Any Dodge Challenger owners?

JelloStorm

JelloStorm

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 23, 2010
1,409
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42
Northeast Pennsylvania
#1
I'm seriously considering a new R/T or holding out to get more $ down on a lightly used 6.1L SRT8.

The 6.4L 392 is just too expensive for my tastes, but you can build a really nice R/T with a 5.7L for around 31k if you skip all the fancy stuff.

My buddy has a (I think) 2005 Charger RT and it's a lot of fun, but man... that 6.1 is bitchin.
 
#3
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

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#4
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

I've got a 2009 SRT8 dropping 1300 RWHP, as for the GT500, It's a Cookie Cutter.
My best friend purchased a Super Snake, put some extras on it, but I still whip his ass. It's almost like racing a GEO...;-)
 
#8
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

I have a '06 300C SRT8 (close cousin to the Challenger). You definitely want the 6.1L, upgraded brakes, better suspension, and awesome seats that come with the SRT8. Do it.
 
#10
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

The second-gen 5.7L ("Eagle"), with its upgraded heads and VVT, is a very healthy engine. It's down about 30 RWHP to the 6.1L at their respective peaks, but the smaller engine has better low-end power (not an issue with the auto, but noticeable with a manual).

The real reason to get the SRT8 is because the whole package is just so much better.
 
#11
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

The SRT is certainly the way to go because the suspension, brakes, and resale are considerably better. Nonetheless, the 375hp R/T is a lot of fun to drive with the 6spd.

Believe it or not, I was consistently able to get a squeak out of the tires going into <span style="font-weight: bold">FOURTH</span> gear, flat-shifting the R/T. The Tremec 6060 really feels nice, albeit the OEM shifter is a touch rubbery.

One thing to bear in mind is that Chrysler changed their ECU coding as of mid 2010, and they are essentially un-hackable - so aftermarket tuning is out. If any mods that require tuning are in your future, you don't want that!
 
#12
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

They've hacked up to the 2012 and working on the 2013 cars now. Newer Dodges are the most complicated to modify, thanks to the government.
 
#13
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

I've been in Onechance's SRT, It's one bad ass car. He's dropped a lot of $ into it. First muscle car I've ridden in with super car capabilities. I've been in it at 205 MPH (GPS) and lost the front end.
 
#15
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

My R/T has the suspension completely redone. If you had a 392 SRT it's the suspension you would upgrade too. Way better that a stock 392 SRT suspension. When I got my car the small tires would get loose in all gears. I am running 315s on the rear and I still get it loose. I have a B&G tuned ECU, kooks long tube headers with high flow cats, AFE 3" exhaust with cat blacks, Fastman 85 mm TB and Mopar CAI. Haven't dynoed the car yet, however I would venture to say it 425 HP at the crank and weighs less than a stock 6.1 SRT, because of the weight savings I have done to the car. Once Diablo has it so that you change all the parameters I will switch to that and have it dyno tuned for better performance.

All of that said if you want a good looking car get the Challenger. If you want a fast car get a 2013 Mustang GT and do the right mods. Will be less expensive than a SRT and faster. The Challenger just can't hide the fact it weighs more than 4000lbs.


Oncchance are you the one that did over 200 mph at the Texas Mile and the Mohave run? What SC are you using?
 
#16
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

I have one of the numbered cars that came out in '08, it is a pretty badass ride! (mine is 2479 of 6400)

challengerpictures001.jpg


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A few other rides in my stable....:)
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The general is no longer with us....JFComfort and I put a hurtin on it coming back from the range awhile back!

64 Corvette stingray, 57 Chevy 210 2 door post, 2008 Dodge Challenger, I like my cars all colors just as long as it is black...PITA to keep clean, but they look pretty mean when they are polished up!
smile.gif

cars3.jpg


cars2.jpg


cars1.jpg


cars4.jpg
 
#17
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Believe it or not, I was consistently able to get a squeak out of the tires going into <span style="font-weight: bold">FOURTH</span> gear, flat-shifting the R/T. </div></div>

My modified Impala SS, with weight and wheel HP that are very similar to an SRT8, will also squawk the tires nicely on a 3-4 powershift if I'm on street tires. It's awesome to look at the data acq and see a 8-10 MPH increase during that shift
eek.gif
Obviously, this should cause one to consider carefully who gets to borrow the keys.

The 300C SRT8 obviously has an auto so it behaves a bit better, but with the Diablo tune it shifts firmly enough to get a bit squirrely on the 2-3 shift if the tires are cold. I figure that it's a good idea to hot-test the traction control on a regular basis.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One thing to bear in mind is that Chrysler changed their ECU coding as of mid 2010, and they are essentially un-hackable - so aftermarket tuning is out.</div></div>

Diablo just announced their '11-'12 tuning capability this week at SEMA. Given the relatively sophisticated encryption employed by Chrysler & Siemens in this ECU, I'm guessing that this was more about social engineering than reverse engineering
wink.gif


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: onechance</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Newer Dodges are the most complicated to modify, thanks to the government.</div></div>

The government has nothing to do with ECU encryption. Chrysler themselves said that it was because they were sick of paying out warranty claims to owners who hacked their cars, broke them, returned the ECU to stock, and then came asking for free repairs.
 
#18
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

Yes, Chrysler specifically upped the ante on their encryption to make it as impossible as they could to hack.

If it has been hacked, I think your "social" engineering (as opposed to reverse-engineering) is highly likely.

Good news for the end user though!

We can thank the government for additional controls and diagnostics that will cause you to get a "MIL" (malfunction indication lamp) from [very] basic modifications though. For example, the '12 model Charger, 300 and Grand Cherokee have valves in the exhaust that if removed, will set a MIL.
 
#19
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

I think OC is running a KB 3.8 with a custom CNC turned pulley set up, pushing it 20% over factory. He's also running a custom IC and AC keeping that 426 cool. I think the only stock parts on his car is, body and interior.
 
#20
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If it has been hacked, I think your "social" engineering (as opposed to reverse-engineering) is highly likely.</div></div>

There are a number of underpaid and unemployed engineers floating around Detroit, any number of whom have a lot of valuable information in their possession. Sure, we all signed NDAs that prohibit this sort of thing, but unless you're brazen enough to hand over CDs full of drawing to overseas competitors (like the Big 3 employee who got busted by the FBI a few years back), it's unlikely that any legal action will take place.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We can thank the government for additional controls and diagnostics that will cause you to get a "MIL" (malfunction indication lamp) from [very] basic modifications though. For example, the '12 model Charger, 300 and Grand Cherokee have valves in the exhaust that if removed, will set a MIL. </div></div>

Note that the use of a mass-airflow (MAF) engine management strategy would likely result in fewer spurious "malfunctions". Chrysler, for whatever reason <cough><span style="font-style: italic">cost</span></cough>, has chosen to utilize a speed-density approach, which is far more sensitive to minor changes in the induction and exhaust paths.
 
#21
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Eric Bryant</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We can thank the government for additional controls and diagnostics that will cause you to get a "MIL" (malfunction indication lamp) from [very] basic modifications though. For example, the '12 model Charger, 300 and Grand Cherokee have valves in the exhaust that if removed, will set a MIL. </div></div>

Note that the use of a mass-airflow (MAF) engine management strategy would likely result in fewer spurious "malfunctions". Chrysler, for whatever reason <cough><span style="font-style: italic">cost</span></cough>, has chosen to utilize a speed-density approach, which is far more sensitive to minor changes in the induction and exhaust paths. </div></div>

Yay MAP sensors!
 
#22
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: between the ii's</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think OC is running a KB 3.8 with a custom CNC turned pulley set up, pushing it 20% over factory. He's also running a custom IC and AC keeping that 426 cool. I think the only stock parts on his car is, body and interior. </div></div>

Do you know which 426? I was thinking of going with the PWR aluminum 426. 100 lbs lighter and 650 HP at the crank. That would roughly be 580 at the rear wheels. However, I have since gone a different direction and will be picking up a new 2013 Mustang GT that will be set up for auto cross. The Challenger will now become the weekend cruiser.
 
#25
Re: Any Dodge Challenger owners?

One other thing to think about is the finance terms. When I got my Challenger the terms were 0% for 36 months with 0 down. I have a good steady job so I went for that. Today I am picking up a 2013 Mustang GT with the terms 0% for 60 months.

The reason I bring that up is if you get a used 6.1 you won't get those kind of terms. If you get the R/T with the track package it has larger brakes and a sports suspension. The brakes are not Brembo brake. However, you can do what I did and get a set from ebay for $1200. That's front and rear SRT 8 brembo brakes. Get some headers, used 6.1 SRT headers cheap, exhaust, CAI and a Diablo tuner; this will cost less than a 6.1 and be just as fast.

So, once again check out the terms Dodge is offering and what the term would be on a used 6.1.
 
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