Trenton Engine was Chrysler’s first dedicated engine factory in the United States, separate from the assembly plants. It started making V8 engines in 1951, and made V8s through 1978, adding slant sixes in 1959; by 1979, Trenton was also making four-cylinders. Today, Trenton it is one home of the Pentastar V6. These photos were taken in late 2025, with the factory open to families and friends of the people who work there.
On display was an updated Pentastar V6 and this GME 2.0 liter turbo engine...
Within the cavernous interior of the factory, it seemed like everything was quite clean and tidy. This Pentastar engine was in the process of assembly, leaving its timing chains and top end exposed. The aisles were all open, with caution tape all over to prevent accidents.
Dave wrote, “The place has only changed slightly from when I was working there. A few new automatic rundown stations are on the assembly line. A couple of new machines have been added where there were bottlenecks. The overhead gantry robots have never been cleaned, but the rest of plant was spotless.
Above is a tray of roller rockers. These are a problem child part on the Pentastar Upgrade (PUG) engines. A roller fails and the valve train is shot.
They had food trucks and games and bouncy castles for the kids outside.
Pentastar engines lined upside down, on their carriers.
Another assembly area.
They had the team quality and productivity goals and charts on the boards, all visible to the people on the tours. Some problems are solved by teams of people. The goals are known to everyone and publicized, along with how many engines are in stock. (This is deliberately sized to be unreadable, to keep any corporate secrets safe.)
More engines on their carriers.
Engines in storage, waiting to be shipped out and installed.
There are thousands of Pentastar engines at the plant, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need to keep making them. The V6 is very much in demand. The Pentastar is used in most Wranglers and Gladiators, as well as Grand Cherokees, Pacificas, Ram 1500s, ProMaster vans, and, in the future, the serial-hybrid Ram 1500 REV and Grand Wagoneer REEV.
Engines are inspected and palettes get a green OK tag or a red scrap tag.
Building Trenton Engine
to Make Classic V8s and Air Raid Sirens
Building and Running the Slant Six Line at Trenton
Making the legendary Leaning Tower of Power
Making V8 engines
Trenton in pictures
Trenton Engine milestones
1964 Hemi to Pentastar
Trenton Engine: Building New V6 Lines in 2000
A pictorial with explanations and stories
Tales From the Factory: Matching Pistons and Blocks
How the factory managed precision problems, back in the day
Trenton Engine 2025 Family Day
See inside the engine factory!
Under the superlatives, minor changes for 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale
Ram remains top truck of Texas
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