I want to buy a used late model Charger. I like the Daytona/RT8 look but wonder if there is a model year that is better or worse as far as performance modifications or weak drive train, etc. So which model year and package is the best 'performance value' ??

Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum!

The new Chargers/300/Magnum are all built on the same chassie called the LX platform.

There isn't much difference between the years except the Newer 09 RTs have 10 more HP stock rating but most of that HP comes from items a modder would normally replace.

If you have the cash invest in the SRT8 otherwise get a RT and start modding.

 

How much HP are you looking to achieve and what do you plan on doing? The only thing you have to look at between the R/T's and the SRT's is the tranny. If you are going to stay under 465 hp with certain mods, then the R/T is going to be fine. Anything above that you will have to look into the SRT models or going to be doing a tranny swap in the R/T.

I went with the R/T just for that reason. 460 Hp is good enough for me and will handle a supercharger just fine with the suspension/brakes and the rest of the stock set up. I don't do track runs, but like to get on it every once in a while on the streets. If I was a track person, I would have went with the SRT model and with the same set up that I am going to be doing with the R/T, I would be laying down around 520 or more HP to the wheels.

Price is going to be your next thing. What can you afford? Obviously the SRT is going to be more expensive no matter what.

So post up what you are looking to achieve as your final result whether it is going to take a month to do or 5 years.

 

Well I was going to keep it resonable and only work on obtaining HP in the 450+ range. Since you mentioned the tranny whats the deal with the RT tranny compared to the SRT? Is that the 'weakest link' or something?

Thanks for the help-

 

The R/T tranny is the same one that is used E55 and S55 AMG packages from Mercedes. Those trannys were built to work the estimated 465 HP from their engine packages and that is it. Can't do anything to those cars without tranny work.

I have been reading and asking alot of questions and found this to be true. My main reason for checking is that I am looking at the same range of HP. I have spoken to performance shops and techs at Procharger about this. This is why a Supercharger isn't set any higher than 6 psi of boost. If you goto Procharger website or get their catlaogs like I do, not a single R/T makes over 460 hp with any set up that they have with a supercharger added. This is just safety issues to protect the tranny. The SRT tranny is completely different and built stronger and can handle the higher HP.

Now this does not mean the R/T tranny is weak. All it means is that it is all the HP it can handle. Every part of a car has its breaking point when modifying until you have to change something else. A stock engine can only handle so much before you have to start doing interenal work to it, like heads/cam/etc. An electrical system can only do so much before you have to upgrade wiring and batteries. Everything has its breaking point, you just need to know what it is so you know where to go with your mods.

Once I reach the max HP set up for my car and I want more, then I will WANT to change out the tranny as an additional mod. But that is WAAAAAAAYYYYYYY down the road.

So to answer your question in short mode, the tranny is SUPER strong, you now just know its breaking point.

 

Go test drive a RT then a SRT8, in real numbers the RT has roughly 300 Torque HP (TQ) and the SRT8 has 360TQ. As you will see if you test drive 60HP difference is substancial. Modding the RT out to 450 or so TQ will cost several thousand dollars even if you do all the work yourself.

Personally, on my RT Daytona, I added headers, a mild cam with associated spring and push rod goodies, CAI, Tuner... all that has my car running at 330HP and 380TQ. I also added nitrous which pushs my setup to 410HP and 440TQ. I haven't invested the extra money, roughly 500 HEMI bucks, for a proper custom tune that will milk more HP out of the setup.

Think about this... Lets say you start with the SRT8 and add just a nitrous setup and a tuner for 1,000.00 total you would be pushing more HP than a well modded RT.

 

What does "tranny" mean? I don't understand, and I didn't find it in the dictionary. It's not easy to understand you.. but I won't give up!

 

tranny = transmission

 

Thank you!