Dodge Challenger Forum banner

RT vs Scat/SRT

28K views 64 replies 41 participants last post by  c26bt34c 
#1 ·
I've had my beautiful 15 RT m6 for 9 months now and I love it! Unfortunately the bug has hit and I am now wanting more power.

I flirted with the idea of supercharger and supporting mods but I'm not 100 percent sure.

My question is this, for those of you that have driven both how much more powerful is the 392 vs the 5.7. Is the difference quite noticeable or am I better off just supercharging the rt?

I know I'll probably take a bath on the RT but I think the bath will be less than the price of supercharging/ modifying the RT.

Thanks!
 
#46 ·
I went from a 12 SRT8, to a 13 Boss 302, to a 14 R/T and now a 15 Scat Pack. I can say this right now...there is a massive difference between the 5.7 and 6.4. When you floor the 5.7, it definitely moves. When you floor the 6.4, it throws you back in the seat and makes you question just how reliable the ol' traction control actually is. The question is...are you in the right driving circumstance to benefit from that added power or will you just be annoyed with it?

You see...my afternoon commute is approximately 10 miles. And it can take anywhere between 20-60 minutes on the average. I avoid this issue in the morning by leaving for work 1 1/2 hours early and hitting the gym. Not avoidable in the afternoon. The 6.4 hates traffic...it absolutely does. I've always felt the 5.7 was right at home. Easy to handle in almost all traffic situations. The 6.4 is not going to be happy in bumper to bumper crap and neither are you. This thing wants to GOOOO!!!!! It feels extremely clunky and sloppy at these delicate speeds. Quite frankly...its freakin annoying. That is if you have a 6M...auto's dont have this issue.

But....man is it worth it when you smash the gas coming out on a clear road on a Saturday morning and your stomach jumps up in your chest. You just cant help but get a big ol' **** eatin grin on your face!

If the deal is good...I'd do it. If not...I'd pass and be happy with your 5.7. My .02 cents.
 
#49 ·
I went from a 12 SRT8, to a 13 Boss 302, to a 14 R/T and now a 15 Scat Pack.

If the deal is good...I'd do it. If not...I'd pass and be happy with your 5.7. My .02 cents.
Robe81, You have owned 3 of the cars that I am now considering. The 12 SRT8, 13 Boss 302 and the Scat Pack. Can you compare the 12 SRT8 and Scat Pack in a little more detail? I am assuming they all are 6 spd manuals, right? Apologies to the OP, don't want to hi jack your thread. I have driven both A5 and 6spd (pre 15) R/Ts and both A5 and 6spd (pre 15s) SRTs, both 6.1 and 6.4. The 6.4 is impressive, and would/will be my choice when I buy. I'm stuck deciding between a 15 or 16 Scat Pack ( I have not yet been able to try any 15 6.4 car or the A8) or a 12 to 14 SRT8.
 
#60 ·
Sure!

Comparing the 2012 SRT8 and the 2015 Scat Pack

2012 SRT8
- Old Interior (Roomier Interior...doesnt feel cramped.)
- Old Stereo System (comes with CD player and Hard Drive. Does not have the performance pages and all that.
- Same Performance as Scat Pack (dynod bone stock at 420/420)
- Arguably better exterior styling
- SRT8 comes with leather, adjustable suspension, and a few other things. All but adjustable suspension can be had on SP I believe.
- Adjustable suspension. Really cool. Almost never used it though. Very stiff for daily driving.
- Pistol Grip shifter is stock...I could give/take it.
- Stock exhaust sounds like crap. Aftermarket is plentiful...but I never found the perfect one. Either too much drone or really raspy.

2015 Scat Pack
- New UConnect system. I dont care for it at all as I appreciate simplicity..and a CD player. Others love it. It is cool to adjust the performance settings.
- New interior also brings a feeling of "more cramped" than the 2014 and back due to new center console and doors.
- New Instrument Panel/Gauges. Went with a retro, but modern approach. Might be my favorite thing about the new design. Check that...it is!!!
- Active Exhaust. Close second...I LOVE this exhaust!!! I honestly cannot see myself swapping exhausts ever. Its perfect!


Thats about all I can think of off the top of my head. Both drive the same. The active exhaust gives the illusion that the 2015 is faster maybe but they are really just both torque monsters!!! They will slam you back in the seat at full throttle and have you smiling no problem! :thumbsup:

Now if you were really considering the Boss 302...that would be another story all together. My I traded my SRT8 in for the Boss and had a ton of fun...for about 3 months. It was hands down the funnest car I've ever driven and many of the issues I had with the challenger (stop and go traffic) did not phase me. I actually enjoyed getting stopped at lights because it was so fun to row the gears in that car. Very light...very simple...and very fun. Will probably be the one that got away in the end.

So why did I get rid of it? I missed my Challenger. These cars really are the full package. I can take my wife and all three kids semi-comfortably. (impossible in a mustang...) and I enjoy driving a big car. The mustang was far too cramped for me (6.0 Ft, 205 lbs) and to be honest, the Mustang crowd tends to be on the immature side. As cool as that car was...everytime I saw a MOPAR, I knew I was in the wrong car. So I got my 14 R/T...and even though it was way slower and not as fun...it was the right car. Until the 15' B5 Scat Pack came out that is...
 
#62 · (Edited)
Sure!

Comparing the 2012 SRT8 and the 2015 Scat Pack

Now if you were really considering the Boss 302...that would be another story all together. My I traded my SRT8 in for the Boss and had a ton of fun...for about 3 months. It was hands down the funnest car I've ever driven and many of the issues I had with the challenger (stop and go traffic) did not phase me. I actually enjoyed getting stopped at lights because it was so fun to row the gears in that car. Very light...very simple...and very fun. Will probably be the one that got away in the end.

So why did I get rid of it? I missed my Challenger. These cars really are the full package. I can take my wife and all three kids semi-comfortably. (impossible in a mustang...) and I enjoy driving a big car. The mustang was far too cramped for me (6.0 Ft, 205 lbs) and to be honest, the Mustang crowd tends to be on the immature side. As cool as that car was...everytime I saw a MOPAR, I knew I was in the wrong car. So I got my 14 R/T...and even though it was way slower and not as fun...it was the right car. Until the 15' B5 Scat Pack came out that is...

Robe81, thanks for sharing the comparison and your experience w/the Boss. I also had a Mustang for about 3 months. A 2012 GT 6spd w/Brembo package and 3.73 gears. It was as close to a Boss as I could get/order and afford. The Boss's at that time were going for WAY over msrp. I thought the car was a lot of fun and enjoyed winding out that Coyote every chance I could. Performance wise, I have nothing bad to say about that car. The interior room, while much smaller than a Challenger, was still a huge improvement over the '72 restomod Vette that I had just sold. But in the end, I just wasn't happy, as I really wanted a Challenger all along. I just love the look of that car! After driving the 6.4 cars, I was really impressed. The 6.4 felt every bit as quick as my 5.0, maybe even a tick faster.

I am gonna pass on the Boss ..at least for now. I am on the fence trying to decide between 2012/2013 srt8 or a Scat. If I go to the Scat, I may go A8. I still need to test drive one and think about that.

Again, apologies to the OP for side tracking the thread.
 
#47 ·
I have a 2015 R/T and I wanted to upgraded to the scat pack. It would have cost way to much for me to make the jump. I would have lost about 10k or less on the trade and I would have also needed money to put down on the car to help on the payments and not to mention the car insurance would of went up. So I went with a Whipple supercharger.
 
#48 ·
I owned a 2012 R/T before I got the SRT. I can tell you that there is very significant difference especially with the A8. I would get a stock 392 for the power and reliability. If you can afford it get the SRT, you get the bigger brakes, wider wheels and tires and magnetic adjustable dampers.
 
#52 ·
I went from a 14 M6 R/T to a 16 A8 SRT and even though the 14 was no slug, the 16 is a whole 'nother beast. And no way will I ever go back to M6, the A8 is incredible and fits this car and engine perfectly. I went with the SRT over the Scat because I love all the toys and the SRT just has everything imaginable not to mention the great adjustable suspension and different drive modes. For me, the SRT is the best Challenger made. In traffic or just cruising around slow you can go to Valet Mode and this makes the car so much smoother and easier to drive slowly, it locks out first gear so starts ate very gentle unlike first gear in other modes, hit this gas too hard in first and this thing wants to launch! And on the highway, the SRT is king, just cannot be any better, yeah I'm loving this car!

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Geno22
#56 ·
What a great era for performance car enthusiasts when a decent-size car runs 105 mph in the quarter mile yet "struggles to get any real performance above 60 mph"!
 
#61 ·
In traffic use sport mode or manual shift it. Just putt, putting in drive tends to shift it in to "over bog".

As for dealership nasties:

I noticed a pattern, the Geo Metro's always had empty bags of chips everywhere. The two worst cars were one with ants rampantly running around chasing all the crumbs and food on the floor, and fresh vomit on the front bench seat. I said KMA, give them to the new guy...
 
#63 ·
I'm in a similar position. I've had my R/T for a little over two months and I've caught the same bug as you. I did a lot of research on modding and on trading up for a Scat Pack and here are my thoughts:

1. Modding your R/T will cost about $100 for each horsepower. If you want your car to equal the Scat in power, prepare to spend about $11,000. Maybe ten grand, if you're lucky. The difference in price between an R/T and a Scat is less than this, and you'd get upgraded suspension and brakes in the Scat.

2. As others have said, modding your car will void your warranty.

3. If you mod your motor, you'll probably need upgrades to other parts of your powertrain.

4. Most of the mods will be nearly worthless in resale or trade when you're ready to get rid of the car.

5. Even with mods, the R/T simply can't match the low-end torque of the Scat. There really is no replacement for displacement. And if you're like me, this is what you really want.

If you really REALLY want that power, it's cheaper to sell your R/T privately, eat the depreciation, and then go buy a Scat.

Good luck.
 
#65 ·
I'm in a similar position. I've had my R/T for a little over two months and I've caught the same bug as you. I did a lot of research on modding and on trading up for a Scat Pack and here are my thoughts:



1. Modding your R/T will cost about $100 for each horsepower. If you want your car to equal the Scat in power, prepare to spend about $11,000. Maybe ten grand, if you're lucky. The difference in price between an R/T and a Scat is less than this, and you'd get upgraded suspension and brakes in the Scat.



2. As others have said, modding your car will void your warranty.



3. If you mod your motor, you'll probably need upgrades to other parts of your powertrain.



4. Most of the mods will be nearly worthless in resale or trade when you're ready to get rid of the car.



5. Even with mods, the R/T simply can't match the low-end torque of the Scat. There really is no replacement for displacement. And if you're like me, this is what you really want.



If you really REALLY want that power, it's cheaper to sell your R/T privately, eat the depreciation, and then go buy a Scat.



Good luck.

If you add a blower to a 5.7 ($10k installed and dyno tuned), it will have more power than a stock 392.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
 
#64 · (Edited)
I was looking at a crate 392 for 8K to throw in my R/T. After all said and done I am guessing it would be 10K after install. That is if they gave me money for my 5.7 with 6K on it. I think it is a viable option given its reliability over a blower. My car is pretty much optioned out. The only thing I wouldn't have is the upgraded brakes. Kinda important in my opinion. Drove a friends WRX a few years ago.. Easley a mid 12 second car. Rowed through the gears then went to stop and nothing but brake fade. Not a good experience. People make their car fast but never give thought to slowing down.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top