The Dodge Scat Pack is Back!!

The first piece of big news from the Mopar display at the 2013 SEMA Show has just hit the press and it comes in the form of the new Dodge Scat Pack.  As was the case with the Scat Packages back in the 1960s and 1970s, the modern Scat Pack includes tiered performance packages and a source of information for Dodge performance enthusiasts who participate in the new Scat Pack system.  The modern Scat Pack lineup includes the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger and Dodge Dart with Stage 1, 2 and 3 for the Challenger and Charger while the Dart is only available with Stage 1.

The Dodge Charger R/T and Dodge Challenger R/T models powered by the 5.7L Hemi have three new performance adding Scat Pack stage packages beginning with Stage 1.  This adds a full cat back exhaust system, a Mopar cold air intake package and a performance engine control unit calibration that allows the engine to make the most of these modifications.  Stage 2 for the Charger and Challenger begins with the items from Stage 1 and adds a high performance camshaft while Stage 3 adds tubular headers, ported cylinder heads and all of the items included in Stage 1 and Stage 2 for the most power possible from a vehicle that is street legal in all 50 US states. In addition to the performance components, Charger and Challenger owners who purchase a Scat Pack stage kit for their Hemi powered Mopar muscle car will receive a Scat Pack hard badge sporting the stage number of the kit chosen.  No power numbers have been offered up thus far but Mopar promises that Stage 1 will offer a significant power increase while Stage 2 will double the improvement of Stage 1 and Stage 3 triples the power increase of Stage 1.

The Dodge Dart is also part of the Scat Pack program but the items included in each package differ a bit from the V8 powered Scat Pack cars. Stage 1 for the Dart applies to only 2.4L models and it includes a Mopar cold air intake, a short throw shifter and a Mopar performance braking package.  Stage 2 builds on Stage 1, adding a Mopar performance exhaust system and an engine calibration while Stage 3 adds a Mopar big brake package, upgraded front and rear sway bars and an adjustable performance suspension package.

The deep metallic red Challenger caught by DF correspondent Yoav Gilad earlier today shown here is the Stage 3 equipped Challenger with some goodies not included in the basic Scat Package Stage 3 such as a sport suspension system, high performance brakes, high performance tires and the awesome remote controlled cutout exhaust system.  I was able to attend a preview of these vehicles last week and having heard the new electronic cutout exhaust in action on both the Challenger and Dart, I can say that this is one of the best sounding exhaust systems ever offered by Mopar.  Whether mated to the 5.7L Hemi or the 2.4L MultiAir 4-cylinder engine in the Dart – this exhaust system bellows a beautiful tune.

To help show off the new Scat Pack cars at the 2013 SEMA Show, Dodge built the dressed up models shown in the images below with some unique components (like the Dart’s hood) that are not part of the package along with that gorgeous deep red and black paint scheme.  If these vehicles look familiar they should – the Dart and Challenger were both on display at the 2013 Woodward Dream Cruise without any mention of the Scat Pack intentions.

Patrick Rall

"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.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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