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6.1 vs 6.4

129K views 83 replies 36 participants last post by  hpindy  
#1 ·
I put in a search but didn't find anything so i'm going to ask what probably has already been asked. What should i do to keep up with a 392 I was at a stop light next to one yesterday and when we took off the 392 pulled harder. I don't know what they would do on the highway but light to light seems i would get my ass kicked all day with my 6.1. The only mods i have planed for the winter are a corsa performance cat back, and i'm still trying to figure this whole chip thing out not to sure if i want to do it i want the performance but not trying to void the warranty either. So I have a stock 2010 Torro Red 6.1 with a cold air intake so what i'm asking is what should i invest in that wont void the warranty and also make that 392 think twice about trying the 6.1.:nono:
 
#2 ·
Let me start by saying I have a 2010 SRT 6 speed. Light to light we will get our ass kicked every time. The 6.4L has more horse power and more torque and it's more evenly availble. IMO the cheapest way is nitrous if it is light to light or drag racing. There is no chip that does anything. You can try high flow cats, CAI and a good tune with good gas and that will help some but other wise it will require some real money (at least what I consider real money). That or get really good on your reaction time and hope the other driver is a 1/2 second slower at the tree or misses a shift.
 
#10 ·
I don't understand something. Why is it that everyone thinks that a 392 (with only a 45Hp advantage) can smoke a 6.1. But 6.1can only run with a 392 is if it has a 150Hp gain. A tune and Exhaust and CAI is enough. Even if you add the HP gains on the low side of the mods you still come close. Yes the torque curve is more linear than a 6.1 but you just have to get the peak RPM out of a 6.1 quicker. You don't NEED a S/C to run with a 6.4. A $400 camshaft will make them go crying back to the dealership.


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#3 ·
Mr Norms

Talked to Tim @ Mr Norms and see if he can help you. He is one of the best and he is in your town. He did a good job with a tune for me to help get a few more HP out of my car. I am not stock and do not have any warranty, but he might be able to help you.
 
#4 ·
to beat a 392 you have to supercharge your 6.1:)
6.1 stock is no match for the 6.4 no matter the circumstance. we are talking a 470hp vs 425hp and pretty much the same numbers in torque give or take. Take advantage while the 392 is unable to SC. Once that code is broke that 6.4 will be untouchable. But us 6.1 owners have to upper hand to sc and tune making our car much faster. Do some research about the warrenty because i've heard so many different stories on this. some say mods void the warranty others say mods only void warranty if the mod is responsible for the damage. So again research will be key.Good luck and be safe.
 
#5 ·
Agree with all the above statements... The only way it might not look as bad is if the 392 is a six speed and your a custom tuned auto, but he is more than likely still going to get ya. Unless he can't drive. lol
 
#6 ·
I have stayed side by side 392s and a nose ahead in my 09 6 Speed. With the high flow cats, Corsa cat back, port and polished intake, 87 MM throttle body, a Diable CMR Dyno tune and AirAid Cold Air....plus the 180 thermostat I roll right beside them. I test drove one and it felt like my car so I'm sticking with my 09 SRT8 6 speed.
 
#7 ·
this is more what I was thinking. I can't believe most people truly believe you need F/I to hang with a 392. Hell drop a 75-100 shot and you're there. But simple bolt ons and a custom tune and you should be damn close, and your post proves it. Don't get me wrong, the 392 is badass, but it's no god.
 
#12 ·
Get off that nickle and mod up your 6.1.
Otherwise just accept the fact the 392 is gonna eat your lunch all day long and then give you a toilet swirley just for good measure.
More HP, more torque and it uses them both much better through the whole powerband
 
#26 ·
Get off that nickle and mod up your 6.1.
Otherwise just accept the fact the 392 is gonna eat your lunch all day long and then give you a toilet swirley just for good measure.
More HP, more torque and it uses them both much better through the whole powerband
hahahah agreed... I know alot of us 6.1 owners want to be able to say we can spank a 6.4 but the sad reality is anything we can do they can do better!! except add a s/c and a tune :bump:
 
#15 ·
Having owned both a 6.1 and a 6.4 there's no comparison stock for stock, the 6.4 pulls harder from launch to WOT. A modded 6.1 (CAI, hi-flow cats, catback exaust and a tune) makes it a closer race, but my best 1/4 mile time with those mods was 13.059 @ 107.74 and from I've been reading a stock 392 auto should be .4 -.5 tenths faster (haven't had a chance to go to the track myself yet). I've only done a CAI and exhaust on my 6.4 so far and the butt dyno tells me no comparison, the available power in the lower RPMs really make the difference IMO.
 
#25 ·
First time behind the wheel of my 392 I said a few words after driving a bit to my dad. "This is alot more Torqy (probably not a word) than my 6.1 Charger." Don't get me wrong loved the 6.1. But the 392 is a beast stock for stock. And not knocking any 6.1 owners. But I also know that the heat soak was solved too in the 392. And just because you are cruising next to them on the street doesn't mean that it can hang as well as you think 'cuz they may not be thinking of racing. I get it all the time. Little tuners wanting to race me on the highway. I just let them go. No need for a ticket or jail time for drag racing.

If you own a 5.7, 6.1, or 6.4 you rock cuz of so many powerful choices for oval & bowtie killing!
 
#29 ·
But I also know that the heat soak was solved too in the 392.
Have to disagree with ya on this comment. Have two friends with the 392's and they have both commented on the loss of power when it's hot outside. Other than that... I agree with the rest of your post!!!:respect:
 
#32 ·
I agree I def lose power when it's hot. But I noticed its not as drastic. My 6.1 seemed to be bogged down until I could get clean air. My 392 not as much, that's what I was meaning.
 
#38 ·
Here's is a slightly twisted look at the argument between the 6.1 and 6.4 Hemis...

If Dodge offered a stroked 6.1 Hemi (426 Hemi) like they stroked a 5.7 Hemi to 392 cid, the argument would be reversible. So, if a 6.1 owner strokes there's (LOL) then they have a definite stock advantage if they keep the heads and camshaft stock.

Such drama...LOL
 
#50 ·
PWR had a customer on another forum who upgraded his heads, cam, and added a 100MM Throttle body, believe he made 450 RWHP and about that in torque. Cheaper than adding a supercharger and puts you equal to a 392.
A larger TB on a motor with stock bottom end (aka a motor thats not stroked) is a waste of money. I will argue that the stock TB will get same results in the 1/4 and on Dyno. A 100mm TB is way over the hill. You'd need a supercharged stroker to take advantage of that size of TB.
 
#47 ·
Aye, I have an 09 6.1 auto and on two different road trips (one through the mountains 40%, and one straight highway) averaged between 21-23. Never expected this kind of mileage, but I don't have any cool mods yet either.


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#48 ·
I just took a trip from Cedar Rapids Iowa to the Jersey shore for a 3 week vacation (1000 miles). The Chally got 25.4 mpg going and 25.8 total coming back. I have the records to prove it, that was at 75 to 85 with the cruise set.....unbelievable.
 
#52 ·
With huge 295s and about 200lbs extra weight my auto 6.1l 08 easily nets 19-20 mpg highway if I'm @ 75-80 cruise. Unless I could turn the MDS off on the 6.4l auto, it's just out of question, with the exhaust I have it would sound like the saddest muscle car on the road in MDS mode, none of that in the 6.1l auto thankfully.
 
#54 · (Edited)
If you were only wanting to do a cat-back, you will never beat a 392, a tune, good exhaust and a CAI gets you pretty close up there, throw in headers and a cam, and you would beat him easily off the line imo. 392 generates a low more low torque, 6.1 is more of peak-band engine (someone correct me if I am wrong) so a lower-end rpm cam change, one would think you could mimic the 392s lower end with that swap or surpass it, once again, correct me if I am wrong, but pretty sure cams are what drastically change that?

Also in terms of tuning, the 6.4l is "tunable" but only by swapping out the entire PCM, so before any dealer visit, you would have to swap back in the stock PCM...color me curious, but if Dodge has that type of lock-up already, I'm pretty sure they have some monitors do check for cracking down the road, back when they brought the 6.1l they didn't really have the tech, or even think to do it it seems, this time they were really on top of it, swapping out a PCM on a 45-55k car new is just horrifying to have to do, EVERYTHING warranty wise electrical\power-train is gone if they know you swapped out a PCM, guess we will find out down the road how many sensors Dodge has in these new cars\monitors.