Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Dodge
Proof of Hennessey Challenger SRT600 Turbo's punch: 11.9 sec @ 121 mph
Click above for more high-res shots of the Hennessey SRT600
Hennessey Performance is apparently excited that the Dodge Challenger is finally here. They now offer a myriad of performance upgrades for the Challenger SRT8 including naturally aspirated versions of Chrysler's 6.1L VEMI V8 that increase power up to 575 horsepower, as well as supercharged and turbo versions producing up to 725 hp. There's clearly a power upgrade for everyone, but the most impressive appears to be the Challenger HPE600 Turbo, also known as the SRT600, which Hennessey reports has ripped off a quarter mile time of 11.9 seconds at 121 mph. The company called the car's launch during the run "conservative", though it was wearing optional Nitto Drag Radial tires at the time.
Of course, any big bump in power should be accompanied by equal improvements to the suspension and brakes, and Hennessey will also fit your car with a KW adjustable coil-over suspension, larger anti-roll bars, new bushings and unique StopTech brakes. The cost of a complete Challenger HPE600 Turbo package (including Hennessey embroidered floor mats but not the cost of the donor car, of course) is $74,950, though one can opt for just the engine upgrades and be liberated of only $29,500. In total you could be spending well north of $100,000 on a 725-hp Challenger if you find Hennessey's approach appealing, but look at this way, you'd probably be the only one.
Check out high-res pics of the Hennessey Challenger HPE600 Turbo in the gallery below and video of its quarter-mile run after the jump.
Gallery: Hennessey Challenger SRT600
[Source: Hennessey]
PRESS RELEASE
620 HP Hennessey Challenger Hits the Streets with Eleven Second Quarter Mile Force
SEALY, Texas – Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) is well known for its ability to take fast Mopars-such as the Dodge Viper-and make them go faster. The all-new Challenger SRT8 has just hit the streets with its 6.1L Hemi V-8 and in traditional fashion HPE already has performance upgrade packages available. Despite packing 425 hp, HPE knew that many Dodge Challenger SRT8 buyers would want improved power and performance to make their new hot rods even hotter. Now Challenger owners can have Viper and ZR1-like power in the form of 620 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque.
HPE offers numerous packages for the new Challenger including naturally-aspirated versions with 500, 530 and 575 horsepower or forced induction applications (either turbocharged or supercharged) producing 600 to 725 horsepower. The most popular package is expected to be the Hennessey HPE600 SC that is now available directly from HPE as well as from its growing dealer network, including Ringgold Dodge of Ringgold, GA.
While HPE set out to improve the all-new Challengers' straight line acceleration, the company also developed track tested upgrades to help improve the car's handling and braking. "The Challenger does a lot of things very well and the factory SRT8 is a great car to start with," said company founder, John Hennessey. "Unfortunately, it's a big car weighing over 4,000 lbs. So, while we can't remove 800 lbs from the car, we can add another 195 hp."
In early testing a Hennessey Challenger HPE600 Turbo recorded a quarter mile time of 11.9-seconds @ 121 mph on optional Nitto Drag Radial tires with a conservative launch. In addition, the HPE600 also spent time on the Carolina Motorsports Park road course where HPE's suspension upgrades (including KW adjustable coil-over shocks/springs, larger anti-roll bars, and unique bushings) were track tuned. With the significant increase in power and handling, HPE also has available for the Challenger a set of vehicle specific StopTech brakes replete with lightweight rotors.
Noted below are details of the Hennessey HPE600 Turbo package now available for 2008 – 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 models:
HPE600 Turbo Upgrade
• High-flow ported & polished aluminum cylinder heads
• Lowered compression ratio (from stock 10.3:1 to 9.6:1)
• Garrett ball bearing turbocharger
• Handmade stainless-steel turbo headers
• Single 44 mm billet-aluminum wastegate
• Stainless-steel 3-inch diameter dual exhaust system
• Front mounted air-to-air intercooler
• 3.5-inch polished inlet tube with integrated blow-off valve
• High flow air filter
• Upgraded fuel injectors
• Billet aluminum fuel rails
• Upgraded fuel pump system
• Hennessey and HPE600 exterior badges
• Hennessey HPE600 "Hockey Stick" graphics package
• Hennessey embroidered floor mats
• Serial numbered dash plaque in interior and engine compartment
• Hennessey embroidered front seat head rests
• Hennessey / HPE600 on tachometer and speedometer
• All necessary gaskets and fluids
• Professional installation
• One year limited warranty
• Half day of driving instruction at Lonestar Motorsports Park (adjacent to the HPE facility)
Cost: $29,500
Available Options:
• Transmission upgrade with shift kit
• KW adjustable coil-over suspension upgrade (1.5 inch lowered ride height)
• StopTech front brake system with 6-piston front calipers and 14.0-inch AeroRotor lightweight rotors
• StopTech rear brake system 4-piston calipers with 13.1-inch AeroRotor lightweight rotors
• Hennessey polished 5-spoke billet aluminum wheel upgrade (20x9.5-inch front, 20x11-inch rear)
• Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 275/45ZR20 tires
• Nitto Drag Radial 305/40R20 rear tires
2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 with the complete HPE600 Turbo upgrade starts at $74,950.
About HPE - Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) has been in business for over 18 years and operates from a brand new 24,000 square foot facility located at Lonestar Motorsports Park. HPE is located about 45 minutes west of Houston, Texas on Interstate 10. The HPE facility includes:
• Quarter-mile dragstrip
• 1.4 Mile test track
• 20 Service bays
• 15 Vehicle lifts
• Secure indoor storage
• Engine assembly room
• Cylinder head porting/machining shop
• Welding and metal fabrication shop
• Dynojet 248C chassis dynamometer rated to 1800 rear wheel hp
• Chassis dynamometer wideband air/fuel analyzer
• Showroom & customer waiting area
HPE can be contacted at 979.885.1300 or online at HYPERLINK "http://www.HennesseyPerformance.com" www.HennesseyPerformance.com .
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Shipey 3:03PM (8/22/2008)
Anyone know what wheels those are?
They would look so at home on my Mustang...
Reply
tricky dicky 3:23PM (8/22/2008)
I asked him on a chellenger board I'll come and post when he lets me know.
Nice looking machine obviously at a trap of 121 mph that has mid low 11s in it.
I wish I had the coin.. I just got my canadian challenger 500 last week.
tankd0g 3:52PM (8/22/2008)
Probably belong to another customer...
tricky dicky 5:59PM (8/22/2008)
he said they are custom made 3 pce, lighter than stock and 20X12 rear, 20X9 front
Franz 3:04PM (8/22/2008)
Now that's what the f*** I'm talking about! Gimme a turbo over a blower any day. It looks pretty effing sweet too. Makes me wanna get a Challenger.
Reply
MemphisNET 3:06PM (8/22/2008)
Doubt it will ever happen, but some 'mild' tweaks for the 3.5 V6's would be welcome. 300HP is not unreasonable out of those 3.5's. Transmission would be the only hold back, but a shiftkit could fix that :D
Reply
MikeW 3:43PM (8/22/2008)
There was that 300M special concept car that had 300hp.
http://www.iceposter.com/posters/cars/Chrysler/Chrysler_300M_Special_Concept_1999/
http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/archive/112_9912_news_for_the_future/index.html
But how about the 5 speed automatic (and 3.06 rear axle ratio) before tweaking the engine.
That would pay far greater dividends.
Benfolio 3:14PM (8/22/2008)
Why is this not standard???
"Available Options:
• Transmission upgrade with shift kit "
700+ hp, stock trans, KAAA BOOOM
Reply
Torrent 3:19PM (8/22/2008)
Why is it not standard? Because it's Chrysler we're talking about. They don't necessarily think wise all the time.
MemphisNET 3:32PM (8/22/2008)
I know you kids are too young to remember or know this, but muscle cars of the 60's/70's were best (fastest) in automatic form.
I like a good manual like everyone else, but I'm not gonna knock this. Besides, the 09's are just around the corner.
TJ 3:39PM (8/22/2008)
really? the manual is plucked from the Viper, but can't withstand that? Strange, the drivetrain should be pretty bulletproof. Its the rest of the package that won't be able to hold up.
MemphisNET 3:44PM (8/22/2008)
@TJ.
oh-8 model. No manual's until '09.
Frylock350 3:51PM (8/22/2008)
Uh the 6sp unit the R/T and SRT8 use is the same one the Viper (and Vette?) use. The Viper puts out absurd amounts of naturally aspirated power, I'm sure the gearbox can handle it the 700hp Challenger.
Mike G 11:53PM (8/22/2008)
I saw one of these for the first time yesterday out on the road! It sucked!
Nick Fulp 3:18PM (8/22/2008)
wow once again hennessey is ripping more people off. There is a guy in orlando who can do all of that for about 20k less and have as good if not better quality. not to mention he isnt a proven rip off like john hennessey. all the stuff he has done for 75k could be done with less than 15k if not way less. feel sorry for the fool who falls for that....
Reply
CarbonBlack 4:06AM (8/23/2008)
I forgot that autoblog was a Hennessey jock sniffer
brian 3:32PM (9/18/2008)
thanks for the info. I just purchased a challenger and was looking to put in a supercharger. I live in Orlando. Could you provide me with the contact info on the person you spoke of?
Really appreciated
Brian
jcar302 3:22PM (8/22/2008)
As for the article makes that car sound like the end all of modified cars, it's not.
11.9@121 on drag radials with a turbo aint nothing special, especially for a 70k tuner car.
03 cobra's with a grand worth of parts and some drag radials run faster.
If that mph were to be around 130mph, i'd be impressed, but with 121mph, it's not even that fast from a roll compared to other cars.
Hell, and unmodified z06 runs faster than that, on stock tires.
Reply
Franz 3:29PM (8/22/2008)
You're absolutely right, but PR spin aside it's pretty impressive when you consider that it walked off the line, and spun the tires through all of third gear. The power is definitely there... it's having trouble putting it down. Is it worth 70K? I sure as hell don't think so... any reputable tuner would be able to get the same numbers on the motor for way less than the 30k these engine upgrades cost.
jcar302 3:48PM (8/22/2008)
Not putting the power down is something i always talk about, it's also IMO what makes corvettes (especially z06's) so great, not only do they handle, but they run hard in a straight line on regular tires.
Guys in zo6's run low elevens on std radials.
This henessee car is along the lines of new saleen mustangs, all the power in the world don't mean a thing without traction.
Doesn't help either that an srt8 henessee cherokee runs 11.9. Your suv and your sports car should not be on the same level.
I'd suspect they left the line soft in this car because they were afraid it was going to break, you know when a car company is afraid to run their own car hard, you should re-think a purchase.