I drove a Challenger Widebody 392 for the first time yesterday

[Classic Lover]

Pretty sure the 5.7 charger I raced the other day would say there is a pretty big difference between it and my 392.

 

[ChargerChallenger]

Pretty sure the 5.7 charger I raced the other day would say there is a pretty big difference between it and my 392.

There is and I know some here may think I’m pounding my chest but it’s a big difference, and let’s reverse it to the 392 vs Hellcat😁. I have run in my Hellcats 392s and no lie I have been amazed how well the 392 stays with my Hellcats. It’s the 80 mph plus when your roll racing to see the separation and then 100 plus to really start waking away.,

 

[jmoose1]

The drive mode hanging up that you experienced may just be the steering portion taking a second or two to change. The steering wheel sensor has to be almost dead straight in order for it to change modes, at least on my RE it does that.

 

[68coronet]

As far as model owners go... SP chest-puffers are the worst! They're upset that they don't own a Hellcat, so they attempt to compensate by overstating the fact that the 392 HEMI is more powerful than a 345 HEMI. It literally reminds me of the "my dad can beat up your dad" routine that we heard so often as kids. If it weren't so pathetic, it would be entertaining.

R/T and HC owners are a more humble sort. R/T owners want something they can build, or just enjoy the more retro vibe and sound of the 345 HEMI engine. The 345 HEMI sounds like an old-school HEMI. The 392 HEMI, not so much. HC owners know they are the elite, so they have nothing to prove. Still, many can't help but remind you that they own a Hellcat.

I could have purchased a 392. I chose the 345, mainly because I love that old-school HEMI sound. What really made the 345 HEMI attractive to me is its untapped potential. A perfect engine for DIY, which has always been where it's at for me. I'm not the young buck I once was, so I need to be practical. So, which do I choose... 1320 or Scat Pack?

 

[68coronet]

The drive mode hanging up that you experienced may just be the steering portion taking a second or two to change. The steering wheel sensor has to be almost dead straight in order for it to change modes, at least on my RE it does that.

Yeah, I had the wheel straight. The brakes were acting odd as well... It felt as though the brakes were being applied, slightly, the entire time. A sort-of dragging feeling, but not exactly. I checked the rotors when we stopped, but they didn't scorch my spit. Weird. When I hit the brakes coming out of the dealership, the car pulled to the left. I tried to repeat the issue, but couldn't. It didn't get overly hot, no more than my R/T. 222* oil temp after one hard run.

To note... I couldn't car less about top-end. If a car can only reach 100 MPH, I'm good. I want to get to 100 MPH as fast as mechanically possible. The higher the G force the better. I suspect I may need a Super Stock to achieve what my goal. Going by the seat of my pants, the 392 (that I drove) didn't deliver the thrill that I'm after. I guess that I should have opened G force gauge, then compared it to my R/T. The WB 305 tires are going to exhibit increased surface resistance vs 245's. I'm anxious to test-drive a traditional body Scat Pack.

 

[Classic Lover]

As far as model owners go... SP chest-puffers are the worst! They're upset that they don't own a Hellcat, so they attempt to compensate by overstating the fact that the 392 HEMI is more powerful than a 345 HEMI. It literally reminds me of the "my dad can beat up your dad" routine that we heard so often as kids. If it weren't so pathetic, it would be entertaining.

R/T and HC owners are a more humble sort. R/T owners want something they can build, or just enjoy the more retro vibe and sound of the 345 HEMI engine. The 345 HEMI sounds like an old-school HEMI. The 392 HEMI, not so much. HC owners know they are the elite, so they have nothing to prove. Still, many can't help but remind you that they own a Hellcat.

I could have purchased a 392. I chose the 345, mainly because I love that old-school HEMI sound. What really made the 345 HEMI attractive to me is its untapped potential. A perfect engine for DIY, which has always been where it's at for me. I'm not the young buck I once was, so I need to be practical. So, which do I choose... 1320 or Scat Pack?

So you want to join the chest puffer club? I did seriously consider a 1320 scat pack but unless you are drag racing quite often it’s not really worth it. To be clear I don’t hate on 5.7 owners at all, it’s a great engine just not nearly as cool as 392 cubic inches. I am not upset I don’t own a hellcat in fact I wouldn’t trade my car for a hellcat. I love my big na V8 with my manual transmission. That being said if you want to mod your car then a 5.7 is definitely a better route to go, heck a 5.0 mustang would be even better. Good luck on whatever you decide and as Uriah Heep would say, stay humble.

 

[68coronet]

So you want to join the chest puffer club? I did seriously consider a 1320 scat pack but unless you are drag racing quite often it’s not really worth it. To be clear I don’t hate on 5.7 owners at all, it’s a great engine just not nearly as cool as 392 cubic inches.

I'd need to drop 25 lbs before any amount of chest-puffing would be remotely noticeable.

One of my favorite UH songs...

 

[TrackDay]

Maybe the Scat you drove was on 87 octane fuel. I'd never trust a dealer to put in 91 octane or better. It costs more. 😉
If I'm serious about a performance car I'll put in a few gallons of premium for my test drive.

 

[Piening2150]

I personally have not driven a 5.7 Charger/Challenger, but I came from an '05 CTS-V (6MT/400hp LS6) and my 392 Charger was a BIG step up in straight line speed. Copious tire smoke was just a foot twitch away (with the TC off). I love manual transmissions, but the 8HP is the best auto I've ever experienced. Almost good enough to make me not miss manuals. My buddy does have a 5.7 Challenger R/T (but it's an older one with the 5sp auto) and my 392 would walk away from it easily.

 

[68coronet]

Maybe the Scat you drove was on 87 octane fuel. I'd never trust a dealer to put in 91 octane or better. It costs more. 😉
If I'm serious about a performance car I'll put in a few gallons of premium for my test drive.

Odd that you say this, because the salesman said that the 392 runs great on 89 octane. I told him that his information was incorrect, but I could tell he wasn't interested. We went to 7-11 to get gas, and I told him to put 93 octane in... I went into the store, so I didn't get to see what he put in. Since he said they run great with 89 Octane, I'll assume he put 87 in, since 7-11 didn't offer 89 at that station. I know this for certain, as I looked at the pumps before going inside. I took the SP to a 1/2 mile stretch, switched to sport mode and floored-it. I considered laying on the brake to load the TC, but I chose not to.

 

[Hickster]

There ain't a straight peace of road in Jax Town to be had. Maybe by the Mayo Hospital but it is a sandy road most of the time. Lived there for 5 years and was a swamp. Do hope things are better?? Good luck.

 

[68coronet]

There ain't a straight peace of road in Jax Town to be had. Maybe by the Mayo Hospital but it is a sandy road most of the time. Lived there for 5 years and was a swamp. Do hope things are better?? Good luck.

I'm further south.

 

[Classic Lover]

Odd that you say this, because the salesman said that the 392 runs great on 89 octane. I told him that his information was incorrect, but I could tell he wasn't interested. We went to 7-11 to get gas, and I told him to put 93 octane in... I went into the store, so I didn't get to see what he put in. Since he said they run great with 89 Octane, I'll assume he put 87 in, since 7-11 didn't offer 89 at that station. I know this for certain, as I looked at the pumps before going inside. I took the SP to a 1/2 mile stretch, switched to sport mode and floored-it. I considered laying on the brake to load the TC, but I chose not to.

Dodge says only 91 or higher so he doesn’t have a clue. I always put 93 in unless I can’t get it then I’ll run 91.

 

[Hickster]

The rep told me not to run under 89. I mixed 103 and 93 said wood be ok, but nope. Kept burning moduales up. 1 after another for a year. Till his grouper sandwich runs free from NJ..

 

[stonewall]

I loved my YJ. didn't like skip shift, it nearly got me killed. didn't like the M6. it is the shity'est shifting stick, I ever drove in factory form. That said it would boogie. and most around town learned not to mess with it.

 

[DavidKFla]

We have a tuned Hellcat Charger and just got a Challenger Scat Pack widebody. Each car has it's own place and are 2 completely different animals.

 

[Paladin06]

At 345 hp, your 5.7 Durango is a pre 2009 model. 2009+ 5.7 VVT (Durango) is rated at 390 hp.

Our 2021 Durango R/T ratings.
Engine
Engine Order Code
EZH
Engine Type and Required Fuel
Regular Unleaded V-8
Displacement (liters/cubic inches)
5.7 L/345
Fuel System
Sequential MPI
Maximum Horsepower @ RPM
360 @ 5150
Maximum Torque @ RPM
390 @ 4250
Cooling System Capacity (quarts)
NA
Engine Oil Cooler
None
Transmission
Transmission Order Code
DFD
Transmission Description
Automatic w/OD
Number of Transmission Speeds
8
First Gear Ratio 1)
4.71
Second Gear Ratio 1)
3.14
Third Gear Ratio 1)
2.11
Fourth Gear Ratio 1)
1.67
Fifth Gear Ratio 1)
1.28
Sixth Gear Ratio 1)
1.00
Seventh Gear Ratio 1)
0.84
Eighth Gear Ratio 1)
0.67
Reverse Ratio 1)
3.29
Final Drive Axle Ratio 1)
NA
Transfer Case Model
None
Transfer Case Gear Ratio, high 1)
NA
Transfer Case Gear Ratio, low 1)
NA
Clutch Size
NA