Originally Posted by Cuda340
Take another look at the Buyer's Guide (page 2). The limited slip differential is standard on all SRTs and standard on the R/T with manual.
Also, the Trak Pak is standard with the manual SRT.
So it seems then. Perhaps because of the momentous bias that Chrysler has had for the limited slip to be only available on the Trak Pak manual trans cars (which included the limited slip) and the limited slip only being available on the 6pd R/T (and all SRTs) as mentioned on page 2 led me to believe that only the manuals got it (I only read the sheet briefly and the misspelling of the word axle on that page caused me to move on thinking initially that it wasn't official but later I saw that it was from Dodge.com). Why then mention that there is a limited slip in the description of the TrakPak 6spd package if otherwise all 6spd cars get it as standard anyway? This leads to confusion forcing me to compare to the opposite.
However, I still like automatic cars and I prefer the R/T over the SRT because I like the idea of 15/23 MPG vs 13/18 mpg as a result of the MDS (which I read somehwere was not available on certain 6spd cars (either the TrakPak ones or all of them).
Yes, the MDS shouldn't be the only reason it's better on gas as the extra displacement of the 6.1 and it's power would take a toll too. Someone mentioned here that the MDS only accounts for 1 mpg which is contrary to Chrysler's claim (for the 2005-2008 LX cars) of 3 in the city and 5 on the highway but you can't listen to Chrysler because that mpg differential equals the 6.1s and the 5.7 is still a smaller lower output motor so according to Chrysler the 5.7 would otherwise get the same MPG as the 6.1 without MDS which makes no sense.
Nonetheless, a 2009 R/T auto 5.7 would make 375hp and 398 lbs ft of tq which is more than plenty to break the back end out on an auto car but it will need limited slip. I don't need 420lbs ft of tq and 425hp in the same car to do that so why not have the limited slip on the auto 5.7 R/T? I'd rather not spend the extra amounts of fuel (plus have to use premium) to do what I do with a 4200lbs Impala with 330lbs ft of torque and 260hp which gets 15/23 mpg and can run on 87 octane.
Engineering is paramount here and not just engineering to get people to buy the SRT just to own bragging rights that were approachabe with the 5.7.
PLUS the fact that the 2009 automatic cars get the limited slip DOESN'T adress the fact that the 2008s DO NOT HAVE limited slip. Ask the editors at Automobile Magazine. They compared the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 open axle car they had with the prototype #2 car they drove for 2009 which had the Getrag limited slip (the #1 prototype car did not). I will stand corrected if I see indeniable proof that 2008s have this as from what I have read thus far they do not. If light is shed on this DSA option or component then I will have to change my mind. One thing is for sure. Anyone here who gets a 2008 in their hands can put it on a car hoist and raise the car, then move the rear wheel (whichever one) in one direction, if the other one moves in the same direction then it is a limited slip differential. If the other wheel doesn't move or moves in the opposite direction then it is a open axle and not a limited slip.
One thing is for sure, you will notice a big jump in 0-60s and 1/4 mile times comparing the open-axle 2008 SRT Challenger automatic vs the limited slip 2009 SRT Challenger automatic. The car will grab and bite the road with no brakes a pulsing and no engine timing a retarding.
One thing is for healthy sure, if Chrysler wants to sell all those accessories such as T/A hoods, headers, cams, heads, high stall converters, T-handle automatic shifters, etc then they can offer up the limited slip that is in the auto and manual SRT (and the manual R/Ts) too and guarantee full compliance with warranty and software.