2026 HEMI or Hurricane?

[SD Rebel]

I'm not gonna lie, if my Limited did not get hit, I'd still be happily driving my HEMI. My 20 never had a serious issue. The exhaust manifolds and the AC TSB were it; they replaced the leather dash as a goodwill but mine was not bad nor was that a HEMI related issue. The exhaust manifolds were my only HEMI related issue. The extra power and overall better drivability of the hurricane over the HEMI is definitely there and very significant BUT its not significant enough for me to have bought a new truck solely for that reason.

I like the Tungsten and have liked it since the announcement of the trim level and I was thinking about it over the summer but only because 2025 is the only year of the seasalt/indigo interior. I do not like the black interior and if that were the only option, I wouldn't buy one which was going to be the case in 26 and up year models. My plan was to look in 27 when my Limiteds warranty expired but the accident and the availability of the seasalt interior forced my hand.

For all my complaints about the HEMI, I was happy enough with it that I had no real plans to buy a new truck, however the accident forced my hand. In driving all 3 trucks, there was no way I was buying a HEMI powered truck over the hurricanes.
If I were buying today, hurricane, not even a second thought
If I were not forced into a position to buy a new truck, I'd still be driving my HEMI and happy even though a hurricane truck could smoke it like a cigar.

I'm sold on the Hurricane as well, if I was buying a new RAM in the states, I would be getting an RHO. However, I'm relocating half the year in the Philippines, and will be buying my new Rebel over there and it will be a Hurricane powered one. Mainly for the reasons you outlined, but also because it's cheaper to register with the 3.0L and it will be doing a whole lot of heavy low speed traffic and idling for most of it's life over there, which I don't think suits the 5.7L as much. Though a lot of Rebel owners in the PH (they only sell Rebel editions there) have had good reliability with the 5.7L in those conditions.

I'll keep my Rebel here and a Hurricane over there, good combination I think.

 

[bunk22]

I can understand that, all my friends are car guys with modded cars. I didn't mod my 5.7 and as easy as the hurricane is to increase power, I have zero interest in messing with it. I want quiet and luxury while still having a truck.
I can get in my car for the V8 rumble/modded V8 rumble but I get tired of that S fast

Yeah, I'm not going to mod my 5.7 much, but I do want the Borla ATAK exhaust for the sound. That will be it for me. My days of modding are over, too old, back aches lol

 

[Peterhenric]

My brother has a 23 with the Hemi and I’ve got a 25 with the Hurricane. He has engine envy. I don’t.

But seriously, the Hurricane is quiet, smooth, and insanely powerful. You have a nice luxury truck and the Hurricane is the perfect engine. I don’t want to hear my engine, I just want to feel my engine pulling me down the street.

 

[mikeru82]

Let’s face it, it’s all about the bottom line. Stellantis took it in the nose when they dropped the V8 option from the 1500 line. They needed to stop the bleeding as fast as they could so they brought back the last V8 they had been using. It was the cheapest and fastest option. I doubt that they gave any serious thought to redesigning the Hemi because of the costs and time involved. 99.9% of the buyers who wanted a V8 probably don’t know the difference between etorque and non-etorque. And the number of people who dislike etorque enough to not buy one isn’t even a blip on Ram’s sales numbers. It was a no brainer and will dramatically help with their 1500 sales numbers for 2026 models.

As far as redesigning the Hemi goes I’m all for it. I hope they do that. I’m just not gonna hold my breath waiting for that to happen.

 

[silver billet]

Let’s face it, it’s all about the bottom line. Stellantis took it in the nose when they dropped the V8 option from the 1500 line. They needed to stop the bleeding as fast as they could so they brought back the last V8 they had been using. It was the cheapest and fastest option. I doubt that they gave any serious thought to redesigning the Hemi because of the costs and time involved. 99.9% of the buyers who wanted a V8 probably don’t know the difference between etorque and non-etorque. And the number of people who dislike etorque enough to not buy one isn’t even a blip on Ram’s sales numbers. It was a no brainer and will dramatically help with their 1500 sales numbers for 2026 models.

You know what would help their market share even more? Getting the 485 hp 6.4 out in base trims. What in the world is taking them so long, its beyond me.

As far as redesigning the Hemi goes I’m all for it. I hope they do that. I’m just not gonna hold my breath waiting for that to happen.

Rumour is that they were working on a smaller displacement v8, like a 4.x or something like that before the dude in Europe canned the project along with the hemis.

I'm glad the guys with turbos are happy with their rides. I have no problem with them buying what makes them happy, just as long as there remains the option of buying the v8 engine for a reasonable upcharge in base trims.

 

[mikeru82]

You know what would help their market share even more? Getting the 485 hp 6.4 out in base trims. What in the world is taking them so long, its beyond me.

Trust me, I’d love to have that option. But it wouldn’t help their bottom line. Keep in mind that they were likely trying to reintroduce a V8 option at the lowest cost for them to do that. Most Ram 1500 buyers who want a V8 option are satisfied with the 5.7.

 

[silver billet]

Trust me, I’d love to have that option. But it wouldn’t help their bottom line. Keep in mind that they were likely trying to reintroduce a V8 option at the lowest cost for them to do that. Most Ram 1500 buyers who want a V8 option are satisfied with the 5.7.

Don't agree. Look at all those GM 6.2 buyers, there is a huge market for powerful v8s. Ram 1500 buyers are "satisfied", doesn't have anything to do with the ones who passed on ram for only having the entry v8.

The 6.4 as an option, would bring Ram from having the weakest v8 in the class, to the most powerful v8 in the class. It's a significant advantage for them.

The 6.4 is not really any more expensive than the 5.7 to produce.

 

[mikeru82]

Don't agree. Look at all those GM 6.2 buyers, there is a huge market for powerful v8s. Ram 1500 buyers are "satisfied", doesn't have anything to do with the ones who passed on ram for only having the entry v8.

The 6.4 as an option, would bring Ram from having the weakest v8 in the class, to the most powerful v8 in the class. It's a significant advantage for them.

The 6.4 is not really any more expensive than the 5.7 to produce.

That’s the beauty of living in a free country…you don’t have to agree with me.

You’re missing my point. Stellantis wasn’t interested in spending any more than necessary to offer a 1500 with a V8 again. Upgrading that V8 engine option to the 6.4 would have cost them a lot more in R&D money when they were trying to stop the bleeding from when they stopped offering a V8 option in a 1500. It’s not about the cost of the 6.4 versus the 5.7. They’ve never offered the 6.4 in a 1500 so that would necessitate significant R&D to implement in these trucks. They can’t just drop it in.

Stellantis doesn’t seem interested in offering the most powerful V8 in any of their trucks. And for the most part the buying public seems to accept the 5.7 in a 1500. At least those outside this and other Ram forums, which is by far the vast majority of Ram truck buyers.

 

[silver billet]

That’s the beauty of living in a free country…you don’t have to agree with me.

You’re missing my point. Stellantis wasn’t interested in spending any more than necessary to offer a 1500 with a V8 again. Upgrading that V8 engine option to the 6.4 would have cost them a lot more in R&D money when they were trying to stop the bleeding from when they stopped offering a V8 option in a 1500. It’s not about the cost of the 6.4 versus the 5.7. They’ve never offered the 6.4 in a 1500 so that would necessitate significant R&D to implement in these trucks. They can’t just drop it in.

Stellantis doesn’t seem interested in offering the most powerful V8 in any of their trucks. And for the most part the buying public seems to accept the 5.7 in a 1500. At least those outside this and other Ram forums, which is by far the vast majority of Ram truck buyers.

Nope, it doesn't cost that much to get the 6.4 in these trucks, they stuff this thing in literally everything else including the jeep wrangler where it makes the least sense. Your argument doesn't carry water, sorry.

It's also safe to say the 6.4 is coming. We don't know "when", but it's pretty much a given that it is going to happen. They most certainly are interested in recouping lost sales any way they can.

 

[BowDown]

The jeep is a lot lighter than a 1500, 5000 lbs vs 5500-6500lbs.
The jeep 6.4 isn't the same as the car 6.4, 470 vs 485 and in a heavy 1500, it'd need another cam and tune revision and possibly another compression change which would likely cost another 20-25 hp. Then they'd need to get the engine CARB certified for that chassis.

At this point, the 6.4 is down to 440-450 ish HP and still have the expense of the R&D to get there.
They still have the carb certification expense and the fact that the 6.4 lowers the cafe numbers for the 1500.

And finally, there's been rumors of the 6.4 hoing into the 1500 for 2-3 years yet it's not happened.
I'll believe the 6.4 in the 1500 when I see it and even if it did happen, it won't be anything like the car 6.4

 

[mikeru82]

Nope, it doesn't cost that much to get the 6.4 in these trucks, they stuff this thing in literally everything else including the jeep wrangler where it makes the least sense. Your argument doesn't carry water, sorry.

It's also safe to say the 6.4 is coming. We don't know "when", but it's pretty much a given that it is going to happen. They most certainly are interested in recouping lost sales any way they can.

You’ve been hitting that bottle a little too much if you think it wouldn’t cost that much to adapt the 6.4 for the 1500. But who am I to judge?

 

[SD Rebel]

Don't agree. Look at all those GM 6.2 buyers, there is a huge market for powerful v8s. Ram 1500 buyers are "satisfied", doesn't have anything to do with the ones who passed on ram for only having the entry v8.

The 6.4 as an option, would bring Ram from having the weakest v8 in the class, to the most powerful v8 in the class. It's a significant advantage for them.

The 6.4 is not really any more expensive than the 5.7 to produce.

The Hemi isn't the weakest V8, that would be the 5.3L in the GM trucks, and was their volume motor across trucks and SUVs.

I think the last thing Stellantis wants is more V8s in the 1500, I think they want to be more like Ford with Hurricanes being the volume motors (like their EcoBoost 3.5L & 2.7L), and the Hemi being similar to the Coyote for people who just want a v8.

Would love the 6.4L though.

 

[silver billet]

You’ve been hitting that bottle a little too much if you think it wouldn’t cost that much to adapt the 6.4 for the 1500. But who am I to judge?

As I said, look at the wrangler. How much did it cost to stuff it in there vs uptake/payback, compared to doing the same thing in their most popular model in the entire corporate lineup, the 1500.

The whiskey is great. Its Canadian (of course).

 

[silver billet]

The Hemi isn't the weakest V8, that would be the 5.3L in the GM trucks, and was their volume motor across trucks and SUVs.

It's the weakest v8 if you want the strongest v8 in a brand.

Look at it this way. I want the strongest v8 I can get in a half ton. Where do you go? GM has the 6.2; thrashes the 5.7. Ford has the 5.0, it beats the 5.7. The 5.7 is the weakest one, why would I pick Ram?

I think the last thing Stellantis wants is more V8s in the 1500, I think they want to be more like Ford with Hurricanes being the volume motors (like their EcoBoost 3.5L & 2.7L), and the Hemi being similar to the Coyote for people who just want a v8.

That would be ignoring the entire history of FCA for the last 1.5 to 2 decades. No other brand has stuffed monstrous v8s in every model it would physically fit. Tim K is not a small turbo guy.

 

[SD Rebel]

It's the weakest v8 if you want the strongest v8 in a brand.

Look at it this way. I want the strongest v8 I can get in a half ton. Where do you go? GM has the 6.2; thrashes the 5.7. Ford has the 5.0, it beats the 5.7. The 5.7 is the weakest one, why would I pick Ram?



That would be ignoring the entire history of FCA for the last 1.5 to 2 decades. No other brand has stuffed monstrous v8s in every model it would physically fit. Tim K is not a small turbo guy.

Makes sense, just that noting the fact the weakest V8 in any truck line is one of the best volume sellers for that brand.

Stellantis has put giant V8s in their lineups, but it's rarely been the volume engine, it's to get people in the door. As for Stellantis, of course they are trying to ignore the last couple of decades, hence why they had to rush the Hemi back into production, but even they don't want to make it their primary 1500 engine. They are going the way of Ford, not GM when it comes to truck engines. Even GM, which is V8 leading, counts heavily on it's 2.7L I4 Turbo (along with 5.3L) in their full size for volume.

The best that we can hope for is Stellantis does decide to make a next-gen V8.

 

[silver billet]

Makes sense, just that noting the fact the weakest V8 in any truck line is one of the best volume sellers for that brand.

Stellantis has put giant V8s in their lineups, but it's rarely been the volume engine, it's to get people in the door. As for Stellantis, of course they are trying to ignore the last couple of decades, hence why they had to rush the Hemi back into production, but even they don't want to make it their primary 1500 engine. They are going the way of Ford, not GM when it comes to truck engines. Even GM, which is V8 leading, counts heavily on it's 2.7L I4 Turbo (along with 5.3L) in their full size for volume.

The best that we can hope for is Stellantis does decide to make a next-gen V8.

I agree, the v8 won't be primary anymore, they're already charging more for the hemi than the SO and now that the hurricane is here they're definitely going to use it. But I don't think they're done with v8s yet, and I wouldn't be shocked if they end up releasing that v8 they were working on.

 

[HSKR R/T]

It's the weakest v8 if you want the strongest v8 in a brand.

Look at it this way. I want the strongest v8 I can get in a half ton. Where do you go? GM has the 6.2; thrashes the 5.7. Ford has the 5.0, it beats the 5.7. The 5.7 is the weakest one, why would I pick Ram?



That would be ignoring the entire history of FCA for the last 1.5 to 2 decades. No other brand has stuffed monstrous v8s in every model it would physically fit. Tim K is not a small turbo guy.

You are obviously ignoring the TRX ever existed. The 6.4 is in use in the HD Rams, but doesn't make financial sense for the 1500 that has a greater impact on CAFE ratings and penalties Stellantis pays for the Hemi.

 

[mikeru82]

As I said, look at the wrangler. How much did it cost to stuff it in there vs uptake/payback, compared to doing the same thing in their most popular model in the entire corporate lineup, the 1500.

The whiskey is great. It’s Canadian (of course).

You have no way of knowing how much it cost to put in the Wrangler. My guess is it did cost a lot. Hence the very high sticker price of one. They need to recoup their development costs. And it’s a specialty vehicle not a high volume seller like the 1500 would be. Kind of like the TRX was a specialty vehicle with high development costs.

 

[silver billet]

You have no way of knowing how much it cost to put in the Wrangler. My guess is it did cost a lot. Hence the very high sticker price of one. They need to recoup their development costs. And it’s a specialty vehicle not a high volume seller like the 1500 would be.

Yeah that's the point. It cost them to put it in and had little sales (intentional or otherwise). The 6.4 in the 1500 would be a much bigger bang for their buck, and it's not just the wrangler. Percentage wise it's a guarantee that the 6.4 in the 1500 would sell more than any other single model with the same engine, the ram 1500 is their biggest seller.

They sold 150k wranglers last year, and 373k 1500s. Logically, the 6.4, priced within reason of the 5.7, would sell far more units especially because big v8s and trucks go together like rum and coke.

The wrangler 392 is also priced high because of the entire package/trim, not just the engine. If they dropped a 6.4 into a trademan, the sticker price doesn't have to be that high.

 

[Biga]

It's the weakest v8 if you want the strongest v8 in a brand.

Look at it this way. I want the strongest v8 I can get in a half ton. Where do you go? GM has the 6.2; thrashes the 5.7. Ford has the 5.0, it beats the 5.7. The 5.7 is the weakest one, why would I pick Ram?



That would be ignoring the entire history of FCA for the last 1.5 to 2 decades. No other brand has stuffed monstrous v8s in every model it would physically fit. Tim K is not a small turbo guy.

The 5.0 Ford beats the 5.7 Hemi Ram because it's in a lighter aluminum truck. Put it in the Ram and I don't think their would be much difference.