--- title: "A Hemi-Swapped Jeep Renegade Is Cooler Than a Trackhawk and You Know It" description: "This 2015 Jeep Renegade has the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 out of a Dodge Charger R/T, making it a pint-sized monster." date: "2023-09-12" modified: "2023-09-12" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/a-hemi-swapped-jeep-renegade-is-cooler-than-a-trackhawk-and-you-know-it" categories: - "Jeep News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Jeep" - "Renegade" - "suv/crossover" --- # A Hemi-Swapped Jeep Renegade Is Cooler Than a Trackhawk and You Know It ![]() *\Mike Martin\* Of all the cars to V8 swap, the [Jeep Renegade]() would likely land at the bottom of most people's lists. However, sometimes very creative and exciting builds come from unexpected places, and this Hemi-swapped Renegade is one such example. [Mike Martin]() already had a 2015 [Jeep]() Renegade, with a custom-fabricated widebody kit and air ride suspension, but he wanted to make something genuinely special out of it. So he secured the powertrain, electronics, and interior from a wrecked [Dodge Charger R/T]() donor car and got to work. ![]() **Mike Martin** Dropping a 5.7-liter V8 into a front-wheel-drive, transverse-engine crossover that normally packs a 1.3-liter four-cylinder seems nearly impossible. However, Martin was determined to make it come together somehow. The Jeep's entire floor and both subframes had to be cut out, which left just the body. He then custom-fabricated a rear subframe and cut the front half of the Charger's floor and subframe out to fit in the Renegade. A stock Renegade makes 177 horsepower, so upgrading to a 370 horsepower Hemi V8 is going to make a shocking difference by itself. But Martin didn't stop there. Prior to stuffing the Hemi in, he disassembled it and upgraded it with a hotter cam, new valve springs, new valves, new rollers, and a cylinder deactivation-delete kit. He also gave it a Holley EFI High Ram intake and a limited-slip rear diff from a [Charger Hellcat](). So it should rip. ![]() **Mike Martin** The build isn't finished just yet, and it's been a two-year work-in-progress, but it's almost there. This isn't just an engine swap, but a complete overhaul of the Renegade's body and chassis to accommodate a Charger's V8 engine and running gear. Martin also wanted to make sure it was a fully functioning road car, so it still has air conditioning and it's going to have the same electronic systems as the stock Charger R/T. Count me incredibly curious to see how this build develops, and to see the finished product. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LHBz8rcJpU *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()