Mopar arrived at the 2016 SEMA Show with a handful of impressive concept cars, but FCA's performance parts and accessory division also debuted two brand-new crate engine kits. Already showcased in the Dodge Shakedown Challenger and Jeep CJ66, the kits were created for the 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi V-8s and allow customers to install the said units into classic Mopar cars. Specifically, these two engines can now be adapted to fit in model year 1975 and earlier vehicles, including iconic muscle cars such as the Dodge Charger and Challenger, and the Plymouth 'Cuda.

So how do these kits work?

First, you should know that they are compatible with the 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter V-8 engines built from 2014 on. The 5.7-liter kit goes by the name 345, while the 6.4-liter kit is sold as the 392. In case you haven't figured it out yet, the numbers come from the engine's displacement in cubic inches. The kits include a power distribution center, a powertrain control module (PCM), engine and chassis wiring harnesses, an accelerator pedal, O2 sensors, ground jumper, charge air temperature sensor, and in-depth information sheets for installation.

As far as performance goes, the 345 kit bumps the 5.7-liter V-8's power from 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque to 383 horses and 425 pound-feet. The 392 kit, on the other hand, leaves the 6.4-liter engine's output unchanged at 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of twist. Granted, it doesn't add much to the 5.7-liter and the 6.4-liter gets nothing, but the purpose of this kits is not to enhance performance, but to offer customers a reliable and easy solution to putting modern engines in classic cars. The kits are also designed and optimized for use with manual transmissions. Automatic transmissions such as the Torqueflite 727 and 904 can also be adapted for use, but Mopar says they are not optional for this kit.

A few options are also offered, including a power steering expansion kit, AC expansion kit, rear sump oil pan kit, and exhaust manifolds, among other components.

Pricing for either package is set at $1,795 and both kits are already available to order from Mopar.

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Why it matters

The new crate engine kit is great news for Mopar enthusiasts that either want to create a restomod or simply update an old Dodge or Plymouth with a modern V-8 engine. Both packages should also come in handy for shops that either restore or upgrade vintage Mopars. Adapting new V-8s to old underpinnings has just become easier and tuning shops no longer have to come up with their own kits or do all sorts of unorthodox modifications. More importantly, both kits are very affordable and probably easy enough to use so that drivers who build restomods in their own garages can install them without professional assistance. Hopefully these new kits will help save and restore more of those classic Mopars that are waiting for a new life in car graveyards all over the U.S.