The debate in the Mopar world is raging: Can the new Hurricane inline-six ever truly replace the legendary Gen-III HEMI V8? While many are still skeptical, one 1987 Dodge Ram D150 is making a powerful case for the newcomer. The team at the Torque n’ Tungsten YouTube channel has built a record-setting classic truck that proves this new turbocharged I6 has the potential to become a legend in its own right.

From Farm Truck to Record Breaker

The builders, Morgan Evans and Jason Kastner, have been making waves in the drag racing scene with their unassuming vintage pickup. The truck isn’t just a dyno queen; it’s a proven competitor. It recently won the highly competitive Grudge Match at the Roadkill Nights event and successfully completed the grueling 1,200-mile Sick Michigan Miles drive-and-drag event, proving both its power and its durability.

The Single-Turbo-I6 Heart

The secret to the truck’s success lies under the hood. The build uses a completely stock 3.0-liter Hurricane long block, but the builders ditched the factory twin-turbo setup. In its place, they fabricated custom manifolds and plumbing to mount a massive single Precision Next Gen 6870 turbo. This simple but effective combination allows the small inline-six to produce an incredible 802 horsepower and 740 lb-ft of torque.

Putting the Power Down

Getting that power to the ground is a fortified drivetrain. The engine is paired with a modern ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, upgraded with a high-stall Circle D torque converter for brutal launches. Out back, a Moser 8.75-inch rearend handles the abuse. The front suspension features Viking coilovers that do an impressive job of managing the truck as it lifts its front tires three to four inches off the ground on every pass.

Mopar’s New Legend

While the V8 purists may continue to argue, the numbers don’t lie. This D150 recently blasted down the quarter-mile in just 9.39 seconds at 140 mph, setting a record for the Hurricane engine. With builds like this leading the charge and showcasing the incredible tuning potential of the new Turbo-I6, the engine is quickly earning its reputation as the Mopar 2JZ — a worthy successor to the HEMI legend.