I'm foreseeing yet another argument thread

 

I think you're right.

 

A Guy

 

I can't watch RacerX videos without getting sick.

 

Given the choice of watching a Racer X video or the below.....I’ll choose this.

 

The difference is one didn't "make it" sales wise, and the other exceeded sales goals.

 

Agreed. These SRTs have become legendary... and put Dodge back on the map as serious car makers!

Had its own division, which has foolishly been apparently disbanded??!!

Now everything "racey" says "made with SRT technology." Even has its own motor oil SRT... The Scat Pack is a R/T trim level that got the 392 motor and came with an odd name. Nothing says "made with Scat Pack" technology, right?

Demon with SRT badge

Hellcat, SRT badging

The SRT was its own top-tier for a handful of the early years, which is what I have, a 392 SRT.

SRT branding across the lineup, on the Jeep and Charger....

 

A Scat Pack isn't and never has been an SRT. It has always had a separate Vin designation and isn't classified as an SRT by Dodge.

That's the real deal right there. People can claim it's an SRT all day long but they will never be able to back it up with any official documentation.

On the other hand, anyone can prove it's an R/T in moments.

 

Correctly configured the Scat Pack has exceeded the SRT 392...

A Guy

 

The SRT 392, yes, perhaps on paper and only by ~10hp, which is ~2%; but that's just the natural evolution of designs and performance. Few humans would notice the 10hp or whatever difference and it would probably take professional drivers to notice and utilize that difference. And 2% could account for the weight of a passenger or some luggage in the trunk... negligible.

The SRT still rules the roads, on the Demon and Hellcats...

 

the move to have SRT as its own brand - the sales volumes just never supported the viability

at the time (2012) when this move was made there were the following models:
300 SRT8 (last year was '12 for US market)
Charger SRT8
Challenger SRT8
Viper
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (WK2 MY '12+)

during that time '12 - May '14 when the SRT division was reconsolidated back - Challenger SRT8 sales were in the mid-upper 2,000s and the Charger was similar.

Viper sales were low volume, despite the 5th Gen redesign (MY '13 - '17) and sales were so slow -

In '13 the production was reduced by a 1/3 and then in '14 production was paused for two months. Afterward the base MSRP was reduced by $15k ($100k > $85k)

It was clear that SRT was not going to have the image and sales like Daimler's AMG division, BMW Motorsport Division, or Audi's Quattro or RS series

Those companies had established their divisions going back to late 70s / 80s / 90s and SRT started off with the Viper for the '92 model and then some Ram SRT models subsequently.

It made more sense to integrate this back into the brands - since SRT wasn't going to be a stand alone brand nor have the volumes to support it.

the market for the Chrysler brands has a far slimmer pool of buyers once the $50K threshold is crossed - all one has to do is look at sales history for the various SRT models.

the peak years in sales volumes were probably the '15 / '16 Challenger Hellcats, (24K sold in those years) and then sales dropped back to the mid 2Ks to mid 3K range and today it seems the widebody HC variant sells in slightly more volume over the standard body - and this is at the top of the price range.

That's why the Scat Pack line sells - entry point is less and the buyer didn't have to take the "all options" approach that the SRT models only offered back in '12 - '14.

 

and then refer to the '18 Challenger SRT 392 - production was ~ 1,800 units the buyers voted with their purchases, especially when the move to reduce prices made SRT 392 models stripped down and you had to option items that previously were included.

Driver's Convenience Group (HID headlights being a major $$ feature
Laguna Leather or Alcantara / leather interior
Navigation
Performance Audio (Harmon Kardon 900W system)

so it was conceivable to have houndstooth cloth, halogen headlights and base audio - and the remaining exclusives were 9.5" wheels & 275/40 tires and the 3 mode Bilstein ADS shocks

and during this time from '17 onward, the Scat Pack offered the Dynamics Package and had the Bilstein ADS shocks as options and then the SP started to have the SRT Performance Pages added

 

For 2021, only the 6.2 Hellcats (i.e., Hellcat, Hellcat Widebody and Hellcat Redeye) carry the SRT name.

Here is the history of the SRT brand.

(737) History of SRT | Dodge Challenger Forum (challengertalk.com)

 

I some how enjoy the debate on this, it tickles me to no end .. I will say the last three posts were spot on and very informative . Everyone wants to think the car they own is special .
The production numbers for the 19's , who's got a yellow 19 wide body in the US , that's pretty special . Will it ever bring a premium ? Where I live just seeing a wide body "R/T scat" is rare but I do see them, Just love your car for what it is . But don't stop the debate ,it's entertaining.

 

I happen to love the Scat Pack and searched one out because of the available options, especially as in my my case with the 1320 Drag Pack option. Personally I couldn't give a rats a$$ if it is (or is not) a SRT but the base model 1320 I think has a good argument. It comes with the SRT Motor, SRT Performance pages, SRT Drive Modes, and some Demon goodies...

The 1320 Drag Pack Option replaces SRT pages I assume with Dodge Performance Pages AND The main reason I bought it, "The Drag Mode Performance Pages, Drag Mode Suspension, Demon 41 Spline Half Shafts, Beefed up A8, etc. Add to that Line Lock, Launch Control, Launch Assist, Stability Control and other amazing options found on the big dollar Cats and I couldn't ask for more options. Heated Seats & Mirrors, Cooling Seats, Insane Stereo and Speakers, Sub Woofer, 18 Speakers, Big Watts, and what I think is a BEAUTIFUL Kick A$$ Interior I actually prefer over the orig SRT interior. (not to mention they run mid or better 11's straight off the showroom floor). Personally I think it has more technology than other SRT Badged Challengers but I don't care, I bought a Scat Pack with the options i wanted and I got everything I could ask for

 

1 - Scat Pack is not a SRT, they are R/T
2 - Ignoring Hellcat (I can't believe I typed that)
3 - There is more difference between SRT8/SRT392 over the years than Scat Pack vs SRT8 SRT 392.
Scat Packs have more power, same brakes then the 6.1 SRT8, and starting 2017? optional bigger/better wheels/tires and even optional better brakes. Then in 2019? optional same suspension as SRT (and flat bottom steering wheel, right?). So a fully optioned Scat Pack in 2019+ is as good or better than any (non-hellcat) SRT8 SRT 392. But still an R/T.
And I don't care what RacerX ever says, nothing is ever a revelation or entertaining on his videos to me. I watch YouTube for new information, or entertainment.
The original SRT8s had 1 cool feature to me with the staggered tire sizes with 255s in the rear. But even that is obsolete with Dynamics package offering 275s all the way around now, and then the Widebody just blows that all away anyway.
So, to sum up.
1 - Scat Pack is R/T, clearly, no debate possible. (Look at the actual R/T badge on the car, and the window sticker)
2 - Newer is better engine/brakes/transmission/wheels&tires being improved over the original SRT8. (Some features are optional)
EDIT: That is all ignoring the 1320 (again, can't believe I actually typed "Ignore" and "1320") But that is a whole other level of specialtynessosity to me. Pure badassery in motion, only thing I would have considered other than my SHAKER, but they were unobtainable to me, and really I wouldn't fully use it, just for the coolness of it...

 

EDIT: That is all ignoring the 1320 (again, can't believe I actually typed "Ignore" and "1320") But that is a whole other level of specialtynessosity to me. Pure badassery in motion, only thing I would have considered other than my SHAKER, but they were unobtainable to me, and really I wouldn't fully use it, just for the coolness of it...

I felt the same way. I really wanted the 1320 but I couldn't live without the Shaker. That was the top priority option for my 19.

 

It still get a laugh out of the folks that plastered SRT badges (any many of them at that) on their Scat Packs
(rear spoiler, fenders, dash, inside door panels)

- seriously, did they think everyone thought otherwise they had a R/T 5.7??

 

Unless you're specifically a Mopar guy, nobody gives a crap about SRT or any of the badges. Everyone who sees my RT always asks "wow nice Hellcat!!".

This whole SRT or not SRT bickering is irrelevant for the general non-Mopar car enthusiast.

 

I don't really care whether a 392 powered car is an SRT or a Scat Pack. I see them like modern day versions of the GTX and road runner (the road runner badges were always lower case back in the day). The SRT was a loaded performance car and the Scat Pack was a performance car bargain that could be optioned up to suit the buyer's tastes. Just my two cents, both are great cars.

 

that's an apt analogy that the GTX started off with features that were standard and the 440-4bbl engine as standard

for a number of years, the roadrunner didn't have the 440-bbl and then it was either 440-6bbl or 426 Hemi as options.

In later years, when the '71+ was out, the roadrunner optioned with the 440 became the GTX trim level up through the '74...

 

The R/T Scat Pack harkens back to the old hot rod days, put a big motor in a standard car. A bone stock Scat Pack and a bone stock SRT are very different options wise. The Scat Pack is an R/T with the SRT engine, transmission, and rear end, plain and simple. The SRT gets better brakes and suspension.

 

I've always said that the SRT 392 is like the Rodney Dangerfield of Challenger's and got no Respect! It's either Scat Pack or Hellcat and nothing else mattered.

I don't care because I thought that the Scat Pack was the way for the "Frugal" people to get into a 392 without all of the bells and whistles and performance pieces that the SRT offered (the BIG Brembo brakes, the adaptive suspension and stuff like that). Now, with the SRT 392 gone, you can get those as options on the Scat Pack.

I'll tell you in all Honesty that I'm glad that we bought Ruby because I felt like "King for a day" every time that I drove her. They are just Special cars and I liked the fact that the SRT was not so popular because where I see a ton of Scat Packs (Shaker's and Regular ones) and Hellcat's, I rarely saw another SRT and I liked having that exclusivity (being different especially with the cosmetic mods that were done to her).

I'm not knocking Scat Packs because they are Great cars, but the SRT will always hold a place in my heart as just being Special!

 

SXT...we don't need no stinkin' badges!

A Guy

 

Clearly i don't even need to upbadge my RT when everyone automatically assumes i drive a Hellcat. I just smile and let them enjoy the beautiful Challenger.

 

Simply put, the SRT was a Hellcat but without the engine/transmission. The 1320 is a Demon but without the engine/transmission. The Scat pack is a baseline 392 package.

Folks keep getting confused between SRT the trim level, and SRT the name of the performance division at Dodge. Just because it says "Powered By SRT" on the valve covers, DOESN'T make it an SRT.

 

Hate to break it to you, but the 1320 uses the same ZF 8HP70 transmission as the dead & buried SRT 392 did in 2018...so I guess that makes the 1320 an SRT...for that matter, so did the 8 speed 2015 Scat Packs.

 

I also find the endless arguments hilarious, as do a number of people I've met inside SRT. Without going into enough detail to break NDAs, I'm considered an expert in my field and I have provided specialized technical training to many automotive and industrial facilities over the years, including the SRT facilities near FCA HQ (about 20 minutes from where I live). I've spent plenty of lunch breaks shooting the breeze with the staff, and this issue of whether or not a Scat Pack should be considered an SRT is a casual debate inside SRT as well.

There are plenty of insiders who don't consider SPs to be SRT vehicles for the same reasons as outsiders. There is more "SRT Technology" in a well-optioned Scat Pack than there ever was in any SRT8, and the SPWB suspension now gives SPs a level of suspension performance not available on any SRT-labeled vehicle. How can the SRT brand be synonymous with top performance, if the top-handling suspension in the platform isn't an SRT vehicle? Keeping the SPs off the SRT roster also keeps insurance rates down and makes the cars more accessible, by reducing the total cost of ownership without lowering the price.

This is why I find it so funny when keyboard warriors are declaring what is and is not an SRT vehicle, like they have some secret knowledge or authority. At the end of the day, you people are picking fights over decisions made by the marketing department. The SRT tech in SPs doesn't make your HCs or SRT8s any less special, and neither does anyone putting a SRT decal on one if they want to. You should be more concerned that my SPWB will out-handle a SUPER SPECIAL OFFICIAL SRT HCWB OMG any day of the week, even if you can kill me straight-line.

 

I am surprised that people make this into such a big deal. Like someone else said... just enjoy your car! If it jiggles your balls when you punch the accelerator and puts an evil grin on your face, then your money was well spent!

 

Damm I thought mine was a SRT not a RT. I will get rid of it

 

The Demon is a SRT

A Guy

 

Looks like just the motor is a srt But the challenger is a rt

 

You're catching on.

 

But I have a srt spoiler