Challenger Road Tests/Reviews

[Cuda340]

The July 2008 issue of Muscle Car Power magazine has a great article and cover photo of the Challenger. The article is titled "Smokin' Hot Dodge- Challenger's Return Heats Up the Muscle Car Wars."

It is not a road test (that will occur in a later issue), but a detailed summary of the 2008 Challenger's styling and engineering, including a neat full-page "History of the Dodge Pony Car."

Some excerpts from the article are as follows:

"The Dodge SRT8 is meant to deliver the kind of rear-wheel drive driving experience missing since the muscle car era, but in updated form."

"The Dodge Challenger SRT8's 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 gets more power out of less displacement than any naturally aspirated V-8 engine ever offered by Chrysler. Its 69.9-HP-per-liter rating exceeds that of the 1966 Street HEMI."

"The Challenger SRT8 puts power to the ground via an electronically-controlled five-speed automatic, with a lock up torque converter and AutoStick. AutoStick gives the driver the ability to select a higher or lower gear while the transmission controller calibration prevents fuel shutoff during power shifts."

"The W5A580 transmission is intended to provide the kind of performance feeling a muscle car should have...The setup is designed for smooth full-throttle launches, quick wide-open throttle up-shifts and quick two-step, kick-down shifts that are smoother than anything a hydraulic transmission could offer...Extensive use of an electronically modulated converter clutch improves fuel economy in normal, everyday driving conditions."

"Braking, a form of performance sometimes underestimated in the original muscle cars, is everything you would expect from a modern performance car."

"Unlike many of the cars in the muscle car era, which were designed to go fast in a straight line, the Challenger SRT is engineered with the current state of the art 5-link independent rear suspension. The decoupling of left and right wheels over road imperfections permits flatter tire contact with the ground and maintains ride comfort."

[Cuda340]

Here is an early review of a pre-production SRT Challenger:

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Prototype Test Drive, Photos - New Hemi First Review - Popular Mechanics

Excerpt:
"Even the ear buds we were wearing under our helmet to maintain radio contact with the pits couldn't muffle the baritone exhaust note from the big, 6.1-liter Hemi whenever we put our boot on the pedal. You should understand that we were toeing the accelerator extremely delicately, picking our way around a slippery, 3.1-mile track at a rain-sodden private track here. On the few occasions we could let the new coupe extend itself, the 425-hp Hemi gave voice in a way that brought a smile to everyone in range."

[Cuda340]

"First ride" video review of a 2008 silver SRT Challenger:

First Drive: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT 8 - MyRide Car Community - VIDEO

[NOTSURE]

I noticed on that first burn out only one tire patch,great video,and super track footage..

[iceman]

Hi All - I am new here and joined because I'm hoping to be able to figure out a way to get a Challenger into my garage in a few years. I read through this thread and don't believe everything that is being said about the GT500's. They are a damn good car and you better believe the aftermarket for them is in full swing.

I know this because I drive one (I have a couple of jeeps too so don't hate me right away). I have a triple black vert that is putting out 784 rwhp and 703 torque on my last dyno. Clearly I've modded a bit to say the least but a GT500 and the whinning SC for about 1200 bucks on a tune, intake, and pulley will throw down about 550-560 rwhp. It's not an uncommon mod for these cars for the money.

I think the Challenger is better looking as a hard top - I'm waiting to see the verts a little more but as we all know any car can be fast depending on the $ you have to throw at it.

We all agree the Camaro is ugly but who knows what will happen if they drop that vette engine in there. One thing for sure is we all better get em before the gas crisis turns us into dreamers wishing they were still out again.

If any of you are around the central Indiana area I'd love to meet people when you get the car...head to the drags etc. I love muscle cars period and appraciate this because Dodge nailed it. I wish they had an offering with a bit more power and steeper gears but all of that can be taken care of. The looks are great.

[425hpChargerSRT8]

welcome to the forums. Any idea as to what year model challenger youre wanting to get? There a few good dealers to be mentioned, i wont say any names because Im sure the good ones will get mentioned alot.

As far as the GT500 is concerned, i thought about getting one before i finally decided on the challenger. Its a nice car, but doesnt seem to be really fast for the kind of power it makes. Maybe its just me. My friend has one, and with the few mods i have listed in my signature i can beat him. Needless to say though, there are plenty mods for the GT500. Im with you though, its a muscle car so im a fan either way. Just everyone has a different taste thats all.

Anyway, what kind of mods have done to the GT500. My friend has basically just changed out the exhaust on his, nothing really big.

Again welcome to the forum, and if you are wanting info on a chally or where to buy one, you have come to the right place.

[NOTSURE]

Ice man welcome you found your home and Michigan says hello.
Yeah the vette motor is one real good asset the camaro has in its hopper,it will be interesting wont it as they all have shoot outs...
Dodge did nail it 100% its a damn sweet ride,nice stang as well.

Keep on keeping on..

[425hpChargerSRT8]

Originally Posted by NOTSURE

Ice man welcome you found your home and Michigan says hello.
Yeah the vette motor is one real good asset the camaro has in its hopper,it will be interesting wont it as they all have shoot outs...
Dodge did nail it 100% its a damn sweet ride,nice stang as well.

Keep on keeping on..

i think the vette motor is the only good thing about the camaro. Maybe they can make it like the prowler. Just 4 wheels, and an engine lol. That should be a quick ride, and probably look better too

[Kelsey73]

Welcome iceman! Glad to have another Shelby guy on here. I was all set to go and get the GT500 sitting on the lot here at 57K, but when we drove I wasn't overly impressed. I saw the SGT next to it and the looks alone sold me. The suspension on the GT500 needs to be redone, way to squirely for that much power. I got my SGT at 36K and love it, will be adding a S/C soon.

[iceman]

thanks guys. The gt500 stock is slower than you would expect got 500 hp but remember that's at the flywheel not the rear tires. It's also about as aerodynamic as a brick and heavy (although not quite as heavy as the challenger will be). Also the stock 331 gears for gas miles didn't help a ton. Honestly with 2K to 2500 of mods the car will run mid 11's. Just put on the 2.6 upper pulley and intake with a tune, some drag radials, and upgrade the stock rear LCA's to get rid of wheel hop and you are all set.

I ran a best of 10.991 last year but the damn printer was off line so the best I can claim and back up is 11.046 with a 133.xx trap speed. I went a couple of week ends ago with my new set up but only on street tires and didn't adjust any air pressure or suspension etc. Just drove up and ran. I trapped 135.58 but spun through 3rd as I am waiting on a taller tire for racing. I'm getting MT ET SWtreet Radials 325/50/15's rather than slicks so I can run true street still - I plan to be in the low 10's or maybe high 9's this year...even if it means a small 75 shot of nitrous to get to the 9's. If I am close with out it I'll do it for the slip then never fill the bottle again.

The link below is for my dyno sheet for any of those that doubt the power capability of these cars on the stock bottom end. There are a lot of guys out east at seal level running well into the 10's at Atco and Englishtown. I have to do it in Indiana though A couple in the 9's and 1 group getting ready for 8's but that is on a TT set up and aut trans. Mine stays a street car first so low 10's to high 9's would be damn good.

Black Vert Mafia - iceman's Album: Iceman's Albulm - Picture

As for mods:

displayed under "Snapshots" section in May 08 Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords

2007 Shelby GT500 Convertible - Purchased & took delivery 12/16/06 - Personalized Plate "07 COBRA"
Ebony/Tungsten Rocker Stripes
Premium Int Dark Charcoal
Kenwood DNX-8120 DVD/NAV Unit - SIRIUS Satellite Radio - Lifetime

Evolution Custom installed Kenne Bell 2.8 w 160mm TB & 3.25" pulley & Tune by Lund Racing
Innovations West 4lb lower pulley
Evolution Fuel Rails & Flow Matched 72# Injectors
Steeda (Evo.) Heat Exchanger
1 piece aluminum driveshaft
FRRP 3.73 Gears & Detroit True Trac Differential
American Racing Stainless Long Tube Headers
3" custom exhaust with Bassani axelbacks
Eibach "Pro-Kit" springs & sway bars (front & rear)
D-Spec adjustable shocks/struts with remote extenders in trunk
Autometer Wideband A/F, Fuel Pressure, & Boost (Cobalt gauges) in SOS A-frame pods w/Raptor Shift Light
STEEDA Tri-axe shifter, LCA & Relo Brackets, Adj. UCA, Adj. Panhard Rod & Brace, Heavy Duty Upper Strut Mounts, hood struts, dead pedal
Prothane motor mounts (machined to fit KB 2.8 under hood with no cutting)
Stillen cross drilled & slotted rotors with stainless lines
Shelby Automotive Tail light, 3rd tail light, & Quartler lamp trim, Shelby fluid caps & fuse box cover, Autographed Dash Plaque
Window Tint (20%) & 8K HID hi/low head lights
CCW 19" SP500 Rims & BFG KDW tires for the street (275/35 front & 295/35 rear)
Tire Fryer Line Locks

morso intercooler resorvior just ordered and drag wheels & tires due any day!