2026 Ram 1500: The Hemi is back in business

On the Ram forums I read a few horror stories. IIRC we had a member here with a catastrophic engine failure. I haven't been following it as closely as I was, I put it on the back burner for now. In any event I hope they get it dialed in. IMO it would be a beast in a Wrangler.

Well that's not promising! I do the remember that story here on the board, I think he ultimately was able to get out of it. Are you thinking of getting into something?
 
Without any updating to it… if they had done any updates to it, I see bringing it back. But with zero updates, it seems like a dead man walking to me.
It seems like Stellantis could have gone twin turbo or supercharged to improve the hemi engine. Does it have varible valve timing on intake and exhaust? How do they plan on meeting future emissions requirements,
 
Well that's not promising! I do the remember that story here on the board, I think he ultimately was able to get out of it. Are you thinking of getting into something?
I wanted to sell my 2016 JK Rubicon and get a 2025 JLU Rubicon. I temporarily put it on the back burner, while we figure out where to move, or not. The 3.0L Hurricane really caught my eye so waiting doesn't bother me. So I started checking that out and it left me scratching my head.
 
It seems like Stellantis could have gone twin turbo or supercharged to improve the hemi engine. Does it have varible valve timing on intake and exhaust? How do they plan on meeting future emissions requirements,
My guess is the they don't have a plan to meet future emissions requirement and its just gonna sit where its at in terms of emissions regulations. If/when they get tighter, it will just go away again.
 
I read in one of the articles that they are doing it this way since they still can still use the 2022 model year government approvals for the 5.7 with the eTorque, if they don't make any changes. Otherwise, it would take more time and retesting to get it to production.
That's interesting and makes sense. Maybe it can evolve, although I have a feeling they might just leave it as is and ride the wave as long as there's interest and emissions regulations don't kill it.
 
It seems like Stellantis could have gone twin turbo or supercharged to improve the hemi engine. Does it have varible valve timing on intake and exhaust? How do they plan on meeting future emissions requirements,

It has VVT, But as it only has one camshaft it can't vary intake & exhaust independently.
There is "Cam-in-Cam" technology that allows independent actuation on a pushrod engine.....In fact Chrysler used it on the V10 in the Viper.
 
I mean, arguably, they are currently doing better with the HEMI than GM is with the 6.2L, lol. My impression is that there's a lot fewer HEMI/cam lifter issues at this point than there are GM AFM/DFM lifter failures, and of course now GM has the crankshaft problem going on as well. Not sure if Ford got their Godzilla lifter failures sorted yet either? I know FCA claimed they fixed it in 2018, which, owning two post-2018 vehicles, I'm hopeful about 😁

But of course that doesn't mean things are problem free. Ours puked the water pump and you and I have both had manifold problems. But neither of those are "major" repairs, and the exhaust stuff is really more just annoying (and frustrating that they didn't get right).
I used to buy Dodge/RAM … but it was always the front end, gaskets, electrical, or something else wrong before the short block … And buying exclusively 4WD - always got the G80 locker no matter the trim of GM …
My son still buys RAM - but honestly every time they dangle a trade deal in front of him I get a picture of the new one when he had 30k on the “old”
I see the same thing at work - RAM gives good trades and folks are coming back - took forever to see GM doing that somewhat again …
(and the WT’s here are mopped up by companies)
 
The 5.3 doesn't want for power either - under normal driving conditions. The 5.3 has been updated. Whether those updates are a good thing seem to be a mixed bag.
In naturally aspirated engines - there will be a relationship between power and fuel economy - I too find the 5.3/10 speed combo to fit that balance …
 
There are ones on any forum. Tundra's, F150's Silverado's, Titans, you name it. One, or "a few" anecdotal stories from disgruntled customer(s) means nothing.
This is true, and I'm well aware of that, however it is still too early to tell imo. There aren't enough around, yet. I know the thermostat has been problematic and a poor design, hopefully they address it. I've read of complaints of low oil pressure and them going into limp mode if worked too hard. I haven't spoken with my Jeep tech buddy yet, I've gotten some of the best info from him. As always the www can blow things out of proportion but it's a good place to start researching.
 
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On the Ram forums I read a few horror stories. IIRC we had a member here with a catastrophic engine failure. I haven't been following it as closely as I was, I put it on the back burner for now. In any event I hope they get it dialed in. IMO it would be a beast in a Wrangler.
Probably me, I work at a Ram dealership, an Enterprise 2025 Big Horn Ram broke a valve spring at 350 miles, warped the head, and a long block went in to replace it. Have not seen any in for body off engine work since then. No Wagoneers either.
Looking at the comments on no updates on the Hemi power. There just was not enough time.
Any power changes probably meant EPA recert.
As for Ecotorque, probably a very small EPA win, it is what it is.
Interesting that all Hemis get the GT exhaust.
For anyone that likes the sound of a trad V8, there isn't much better. Neighbours won't appreciate the cold start in the morning, but man, it sounds so good. Has me tempted to get a Rebel Hemi.
 
Probably me, I work at a Ram dealership, an Enterprise 2025 Big Horn Ram broke a valve spring at 350 miles, warped the head, and a long block went in to replace it. Have not seen any in for body off engine work since then. No Wagoneers either.
Looking at the comments on no updates on the Hemi power. There just was not enough time.
Any power changes probably meant EPA recert.
As for Ecotorque, probably a very small EPA win, it is what it is.
Interesting that all Hemis get the GT exhaust.
For anyone that likes the sound of a trad V8, there isn't much better. Neighbours won't appreciate the cold start in the morning, but man, it sounds so good. Has me tempted to get a Rebel Hemi.

It was you! My memory of which board was correct. What's your opinion of the Hurricane engine now, several months later? Thanks.
 
It's smooth, it's powerful, we will know in a few years how it holds up. If a 2025 Ram sits for a while not being driven, it tends to kill the batteries. Heard our Service manager taking with shop foreman. Ram is releasing an update that takes the hotel loads to basically zero.
Buy an extended warranty plan, on any vehicle you buy, Ford, GM, Stellantis.
 
It's smooth, it's powerful, we will know in a few years how it holds up. If a 2025 Ram sits for a while not being driven, it tends to kill the batteries. Heard our Service manager taking with shop foreman. Ram is releasing an update that takes the hotel loads to basically zero.
Buy an extended warranty plan, on any vehicle you buy, Ford, GM, Stellantis.
Thanks! Hopefully by the time it makes it to the Wrangler, if it makes it, I'll have a better idea of just how good it is.
 
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