Ram 6.4 HEMI Horsepower and Torque by Year 2014 to 2026

The Ram 2500 and 3500 6.4L HEMI V8 currently makes 405 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque, according to Ram’s official 2025 engine performance specs. That number was 410 horsepower for most of the engine’s production run, and it is a completely different engine than the SRT version of the same 6.4L displacement.

Here is the full year-by-year breakdown, the towing and payload numbers that actually matter, and the one mix-up that trips up almost every Ram owner researching this engine.

How 6.4 HEMI Horsepower and Torque Changed by Year

The truck-tuned 6.4L HEMI V8 debuted in the Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty lineup for the 2014 model year. From 2014 through roughly 2024, Ram listed it at a consistent 410 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 429 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.

Ram’s official 2025 engine performance page lists a small adjustment. The standard 6.4L HEMI V8 in the 2025 Ram 2500 4×2 now shows 405 horsepower and the same 429 lb-ft of torque.

Towing and payload figures above reflect a Ram 2500 4×2 configuration and change with cab style, bed length, and axle ratio. Torque output has stayed flat across the engine’s entire production run. The small horsepower dip in 2025 and 2026 lines up with tighter emissions calibration rather than any hardware change to the engine itself.

Ram 6.4L HEMI V8 engine specs and configuration options go into the full mechanical breakdown if you want the compression ratio, oil capacity, and transmission pairings alongside these power figures.

Truck 6.4 HEMI vs SRT 392 Specs Compared

This is where most articles get it wrong. The 6.4L HEMI in your Ram 2500 shares a displacement number with the 6.4L 392 HEMI found in the Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, but the two engines are tuned for opposite jobs.

The SRT version debuted in 2011 rated at 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. In 2015, a revised intake manifold and updated tuning pushed it to 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, a rating it has carried since.

The truck version uses a different intake, a different calibration, and a flatter torque curve built for low-rpm pulling power rather than a high horsepower peak. If a build thread or forum post quotes 470 or 485 horsepower for a “6.4 HEMI,” it is almost certainly describing the SRT engine, not the one under your Ram’s hood.

Why Cab and Chassis Models Make Less Horsepower

Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab and chassis trucks use the same 6.4L HEMI block but rate it lower, in the neighborhood of 370 peak horsepower. The lower governed engine speed on cab and chassis builds accounts for most of that gap, since these trucks prioritize duty-cycle durability over peak output.

This detuning is common across commercial upfit platforms and does not indicate a different engine internally. If your build sheet or window sticker shows a lower horsepower figure than the 405 to 410 hp quoted for standard Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, a cab and chassis configuration is the most likely explanation.

6.4 HEMI vs 6.7 Cummins Horsepower and Torque

Ram sells the 6.4L HEMI V8 alongside the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel in the 2500 and 3500 lineup, and the two engines solve different problems. The gas HEMI wins on payload and upfront cost. The diesel wins decisively on torque and towing.

The Cummins carries a meaningful weight penalty from its emissions hardware, cooling package, and heavier front axle load, which is why the lighter gas HEMI often retains more usable payload under the same GVWR. If your work involves a loaded bed more than a heavy trailer, that payload advantage matters more than the torque numbers suggest.

The Ram 2500 towing capacity chart by engine and configuration breaks down exact towing figures across every cab style, bed length, and drivetrain combination for both engines.

How 6.4 HEMI Torque Affects Towing and Payload

The 6.4 HEMI’s 429 lb-ft of torque arrives at 4,000 rpm, noticeably higher in the rev range than the Cummins’ torque peak. In practice, that means the gas engine has to work harder and rev higher to move a heavy trailer, even though its peak numbers look strong on paper.

Where the HEMI earns its keep is payload. A properly configured 2024 Ram 2500 4×2 with the 6.4L HEMI can carry up to 4,000 lb, which covers service bodies, tool boxes, and job site equipment without pushing into GVWR limits the way a heavier diesel setup can.

The Ram payload capacity chart by year and configuration has the full payload breakdown by cab style and bed length if you are speccing a truck for bed-heavy work rather than trailer towing.

6.4 HEMI Reliability Notes by Model Year

The 6.4L HEMI has a solid reliability track record since its 2014 introduction, and there are no widely reported major failure patterns tied to a specific model year. Like the 5.7L HEMI, it uses Multi-Displacement System cylinder deactivation, which produces a light ticking sound some owners notice at idle or light throttle.

This ticking, often called the “HEMI tick,” is a well-documented cosmetic characteristic of the MDS system rather than a sign of internal engine damage. If you want a deeper look at owner-reported issues by year, our 6.4 HEMI problems guide covers the specific complaints worth watching for.

Ram 6.4 HEMI Horsepower Questions Answered

How much horsepower does a 6.4 HEMI have?

The 6.4L HEMI in the current Ram 2500 and 3500 makes 405 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. Trucks built from 2014 through roughly 2024 were rated at 410 horsepower with the same torque figure.

Did the 6.4 HEMI horsepower change over the years?

Yes. Ram’s official specs show a drop from 410 to 405 horsepower starting with the 2025 model year, while torque has stayed at 429 lb-ft since 2014.

Is the truck 6.4 HEMI the same as the SRT 392?

No. The SRT 6.4 392 in the Challenger, Charger, and Grand Cherokee makes 470 to 485 horsepower with a completely different tune built for high-rpm performance, not towing.

How much can a 6.4 HEMI Ram 2500 tow?

A 2025 Ram 2500 4×2 with the 6.4L HEMI can tow up to 17,520 lb when properly equipped. Earlier model years rated through 2024 topped out around 17,730 lb.

Is the 6.4 HEMI or 6.7 Cummins better?

Neither engine is better across the board. The Cummins wins on torque and towing capacity, while the HEMI carries more usable payload and costs less to buy and maintain.

The Real Story Behind 6.4 HEMI Power Numbers

The 405 to 410 horsepower figure quoted for the Ram 6.4L HEMI has stayed remarkably stable since 2014, with torque never moving off 429 lb-ft. The real confusion in most searches comes from mixing up the truck engine with the SRT 392, which produces nearly 80 more horsepower in a completely different application.

If towing is your main priority, the 6.7L Cummins still wins on raw numbers. If payload and upfront cost matter more for your work, the 6.4 HEMI remains one of the most dependable gas V8 options in a heavy duty truck.