Great thread everyone! I had the 3.5L and a 3.5 Magnum badge on the back of my Intrepid RT. Was THAT a Hemi?? Ran the doors off that one, still was super strong when I traded it for the Mag RT. I think you SXT drivers have the best of BOTH worlds, but, boy do I love the 5.7L!! I get almost the same MPG as my Intreped RT and a lot more smiles, kinda like that guy on the male enhancement ad on TV.
Sorry to hear about the road rage, very dangerous! I have learned to back off from that crap and let the ricers and the Mustink GT's just blow by when it is not a safe situation.
I'll have to drive an SXT and compare, maybe rent one to go to Dads for the Holidays and leave my RT in the garage!
You guys have a Hemi too!
Later,
'8R

 

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I read somewhere that Mercedes has been using the MDS system in their large v-8 and v-12 cars in Europe for some time. If that is true, I don't expect any major problems with it. I personally got the RT because I wanted the Hemi. I did not consider the other models but I'm sure the are very nice cars to drive.
Howard

 

I have heard the same thing about the Mercedes engines. And I havent found anything on the web saying anything bad about them
Ethan

 

[&:]When I go aftermarket for a SPEED CHIP or ECU for my Semi Hemi, I will be quite satisfied with the performance curve. Cadillac ran with shutting down cylinders and it was a disaster. Three years or so from now, I can rest assured my SEMI HEMI won't end up as a boat anchor.

 

Actually, chip should be out pretty soon. It's already been tested and is waiting for CARB approval right now. If we can get the 3.5L crank HP up to what the 5.7L has, the car should be a rocket since the SXT version comes with a DC quoted "3.90" rear end , actually it is a 3.86 according to my build sheet, and the R/T has 2.82. I'll be doing some dyno testing again next week on mine with some new mods and will let you guys know what my results are. Stock @ 250 crank HP should be around 200 HP @ the rear wheel and most of the 5.7 dynos I've seen have been around 275 - 285 HP. I'll post my results when available. Just lovin' my Semi-Hemi Magnum!!

 

I'm by no means real smart on performance improvements but what will this do to the trans? Will the trans be able to handle the improvments? the Semi-hemi only has a 4 speed trans, and the RT has 5 speed. How much will this chip cost and will it screw up my warranty?

 

I havent' been able to get exactly what parameters will be moded by the chip yet and don't know if I will get it before the commercial release or not but I am trying. Concerning warranty, the chip WILL NOT void your warranty according to a law that was passed by congress back in the mid 80's (thank GOD that a lot of the guys in Congress at the time were muscle car advocates!!). I dont remember it exactly but I have seen it posted somewhere on the site before. More performance is on the way!!!

 

Well, spend four grand for the shop manuals then split the exhaust into four inch duelies, tack it out to max in the first three gears and save up for that long in coming performance chip. Jack it up monthly and hit all the bushings with some lubricant and rest assured the tranny and converter will handle all the increased power transfer the chip will allow. Stupid questions don't need a patent. Learn about MAGGIE and you will find the finest, toughest, bulletproof bad assed car since the Daytona........

 

After reading the thread, I traded an '02 Intrepid RT for Mag RT. The 3.5 "Magnum" engine in the RT intrepid was really strong, even at 88K miles when I traded. This is supposed to be the same engine, geez, I had a hemi in the Intrepid??
I love the RT, but support anyone that the 3.5 engine, where is the 4.7L info coming from??
Later,
'8R

 

I had a nice long 7-mile text-drove in an SXT that covered long straightaways, curvy stuff and town roads. Most of it I was alone on the road, which btw was very wet that day, so I had a chance to really have my way with it. I came away with the impression that the SXT was a very solid car that stuck to the road like glue except for the couple of times I got the tires to break free by stomping on it (wet pavement, remember).

After the drive the salesman asked me what I thought. Since we had gotten up to 90 mph at one point I don't think he expected my answer: "I have a 2000 v6 Camry parked right over there and the SXT gives me exactly the same performance. I don't want to spend 25 grand and just move sideways, performancewise." So I ordered an RT (2 days later from a different dealer who saved me a few grand).

Now, my Camry is all stock except for a MagnaFlow on the back (no pipes), and its always impressed me as a surprising performer for what it is. Still, I do a lot of highway driving and yes, I go pretty fast; averaging 85 mph isn't unusual. And I like to put my foot into it. Well, the Hemi is going to further that pursuit of fun, and yes I do have a brain and don't intend to go out and become a roadway menace or anything.

Gas cost was a concern, and I am under no illusions as to how often I'll be running on 4 cylinders. Still, fuel economy ain't that bad for what it is.

Finally, as to cost, in the grand scheme I didn't think it was that much different. About 25k for an SXT and my Hemi wound up being a bit under 32k. Yes, its more, but I can afford the payment and, for me, if I'm going to drive this thing for the next 5-7 years -- and driving to me is fun -- then its important that I don't shortchange myself.

For me, my type of driving, the Hemi was a solid lock, but I gave the SXT a shot.