The Nissan GT-R has proven itself as one of the most vicious Japanese performance cars ever and while a stock Dodge Challenger SRT8 powered by the “old” 6.1L Hemi might not be able to keep up with the GT-R – slapping on a supercharger and adding some other goodies allows this particular Challenger to hand the high performance Nissan a serious whoopin’.
The Dodge Challenger SRT8 features a 3.6L Whipple supercharger forcing 16 pounds of boost through the 6.1L Hemi V8 while a performance built automatic transmission, heavy duty axles and a set of Hoosier drag slicks allow this Mopar muscle car to make the most of the available power. The Nissan GT-R is powered by a twin turbocharged 3.8L V6 that offers 545 stock horsepower (at the transmission – not at the wheels) but the notes on this video state that this GT-R features some exhaust work and a custom ECU tune to send around 500 horsepower to all four wheels via a 6-speed dual clutch transmission and an advanced all wheel drive system.
You would think that the all wheel drive Nissan GT-R with a dual clutch transmission would have a big advantage on the launch but the blown Challenger SRT8 gets out first and does so in fine fashion – quickly pulling away from the Japanese supercar. On the top end of the track, it looks like the Nissan might be closing a bit on the mighty Challenger but it doesn’t close fast enough as the SRT8’s 10.20 comfortably beats the 10.69 of the GT-R. The Nissan does post a better trap speed of 128.55 miles per hour to “just” 125.04 by the Challenger but in drag racing, the win goes to who crosses the line first – not to who puts up the highest speed at the end of the track.
In addition to watching this Dodge Challenger SRT8 stomp the $100,000+ Nissan GT-R, this video gives us a chance to hear the big supercharger whine during a monster burnout so when you watch this video, make sure that you have your speakers cranked up so that you can hear the growl of the Hemi as it crushes the twin turbo V6.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
