Hey guys im new to dodge and just got a 21 SXT! I was really tempted to go for the Scat pack but it definitely wouldn't have been a smart financial decision. I've been doing some browsing on mods for the v6 and I was seeing it would be good to get an cold air intake, exhaust system and even changing out the gear ratios. Was curious what would be a good route to go to make my car a little faster and louder, also about how much would I spend?

 

Im semi new to Dodge as well. Other half has a truck.
For what you pay for the SXT and what you put into it for additional parts and stuff you want, you might consider one of the other car models that may have what your looking for or just have to put in maybe a bit more to get what you like from the Mfr. I was looking at the RT, for what I wanted initially, it wasn't that much more for me to get the Scat Pack with the bigger engine. Though for some reason I can't get the Black wheels with out incurring additional cost. No idea why Dodge won't do this. Anyways, be sure to look over the standard features under the Compare models and see what each one has. There are some differences.
I test drove the RT Scat Pack TA packaged model last Saturday and loved the sound when they started it up. I was still in side the dealer building as well. Handling and power were wonderful.
Ok, I did it and placed the order yesterday. Will see what happens in 8-12 weeks. Supposed to get notice of a VIN# at some point. Now the wait. Oh yay.

 

Don't throw too much money into a base model that pretty much has inferior power, handling and brakes to most of the V8 cars. Use it as an economical daily (what it was designed to do) until you're ready to step up a bit.

 

Honestly, I wouldn't bother messing with the gears. The cost-benefit is just not there. If you start to have trouble with the exhaust, you might consider an upgrade, but I wouldn't go out of pocket until then. The cold air intake doesn't really get you much on a V6. You can go that way if you want, but you probably won't notice much of a difference.

Even the most modded V6 I've heard about only has 424 Hp and cost that guy a TON. For the money he spent he could have gone with a V8 and even he knew that, but he just wanted to see what he could do. That car still doesn't have the torque to beat a base Scat Pack.

Your best bet is just to do some cosmetics to make it "yours" and leave it at that. I added some EL wire around my dash and center console (wired into a light that comes on when it's dark, it actually looks really good) and I bought some new center caps for my base rims that included the color of my car (the base caps are all silver, my car is blue and black, didn't look right). I might buy some smoked covers for the front and back and maybe a decal for the center break between the lights, but I'm not going to bother modding the mechanicals (aside from MAYBE an oil catch can, which I've heard might be useful, still researching that).

Grats on the Challenger, but don't go crazy on mechanical mods. Your car has a fairly decent engine already, and for a daily driver car, it's fine the way it is.

When you're ready to hit the track regularly, then consider a V8.