Performance mod help?

[johnrobert01]

My dad has a 09 Challenger RT and is looking into some new performance mods. Basically a CAI, Tuner and catback exhaust to start. What types of CAI's, tuner and catback systems would you reccommend? Right now he's looking at the Mopar CAI, Diablo Tuner and a Magnaflow catback exhaust.

[neidan]

Those sound fine. I went with Corsa for a number of reasons. Glad I did, but Magnaflow is a fine system. The CAI brand won't make much difference despite all the climes. I like the Look of the Mopar.

[Silentbob09RT]

I just ordered the RPMoutlet.com challenger stage 2 kit.
It has the diablo tuner, K&N CAI, and underdrive pulley for $699. Their kits have been dynoed by them and they said its good for 44 hp and 58ft lbs.
Their stage E kit has all of that plus long tubes and is good for 61hp and 68 ftlbs for $1285.
I'm going to order the pypes Stainless street pro cat back from jegs - $497.
My car is going to be getting doug thorley ceramic coated long tubes.
I'm going to have S&T Motorsports in San Bernanidido, Ca do a few tunes for me 91 and 110 race gas to maximize my possible output.

[Jayr04]

the aecarbon cai seems to be on of the best options as far as cai's go. notice how the air filter is completely sealed off so heat from the engine won't be absorbed in the filter. making it a true cold air intake
Performance Summary:
Peak 22hp/25tq on average 20hp 22tq on a 5.7L Challenger RT
Peak 28.2hp/26tq on average of 16hp 15tq on a 6.1L Charger SRT8

AEFIS Stage 2 - Chrysler HEMI - CAI [aefis s1 p] - $450.00 : AECARBON.COM Carbon Fiber Kevlar for Motorcycles, Cars and trucks!, The Art of Carbon Fiber

[HemiSam]

The AECarbon AEFIS is a nice looking and well designed CAI. I know they're backed up on production, though, after having spoken with the owner. You might want to call or write them to see when the backlog will be cleared, or you could be waiting longer than you like. They're straight shooters and should tell you the way it is.

HemiSam

[MentallyChallenged]

Wow, I really like that CAI intake. Thanks for the info Jayr04 and HemiSam.

[neidan]

Not trying to be a pain, in fact I think it's a good CAI as well. It was not even developed when I got mine, and I understand it's not available yet, but getting close. However I seriously question 20 HP from a CAI. and yep I've seen the dyno sheets....

Maybe I've just been doing this stuff to long, but I doubt that if I took a straight pipe and ran it through the hood with no filter at all that I'd get 20 hp on this engine. Once they are available I may even pick one up because I like the look. If I do I will dyno it and if I see those gains I'll be a very loud source of advertising.

Lots of if's there though....

[MentallyChallenged]

Lots of if's there though....

No kidding! I gave it some actual logical thought, and I've come to the conclusion those are some outrageous claims. Speaking of mods, word of mouth the intake/exhaust from off the shelf mopar parts puts an R/T to SRT8 numbers... supposedly. I like the part where it doesn't void the warranty. Not to hijack the thread, but has anybody heard about this or tried it?

[neidan]

Are you saying swap the intake and the exhaust manifolds from an SRT8 onto an R/T and you get SRT8 numbers? I've not heard that one. Hummmm IMO I doubt you would gain much if only because of differences in the cam and displacement between the 6.1 & 5.7. Also the heads are different.

That said, from every thing that I've been able to find the heads on the R/T actually flow very well as they are. They have 2 inch ports that flow 270 cfm at .600 inches of lift, with peak flow at .375 inches. The exhaust port hits 161 cfm at .600 lift, with a 1.55 inch valve and both have unusually good velocity. I have not experimented or seen any data yet, but I'd bet $$$ this engine would take well to simple porting / cleanup of the existing heads. Very cheep by comparison. Then for the exhaust I'd go with Long tubes, probably for about the same price as the exhaust manifold swap. I'd get the longest I could find, but I'm not sure of what the correct pipe size should be yet... not to big though. We want to keep that velocity up.

Before I would mess with the intake manifold, we need to tackle what I think is the biggest mystery of the 09 HEMI. Figuring out this variable cam thing and getting some aftermarket versions built that use the same principles but are a bit less reserved. Once that happens it's going to be an all new ball game... LOOK OUT!!!!

All just IMO of course..

[HemiSam]

Originally Posted by neidan

Are you saying swap the intake and the exhaust manifolds from an SRT8 onto an R/T and you get SRT8 numbers? I've not heard that one. Hummmm IMO I doubt you would gain much if only because of differences in the cam and displacement between the 6.1 & 5.7. Also the heads are different.

That said, from every thing that I've been able to find the heads on the R/T actually flow very well as they are. They have 2 inch ports that flow 270 cfm at .600 inches of lift, with peak flow at .375 inches. The exhaust port hits 161 cfm at .600 lift, with a 1.55 inch valve and both have unusually good velocity. I have not experimented or seen any data yet, but I'd bet $$$ this engine would take well to simple porting / cleanup of the existing heads. Very cheep by comparison. Then for the exhaust I'd go with Long tubes, probably for about the same price as the exhaust manifold swap. I'd get the longest I could find, but I'm not sure of what the correct pipe size should be yet... not to big though. We want to keep that velocity up.

Before I would mess with the intake manifold, we need to tackle what I think is the biggest mystery of the 09 HEMI. Figuring out this variable cam thing and getting some aftermarket versions built that use the same principles but are a bit less reserved. Once that happens it's going to be an all new ball game... LOOK OUT!!!!

All just IMO of course..

I've read/heard the same thing about our R/T intake manifolds....they ain't the prettiest things, but they're pretty darn efficient. Also, the material stays cooler than the metals.

I've been working with a gent on testing a CAI design of his (I'll post a pic on a seperate thread shortly) that really knows his engines, and he tells me that his calculations are that the diameter of our stock exhaust systems is sufficient given the flow and size of the engines. Freer flowing would be good (e.g. free flow cats), but size wise, we're doing pretty darn good until we start making more serious mod's to the stuff above the cylinders.

I don't have Neidan's know-how, but I'm hearing a lot of the same things from an "expert".

Happy motorin'...

HemiSam

[neidan]

I totally agree with your friend.. probably even more than just to say it's sized sufficient. I'm afraid that to go much larger and you'd loose velocity reducing venture effect and low end torque.. He's on the money. Keep the diameter and remove restriction....

[MentallyChallenged]

Oh I know I am just spreading silly claims here. I haven't even browsed through mopar performance parts, but apparently (what I tried to shoot out earlier) is that they may offer parts other than SRT8 replacement parts, that offer significant gains for example, long tube headers etc. that do not void the warranty. I don't believe the engineers at dodge would design less than optimal breathing system for the cars, but....
I would suggest others take my plan of action, which is to just let people wreck their guts with all the experimenting and money spending. Then when there is something with solid numbers to prove a worthy set of mods... that doesn't destroy the car, we can jump on that. All I know is my stock car has plenty of pep to keep me entertained til guys like neidan give us something more than rumors. Keep it up man!