[Supersport8]

Hi Everyone,

I researched this topic quite a bit but couldn't find a good answer, money aside only focusing only reliability, how does the later model 2021 - 2023 Scatpack compare to the Hellcat?
I have seen good examples of Scatpacks with a solid long term record up to 200,000 miles without many issues but not much on the Hellcat.

There is all kinds of comparisons online, my question is specifically regarding a long term / forever ownership driving the car, how much more of a headache will the Hellcat be
with all stuff that it has ie. Supercharger, intercooler, chiller systems etc... vs a Scatpack that doesnt have any of that. The simpler vs more complex car, not a mechanic but I work on my own cars.

I understand everything will eventually break, I dont race, only cruising, light grandma type driving, over maintainer as well, would like to go for a Hellcat but reliability after 5 or 10 years / 100k+ miles is important as its a forever car.

Please let me know your thoughts, thanks in advance.

 

[DWBruiser]

I think the reliability is secondary in your situation. If you're driving style isnt going to get you into uncorking the 485hp of the Scat Pack very often why would you pay the extra money for the other 200hp and added complexity that come with it? Cool factor?

I'm sure the hellcat, driven the way you'd drive and maintain it, would last well into the 6 digit odometer territory with ease, but if you're not going to do hellcat things why get a hellcat?

 

[yzf1999]

Do the maintenance and both motors will last forever with the way you plan on using them.

 

[1/4mi 1320]

No MDS/lifter/cam issues on a Hellcat.

 

[Supersport8]

driven the way you'd drive and maintain it, would last well into the

I think the reliability is secondary in your situation. If you're driving style isnt going to get you into uncorking the 485hp of the Scat Pack very often why would you pay the extra money for the other 200hp and added complexity that come with it? Cool factor?

I'm sure the hellcat, driven the way you'd drive and maintain it, would last well into the 6 digit odometer territory with ease, but if you're not going to do hellcat things why get a hellcat?

Definitely the cool factor many years from now, the whine, some hellcat owners say its a night and day difference going from a Scatpack to a Hellcat not sure how true this is, I have driven a Scatpack but not a Hellcat, was thinking of renting one for a day to see what it's like.

 

[DWBruiser]

There is something to say about the supercharger whine. It's 2/3 of the reason I'm thinking of going with a PD supercharger on my future engine build.

200 HP makes a night/day difference in just about any car, and "I want it" is as good a reason as any.

The supercharger doesn't engage unless the throttle is opened up enough to close the bypass valve, so the car is basically naturally aspirated until you need it. I wouldn't worry too much about longevity if you're only opening it up occasionally on freeway on ramps and keeping up on the maintenance.

 

[OregonScat]

For what you are talking about I think it’s a wash. Both will last if you maintain them correctly.

Avoid the dreaded “I haven’t driven it in a while so I’m going to let it warm up in the driveway for 15 minutes.”

 

[Willpower717]

Highest-Mileage Hellcat in the World Can Still Roast Tires

With 175,000 miles, this is likely the highest mileage Hellcat in the world. It will now live on as the ultimate burnout machine.

dodgeforum.com

 

[Signman150]

I think both the Scat Pack and Hellcat would be reliable long term drivers if properly maintained.

At some point you will have a problem and when you do, the Scat Pack will probably be less expensive to fix.

It really is just a gamble so I say buy the car you want!

 

[GatorGreg]

No MDS/lifter/cam issues on a Hellcat.

Good point - the MDS scares me a little - not sure about the Dodge 6.4L but I’ve heard it has been problematic on some GM engines.

 

[SrfRat67]

Good point - the MDS scares me a little - not sure about the Dodge 6.4L but I’ve heard it has been problematic on some GM engines.

NO MDS on a SP manual, what I dont know is if they are still part of the valve train, just not active due to ecu programming for the manual

 

[cbear]

NO MDS on a SP manual, what I dont know is if they are still part of the valve train, just not active due to ecu programming for the manual

No. A MDS car will have a different cam to use with the MDS lifters.

 

[Moparrebel]

Both MDS and non MDS Hemi engines have experienced cam and lifter failures. There are just more MDS engines out there. To me the bigger decision between a Scat Pack and a Hellcat was the cost of some of the replacement items like brakes, adjustable shocks, things like that. I have been retired for over 20 years without a payraise. Long term costs like that when you want to drive and enjoy the car can add up. My Scat Pack has almost 60,000 miles. It would be the same mileage if I had a Hellcat. That is why I decided on my Scat Pack.

 

[John Matthews]

I believe the hellcat supercharger has 100,000 mile rebuild as maintenance procedure.

 

[Schipperke]

No MDS/lifter/cam issues on a Hellcat.

Nor the M6 Scat Pack

 

[A Guy]

I don't know if there are any studies, but I always think more complexity tends to add more possible problems. The supercharger and assorted add-ons are more complexity/possible issues. This does not mean an individual, but rather a group in total. That said I have not seen many Hellcat only issues posted here, I am not a member of a Hellcat only site. I think generally all Scat Pack (392) variants sold outnumber all Hellcat (6.2L) variants sold, but not by a huge margin

A Guy

 

[19johned53]

Both MDS and non MDS Hemi engines have experienced cam and lifter failures. There are just more MDS engines out there. To me the bigger decision between a Scat Pack and a Hellcat was the cost of some of the replacement items like brakes, adjustable shocks, things like that. I have been retired for over 20 years without a payraise. Long term costs like that when you want to drive and enjoy the car can add up. My Scat Pack has almost 60,000 miles. It would be the same mileage if I had a Hellcat. That is why I decided on my Scat Pack.

This thinking was part of my decision too when I ordered my '16 SP.

Long term maintenance costs had to be considered, as I knew that I would be retiring in 2 years.

I also knew that this would be my long term car, until death do us part. 😂

While I didn't and don't expect a major engine problem/repair, a more complex FI engine will cost more to repair if needed.

The last thing I needed was a HC garage queen because of a costly FI failure. Again, don't expect it, but it can happen.

Thinking ahead and wanting to drive a Challenger long term, everything had to be considered.

The icing on the cake that made me decide to go with a SP was easy. Dodge still offered the Lifetime Maxcare Extended Warranty on the 392 cars at that time. $3200, $100 deductible.

Follow the maintenance schedules, keep receipts, and drive it as designed.

If anything goes BANG, a $100 gets me back on the road having 500 HP of fun again.

I've been totally happy with my SP for 8 years and 38k miles, and retired for 5 years.

JMHO, folks have to consider everything when making the decision of what to buy.

I made the right decision for my needs and wants.

 

[Willpower717]

Yeah that lifetime warranty couldn’t be beat. I’m considering an extended one on my car, out to 8 years. I’ve got another year before I have to do it, but will likely then. It’s about $3200 if memory serves.

 

[GreenGo2017]

I have heard of Dodge walking back the lifetime warranty on some earlier cars, I don't remember the specifics at the moment. The first year Hellcats did have supercharger bearing issues, but that was cleared up quickly and hasn't been an issue since. The latest supercharged cars seem to have some issues with power dropping off under hard use as the COT protection kicks in before the converters can melt. Overall though, they both are mature, reliable designs.

 

[19johned53]

I have heard of Dodge walking back the lifetime warranty on some earlier cars, I don't remember the specifics at the moment. The first year Hellcats did have supercharger bearing issues, but that was cleared up quickly and hasn't been an issue since. The latest supercharged cars seem to have some issues with power dropping off under hard use as the COT protection kicks in before the converters can melt. Overall though, they both are mature, reliable designs.

Early in the '16 model year, FCA quit offering the Lifetime Max Care on all 392 cars.

It wasn't available on HC's when I ordered my '16 SP in Fall of '15.

If it was, that just may have pushed me into ordering a HC.