Mopar Mods For racers in the Dodge Direct Connection Shootout, there are plenty of paths to more power
Written by the FSC staff
Photography courtesy of the manufacturers
Carrying the torch of the modern muscle car era since the 2000s, Dodge knows that big power, huge speed, and aggressive styling are the way to the hearts of enthusiasts. To ensure that those vehicles realize their full potential in the safe environs of a race track, the company partnered with the Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals series to offer 75 free race entries to the Dodge Direct Connection Shootout.
Open to Gen III Hemi- and Hurricane-powered Dodge, Ram, and Chrysler vehicles, this class offers an accessible fun way to flex all that Mopar muscle on the drag strip. Run in a True Street format without a cruise component, the class awards trips to the NMCA Winner’s Circle to those running an average closest to a range of elapsed times from 15 seconds down to 8 seconds.
While running the quickest times isn’t essential to success in the class, everyone would like to run a bit quicker. For those looking for upgrades, several official sponsors for the class offer a wide range of upgrades that can muscle up your Mopar, ensure its longevity, and just make it more fun. So if you are in the market for some upgrades, check out what these outfits have to offer…
Dodge Direct Connection
If your project is ready for a fresh engine and you want something ready to handle four-digit power, Direct Connection has your back. The Dodge’s performance products branch offers this Hellcrate 6.2-liter Supercharged Crate HEMI long-block. Capable of producing 717 horsepower and 656 lb-ft of torque, this 376-cube engine includes valve covers with coil packs; cylinder heads with valvetrain; engine block with crankshaft; connecting rods, pistons and rings; camshaft and lifters; oil pump/pick-up/ pan; harmonic balancer; and front timing cover. It sports a 9.5:1 compression ratio and revs as high as 6,200 rpm. Just add your induction, exhaust, and other supporting hardware, and this long-block is ready to rumble right out of the crate.
Dodge Direct Connection
(800) 998-1110 • Visit: DCPerformance.com
HHP Racing
The factory fuel systems in modern Chargers and Challengers can support a lot of power, but once you start pushing too far beyond the factory parameters, more fuel is necessary. To ensure 2015-2023 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcats and 2015-2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcats have plenty of go juice on tap, HHP Racing offers its Hellcat Fuel System, which supports 1,600 horsepower on gasoline and 1,100 horsepower on high-ethanol fuels. The kit includes two Walbro Hellcat 525-liter-per-hour fuel pumps mounted in a Fore Innovations Hellcat fuel hat assembly modified for returnless operation. Designed for plug-and-play installation, the system includes a variable pressure controller and all the required fuses and relays. An in-line 88mm filter kit is optional.
HHP Racing
(888) 894-1115 • Visit: HighHorsePerformance.com
HP Tuners
Modifying modern vehicles means making the electronics play nicely with all that new hardware. HP Tuners tuning and diagnostic tools for a wide range of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM vehicles via its MPVI3 devices and VCM Suite software. Whether you want to squeeze a bit more power and efficiency from a stock setup or you need to tune an aggressive drag strip combination, the VCM Scanner can monitor performance, data log, and scan for DCTs and fault codes, while the VCM Editor allows for developing and installing a complete custom calibration. Owners of 2015-and-newer Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or RAM will also need to purchase a new upgraded PCM that is enabled for tuning.
HP Tuners
(847) 465-8863 • Visit: HPTuners.com
Nitto Tire
Hooking up all that Hemi and Hurricane power is a challenge without some sticky rubber out back. Nitto developed its NT555RII drag radials with dual-purpose machines, like most of those running in the Dodge Direct Connection Shootout, in mind. Better yet, if you win in one of the class categories while running these tires, Nitto will enhance your prize purse to $1,000. Built to pair with the company’s Nitto NT555 G2 summer performance tires in front, the NT555RIIs deliver drag strip traction thanks to a high-grip compound, semi-racing construction, and versatile tread design. Available in a range of sizes from 15 to 22 inches in diameter, these tires deliver dry traction thanks to a huge contact patch offered by two larger center ribs, while the tread pattern resists hydroplaning on wet streets.
Nitto Tire
(888) 529-8200 • Visit: NittoTire.com
Precision Shaft Technologies
Caught between the irresistible force of a modern Mopar powerplant and the immovable object that is a sticky drag strip, the driveshaft is in the running to find out who is the weakest link. To ensure yours doesn’t fail under the pressure of all that torque, Precision Shaft Technologies created its direct-bolt-on, 3.75-inch carbon fiber driveshaft for Dodge Challenger Hellcats. Rated for 1,200 horsepower and 9,500 rpm, this driveshaft features a cast-steel flange (billet aluminum is optional), a CV stub welded to a steel insert at the differential end, and computer balancing to less than a ⅛ ounce/inch of variance. Its tube integrity is validated to 2,000 lb-ft of torque in both directions. For applications producing 1,200 horsepower but only revving to 6,200 rpm, PST also offers a 4-inch aluminum driveshaft for these vehicles.
Precision Shaft Technologies
(727-) 442-1711 • Visit: PSTds.com
Red Line Oil
To ensure maximum longevity and peak performance from your modern Mopar engine, Red Line Oil offers a wide range of lubricants for your engine and drivetrain. Those offerings include this 0-W40 synthetic oil used in the Dodge Viper and many later Chryslers. Based on a full-synthetic ester/PAO formula, this oil offers excellent protection, efficiency, cleanliness, and extended drain intervals. Along with superior wear protection and reduced friction across a wide range of operating temperatures, the Red Line 0-W40 delivers improved fuel economy and better ring seal along with improved cleanliness thanks to its high detergency.
Red Line Oil
(707) 745-6100 • Visit: RedLineOil.com
Scoggin Dickey Parts Center
What red-blooded performance enthusiasts don’t get revved up when they hear the choppy idle created by an aggressive camshaft? For owners of Gen III Hemi engines seeking a healthy chop, Scoggin Dickey Parts Center offers its El Choppo camshafts. Designed to help a 5.7-liter Hemi make power through 6,500 rpm, these cams are good for gains of 92 horsepower and 37 lb-ft of torque to go along with those sweet choppy sounds. They do require removing and disabling the factory Multi-Displacement System as well as upgraded valve springs, but those are small prices to pay for big gains and lofty lope.
Scoggin Dickey Parts Center
(800) 456-0211• Visit: SDparts.com
SunCoast Performance
Making more power is no problem, but making the most of it on the track requires the proper setup, including the right torque converter. To that end, SunCoast Performance developed its Snake Charmer torque converter for 6.2-liter Hellcat, RedEye, Demon Challenger, and Charger SRT8 machines equipped with the 8HP90 eight-speed automatic transmission. Thanks to the wide spread of its gear ratio spread the 8HP90 keeps the vehicle in the sweet spot of the torque curve at all times, and with the Snake Charmer converter installed, it can launch harder and at a higher rpm. This converter has run 9.09 at 149 mph in a Hellcat. It includes a billet stator, and several versions are available to dial in the proper stall speed for your combo, it requires supplying a torque converter core when ordering.
SunCoast Performance
(800) 868-0053 • Visit: SunCoastDiesel.com
VP Racing
Pushing to higher levels of performance often demands a higher octane fuel, especially when it’s time to race. Experts in high-performance fuels, VP Racing offers a wide range of leaded, unleaded, and high-ethanol fuels. For those running street cars in racing environments like the Dodge Direct Connection Shootout, high-octane unleaded fuel is in order. VP Racing’s MS109 is designed to produce more power than any other unleaded fuel. Based on its highly oxygenated blend, MS109 delivers 5 percent more power than premium unleaded fuel. It is suited for motorsports engines with as much as 13:1 compression or as much as 25 pounds of boost.
VP Racing
(210) 635-7744 • Visit: VPRacingFuels.com