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Some people have called Kevin Hart a rockstar of comedy. So, it seems only fitting that his latest project with speedcore should carry a name befitting a rockstar. Interestingly enough the name Hellraiser is also one of this author’s favorite rock songs of all time written by none other than the Prince Of Darkness himself Ozzy Osbourne, and sung even more famously by Lemme Klimster of Motörhead. So, you see it comes full circle motorhead rock ‘n’ roll king of comedy Hellraiser.
Now, the last time Kevin Hart and SpeedKore were in the news, some could say he was quite the hell raiser then as well. You’ll remember from the tabloids when his SpeedKore-built Challenger went careening off the side of a Los Angeles Highway. The incident left him severely injured and many others questioning why something like that would happen and how.
Many of those outside the automotive industry were quick to point fingers at the house of muscle that supplied the famous comedian with such an overpowered vehicle. But, as any logical person knows, pencils don’t misspell words, forks don’t make people gain weight, and cars don’t drive themselves. For any outside observer, it was plain to see, SpeedKore built Mr.Hart one badass Challenger and what happened after that is still cloudy, so we prefer not to speculate. One thing is for certain though, the car was totaled.
But, for anyone who follows the Southern California car scene or attended any of the Quarantine Cruises, they’ll know, Kevin Hart is no casual car guy…he’s the real deal. He’s been spotted at several of the massive rolling car carnivals in something flashy and classic. So, it must’ve stung for his beloved custom SpeedKore Challenger to be lost…
So much so, he partnered with them again to create HellRaiser, the 1970 Dodge Charger you see here.
Before we get into the specs you’re all dying to read about, we should do offer some background on the company that crafted such a stealthy, carbon visage.
SpeedKore Performance Group is, “an American performance company where engineers and artisans combine traditional craftsmanship with cutting edge technology. The SpeedKore high-performance vehicles are engineered and built as limited editions or one-off, custom builds. SpeedKore is known for its use of pre-impregnated carbon on classic and late-model vehicle builds and a wide variety of aftermarket body panels, parts, and accessories. SpeedKore’s 1970 Dodge Charger, “Evolution,” received one of five Goodguy GOLD awards at the 2018 SEMA Show. Its carbon-fiber 2017 Ford Mustang GT Fastback and 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 were awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” design award from Ford Motor Company at the world’s largest aftermarket automotive trade show, the SEMA Show.”
The main thing that should stand out to you about that excerpt, aside from the prestigious awards won, is the mention of carbon fiber. See, SpeedKore isn’t just known for using a little bit of carbon fiber or even making some custom carbon fiber pieces, although they do that, they’re known for making entire cars out of the lightweight material!
So, when it came time to build HellRaiser, the company used the same methods that have made them famous. “Like the Evolution Charger, Hellraiser features a SpeedKore-designed and constructed carbon-fiber body. The build process began with a blue-light scan of an original 1970 Dodge Charger from which a five-axis CNC machine created exact molds and plugs. SpeedKore uses aerospace-grade pre-impregnated carbon fiber and its in-house autoclave to ensure consistent fiber consolidation, panel thickness, and weave uniformity. Hart opted for an exposed carbon-fiber body, showcased through several layers of BASF Glasurit gloss clearcoat.”
Now, an impeccable, featherweight body such as this, when coupled with the monstrous Hellephant engine under the hood, makes for an outlandishly fast vehicle. But all that effort is for not if the power isn’t transferred to the ground efficiently, and that has much more to do with the chassis and suspension.
“The bespoke body rides atop a SpeedKore-designed frame with an integrated 14-point roll cage. Safety is further improved by multi-point harnesses for the vehicle occupants. At the front, Hellraiser uses the front suspension architecture from a C6 Corvette, outfitted with aftermarket parts from Detroit Speed and Woodward. The Ford 9-inch rear end is sprung via a SpeedKore designed 4-bar suspension setup with Penske double-adjustable shocks. Front and rear sway bars further add to Hellraiser’s athleticism, as do Brembo’s 6-piston front and 4-piston rear brakes. Power meets the pavement through a set of HRE S201 3-piece wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.”
If those custom HRE wheels and sticky Michelin’s don’t get your paddle-shifting fingers itching, surely the mash-up of C6 Corvette parts, stout Ford 9-inch, and custom Detroit Speed suspension engineering will make you want to throw the lightweight hellraiser through the twisties.
Okay, let’s say you’re more of an aesthetic than performance-oriented individual…Well, the extent to which the SpeedKore crew takes the word “custom”, knows no bounds.
“SpeedKore fully reimaged the classic Charger’s interior with the help of Gabe’s Custom Interiors. The Recaro GT Sportster seats wear contrasting red and black leather, while the bespoke center console, steering wheel, dashboard, and doors render a retro-modern cabin. SpeedKore-branded gauges from Classic Instruments and billet switchgear add an exotic touch, while modern amenities like a full audio system from Focal and modern climate control lend grand-tourer comfort.”
Okay, on to the piece that you’ve all been waiting for – that monster blower peeking through the carbon hood, and all the tire-frying performance it brings along with it!
“SpeedKore finessed several additional details of the Charger to synthesize its modern-muscle persona. The grille and all other brightwork are machined from solid aluminum and Cerakoted in a gray titanium finish. A hood cut-out exposes the Hellephant’s 3.0-liter supercharger, customized with a tailor-made billet and carbon fiber cover. The profile reveals shaved rain gutters, flush-mounted glass, and pillarless quarter-glass to create an elongated greenhouse and allow the Charger’s lines to flow uninterrupted from front to rear. A SpeedKore-designed taillight panel and integrated dual exhaust tips compliment the Charger’s time-honored contours.”
Of course, all those details only serve to whet the appetite for those who are here for the headline…The Hellephant – the 426 cubic-inch, supercharged Hemi tucked neatly between the frame rails. The performance numbers the massive 7.0-liter lump puts out are truly astonishing considering Dodge’s crate V8 can be purchased with a warranty. But, as always, the team at SpeedKore took things a step further…
“The supercharged 7.0-liter V8 crate engine produces an incredible 1,000-horsepower and 950 lb-ft of torque, handily eclipsing the outputs of its Hellcat and Demon forbears. For Hellraiser, SpeedKore created a custom exhaust with in-house fabricated headers and dual Magnaflow mufflers. Unlike SpeedKore’s “Evolution” and “Tantrum” Charger builds, Hellraiser routs power through a Dodge Demon-spec ZF 8HP90 8-speed automatic transmission controlled via a console-mounted shifter. Both the engine and transmission utilize Motul high-performance fluids.”
Jim Kacmarcik, President of SpeedKore, went on to say, “The Hellephant is the most powerful crate engine ever offered by an OE manufacturer, so it seemed only natural that one would come to power a SpeedKore build. When we found out we would be receiving one of the engines from Mopar, we had already been in talks about a new build, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get started. Hellraiser represents the pinnacle of SpeedKore design and engineering, and we’re excited to share this custom build with the world.”
For more information on the 1970 Hellraiser Dodge Charger and SpeedKore, check out www.speedkore.com.
