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10 Chrysler Engines That Made People Pay Attention

Ask anyone who’s spent time under the hood—it’s not just about what an engine does when new, but how it behaves at 150,000 miles. Chrysler’s been building impressive engines for decades. Drivers who’ve racked up real miles understand the value. This breakdown highlights 10 names that never stopped pulling their weight. 5.7L HEMI V8 Chrysler …
Greg Gjerdingen/Wikimedia Commons

Ask anyone who’s spent time under the hood—it’s not just about what an engine does when new, but how it behaves at 150,000 miles. Chrysler’s been building impressive engines for decades. Drivers who’ve racked up real miles understand the value. This breakdown highlights 10 names that never stopped pulling their weight.

5.7L HEMI V8

5.7L HEMI V8
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Chrysler didn’t just revive the HEMI name in 2003—they brought muscle back to modern Mopars. The 5.7L HEMI V8 gave the Ram 1500, Charger, and 300C serious street cred. Unlike older muscle-era beasts, this HEMI offered both torque and daily driver dependability.

3.6L Pentastar V6

3.6L Pentastar V6
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Introduced in 2011, the 3.6L Pentastar V6 brought modern efficiency to Chrysler’s lineup. It powers everything from minivans to Challengers, delivering smooth performance and solid fuel economy. What stands out is its low maintenance needs, often crossing 200,000 miles without serious issues.

5.2L Magnum V8

5.2L Magnum V8
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The 5.2L Magnum V8 served as a dependable power plant throughout the 1990s, especially in Dodge trucks and vans. Its straightforward design and durable components made it easy to maintain, while its solid power output ensured reliable performance for both work applications and highway use.

440 RB V8

440 RB V8
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Designed for brawn, the 440 RB V8 was Chrysler’s big-block titan. Found in Mopar legends like the GTX and Charger R/T, it delivered gobs of torque. Known for its overbuilt bottom end and long-stroke design, the 440 was a dragstrip and highway brute that rarely showed strain.

426 HEMI V8

426 HEMI V8
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Few engines carry mythic status, but this one earns it. The 426 HEMI, dubbed “The Elephant,” dominated NHRA and NASCAR in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Its hemispherical heads and massive airflow made it nearly unbeatable, with longevity proven in both racing and street applications.

225 Slant Six

225 Slant Six
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Known in the Mopar community as the “Leaning Tower of Power,” the 225 Slant Six earned its reputation not through brute force but indestructibility. This inline-six, found in everything from Darts to pickups, ran forever, often surviving abusive neglect and still starting up like clockwork.

5.9L Magnum V8

5.9L Magnum V8
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The 5.9L Magnum V8 brought classic small-block muscle into the modern era, especially in Dodge trucks and vans throughout the 1990s. Its strong torque curve, along with a reliable ignition system and tough internals, made it a dependable workhorse for drivers demanding consistent performance under load.

6.4L 392 HEMI V8

6.4L 392 HEMI V8
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Ever heard a Charger Scat Pack roar? That’s the 6.4L 392 HEMI doing what it does best—providing muscle without compromise. Introduced in SRT models around 2011, this naturally aspirated V8 blends brutal power with surprising longevity, particularly when maintained with synthetic oils and quality parts.

3.8L EGH V6

3.8L EGH V6
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The 3.8L EGH V6 developed a strong reputation for durability due to its solid construction and refined power delivery. It performed reliably over high mileage and became a trusted engine choice for families looking for long-term dependability without added fuss.

4.7L PowerTech V8

4.7L PowerTech V8
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Often overshadowed by the HEMI, the 4.7L PowerTech V8 deserves more recognition. Found in Dakotas, Rams, and Jeeps from 1999 to 2013, it delivered dependable performance in tough environments. It resisted wear even under extreme conditions like heavy towing or long-haul driving.

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