RICH REBUILDS’ SRT^® HELLCAT-POWERED MINIVAN: THE ULTIMATE MOPAR_® SLEEPER

Rich Benoit, the creative force behind the YouTube channel Rich Rebuilds, has made automotive history with the world’s first SRT^® Hellcat-powered minivan. By mating the body of a Chrysler Town & Country with the chassis and powertrain of a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, Rich has built a 1,000-horsepower family hauler that’s as absurd as it is awe-inspiring. As the first and only person to successfully Hellcat-swap a minivan, Rich turned a long-running Mopar_® fantasy into reality.

The idea of an SRT Hellcat powered minivan has been a running joke among Dodge enthusiasts for years, but no one took it seriously. "A lot of people talked about doing it, but nobody actually did," he said. Rich currently owns 2 other Hellcat-powered vehicles - a Ram TRX and a widebody Charger Redeye…that had 150,000 miles, accident history, and a theft report. He tried to sell it, but "with that history, people weren't biting." That made it the perfect donor for his wildest project yet.

Rich chose a Chrysler Town & Country instead of the Pacifica because it had arches, and the rear hatch design was important. "The goal was a five-seater that looks like a regular minivan but runs like a supercar," he explained. He also had plans for the rear hatch space, envisioning a unique setup with an eventual rear-facing seat. What started as a joke to see if it could be done quickly became a passion project that exceeded all expectations.

With experience building the first V8 Tesla, he knew building a chassis from scratch would take too long. He opted for a body swap. After taking measurements, they discovered the wheelbase of the Town & Country was remarkably close to the Charger's. This made the swap feasible, though not easy. "We cut the top off the Charger and dropped the Town & Country body onto its chassis," Rich said. Initially they had a roll cage fit for a Charger but the fans urged him to revise it for safety. The process involved extensive cutting and welding, with a 10-point roll cage that is integrated into the sway bars of the car, and the rear shocks are also adjustable.

The donor Charger SRT Hellcat wasn't stock, either. Palmer Dodge in Georgia performed an SRT Demon upgrade, AWE exhaust, a new cam, pulley and blower, pushing the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 to an astonishing 1,000-wheel horsepower on the dyno. Paired with a built 8-speed ZF transmission and custom suspension. The Charger wasn't meant to carry 7 passengers in the rear, so they installed a custom air bag system to make sure it's always level. The van now has a 50/50 weight distribution and weighs less than the outgoing Charger it replaced, even with the massive roll cage.

Rich took the build to a dragstrip in Florida, where it ran an impressive 10.4-second quarter-mile in 110-degree heat with a density altitude (DA) of 3,000 feet. "Under better conditions, we're confident it can hit the 9s," Rich said. The performance is a testament to the build's engineering and the sheer power of the upgraded SRT Hellcat engine.

The minivan retains the Charger's drivetrain and suspension, making it a formidable track machine despite its unassuming exterior. However, the interior and electronics still need refinement, including airbags and cooling systems. "It's not perfect yet, but it came out way better than anyone could have imagined," Rich noted.

What makes this build special is its blend of absurdity and functionality. The Town & Country at one point hid its 1,000-hp beastlike capability of embarrassing supercars. But with its plum crazy purple wrap and huge SRT Hellcat logo, it makes it easier to find where that supercharger whine is coming from.

The project also reflects Rich's approach to car building: bold, creative, and community-driven. His Rich Rebuilds YouTube channel documented every step, from the initial cuts to the first burnout. Fans played a key role, offering suggestions and urging safety upgrades like the roll cage. Despite the challenges of transporting the van 1,500 miles through winter storms for its final wrap, Benoit's dedication paid off.

The SRT Hellcat minivan is more than a viral stunt, it's a love letter to the SRT Hellcat era, which saw Dodge's supercharged HEMI engine transform the performance landscape. As the first to make this dream a reality, Rich has cemented his place in Mopar history. Future plans include finishing the interior, potentially with six bucket seats, and adding performance tweaks like a new exhaust and sway bars. For now, the minivan stands as a testament to what's possible when creativity meets horsepower. Check out Rich Rebuilds on YouTube to see the SRT Hellcat minivan in action, from dyno runs to dragstrip passes.