If you happen to remember reading our deep dive into the twin-turbo Hurricane I-6 engine and how it seriously upgrades the formerly V-8-only Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, you'll probably remember our prediction about a potential crate motor version:

"Setting aside fever dreams of modified examples delivering 1,000 hp, you can bet Stellantis' own performance gurus—SRT engineers—are going to try their darndest to squeeze every last pony from these new sixes. We certainly can't wait to see it." Well, it didn't take long for Stellantis' Direct Connection factory upgrade program to make the "HurriCrate I-6" available as a crate offering. Well, actually, three crate engines—including one "1,000-plus-hp" version.

Count us in for getting on this hype, as the horsepower wars at Dodge will continue, albeit with two fewer cylinders and using turbos instead of superchargers. The new HurriCrate was announced at the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and it joins other plug-and-play Direct Connection crate engines such as the Drag Pak Hemi; the 1,500 Hemi Crate by DSR Performance; and the new iron block Hellephants as potential powerhouses for your next project car.

Mopar gets cute with the Hurricane crate motor names, which will come in themed "Cat 1," "Cat 3," and "Cat X" (that's "X," not the Roman numeral for 10) outputs, the lowest being a 420 hp package—same as the non-high-output Hurricane 510 in the Wagoneers. The Cat 3 comes in at 550 hp, and Cat X is set to hit "1,000 plus hp." This maximum-power engine will also be seen in the next Drag Pak car that's coming soon.

These engines—along with TorqueFlite 8 crate transmissions that will bolt up to them—are new production and won't be siphoned from current production slated for other roadgoing Stellantis vehicles. The only sad-trombone issue with early HurriCrates is that their OE production level engine controllers come locked, just like they are on road-legal cars. Don't fret, though, these are only intended to get these out and into the field as a Direct Connection engine controller for the HurriCrates that allows for custom tuning will be coming later. As always, there are also aftermarket solutions, too, it's just that Stellantis would rather you use theirs.

You'll also see the Direct Connection HurriCrate engines and TorqueFlite 8 crate transmissions used at Roadkill Nights during the Grudge Match. Tim Kuniskis, Dodge Brand CEO, hinted that there is more than 1,000 hp in these engines and signified that the Grudge Match will only hint at what these engines will be capable of. Batten down the hatches, V-8 fans, because hurricanes are coming for your next project car's engine bay.