Swapping engines in a Dodge Charger varies wildly depending on the generation. Classic B-body Chargers accept nearly any Mopar V8 with minimal fabrication, while modern LX/LD models require electronic integration, PCM matching, and drivetrain compatibility.
Dodge Charger Engine Swap Compatibility Chart
1st Generation Dodge Charger (B-Body) — 1966–1967
| Charger Generation | Years | Original Engines | Compatible Swap Engines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Gen (B-body) | 1966–1967 | 318 LA V8, 361 B V8, 383 B V8, 426 HEMI V8, 440 RB V8 | Mopar LA (273/318/340/360), Mopar B/RB (361/383/400/413/426 Wedge/440), Gen III HEMI (5.7/6.1/6.2/6.4), Hellcat 6.2 Supercharged, 7.0L Hellephant 426 Crate HEMI, LS/GM V8s, Ford Coyote 5.0, 7.3 Godzilla V8, Cummins 6BT (heavy mod), modern EFI crate engines |
2nd Generation Dodge Charger (B-Body) — 1968–1970
| Charger Generation | Years | Original Engines | Compatible Swap Engines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Gen (B-body) | 1968–1970 | 318, 340, 383, 426 HEMI, 440 V8 | Same as 1st Gen: All LA small blocks, B/RB big blocks, Gen 3 HEMI series, Hellcat/Redeye engines, 426 crate Hemi, LS engines, Coyote/Godzilla V8s, diesel swaps with fabrication |
3rd Generation Dodge Charger (B-Body) — 1971–1974
| Charger Generation | Years | Original Engines | Compatible Swap Engines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Gen (B-body) | 1971–1974 | 318, 340, 360, 383, 400, 440 V8 | All 1st/2nd Gen-compatible engines plus 7.0L 426 crate HEMI, 7.0L/6.2L supercharged crate engines, modern EFI conversions, high-performance LA stroker kits, Magnum 5.2/5.9 swaps |
Related Ford Engine Swap Chart(For All Engines Types)
4th Generation Dodge Charger (B-Body) — 1975–1978
| Charger Generation | Years | Original Engines | Compatible Swap Engines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th Gen (B-body) | 1975–1978 | 318 LA, 360 LA, 400 B, 440 RB | All previous B-body compatible engines, Mopar Magnum engines (5.2/5.9), Gen III HEMI (5.7–6.4), Hellcat/Redeye engines, LS swaps, Coyote/Godzilla swaps, Viper V10 (rare custom) |
5th Generation Dodge Charger (L-Body, FWD) — 1983–1987
| Charger Generation | Years | Original Engines | Compatible Swap Engines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th Gen (L-body, FWD) | 1983–1987 | 1.6L I4, 2.2L I4, 2.2 Turbo I/II | Chrysler 2.2/2.5 Turbo variants, Mopar Turbo III (DOHC), Mitsubishi 4G63T (custom), Honda H22/H23 swaps, VW 1.8T (custom), no V6/V8 compatibility without extreme fabrication |
6th Generation Dodge Charger (LX Platform) — 2006–2010
| Charger Generation | Years | Original Engines | Compatible Swap Engines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th Gen (LX) | 2006–2010 | 2.7 V6, 3.5 V6, 5.7 HEMI, 6.1 HEMI | 5.7 HEMI (Eagle), 6.1 HEMI, 6.4 HEMI (392), Hellcat 6.2, Redeye 6.2 HO, Demon 6.2, V6 → HEMI conversions, LS swaps (custom), modern crate HEMI engines |
Notes: Requires PCM, wiring harness, CAN integration, and transmission compatibility.
Related Chevy Engine Swap Compatibility Chart(For All Engine Types)
7th Generation Dodge Charger (LD Platform) — 2011–2023
| Charger Generation | Years | Original Engines | Compatible Swap Engines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7th Gen (LD) | 2011–2023 | 3.6 Pentastar V6, 5.7 HEMI, 6.4 HEMI, 6.2 Hellcat | 5.7 ↔ 6.4 ↔ 6.2 swaps, V6 → any HEMI, Hellcat → Redeye upgrades, 426 crate HEMI, 6.4 → Hellcat conversions, Hurricane I6 (custom), LS swaps (difficult) |
Notes: All swaps require matching PCM, TCM, BCM, steering column, and security modules.
8th Generation Dodge Charger (LB / STLA Large) — 2024–Present
| Charger Generation | Years | Original Engines | Compatible Swap Engines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8th Gen (LB/STLA Large) | 2024–Present | EV dual-motor, 3.0 Hurricane Turbo I6 | All Gen III HEMI (5.7/6.1/6.2/6.4), Hellcat crate engines, Hurricane H/O variants, EV → ICE swaps, ICE → EV swaps, aftermarket crate systems |
Notes: New modular chassis allows cross-platform EV/ICE conversions for the first time.
Related 4.7 Dodge Engine Oil Capacity(+ Best Recommended Oils)
FAQs
Can you put a RAM engine in a Charger?
Yes. Most RAM truck HEMI engines, including the 5.7L, 6.4L (392), and even the 6.2 Hellcat versions used in TRX platforms, can be swapped into a Dodge Charger as long as they are from the Gen III HEMI family.
The engines are physically compatible, but you must match the PCM, wiring harness, sensors, transmission, and accessory layouts, since RAM trucks use different intake manifolds, accessory brackets, and oil pans. Aftermarket swap kits make RAM-to-Charger HEMI swaps straightforward for LX/LD Chargers.
What year 5.7 HEMIs are interchangeable?
In general, 2003–2008 5.7 HEMI engines are interchangeable with each other, and 2009–present Eagle 5.7 HEMIs are interchangeable with one another. However, early (’03–’08) and late (’09–up) engines cannot directly interchange without changing the camshaft phasing, timing setup, intake, exhaust, and PCM because the newer HEMIs use VVT and active intake technology. For LX/LD Chargers, the best direct-fit swaps are same-generation Eagle HEMIs from 2009 onward.
Which engine is used in a Dodge Charger?
The Dodge Charger has used many engines depending on the generation. The most common engines include:
- 3.6L Pentastar V6 (2011–2023)
- 5.7L HEMI V8 (2006–2023)
- 6.4L (392) HEMI V8 (2011–2023)
- 6.2L Supercharged HEMI (Hellcat, Redeye, Demon variants)
- 2.7L and 3.5L V6 (2006–2010)
- Classic B-body engines such as 318, 340, 383, 440, and 426 HEMI
- 2024+ models use the 3.0L Hurricane I6 and electric dual-motor EV drivetrains
Each model year and trim determines which engine the Charger uses from the factory.
Can you put a Durango engine in a Charger?
Yes, a Durango engine can be swapped into a Charger as long as it is the same engine family. Durango shares powertrains with the Charger, including the 3.6L Pentastar, 5.7L HEMI, 6.4L HEMI, and 6.2L Hellcat. The physical engine fits easily, but you must use the correct PCM, wiring harness, engine mounts, and transmission tuning.
Durango engines may have different accessory layouts or exhaust manifolds, but they can be swapped with minor modifications.
What engines can fit in a Dodge Charger SXT?
The Dodge Charger SXT originally comes with a 3.6L Pentastar V6, but it can accept a wide range of engines:
Direct or near-direct swaps (LD platform):
- 5.7L HEMI V8
- 6.4L HEMI (392)
- 6.2L Hellcat V8 (with full drivetrain swap)
- 3.6L Pentastar newer model updates
- Durango/300/Pacifica Pentastar engines (same gen)
Custom swaps:
- LS engines (fabrication required)
- Ford Coyote 5.0 (custom mounts and standalone ECU)
- Hurricane 3.0L I6 (increasingly popular custom choice)
Any SXT → HEMI swap requires:
PCM, TCM, body control module, steering column, engine harness, transmission, driveshaft, cooling upgrades, and differential replacements.
Which is better, SRT or R/T?
SRT is generally considered better than R/T in terms of power, performance, and capability. Here’s the comparison:
- R/T Models
- Engine: 5.7L HEMI
- Power: 345–375 hp, depending on year
- Focus: Daily performance, affordability
- Good for: Balanced power and comfort
- SRT Models (including SRT 392 & SRT Hellcat)
- Engines: 6.4L (392) HEMI or 6.2L Supercharged HEMI
- Power: 485–717+ hp
- Focus: Track-ready performance
- Features: Larger brakes, active suspension, stronger drivetrains
Bottom line:
- R/T = Budget-friendly V8 performance
- SRT = High-performance, track-capable muscle car
