What did you do to your Hellcat today?

[Jimmy N.]

Didn't do a damn thing to it as usual. But it's on the list to drive it tomorrow, or at least before it snows on Wednesday.

Unless something has to be done...like it has since spring.

 

[BULL]

Added Stahlbus Oil Cooler Drain Valve to the oil cooler as I hate using an adjustable to hold the block while removing the drain bolt. Already have one on the oil pan so simple and clean oil changes going forward.
View attachment 152484 View attachment 152485

What is your confidence level in this? Obviously it was good enough to install, so kind of a dumb question, but isn't this a "QD" of sorts??

Failsafe?

 

[Jimmy N.]

There are other choices out there, such as EZ Oil Drain, that have a proven track record if you don't trust that particular one.

 

[drag racer]

I use one of the smaller, newer Fumoto's on mine - I like the higher security of a ball valve (with an extra safety lock) and Japanese mfg. quality - hard to beat.

 

[45-70govt]

Time to start paying attention. Been a month since it was pulled off the road. That lithium battery did not give a shit. It was like it started yesterday. I may rethink a trickle charger and just juice it once a month. I’ll check its voltage tomorrow.

Got the jacks under it. Had to sort of insulate it from any potential salt water drainage from the Jeep that parks next to it. That is what ruined my first QJ. So that is the reason for all the wood etc. I think those KW springs have had it. They are sagging too low, I only have them in the front. I am going to go spring shopping this winter.

I will get it up off its feet tomorrow, get the tires/wheels off and let it rest for a while. After the holidays it gets a coat of some good stuff, change the oil, send a sample off. This will be the first sample that it did not have a hot track day to show. It has been just a nice road ride. So I am interested to see the difference in materials it sheds on track weekends. May even play with an alignment idea or two after some spring work. This car has some laps to do in 2025.

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I swear, every pic you have ever posted of your car its like its so damn shiny that I can almost see my ugly reflection in the paint thru my computer screen. You do one hell of a top notch job in the shine department!

 

[DGatzby]

I swear, every pic you have ever posted of your car its like its so damn shiny that I can almost see my ugly reflection in the paint thru my computer screen. You do one hell of a top notch job in the shine department!

Thanks! It did not get washed too many times this year! I was busy and tolerated some simple dust sitting on it sometimes. All I can say is I use Griot Products to be a bit different. One other thing, I do not think I have wiped anything across it to wash but once or twice ever. I spray it, foam it, spray it, then carefully wipe her dry. Until last year I polished (orbital myself with their best polishes) and used their Best of Show Wax. Last year it got their new Ceramic All in One Wax. It seems to be holding well, all it may need is another fresh coat. I’ll look close, if ANY hairline marks are anywhere, they get buffed out first. I have no other secrets my friend, anyone can do this.

 

[Old Mopar Guy]

@BULL high confidence, been using one on the oil pan for a few seasons now without issue. It is a qd drain valve, I suppose it’s pretty fail safe as the check ball is held in place via spring pressure. I imagine if the spring should fail, gravity would keep the valve closed. Also there is a cap with an o-ring secured so even if the check valve did leak there is a bit of redundancy there. I don’t care for the Futomo mechanism, although I’m certain they are fine as well.

https://www.stahlbus-us.com/oil-dra...SG1t41F1KazTDDY5caRWA437gz18xFeYaAoKvEALw_wcB

 

[DGatzby]

The new QJ gets it up higher. Look at the new jackshaft opener and the extra height track that was optional. This is the first time for the QJ and the new door, I like it!

The magic battery still had 13.8V. I even started it and rotated it a few times yesterday. Disconnected it and I will just let it charge up on the trickle charger then disconnect for a month.

View attachment IMG_0436.jpeg

 

[BULL]

The new QJ gets it up higher. Look at the new jackshaft opener and the extra height track that was optional. This is the first time for the QJ and the new door, I like it!

The magic battery still had 13.8V. I even started it and rotated it a few times yesterday. Disconnected it and I will just let it charge up on the trickle charger then disconnect for a month.

View attachment 152574

I want one that gets it up higher!

 

[drag racer]

...don't we all

 

[DGatzby]

Figured some of you would want something like that.

 

[2ndAmend]

I swear, every pic you have ever posted of your car its like its so damn shiny that I can almost see my ugly reflection in the paint thru my computer screen. You do one hell of a top notch job in the shine department!

He works about 3 hours a year for a Zillion $/hr. Gives plenty of time to shine the car!

 

[Jimmy N.]

Didn't get above the tree line, only to a mere 11,300 feet.

Unfortunately, it was a bit cool up there (34 degrees) and patches of ice on the most fun part of the road so couldn't really get on it. Still managed to get the oil up to 195 - close enough. Now it's hibernating.

Oh, and some things tried to tell me that maybe I should drive that car more often. The garage door opener didn't work and the Sirius screen asked me to subscribe (it's paid until July or something). Whatever, now there's so little left of the mid-2023 gas that the low fuel light came on before I got back home.

 

[45-70govt]

Didn't get above the tree line, only to a mere 11,300 feet.

Unfortunately, it was a bit cool up there (34 degrees) and patches of ice on the most fun part of the road so couldn't really get on it. Still managed to get the oil up to 195 - close enough. Now it's hibernating.

Oh, and some things tried to tell me that maybe I should drive that car more often. The garage door opener didn't work and the Sirius screen asked me to subscribe (it's paid until July or something). Whatever, now there's so little left of the mid-2023 gas that the low fuel light came on before I got back home. View attachment 152618

Holy crap, I don't think you missed killing a single bug! Its ok to treat a 4 door car like that, but a Challenger should be nice and clean!

 

[BULL]

Holy crap, I don't think you missed killing a single bug! Its ok to treat a 4 door car like that, but a Challenger should be nice and clean!

And the car is even surrounded by water too!

 

[Jimmy N.]

Holy crap, I don't think you missed killing a single bug! Its ok to treat a 4 door car like that, but a Challenger should be nice and clean!

My somewhat unscientific testing shows that bugs (and birds) aren't alert enough to avoid collisions with a Challenger at speeds of 100 or more.

My girlfriend's car has nowhere near the amount of bugs on it, despite having been driven more miles. Of course, it is theoretically possible the those big nostrils on her '19's hood suck the bugs in, instead of them hitting the front of the car.

 

[EricG]

Holy crap, I don't think you missed killing a single bug! Its ok to treat a 4 door car like that, but a Challenger should be nice and clean!

Yeah I mean bugs and a badge…hard to notice anything else @Jimmy N.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Yeah I mean bugs and a badge…hard to notice anything else @Jimmy N.

I don't need no stinkin' badges, but do like the script one.

 

[EricG]

I don't need no stinkin' badges, but do like the script one.

I like it too, I put it on the back in true ‘71 retro style. I like retro badges, I put debadged my LX and put an old Landcruiser badge on it.

I may have out-bugged you one time, but I did clean it up! Then there was the time I thought an Eagle took a shit on my car lol!

Me and @45-70govt and the king of shine @DGatzby may need to drop by for an intervention!!!

 

[Jimmy N.]

You guys are more than welcome to come over and cleanse the car...and all the other ones if you feel like it.

And while you might have out-bugged me, our birds definitely out-shit yours. They were actually a large reason I sold the Trackhawk - those whitish splatters didn't really match the Velvet Red (Octane in Challenger speak). It was parked next to the tractor and got its share of raven deposits.

Naturally the Trackhawk was debadged, too, but I couldn't resist adding one. After all, of all the Jeeps I've had, it was by far the most limited.