Dodge Scat Pack for 5.7L Hemi V8 detailed, priced

Sat, 05 Apr 2014

Dodge revived the Scat Pack name back in November at the 2013 SEMA show. At the time, though, we were short of details on forthcoming upgrade packages, which were destined to add some oomph to the Challenger, Charger and Dart. We're still waiting to hear about the upgrades to the Dart's 2.4-liter four-pot, but Dodge has gone ahead and released the details on the upgrades to the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 in the Challenger and Charger R/T.

As we detailed in our original post, three different Scat Packs will be available that will allow customers to upgrade their cars without voiding the warranties. Starting with the $2,195 Stage 1 kit, owners will net an extra 18 horsepower and 18 pound-feet of torque thanks to a Mopar-branded cold-air intake, exhaust and ECU ref lash. Stage 1 is also the only package that could be installed outside of a Chrysler-authorized service center without voiding the warranty (a mechanically competent owner could even do it at home, we're told by Dodge). Stage 2 builds on the entry level Scat Pack, and adds performance camshaft kit, which boosts output over the stock 5.7 by up to 30 hp for $1,895. As with the Stage 1, the ECU is tweaked.

For those that want to go whole hog, they can add the Stage 3 for $4,995. The top-tier gets quite serious, adding CNC-ported cylinder heads, as well as high-flow headers and cats. Output over stock is 58 hp and 47 lb-ft of torque. Each kit comes with a pair of badges, just in case owners want a bit of visual flair.

Each stage needs to be purchased sequentially, so you can't get the equipment of Stage 3 without the first two stages as a base. According to Dodge, this is so customers can build their cars up over time, rather than having to drop huge sums of money from the start. With the packages set to arrive at dealers this spring, we have a few questions for you, loyal readers.

First, is 58 hp and 47 lb-ft of torque worth over $9,000 (not counting tax and installation costs) just to preserve the warranty? The price differential between the base Challenger R/T and the base SRT8 is $9,990 (the difference is larger in the Charger, at nearly $14,000), meaning that once tax and installation are included, the 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of the SRT8 might actually be cheaper than the 430 hp and 447 lb-ft of the Stage 3 Scat Pack. That said, Scat Pack cars are probably going to sound a lot better than the SRT8 models.

Still, considering that, the case for the Scat Pack is not a strong one. What would you do? Scroll down for the press release, and then have your say in Comments.

New Dodge Scat Pack Stage Kits to Boost Performance While Preserving Vehicle Warranty; Pricing, Performance Numbers Also Announced

Dodge Scat Pack performance stage kits from Mopar will be supported by vehicle warranty - an industry-first from an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for such a high-level of performance modifications
Scat Pack 1, 2 and 3 performance stage kits available for the 2014 Dodge Challenger and 2014 Dodge Charger R/T include an optimized calibration and much more
Dodge Scat Pack stage kits deliver increasing boosts of power for the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, with up to a 58 horsepower gain with the Stage 3 kit --performance upgrade levels unmatched by an OEM without use of a forced-induction system
Scat Pack 1 kit, priced at a starting U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $2,195, is one of multiple options that make affordable performance upgrades available to owners ranging from the everyday enthusiast to the weekend warrior
Scat Packs to be available beginning in the Spring of 2014

April 3, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Dodge owners who want to upgrade their vehicles with new Scat Pack performance stage kits, first unveiled by Dodge and Mopar last November at the 2013 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, can do so with confidence that the vehicle warranty will remain unaffected.

In an industry-first for such high-level performance modifications offered by an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), the factory warranty will be maintained on 2014 Dodge Challenger and Charger vehicles modified with the Scat Pack 1, Scat Pack 2 and Scat Pack 3 performance stage kits with installation at an authorized dealer.

"The Scat Pack factory stage kits can help boost 5.7-liter HEMI performance up to an additional 58 horsepower and 47 lb.-ft. of torque, allowing Dodge enthusiasts to extract the maximum performance from their vehicles without the fear and guesswork typically associated with modifying late-model vehicles," said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO, Dodge Brand. "And now with a warranty guarantee, they can do so with the peace of mind that their manufacturer's warranty remains intact."

"The new Scat Pack kits reinforce our commitment to the performance arena," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand. "By maintaining the vehicle warranty, we are demonstrating to customers our confidence in the kits, which were built to exactly complement the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger by working hand-in-hand with the engineers who use factory specs to create these vehicles - exclusive knowledge available only to Mopar."

Mopar and Dodge also revealed specifics on pricing and performance benchmarks for the trio of Scat Pack performance stage kit options. The Scat Pack 3 stage kit will provide a boost of nearly 60 horsepower and close to 50 lb.-ft. of torque - numbers currently unmatched by any OEM without the use of a forced-induction system.

The Scat Pack 1, 2 and 3 performance stage kits will be available beginning this spring with a starting U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $2,195 for the Stage 1 kit, $1,895 for the Stage 2 kit and $4,995 for the Stage 3 kit. Each Scat Pack kit includes a numbered hard badge associated with its performance stage, so enthusiasts can proudly display the emblem on their vehicle as a badge of honor.

The Scat Pack 1 performance stage kit for the 2014 Dodge Challenger and 2014 Dodge Charger achieves a boost of up to 18 horsepower and 18 lb.-ft. of torque through modifications including a Mopar cold-air intake to provide increased air-flow into the engine, Mopar cat-back exhaust to free up downstream airflow, and an all-new performance calibrated engine controller, optimized to the 5.7-liter HEMI® engine.

For the 5.7-liter HEMI, Scat Pack 2 adds up to a 30 horsepower bump and is geared towards the performance enthusiast looking for that competitive edge. In addition to a customized, optimized performance calibration feature tailored for Scat Pack 2, a new Mopar performance camshaft works in conjunction with the components of the Scat Pack 1 kit to take advantage of improved engine breathing and deliver an additional acceleration advantage.

Scat Pack 3 takes aim squarely at the competitive enthusiast looking for extreme performance and ultimate bragging rights. Huge gains of up to 58 horsepower and 47 lb.-ft. of torque are realized through customized, optimized performance calibration tailored for Scat Pack 3, new Mopar performance CNC-ported cylinder heads and Mopar hi-flow headers.

Following is pricing, performance and parts details for the Scat Pack 1, Scat Pack 2 and Scat Pack 3 performance upgrade kits available for the 2014 Dodge Challenger and 2014 Dodge Charger:

SCAT PACK 1 5.7-liter
Starting at a U.S. MSRP of $2,195, Scat Pack 1 offers gains of up to 18 horsepower and 18 lb.-ft. of torque, and includes:
Mopar cold air intake

Mopar cat-back exhaust
Stage 1 performance PCM
Mopar low restriction oil filter
(2) Scat Pack 1 stage kit hard badges

SCAT PACK 2 5.7-liter
With a starting U.S. MSRP of $1,895, Scat Pack 2 yields increases of up to 30 horsepower.
Works in conjunction with Scat Pack 1 and features:
Mopar performance camshaft kit: includes camshaft, tiebars, heavy-duty pushrods and gaskets
Stage 2 performance PCM
(2) Scat Pack 2 stage kit hard badges

SCAT PACK 3 5.7-liter
The top-tier offering, Scat Pack 3 ratchets performance up to an exhilarating 58 horsepower and 47 lb.-ft. of torque and a U.S. MSRP of $4,995:
Works in conjunction with Scat Pack 1 & 2 and features:
Mopar performance CNC ported cylinder heads
Mopar hi-flow headers
Mopar hi-flow catalysts
Stage 3 performance PCM
(2) Scat Pack 3 stage kit hard badges

About Dodge Brand
The Dodge brand is tearing into its centennial year with a keen eye focused on the future and a desire to create vehicles customers want to drive and are proud to park in their driveways. With 100 years of history, Dodge is building on the technological advancements of the '30s and 40s, design evolution of the 50s, the racing heritage of the 60s, the horsepower of the '70s, the efficiency of the '80s and unbelievable styling of the '90s as it paves the road to its future.

New for 2014, Dodge is kind of a big deal with its new 2014 Dodge Durango with a new eight-speed transmission that delivers up to 25 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway, a new 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment center and best-in-class power, towing and driving range, in addition to its class-exclusive technology. The new Durango joins a stable that includes the new 2014 Dodge Dart, with its breakthrough 2.4-liter 184-horsepower Tigershark engine, and the celebrated 2014 Dodge Avenger. Both earned 2014 Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Also new for 2014, Dodge is bringing back the legendary throwback Shaker hood and offering special 100th anniversary editions of the Charger and Challenger with unique exteriors and interiors to celebrate the centennial. Completing the 2014 Dodge lineup are the Journey with its new Crossroad model and the 30th Anniversary Grand Caravan. The Dodge lineup features five vehicles with best-in-class power, seven vehicles that deliver 25 mpg or higher, three vehicles that deliver 31 mpg or higher and three vehicles that offer seating for seven.

Mopar Brand
Mopar (a simple contraction of the words Motor and PARts) was trademarked in 1937 with the launch of an antifreeze product but truly made its mark in the 1960s during the muscle-car era. From Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use, the brand soon expanded to include technical service and customer support.

Today, Mopar is Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand and distributes more than 500,000 parts and accessories in more than 130 markets, integrating service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance dealer and customer support worldwide. Mopar is the source for genuine parts and accessories for Chrysler Group brands as well as FIAT brands.

Mopar parts are unique in that they are engineered with the same teams that create factory-authorized vehicle specifications for Chrysler Group and FIAT vehicles – a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. A complete list of Mopar accessories and performance parts are available at www.mopar.com.

Mopar-first Features
Mopar has introduced numerous industry-first features including:
Vehicle-information apps: first to introduce smartphone vehicle-information applications, a new channel of communication with customers
Electronic owner manuals: first to introduce traditional owner manuals in a DVD and brief user-guide format. First to offer complete vehicle-information kits in Spanish
Wi-Fi: first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot
Wireless charging: first to introduce in-vehicle wireless charging for portable devices
Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS): first to market with interactive vehicle tracking device that sends owner a text when vehicle is driven too fast or too far based on pre-set parameters
wiAdvisor: first to provide factory-connected tablet technology in the service lane for instant vehicle diagnosis
wiTech: first to support vehicle diagnosis and software updates leveraging off-the-shelf personal computers and a dedicated wireless tool network
2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak: first to introduce a 500-plus cubic-inch V-10 drag-race package car

By Brandon Turkus