How Can a 6.4 Hemi Supercharger Improve Your Vehicle?
You’ve probably already heard about the iconic Hemi engine, but we will talk about it a bit further. If you own a vehicle with a Hemi engine, we will go through simple ways to improve the performance and make it even better.
Hemi engines have been around for a while, and everyone knows how great they are. Whether you own a Hemi-powered vehicle or you plan on getting one, it’s never too early to start planning the installation of a 6.4 Hemi supercharger. So, let’s talk about superchargers and how to find the one suitable for your car.
There is a reason why so many drivers are interested in blowers, and nothing you do to your car can improve it as much as a supercharger can. So, start thinking about the future of your engine, and consider buying a blower as soon as possible.
What Is A Hemi?
Before we go into details about how to improve the performance, we need to explain what a Hemi engine is and what makes it so special. Hemi is an engine designed by Chrysler, and it is either an L6 or V8. The name comes from the hemispherical combustion chamber, which is popularly abbreviated to Hemi.
Over the years, many companies had a similar design, but the name Hemi was popularized by Chrysler. Many cars used this engine by Chrysler, and it was mostly models like Plymouth, Dodge, and of course, Chrysler. But more on that later.
The popularity of Hemi engines became rather high, which inspired Chrysler to reintroduce the engine in 2003.
[read more]Evolution of Hemi Engines
The first Hemi engine was introduced in 1951, although Chrysler had been working on it for quite a while. The earlier versions were used in World War II, and the company used their previous experience to upgrade and design a model called Chrysler FirePower.
It was a 5.4-liter engine that offered 180 bhp, and quickly, other Chrysler divisions introduced their own versions of the same engine with different displacements with unique parts. This led to several different versions of the same engine with different names. Dodge had Red Ram, DeSoto used FireDome, and Chrysler and Imperial called their engines FirePower.
There have been three generations of Hemi engines:
- The first generation between 1951 and 1958 called FirePower
- The second generation between 1964 and 1971
- The third generation from 2003, and it’s available today
As we can see, Hemi engines have never been a constant option for all models of Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, etc. The second generation of Hemi engines was introduced in 1964, and it was a 426 cu in engine or 7.0-liter. These engines were available for five years, but Chrysler soon abandoned the design. At least for a while.
Finally, in 2003, Chrysler reintroduced the Hemi, but with many different changes. Most notably, the combustion chambers weren’t hemispherical. (The company decided to keep the name due to its popularity.)
As with previous versions, Hemi engines are available in different sizes and displacements, and they are among the most popular engines you can find on the market.
Vehicles Using Hemi Engines
So, what are the options for the Hemi? Which cars used these models? Let’s take a look at different versions of Hemi engines and some of the most popular vehicles that had them.
The first generation of Hemi offered:
FirePower
- 331 (Chrysler New Yorker 1951–1955, Imperial, Saratoga, Facel Vega, and others)
- 354 (Chrysler New Yorker 1956, 300B, Imperial, Dodge D-501, Dodge C Series)
- 392 (Chrysler New Yorker 1957–1958, Imperial, 300C, 300D)
FireDome DeSoto
- 276 (1952)
- 291 (1955)
- 330 (1956)
- 341 (1956)
- 345 (1957)
Red Ram Dodge
- 241 (1953)
- 270 (1955-1956)
- 315 (1956)
- 325 (1957)
The second generation introduced 426 used in:
- Dodge Coronet
- Dodge Charger
- Dodge Dart
- Dodge Super Bee
- Dodge Daytona
- Dodge Challenger
- Plymouth Satellite
- Plymouth GTX
- Plymouth Barracuda
- Plymouth Road Runner
- Plymouth Superbird
- Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda
Finally, the third generation came out in 2003, and it was used on anything from Dodge Ram pickups to Dodge Chargers. The versions of new Hemi engines are:
- 5.7 version (345)
- 6.1 version (369.7)
- 6.2 Hellcat version (376.3)
- 6.2 Demon version
- 6.4 version (392)
So, if you are looking for a supercharger, it is essential to know the size or displacement of the engine, as well as the series, since each of these models had a couple of different versions.
Superchargers for Hemi
Using a supercharger with Hemi engines is nothing new. In racing, blowers (usually Roots-type) have been in use since the second generation of Hemi engines, and you can even find newer models with preinstalled superchargers.
A typical example are the 6.2-liter engines Hellcat and Demon since both arrive with superchargers already installed. Hellcat uses a twin screw, and it was the most powerful engine designed by Chrysler. At least until Demon was introduced.
Demon also used a twin-screw blower, and it can reach 840 horsepower! The engine and the supercharger were used in the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon from 2018.
| Dodge Demon | 0-60 in 2.3 seconds | 840 horsepower |
|---|---|---|
| Dodge Hellcat | 0.60 in 3.4 seconds | 717 horsepower |
If you own any other vehicle except ones with Demon or Hellcat, you might want to consider installing a supercharger for your 5.7 Hemi, for example. There are many different options you can find on the market, and the most popular are:
- Twin-screw
- Roots
- Whipple
Of course, this doesn’t mean that these are the only available options, and you can also go for a centrifugal supercharger if you feel like it. All three of the versions we mentioned are positive displacement pumps, and Whipple is a type of twin screw but with a specific number of lobes.
This allows different results from each type of supercharger on the list, and it is up to you to pick the one you like the most. In general, adding a supercharger can increase the power of the engine by over 70%, but it mostly depends on the model of the engine and the blower you pick.
392 Hemi Supercharger
For newer models with the Hemi engine, getting a supercharger is an excellent option. We already mentioned the third generation of Hemi, and it includes the 392 cu in engine introduced in 2005.
This is a 6.4-liter model that offers 525 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. The engine itself became available in 2007 as a crate version, and it had aluminum-alloy pistons. It became known by the name 392 HEMI, and the production version of this model started in 2011. The first vehicle that used 392 HEMI was the Dodge Challenger SRT8.
In other uses, the engine can provide 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This is for the models before the upgrade. In 2015, the power of the engine was increased to 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque.
There are several vehicles using the 392 HEMI:
- Dodge Challenger SRT 392
- Dodge Charger SRT 392
- Dodge Durango SRT
- Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT
- Jeep Grand Wagoneer
- Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 392
- Dodge Ram (2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500)
Dodge Ram versions had a revised version of the 392, offering better fuel economy and more suitable power. So, getting a supercharger for the 392 engine is always a good idea regardless of the model you have. Each of these vehicles can benefit from using a blower since it will provide a significant increase in performance. Considering that the Ram versions have less power compared to the SRT models, getting a blower will make a world of difference.
Dodge Ram 6.4 Hemi Supercharger
As with any other type of car, you need to know the series and model of the truck to know the power and what type of blower you need to buy. The reason why this is important is that there are different series of Ram that offer various power based on the model.
For example, the 2500 and 3500 series of Dodge Ram offer 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. However, the 3500 Mega Cab has 370 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. Even though the engine in both is the same 392, the power on the output varies.
Finally, the 4500 and 5500 have the lowest output with 366 horsepower. If you get a Dodge Ram supercharger that offers a 50% increase in hp, the difference will be even more noticeable. In addition, each of these models has a 6.4-liter engine, but you can’t use one 6.4 Hemi supercharger on all of them. Each series of Ram will need to use its own blower, which is why you need to know both the series and the year it was manufactured.
| 6.4-liter HEMI 2005 | 525 horsepower | 510 lb-ft of torque |
|---|---|---|
| 6.4-liter HEMI Charger | 470 horsepower | 470 lb-ft of torque |
| 6.4-liter HEMI Charger 2015 | 485 horsepower | 475 lb-ft of torque |
| 6.4-liter HEMI 2500/3500 | 410 horsepower | 429 lb-ft of torque |
| 6.4-liter HEMI 3500 Mega | 370 horsepower | 429 lb-ft of torque |
| 6.4-liter HEMI 4500/5500 | 366 horsepower | 429 lb-ft of torque |
Fortunately, there are plenty of different models you can find on the market, and you won’t have any issues finding a blower for your Ram regardless of the year or series. Our recommendation would be to go for a supercharger kit since it arrives with all the necessary parts for the installation, and you can find a model for a specific year/series of Dodge Ram.
SRT 6 Supercharger Cuts Off? Changed Pump? Potential Problems?
You might have heard stories about Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 and problems happening with the supercharger. But that doesn’t have to be the case for your SRT or Ram. The first thing we should mention is that even though this is a Chrysler car, Crossfire doesn’t use a Hemi engine.
In fact, Crossfire is based on the Mercedes platform, which makes it closer to the European market than other Chrysler models designed in the U.S. If you follow the installation process and replace all the necessary parts like fuel pumps, and others, you shouldn’t experience any problems with your supercharger.
Furthermore, the safest option is to leave your car at the service and let the professionals install the blower for you. While it will increase the overall price of the supercharger, it is the simplest way to avoid any potential problems.
Those that feel comfortable enough to install the blower by themselves should be extra careful and follow the step-by-step guide provided by the manufacturer. Keep in mind that superchargers for 6.4 Hemi engines are designed specifically for one series of engines. That means that each blower you find will be a perfect fit as long as you buy the right model.
To eliminate any doubt, you can always talk to the service, manufacturer, or supplier, and the more info you have, the better. We should mention that having problems with a supercharger is not something you encounter often, and you will avoid all of them if the installation is done properly.
Why You Need a Supercharger for Your 6.4 Hemi
Installing a supercharger can be so much fun. It will give you an extra 100 or even more than 200 horsepower, and it will be more than enough to transform your vehicle. Moreover, since we are talking about 6.4 Hemi engines, the power output is already impressive. So, you can imagine how incredible it will be after the upgrade.
There are numerous reasons why someone would want to supercharge a Hemi engine, and it mostly depends on the model of the car and what the driver is looking to achieve. These engines designed by Chrysler are rather popular for drag racing, and we already have supercharged models and series designed for racing.
But even if you have a Dodge Ram, there is nothing stopping you from improving the performance even further. One of the most appealing things about blowers is that the entire process is reversible. Nothing you change in your car is permanent, and you can always remove the supercharger if you don’t like it. But this isn’t a likely scenario because who in their right mind would say no to more horsepower?
So, the real question here isn’t “Why should you install a supercharger?” but rather “Why shouldn’t you?”
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