Restomodders gained new engine replacement options in separate SEMA announcements from Mopar and Cummins this week. Mopar pulled the wraps off 345 and 392 Crate HEMI Engine Kits designed to ease the installation of modern HEMI engines into classic rides, while Cummins announced the inline-four R2.8 Turbo Diesel crate engine.
The Mopar kits are primarily designed for mid-1970s and earlier Dodge Chargers and Challengers—like the Challenger shown at the top of this page—as well as Plymouth Barracudas and other classic muscle cars. The torque-oriented and efficient Cummins R2.8 turbodiesels are ideal for use in the Jeep Wrangler TJ.
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The Mopar 345 Crate HEMI Engine Kit (5.7-liter) and Mopar 392 Crate HEMI Engine Kit (6.4-liter) include engine and chassis wiring harnesses, O2 sensors, powertrain control module (PCM), power distribution center, charge air temperature sensor, ground jumper, and an accelerator pedal, along with detailed installation information. The kits have an MSRP of $1,795 and are designed for use with manual transmissions. Chrysler’s Torqueflite 727 and 904 automatics can be adapted, although Mopar states that the automatics are “not optimal.” The kits are built to accommodate 2014 and newer 5.7-liter or 6.4-liter HEMI engines.
Mopar crate engine in the Jeep CJ66
“Our new Mopar Crate HEMI Engine Kits answer enthusiast demand for a relatively simple solution for plugging modern-day HEMI engine power into their classic Mopar rides,” said Pietro Gorlier, Mopar’s head of parts and service. “The engine kits include the hardware to plant a 5.7-liter or 6.4-liter HEMI engine under the hood with the factory-backed confidence that comes when using Mopar parts.” He said they also offer optional front-end accessory kits like power steering or even exhaust manifolds to make installation easier. Ordering opened this week.
Diesel Crate Engines
Cummins R2.8 Turbo Diesel
Jeep Wrangler owners have clamored for a diesel option for years and the new Cummins R2.8 crate engine fits the bill with 50-state emissions compliance. The 2.8-liter inline four-cylinder turbodiesel is currently in use worldwide, finding its way between the fenders of a string of pickups, SUVs, vans, and commercial trucks.
The R2.8 kicks off the company’s “Cummins Repower” initiative. Cummins states that the kit will provide all the major components necessary for the swap so that even novice backyard mechanics can tackle the task with confidence.
“For nearly 100 years, the Cummins legacy has been built on repowering anything from early river boats to modern 95-liter locomotives and everything in between,” said Jeff Caldwell, executive director at Cummins. “We are proud to be continuing the legacy of our namesake by enabling passionate enthusiasts to repower their vehicles for the same reason Cummins repowered his own.”
Cummins states that the R2.8 delivers dramatically higher fuel efficiency, with results as high as two to three times the stock Wrangler TJ engine under certain conditions. Just as important, the R2.8 complies with the Transitional Low-Emission Vehicle (TLEV) LDT2 vehicle emissions standards of the era. The company is working with the California Air Resource Board (CARB) to provide the classification for specific vintages. Pricing has not been released, but sales are expected to begin in early 2017.
Gasoline-powered four-cylinder Wrangler TJs have always been much less desirable (and far more affordable) than those powered by the stout but thirsty 4.0-liter inline six. Swapping the TJ’s stock four-banger for a Cummins Repower R2.8 is bound to be one of 2017’s hottest engine swaps.
