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Direct Connection Reveals Updated Hellephant and 354 Crate Engines at SEMA 2025

Direct Connection’s 2025 SEMA announcement covered an upgraded 1,000-hp Hellephant A30 and a 354 Supercharged Drag Pak HEMI crate engine, with separate kits and launch-era prices.
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At the 2025 SEMA Show, Direct Connection announced upgraded versions of the Hellephant A30 426 and the 354 Supercharged Drag Pak HEMI crate engine. The Hellephant is rated by Stellantis at 1,000 hp and 950 lb-ft; the 354 is a crate version of the engine used in the 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak. The announced U.S. MSRPs were $34,995 and $63,995, respectively, but those are launch-era figures—not confirmation of current prices, stock, or delivery times.

What Direct Connection announced at SEMA

The November 3, 2025 announcement was a relaunch of two upgraded crate engines, not the Hellephant’s first-ever reveal. Stellantis said orders would open November 4. The two engines serve different builds: the Hellephant A30 is a 426-cubic-inch, supercharged street/strip-style engine intended for race-only or pre-1976 vehicles with the appropriate kit, while the 354 is a race-engine crate offering tied to the 2026 Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak. Neither should be treated as a universal drop-in choice.

Stellantis described both engines as receiving redesigned GEN III aluminum blocks and lightweight billet supercharger belt tensioners. Their other revisions and hardware differ.

Hellephant A30 426 specifications and upgrades

Stellantis lists the Hellephant A30 at 426 cubic inches, 1,000 hp and 950 lb-ft. These are manufacturer-stated specifications, not independent test results.

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426 Hemi Hellephant Weathered T-Shirt T-Shirt
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Specification Hellephant A30 426
Displacement 426 cubic inches
Manufacturer-stated output 1,000 hp and 950 lb-ft
Bore x stroke 4.125 x 4.000 inches
Compression ratio 9.5:1
Peak rpm 6,800
Supercharger Upgraded IHI 3.0L twin-screw
Fuel recommendation Premium fuel

The announced internal and block revisions include selected six-bolt main caps and precision CNC torque-plate-honed cylinders in the redesigned aluminum block, a new forged-steel eight-counterweight crankshaft, and forged-steel H-beam connecting rods with ARP 2000 bolts. The updated supercharger is an IHI 3.0L twin-screw unit.

354 Supercharged Drag Pak HEMI: race-engine context

The 354 is presented as a crate version of the championship-winning engine powering the 2026 Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak. Stellantis announced a redesigned GEN III aluminum block, a billet eight-counterweight crankshaft machined from 4330V Timken steel, forged-steel H-beam rods with ARP L19 fasteners, and a lightweight billet belt tensioner. It uses a Whipple 3.0L twin-screw supercharger.

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  • Mopar, HEMI and related logos are trademarks of FCA US LLC and used under license by Snow Commerce. 2023 FCA US LLC
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Direct Connection’s product listing gives the engine a 630-hp NHRA rating for class factoring and parity; the listing explicitly says that figure does not represent actual engine output capability. It should not be compared to the Hellephant’s manufacturer-stated 1,000-hp output as though both numbers measured the same thing.

The listing specifies VP C16 fuel, eight quarts of Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 oil, and Mopar oil filter part 05038041AA. Builders should confirm the current parts and service requirements for the exact engine they are buying.

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MOPAR 426 Hellephant Crate Motor Steel Sign (Small - 12" X 6")
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Announcement-era prices, orders and delivery

Engine Announced U.S. MSRP Launch timing and delivery statement
Hellephant A30 426, part 5160194AD $34,995 Orders opened November 4, 2025; Stellantis said shipments would begin in November 2025.
354 Supercharged Drag Pak HEMI, part P5160354AD $63,995 Orders opened November 4, 2025; described as built to order with expected delivery in four to six weeks.

These prices and delivery statements are what Stellantis announced at the 2025 SEMA launch. They do not establish present-day inventory, current pricing, or a delivery commitment. The official Mopar catalog page surfaced in the available product information lists different Hellephant commercial details, including a $29,995 price and different kit part numbers; it does not resolve which price or part number applies to a current order. Check with Direct Connection or an authorized seller before budgeting or placing an order.

Installation kits, fitment and road-use limits

The engines are not simply complete, universally compatible swap packages. The 2025 announcement identifies separately sold components for installation:

  • Hellephant: Stellantis described race-only or pre-1976 vehicle installation with the upgraded “plug and play” kit, part 77072500AE.
  • 354: The announcement identified ECU kit P5160240AA and Drag Pak electrical/fuel kit P5160239AC for plug-and-play installation.

Verify current part numbers, kit contents, vehicle fitment, and any additional hardware or calibration needs with Direct Connection before choosing a build. “Plug and play” describes the stated kit approach, not a guarantee that either engine fits every vehicle or requires no other work.

Do not assume either combination is street legal. Mopar’s catalog cautions that listed parts without an applicable emissions exemption are not legal on pollution-controlled vehicles or vehicles registered for highway use, and the controller-kit notices warn that fitting certain parts to later-model vehicles driven on public roads may violate emissions rules. Applicable requirements depend on the specific engine, components, vehicle, and jurisdiction; check those rules before purchase or installation.

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How to choose between the two

  • Choose around the intended platform and use. The 354 is associated with the 2026 Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak race car. The Hellephant announcement describes race-only or pre-1976 vehicle installation with its kit.
  • Compare only like-for-like output information. The Hellephant’s 1,000 hp and 950 lb-ft are manufacturer-stated figures; the 354’s 630 hp is an NHRA class-factoring rating, not actual output capability.
  • Budget for the package, not just the engine. Both announcements identify separately sold installation components, and the 354 listing also specifies fuel and service consumables. Current kit prices and availability are not established by the launch announcement.
  • Confirm compliance and fit before committing. The parts, vehicle, and jurisdiction determine compatibility and legal use; no universal compatibility or street-legal claim is supported.

How the crate engines differ from the 2024 block announcement

These complete crate engines should not be confused with the separate engine-block announcement Stellantis made in October 2024. That earlier release described licensed Hellephant A30 and Drag Pak 354 blocks available in machined configurations through Callies Performance Products for custom builds. Its announced MSRPs were $8,815 for the Hellephant A30 block and $10,570 for the Drag Pak 354 block, with ordering then projected for the first quarter of 2025. Those were block prices and projected timing—not prices or order dates for the complete engines relaunched at SEMA in 2025.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
426 Hemi Hellephant Weathered T-Shirt T-Shirt
426 Hemi Hellephant Weathered T-Shirt T-Shirt
Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
$17.99
Bestseller No. 2
Mopar HEMI Engine Blue Hellephant Logo T-Shirt
Mopar HEMI Engine Blue Hellephant Logo T-Shirt
Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
$22.97
Bestseller No. 3
MOPAR 426 Hellephant Crate Motor Steel Sign (Small - 12' X 6')
MOPAR 426 Hellephant Crate Motor Steel Sign (Small - 12" X 6")
MOPAR 426 Hellephant Crate Motor Metal Sign; Built to withstand the weather and the elements, both indoor and outdoor.
$44.95

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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