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Mopar’s current Direct Connection Hellephant A30 is a supercharged 426-cubic-inch HEMI that the manufacturer rates at 1,000 hp and 950 lb-ft. That makes it a striking example of what a crate engine can offer—but available evidence does not prove that 1,000 hp is an industry-wide benchmark, or that the rating has been independently verified. The relaunched engine’s announced U.S. MSRP was $34,995 in 2025, and its updated controller kit is a separate purchase.
What the Hellephant A30 is—and what it is not
The Hellephant A30 is a Direct Connection crate engine, not an engine offered in a production Mopar vehicle. Its name combines the old 426 HEMI “Elephant” nickname with “Hellcrate,” the name associated with modern supercharged HEMI crate engines. Mopar unveiled the original Hellephant at SEMA in 2018 as a 1,000-hp, 426-cubic-inch supercharged engine. Stellantis’ 2018 announcement is the historical launch account; current specifications should be taken from the current product listing.
Hellephant A30 specifications
Direct Connection’s current product page lists the A30 under part number P5160194AD. These are manufacturer-published specifications, not independently measured results.
| Specification | Manufacturer listing |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 426 cubic inches |
| Bore × stroke | 4.125 × 4.000 inches |
| Rated output | 1,000 hp and 950 lb-ft |
| Supercharger | Upgraded IHI 3.0L twin-screw |
| Compression ratio | 9.5:1 |
| Peak rpm | 6,800 rpm |
| Fuel recommendation | Premium fuel |
Specifications are from the Direct Connection Hellephant A30 product page. The rating describes the engine as advertised by its manufacturer; it should not be treated as a verified output for a particular installed vehicle.
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What changed in the relaunched A30
Stellantis’ 2025 relaunch announcement describes a refreshed engine package with structural and rotating-assembly changes alongside the upgraded supercharger. The announced hardware includes:
- A redesigned GEN III aluminum block with select six-bolt main caps.
- A forged-steel, eight-counterweight crankshaft and forged-steel H-beam connecting rods.
- Forged pistons and an upgraded IHI 3.0L twin-screw supercharger.
- A lightweight billet belt tensioner.
The release also specifies injector, throttle-body, cylinder-head and valvetrain details, but those component details do not change the central distinction: the 1,000-hp figure is the manufacturer’s rating, not an independent test result. See the 2025 Stellantis relaunch announcement for the full hardware description.
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Price and what the controller kit adds
Stellantis announced a U.S. MSRP of $34,995 for the relaunched A30 in 2025. The announcement said ordering opened November 4 at the 2025 SEMA Show and shipments would begin in November 2025. Those dates are past; the announcement does not establish present dealer stock or current transaction pricing, so check with a Direct Connection dealer for availability and an up-to-date quote.
The engine’s updated controller kit, part number 77072500AE, is sold separately. Direct Connection says the revised calibration is intended for the updated engine and that earlier controller kits are no longer compatible. The Mopar eStore listing describes the kit as including the engine wiring and power-distribution-center kit, PCM, wideband oxygen sensors, ground jumper, accelerator pedal, intake duct, charge-air temperature sensor, CAN bus interface device, fuel-pump control module and instruction sheet. It states that the engine is sold separately.
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The eStore listing also describes a three-year/100,000-mile parts-exchange warranty, subject to purchase and documentation conditions. Review the listing and confirm the applicable terms before buying; warranty details are not a substitute for checking what is covered for a specific purchase.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Vehicle use and legality depend on the build
Stellantis’ 2025 release says the A30 can be used in race-only or pre-1976 vehicles when paired with the updated controller kit. That is not a blanket statement that every Hellephant conversion is legal for public-road use. Emissions requirements, registration rules and road-use legality depend on the vehicle, the conversion and the relevant jurisdiction; the cited announcement does not resolve those questions for a particular build.
Does 1,000 hp qualify as the new benchmark?
As a description of the Hellephant A30, 1,000 hp is clear: the current Direct Connection page lists that output, and Stellantis used the same rating for the original engine in 2018 and the relaunched A30. In that sense, the Hellephant makes a strong case for 1,000 hp as a headline figure in the crate-engine market.
“The new benchmark,” however, is an argument rather than a demonstrated industry-wide fact. The sources establish the Hellephant’s advertised output and its announced price, but do not provide a current, apples-to-apples survey of competing engines or independent testing. Stellantis’ 2022 announcement also mentioned a 1,500-hp crate engine offered by DSR Performance; that historical reference cautions against calling the Hellephant the most powerful, but does not establish that the other engine is currently available or directly comparable. The 2022 Stellantis announcement introduced the broader Hellephant and HurriCrate family, including variants whose output figures were described as preliminary estimates. Those estimates should not be treated as confirmed current specifications.
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The A30 is relevant to builders planning a high-output HEMI swap who can accommodate a 426-cubic-inch supercharged engine, budget separately for its controller kit and verify the rules for their vehicle and location. Before committing, confirm current engine and kit availability, compatibility with the intended build, installation requirements and applicable legal requirements with the manufacturer or an experienced installer.
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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.
