Hemi is back...and it will not replace RHO HO Hurricane

[RamFan]

Yeah, but then you wouldn't be comparing apples to apples. Stock against stock, or modded against modded. The Hurricane may be capable of 700 HP Hellcat power, but the Hellcat is capable of 1200+ HP.

It’s already capable of 700hp.

When you get to 1200hp on the Hemi block, you looking at a completely different engine. And a small cost of $30k dollars.

You give someone $30k to modify a Hurricane, they’ll easily surpass that. And it would still be at 3L compared to the 7L Hemi.

As you know, you’ll make more power with turbos than a blower. Let’s continue bench racing.

Chris

 

[JS59]

Read article yesterday that they might consider 5.7 in RHO. Not sure if 400hp would be enough though

I think they already announced where the 5.7 will and won't be available. I can't remember the "cut line", but I think everything that is standard with the HO Hurricane only has that as an option. So no 5.7 for the RHO, Limited and Tungsten. It would be a dog anyway - probably in the 7 seconds plus range 0-60 and worse mileage (lugging an extra 800-1000 lbs, 35" tires, etc.) than the 3.0. I don't think it would sell! The 392 is another story . . .

 

[FrankNSteinPC]

Oh I'd be willing to bet you can pull more than 1000hp out of the hurricane. It would take some doing of course

If a bolt-on tune can get us over 700 hp, then, yeah, I'm sure we could reach 1,000 hp if we wanted. I would be happy to do some minor mods and get it over 700hp. Even at 540 hp, this thing is fun as heck to drive. I was running dunes and didn't feel like I needed "more" power. I know people want the V8 sound, but considering how this RHO performs with the inline six, I'm quite happy they're keeping it as their premier engine choice.

 

[AnthonyRI]

The HEMI always had an upcharge on it when set up on a vehicle that had a lesser option available, to my knowledge.

2024 1500 Bighorn had a Pentastar available for no charge, or HEMI available for $3045. That's with base MSRP of $51,185.

2025 1500 Bighorn had a Pentastar available for no charge, or Hurricane available for $2695 That's with a base MSRP of $51,535.
(and a lot more standard features)

2026 1500 Bighorn has a Pentastar available for no charge, or Hurricane available for $1695. That's with a base MSRP of $52,130.


TBD we'll see what the pricing on the Pentastar, Hurricane, and HEMI all look like together on the same vehicle next week. If it's $1200 flat over the pentastar, that makes it cheaper than 2024. It might actually be $1200 for the HEMI above the hurricane, which would still, if no other changes, be less than a 2024 MSRP. We'll see next week.

HEMI is open - here's how the pricing actually works

Tradesman/Bighorn
- V6 Pentastar is STANDARD $0
- SO Hurricane is optional at $1695
- HEMI $2895

Laramie
- SO Hurricane is STANDARD $0
- HEMI $1200

Limited/Longhorn
- HO Hurricane is STANDARD $0
- HEMI optional $0

 

[Eighty]

It’s already capable of 700hp.

When you get to 1200hp on the Hemi block, you looking at a completely different engine. And a small cost of $30k dollars.

You give someone $30k to modify a Hurricane, they’ll easily surpass that. And it would still be at 3L compared to the 7L Hemi.

As you know, you’ll make more power with turbos than a blower. Let’s continue bench racing.

Chris

Problem with the RHO is that the entire driveline isn't capable of high power. You'd have to upgrade the transmission to an 8HP95 or better, upgrade the driveshaft, etc.

 

[RamFan]

Problem with the RHO is that the entire driveline isn't capable of high power. You'd have to upgrade the transmission to an 8HP95 or better, upgrade the driveshaft, etc.

The only part that “may” need upgrading would be the transmission. Driveshaft and rear end are the same as the TRX.


Chris

 

[Eighty]

The only part that “may” need upgrading would be the transmission. Driveshaft and rear end are the same as the TRX.


Chris

You sure the driveshaft is the same? I was looking up parts on Mopar, and the driveshaft part number didn’t seem to match.
I hope you’re wrong, and you have a newer driveshaft. If you have the TRX driveshaft, then you’ll be hating life soon. They all clunk. I just spent $1500 and the better part of my weekend replacing mine with an aftermarket one.

 

[Eighty]

And for what it’s worth, the transmission definitely needs replacing if you’re upgrading on power. The 8HP75 is only rated for 550 ft-lbs of torque. that’s not much more than your stock engine already produces.

 

[frogjbm]

What is the concern about the e-torque? I had this in my 2021 Ram Rebel and loved it, not so much for the additional torque in certain circumstances, but the start stop feature. The start stop feature was instant and flawless. Much better than cranking the starter.

Did you just admit you actually use and like the auto stop/start? That's a first.

 

[yoda33073]

I don't understand this strategy at all. You want to bring back and old engine and then charge 1200 more for it. How much is this costing RAM to implement? And it looks like its just E-Torque right now... I don't like that. And I bet a lot of others wont like it either.

There is a cost factor to get the hemi back in the time frame they're doing it. When they "killed" the Hemi, all the people that make parts for that engine and ultimately make the engine (in Mexico), have to resupply and start building the parts again. Thats not super easy to do and costs money. And having a V8 option on top of the Hurricane is something they should have done in the first place. I love the Hurricane. I wouldnt want a V8 back. Also, am I the only one who hates the new Hemi emblem? Its terrible. Horns and an engine? Come on??

 

[frogjbm]

You sure the driveshaft is the same? I was looking up parts on Mopar, and the driveshaft part number didn’t seem to match.
I hope you’re wrong, and you have a newer driveshaft. If you have the TRX driveshaft, then you’ll be hating life soon. They all clunk. I just spent $1500 and the better part of my weekend replacing mine with an aftermarket one.

@RamFan The differentials are not the same between TRX and RHO. The TRX uses the Dana 60 while the RHO uses the Dana 44, while both similar, the TRX Dana 60 is more robust.

 

[Myers1981]

And for what it’s worth, the transmission definitely needs replacing if you’re upgrading on power. The 8HP75 is only rated for 550 ft-lbs of torque. that’s not much more than your stock engine already produces.

What would the upgraded trans be? Is it a direct bolt on if someone wanted to build a high hp rho in the future?

 

[Scottie2Hottie]

And for what it’s worth, the transmission definitely needs replacing if you’re upgrading on power. The 8HP75 is only rated for 550 ft-lbs of torque. that’s not much more than your stock engine already produces.

Doesn’t need replacing. I would reach out to one of the multitude of ZF transmission specialists used by BMW M owners. They upgrade their 8HP76 to handle 1200 TQ numbers all day long.

 

[Ctech-Review]

@RamFan The differentials are not the same between TRX and RHO. The TRX uses the Dana 60 while the RHO uses the Dana 44, while both similar, the TRX Dana 60 is more robust.

TRX and RHO both use a Dana 60 rear axle, both use same Transfercase also. Front diff is different though between the two trucks.

edit: Looks like both the TRX and the RHO use the Dana 215mm front diff also. TRX 3.55 gearing RHO 3.92 gearing

 

[Eighty]

What would the upgraded trans be? Is it a direct bolt on if someone wanted to build a high hp rho in the future?

The 8HP95 (used in the TRX) is rated for 738 ft-lbs of torque, so that would be an upgrade for sure. The stock Hellcat puts out about 650 ft-lbs, so there’s some room for the Hellcat to be upgraded. But not unlimited room.
Not sure if it’s a bolt-on swap, though.

 

[frogjbm]

TRX and RHO both use a Dana 60 rear axle, both use same Transfercase also. Front diff is different though between the two trucks.

edit: Looks like both the TRX and the RHO use the Dana 215mm front diff also. TRX 3.55 gearing RHO 3.92 gearing

Got it...thanks for the clarification, but are you sure, because there are so many sources on the web with incorrect information then, even AI, because they show the RHO uses the Dana 44 on the rear. Either way, what's the difference up front?

 

[Buddy Lee]

Got it...thanks for the clarification, but are you sure, because there are so many sources on the web with incorrect information then, even AI, because they show the RHO uses the Dana 44 on the rear. Either way, what's the difference up front?

I have a rubicon with Ultimate Dana 60's I installed. The rear axle on my RHO is the same size, definitely a Dana 60.

 

[gram10]

Doesn’t need replacing. I would reach out to one of the multitude of ZF transmission specialists used by BMW M owners. They upgrade their 8HP76 to handle 1200 TQ numbers all day long.

This.

Pure drivetrain solutions already has upgrades for our transmission, go to their website and take a look. https://www.puredrivetrainsolutions...upgrades/p/8hp75-stage-1-transmission-upgrade
They have dodge specific upgrades too, but nothing yet listing the rho.

Also, in terms of bmw, the 8hp45 in my old 340 was rated for 368ftlbs, myself and many others, with a line pressure bump ran 600ftlbs very safely. Of course you need a tcu tuner to do that, but point is the hardware can take it.
Also, big bmw problem early on was the tcu torque limiters cutting power. Not sure if this platform will have the same issue at some point.

 

[Ctech-Review]

Got it...thanks for the clarification, but are you sure, because there are so many sources on the web with incorrect information then, even AI, because they show the RHO uses the Dana 44 on the rear. Either way, what's the difference up front?

Wait the Internet and AI are wrong? . haha all good. Check out this video...shows the build of materials for the 2025 Ram DT you can see each component

 

[Ctech-Review]

This.

Pure drivetrain solutions already has upgrades for our transmission, go to their website and take a look. https://www.puredrivetrainsolutions...upgrades/p/8hp75-stage-1-transmission-upgrade
They have dodge specific upgrades too, but nothing yet listing the rho.

Also, in terms of bmw, the 8hp45 in my old 340 was rated for 368ftlbs, myself and many others, with a line pressure bump ran 600ftlbs very safely. Of course you need a tcu tuner to do that, but point is the hardware can take it.
Also, big bmw problem early on was the tcu torque limiters cutting power. Not sure if this platform will have the same issue at some point.

the key is line pressure...I am not sure but are any of the piggy back tunes addressing trans line pressures? I know this is a big deal once you start adding power. I have little concern this 8HP75 not being reliable even with an extra 100-150hp...once trans tuning is released