All-in, a Hellephant build in a custom application realistically starts around $45,000–$55,000 before the car or chassis it's going into.

Where to Find a Hellephant Engine for Sale

The C170 kit is sold through Mopar Performance dealers. Availability has been inconsistent — early production runs sold out quickly, and inventory restocks have been irregular. Current availability should be confirmed directly through a Mopar dealer or the Mopar Performance catalog.

Used Hellephant units appear occasionally through specialty resellers and auction platforms. Verify provenance carefully — specifically confirm whether the PCM and harness are included, as sourcing those separately significantly increases cost.

What the Supercharger on a Hellephant Build Needs

The 3.0L supercharger on the Hellephant is a robust unit, but like any high-output blower, it benefits from proper maintenance and preparation before installation.

FAS Motorsports works with Hellcat-family and Eaton-type supercharger platforms. If you're building around a Hellephant crate or sourcing a used unit, we can inspect, rebuild, or prep the supercharger assembly before it goes into your build. A blower that's been sitting, improperly stored, or run hard in a previous install should be checked and rebuilt before you load it up again.

FAS Motorsports: Hellcat-Platform Parts for Your Build

Working in the Hellcat/Hellephant architecture? These are in stock and ready to ship.

**Hellcat 426 Short Block (BGE) — $9,499.00**

Brand-new 426 ci stroker short block — same displacement architecture as the Hellephant C170. Built for high-output Hellcat-family applications.

**2.4L 130mm Billet Supercharger Snout — $1,899.99**

Direct bolt-on upgrade for the 2.4L IHI Hellcat supercharger. CNC-machined billet snout for improved airflow over stock — the upgrade path for Hellcat builds not stepping up to the 3.0L.

**Hellcat Upper Pulley & Hub Kit — $219.99**

Engineered for Hellcat, Redeye, and Demon platforms. The entry point for pulling more boost before committing to a full blower swap.

FAQ

Q: Is the Hellephant 426 the same as the old 426 HEMI?

No. The original 426 "elephant" HEMI is a Gen II engine from the 1960s. The Hellephant is a modern all-new 426 ci HEMI architecture — the name is a nod to the displacement and legacy, not a continuation of the Gen II design.

Q: Can you run a Hellephant on E85 for more power?

The C170 is rated for 91-octane. E85 calibration is possible with a custom tune, but the PCM and fuel system need to support it. Expect 1,100–1,200+ hp on a proper E85 calibration, but this is outside the stock kit spec.

Q: What transmission works with the Hellephant?

The 8HP90 automatic (used in the Demon 170 and other FCA high-output platforms) is the most common pairing. A properly built Tremec 6-speed is also used in manual applications. The transmission must be rated for the torque output — standard Hellcat gearboxes are not sufficient.

Q: Does FAS Motorsports do Hellephant builds?

FAS specializes in supercharger work on Hellcat-family and related platforms. If your Hellephant build requires supercharger inspection, rebuild, or supporting blower work, contact us to discuss your build plan.

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