[Jeep TrackHawk News]

While we’re waiting for Jeep’s Hellcat Trackhawk to hit showroom floors, one person decided to shoehorn a 707-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter Dodge Hellcat V8 into a 2016 Ram 4x4.

Midland Chrysler, a dealership from Ontario, helped a customer install the Hellcat power plant into a TorRed 2016 Ram. Leading the build was master technician Kev Byrnes and the project started with Midland buying a new Hellcat engine from another dealership in South Carolina.

They kept the factory 8-speed automatic transmission and four wheel drive system but changes had to be made to accommodate the new engine. Wiring issues had to be fixed and a body lift was applied so that the engine would actually fit under the hood. Like the TrackHawk, having all 707 ponies under the hood would put pressure on a driveshaft that wasn’t designed to handle so much power. Their solution was to go for carbon fiber. Maybe the new Jeep TrackHawk will also get a carbon fiber driveshaft.

On Facebook, Midland Chrysler thinks that with the addition of the Diablo and cold air the RamCat could possibly make a bit more than 707 horsepower. Great numbers but it does come at a hefty price, the Hellcat engine alone will set you back $45,000 and then there’s the labour costs and any other parts they need to machine.

If you have $90,000 lying around and can’t wait for the Trackhawk, then maybe a custom Hellcat Jeep is what you’re looking for.

 

[TrackBird]

There should have been a HellCat Ram produced in the first place. We had the SRT-10 Ram and that thing was cool as ****. Made sales, even with 9mpg in the city LOL

 

[BlackHawk]

RAM is probably just waiting for the right moment, and with the rate things are going it might just be the last performance vehicle they launch or maybe not at all, hopefully not that last one.

 

[HellKitty]

There will be no pick-up truck comparable to the Ram if they put that engine into the Ram in terms of straight line performance. That being said.. there wasn't either before.

 

[BlackHawk]

Well, Ford has the Raptor and tuning companies are quick to jump on it. So someone in this segment shopping around would more than likely be open to doing that... 2017 Raptor + Hennessy Kit = Hellcat Trouble

 

[TrackBird]

But then you have to look at price. Raptor your looking at $51k plus taxes and whatever other fees.

The denali that they got to race the hellcat underwent $25k worth of work to get it from 420hp to 665hp.

The 2017 Raptor has about 411hp and may require additional components because it seems pretty tuned.

I`m not too sure if that price is justifiable for something that`ll keep up with the Hellcat, lose factory warranty, and be potentially plagued by Hennessy`s horrible reputation in quality and customer service.

 

[BlackHawk]

All depends on what someone is willing to pay and put up with but the fact is once you get this high up in price range your open to moving in that direction, much more than someone who say can only afford a Cherokee Trailhawk. But there will be a portion of those here going that direction.

 

[HellKitty]

That is very true. If your in the market to spend $75k+ then you're open to the options of buying something else to build up to and potentially surpass what is the TrackHawk. There's so many different routes you can take as well with the aftermarket support to back it no problem.

 

[JeepersCreepers]

For $90,000 you may as well just get the trackhawk instead of a Hellcat Ram. You may lose the truck bed but you gain more off road capability and a lighter body for faster acceleration in a straight line.

 

[HellKitty]

Well of course, you can buy a hella lot of things for $90k that could perform the same, if not outperform either/or. But for those that require or want that extra space, this is a good alternative.

 

[BlackHawk]

Yup, it's why people buy Cayenne's, RR SVR, etc. There's a market for these and it's only growing, and going higher in price in segments above it, demand is still consistent. Just look out for what Bentley, Lamborghini, etc will be doing.

 

[TrackBird]

I've seen a review on the Bentayga I think and the individual that was driving it, quite wealthy, was saying that there's no way he would spend money to buy it, it was just pointless

 

[HellKitty]

$220k+ is quite a huge amount for what it is. The Trackhawk will come in at like half of that lol. Yea you won't have the luxuries but you can add certain things outside of the dealership

 

[TrackBird]

I mean... I see what your saying, but it's not the same as Bentley quality. It's one of those vehicles you buy if you don't really have any budget. But hopefully the Jeep will have enough power to outrun that too

 

[BlackHawk]

No one is buying a Hellcat/TrackHawk hoping it was more luxurious, had better quality, etc lol, that's not what people are after here. The reasons for buying a Bentayga and the reasons for buying a TrackHawk. And when your working with a vehicle as heavy as this is and priced as affordable as it is for what it is, you can't expect too much from it from the factory. Any significant gains in power to make a real difference in the power to weight ratio will come from the aftermarket.

 

[JeepersCreepers]

I'm expecting cheap plastics on the inside, cloth seats, etc. But that's ok, because I'm not getting it for leather wrapped seats and all the shiny bits and bobs, we're getting the trackhawk for the beastly hellcat engine.

 

[BlackHawk]

What ever it turns out to be i won't mind since I rather them get the performance right then work on these small stuff that don't matter all that much. Price point will be important as well, if they price it competitively anyone with their priorities in line wont think much of it.

 

[TrackBird]

For sure the cheap plastics. I doubt that will ever change lol. The engine is seriously all I'm looking forward to. Any other creature comforts, I can add on my own elsewhere. Not much of an issue.