Challenger V6 is now at 305 HP

[ViperTomcat]

Originally Posted by 8cd03gro

IIRC the hemi uses a cast iron block. . . Heavy beast.

Correct! The current Hemi found in production Chrysler vehicles are iron blocks with aluminum heads.

A 5.7 was produced as a test with an aluminum block and more composite materials and it was around 250 pounds lighter. A R/T Challenger with that engine would be just about 3890 pounds.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Dan@showstopper

I just don't understand how the V8 weighs 300lbs. more in the Challenger but only 100 in the Camaro. Interesting.

There are other differences besides the engine itself. Suspension, drivetrain, interior features/equipment, etc. If the V6 is stripped down with light-duty hardware while the V8 cars are loaded with features and heavy(er) duty suspension and drivetrain components you can add quite a bit more weight.

[cntryman77]

I seriously considered a Challenger, but went with the Camaro for 1 reason...manual tranny on the lowest trim level...my car is a daily driver, but manual is a must...as soon as I saw the SE was auto only, they lost my interest

[nester7929]

Cool, but I think Dodge is shooting themselves in the foot by not improving the R/T at all.

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by nester7929

Cool, but I think Dodge is shooting themselves in the foot by not improving the R/T at all.

Agreed, but I do believe it was the V6 Challenger that desperately needed something to be done.

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by ViperTomcat

Correct! The current Hemi found in production Chrysler vehicles are iron blocks with aluminum heads.

A 5.7 was produced as a test with an aluminum block and more composite materials and it was around 250 pounds lighter. A R/T Challenger with that engine would be just about 3890 pounds.

They should definitely throw that in there. Surely the cost wouldn't be that much different?

[Entaille]

huh, last to the line to release their '11 model and they aren't trying too hard to one up anyone. not impressed. hopefully their srt8 model performs well, looks good on paper.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by ViperTomcat

Correct! The current Hemi found in production Chrysler vehicles are iron blocks with aluminum heads.

A 5.7 was produced as a test with an aluminum block and more composite materials and it was around 250 pounds lighter. A R/T Challenger with that engine would be just about 3890 pounds.

I don't believe that. 150 lbs would be a lot to shave when switching to aluminum, but probably possible. The GT500 lost around 100 lbs due to switching to an aluminum block, plus a couple other things. But 250? Maybe if it had an iron intake+heads+block but even then it would probably be close.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by Entaille

huh, last to the line to release their '11 model and they aren't trying too hard to one up anyone. not impressed. hopefully their srt8 model performs well, looks good on paper.

I think you may be surprised The R/Ts engine was already underrated all it really needed was a suspension/interior upgrade both of which it is getting.