SRT Engineers Chat Session 11/04/09

[jeffaary]

After taking a brief glance at today's presentation, it appears the Caliber and Avenger will be with us for at least a few more years. Any chance of Caliber SRT-4 production resuming, or being replaced by an Avenger SRT-4? Thank you.

[jeffaary]

Were the SRT engineers involved with the development of Allen Johnson's new pro-stock Avenger, or is that a different group? Just curious.

[Speedy!]

Are there any final 2009 Production numbers for Challengers broken down by SRT, RT, color, and transmission?

[Speedy!]

Ford has a GT500 with 540HP and a GM is rumored to be designing a 550HP Z28 Camaro.

If I were head of your engineering department what solution would you present to me as a special model Challenger to compete with the above competition?

[Speedy!]

There have been several 6 speed Challengers that have broken half shafts on this forum. Some SRTs and Some R/Ts, but all 6 speeds.

Are you guys aware of any manufacturing problem or other circumstances surrounding these failures?

Speculation on the forum is that wheel hop is causing fatigue to the half shafts. I believe every case has been the driver's side.

I know some of the cars were modified to produce more power, but I'm not sure if all if them were, but this problem is happening with quite a bit of frequency lately.

Some who've had repairs have found local dealers with half shafts in stock due to other customers who've broken them as well.

[rick s]

Hello,

1. RRT 09-073 & TSB 18-030-09 came out on 10/15/09. It affects a very specific group: 09, Automatic, SRT cars only; Challengers, Chargers, and 300s . It states the flash affects "driveability improvements to improve customer satisfaction" via a PCM update.

The words "improves performance" has many of us very excited. However, the few people on here that have had it flashed didn't see or feel any difference at all. No one knows what it does, not even our dealers.

Please tell us exactly what performance issues it affects and what the updates change/improve. Thanks.


2. I asked you about the non-availability of the 09 Challenger Service Manuals during the last session. You said you would look into it. Do you have any new information for those of us that have them on back order? See below:

"The Service Manual (CD) for this car has not been available from Tech Authority for at least 2 months. It must be either a legal issue, or maybe some paperwork is simply sitting in someone's end basket, because it surely doesn't take this long to copy a CD. Can you look into this and maybe help push them along?"

Engineer's response:
"A number of things were held up during bankruptcy. We'll see if that is what is going on."

Thanks again for a great car!

[HEMEEE]

Just a reminder of the Participant Guidelines in post #1 folks...

PLEASE do not ask for info about future product...

THANKS!

[CSRT4]

Hi and once again thanks for holding these! You guys are an invaluable asset to the community!

I have a question about about my '08 Caliber SRT4. Whenever I drive normally, as the clutch engages in first gear and the car starts to roll, I get a short, very audible howling noise. If I let the clutch out really slowly, I don't get that noise. It doesn't happen everytime, but it has gotten more frequent over the last few months. It only happens during the engagement in first gear, and there's no other performance issues or problems with the tranny.

Any idea what this could be?

Thanks again!

[09 Plym]

I have an 09 SRT8/6SPD Challenger and I must say I love the car and have never seen any car that gets as many looks and comments as this. It is a dream car to drive.

1) I echo earlier comments about 1-2 shift notchiness. I have 8000 miles on my car and it is consistently an issue, especially when cold. If shifter is pulled even slight off-line, it catches. Shifts have to be very carefully done in a careful linear pull.

2) I have had a Service Manual CD on order for many months and when I call the distributor, they tell me they are waiting on Chrysler to ship the CD's. Chrysler customer service is unable assist because the service manual part # is not in their database. Any help you can provide is appreciate.

Thanks,

[09 Plym]

On the SRT8 Challengers is there a PCM wiring connection for engine speed that would provide a more accurate signal for accessories like tachometers or shift lights than tapping into the signal wire for either an individual coil or injector? Both of these have erratic signals at low RPM's.