SRT8 Engine Longivity

[Kojak]

Just sent a PM to PWR Andy and thought this might be a good thread for any of us out there that are not experts in the "Power" field and are thinking of powering up their stock Challenger SRT8.
I wonder if we could get some of the knowledgeable people, like PWR Andy and others on this forum to give their point of view.

Is there a real basis for a concern of engine longivity if you are reaching the 500 RWHP area? If so why? what is the problem
It seems with the advertised Procharger and some headers and a few tweeks, that range is reachable.( as I with my SRT8 )

Thanks

[xlostpunkfoundx]

Might want to take a look at some of the Charger forums, since they've been around slightly longer, and see what kind of longevity they've had with different set-ups. Other than the recently upgraded 5.7's, they've been using the same engines that the Challengers have for years. I'm no expert by any means, just my .02. Hope this helps a little.

[Kojak]

Thanks xlost..but I wanted feedback on our 6.1 with aftermarket power in the 500 rwhp range.
Just wondering if any of the pros who do power upgrades could voice concerns or give us an explanation as to why it is a concern..how to achieve it with a reasonable safe build procedure..what might be the area to beef up..etc..

Just some general knowledge. I for one if there was a shop nearby with the expertise on this forum, would have put my once in a lifetime car in "safe" hands, ...

Dave

[lakersfan7272]

Well FWIW SRT engineers have stated in chat that the engine is designed for well upward of 150K I believe stock. 500hp is not really going too insane with mods so I wouldn't think you'd really be hurting your lifetime too much, assuming all the work was done well, etc. etc.

[Lucky]

2006 SRT8 300C here, 129,000 miles and still pulls strong, all stock!

[Kojak]

Just my point Lucky..a stock uniy may be fine ...but if you have put some engine mods into the SRT8 to bring it up to around the 500 RWHP , are there any issues once should be aware of or consider in the build...ie stronger pistone..etc..

Dave

[gr8srt8]

As everyone here is stating, the stock parts of the SRT8 motor is sufficient enough to provide the durability and longevity to carry the car into and over 100k miles.

Now, for whether or not a 500rwhp'd SRT8 can make it that far, well, that would depend on the quality and durability of the aftermarket parts you installed. If any of your selected of parts has a short life span, well, you have your answer.

"Suping" the 6.1 up to 500rwhp with forced induction (supercharger or turbo) wouldn't stress the stock motor too much (if tuned properly). So with quality parts, a quality build and a proper tune, a 500 rwhp'd 6.1 should enjoy the same life-span as an "equally driven" stock 6.1. Notice that I said "equally driven". Because, if you "beat" on any car, whether stock or modified, it won't live long.

The experts may weigh in, but unless they're willing to guarantee (warranty) their opinion, it's just opinion.

[Omicron]

Good thread topic.

Leave the engine stock, maintain it with frequent oil changes, don't beat on it, and your engine should last 150,000++ miles.

Upgrade heads, cam, intake, throttlebody, CAI, headers, catback exhaust, and good tuning will get you 450-500 rwhp. Again in this config, if you maintain it with frequent oil changes and don't beat on it, and your engine should last 150,000++ miles.

Adding a stroker kit with forged internals will get you to the 600 rwhp range, and again not impact your longevity. In fact this would allow you to run low to medium boost (below) and have them not impact your longevity either.

Boost:

• LOW boost (4-5 Lbs) if properly tuned might take 50,000 miles of longevity off the top of a non-forged internals motor. Will add about 100-125 rwhp to any config.
• MEDIUM boost (6-8 Lbs) if properly tuned might take away 75,000 miles of longevity from a non-forged internals motor. Will add about 150-200 rwhp to any config.
• HIGH boost (9-12 Lbs or higher) and your motor will last under 50,000 tops. Will add about 200+ rwhp to any config.

If you're that concerned with longevity, you can't go wrong with heads/cam/intake etc. If you need more power go the stroker route. If even more is needed, add low boost on top of that.

The problem with any of this is that the more power your car has, the harder it is to drive it sanely.

[Lucky]

I understand the quest for more horsepower, however, what is your usable amount, my 300 is my daily driver. I am a travelling sales man and I put about 3000 miles per month on the car, yet I know that I could use another 100 hp up front, I guess that would be 80 RWHP, my next engine will be a stroker of some sort, 440 or 468 with a stock cam, manifolds and low compression.

[Omicron]

Originally Posted by Lucky

I understand the quest for more horsepower, however, what is your usable amount, my 300 is my daily driver. I am a travelling sales man and I put about 3000 miles per month on the car, yet I know that I could use another 100 hp up front, I guess that would be 80 RWHP, my next engine will be a stroker of some sort, 440 or 468 with a stock cam, manifolds and low compression.

Not sure if that's a question to me, or just a statement/contribution to the thread Lucky. But I was naming rear wheel horsepower (rwhp), not flywheel or brake (bhp) horsepower. I'm right there with ya on the cubes and lower compression tho.