Built not bought

[covidcommander]

Thinking about finding a 2018 r/t or similar challenger (avg price 16-18k) and swapping everything over to a hellcat or better. No point in paying 250k for a 100k car when I could probably build it better.

Any thoughts?

 

[Bobo]

Sure, go for it! It's been done and you can easily accomplish what you want to do for way less.

 

[Unholy707]

Thinking about finding a 2018 r/t or similar challenger (avg price 16-18k) and swapping everything over to a hellcat or better. No point in paying 250k for a 100k car when I could probably build it better.

Any thoughts?

You don’t have a hellcat or challenger?

 

[fumanchu182]

Buy my hellcat. Instant 9s, no hassle

 

[covidcommander]

Charger

 

[covidcommander]

Buy my hellcat. Instant 9s, no hassle

Thanks, but kinda doing it for the fun of it. Like a kit car kinda thing.

 

[2ndAmend]

The one thing that is rarely discussed is the active suspension/stability control. The factory cars are shockingly forgiving which makes them such a pleasure (and safe) to drive.

Local custom shop put a HC 6.2 in an old Duster, shop owner said it was pretty much impossible to drive. Local guys tell me about their modded HC going sideways, my guess is the stability control can’t keep up with the higher power.

One of the reasons with I went for the S2 kit is to stay within the veil of factory specs. I would not be surprised if the S2 software also included mods to the stability control.

Friend of mine has a C7 and a Cobra replica. He doesn’t dive the Cobra much. Besides everything else, he says it just sits and spins.

Conclusion, you can build a very high HP car, but will it give you the things that make you happy?

 

[EricG]

The one thing that is rarely discussed is the active suspension/stability control. The factory cars are shockingly forgiving which makes them such a pleasure (and safe) to drive.

This is a great point and I think something we really take for granted over time as we get used to these cars, they just drive so damn well! I have 40k miles on my daily driver redeye and the car is such a pleasure. Look forward to every drive!

One other thing to consider is when you build that car up, it wont have much value on the back end, you'll probably have to take it apart again to re-coup some of the money you put into it.

 

[vortecd]

Thinking about finding a 2018 r/t or similar challenger (avg price 16-18k) and swapping everything over to a hellcat or better. No point in paying 250k for a 100k car when I could probably build it better.

Any thoughts?

Unless you really want the project I see them for sale here and there already done. 300, charger and challengers around 30ish

 

[covidcommander]

Unless you really want the project I see them for sale here and there already done. 300, charger and challengers around 30ish

That almost seems like a good deal. I was figuring 16 for a body and like 25 for a donor. Another 10 for misc and I'm up to 51k.

 

[covidcommander]

The one thing that is rarely discussed is the active suspension/stability control. The factory cars are shockingly forgiving which makes them such a pleasure (and safe) to drive.

Local custom shop put a HC 6.2 in an old Duster, shop owner said it was pretty much impossible to drive. Local guys tell me about their modded HC going sideways, my guess is the stability control can’t keep up with the higher power.

One of the reasons with I went for the S2 kit is to stay within the veil of factory specs. I would not be surprised if the S2 software also included mods to the stability control.

Friend of mine has a C7 and a Cobra replica. He doesn’t dive the Cobra much. Besides everything else, he says it just sits and spins.

Conclusion, you can build a very high HP car, but will it give you the things that make you happy?

Yeah, I agree. Kinda why I was thinking about it. Seems like a good driving experience compared to others. Haven't driven the new c8 yet heard they're fun but slow

 

[vortecd]

That almost seems like a good deal. I was figuring 16 for a body and like 25 for a donor. Another 10 for misc and I'm up to 51k.

I'm seeing hellcats in the mid 40s and lower. A 17 charger went for 38k at mecum last weekend. Prices are dropping right now.

 

[vortecd]

My next purchase may be a rebuilt title just to pay less. Some have very little damage and they are totalled out. Saw a hellcat durango under 60k that was a rebuilt title. Way better then 90k

 

[covidcommander]

My next purchase may be a rebuilt title just to pay less. Some have very little damage and they are totalled out. Saw a hellcat durango under 60k that was a rebuilt title. Way better then 90k

Exactly what I was thinking about... 🤔
Then just get all the best parts and build a 170

 

[Speedy!]

If you enjoy tinkering go for it. I'd cross check the electronics to make sure they match up but I've "heard" the computers and everything are the same between R/T and Hellcat but haven't personally confirmed.

 

[2ndAmend]

Yeah, I agree. Kinda why I was thinking about it. Seems like a good driving experience compared to others. Haven't driven the new c8 yet heard they're fun but slow

I expected more from the C8, but I guess that is why they are coming out with the higher hp version soon. My guess is they sell more cars by saturating the first adopter market with "lesser" cars, then later sell all the same customers "improved" cars.

There were 2 C8's at Land Speed Trials last year, best was about 168 in the 1mi, the stock M6 did 174.

I was next to a C8 at the dragway last fall, since RT does not count, I always go late. After the launch I never saw him again! Maybe he wasn't trying?

 

[MMissile]

The one thing that is rarely discussed is the active suspension/stability control. The factory cars are shockingly forgiving which makes them such a pleasure (and safe) to drive.

Local custom shop put a HC 6.2 in an old Duster, shop owner said it was pretty much impossible to drive. Local guys tell me about their modded HC going sideways, my guess is the stability control can’t keep up with the higher power.

One of the reasons with I went for the S2 kit is to stay within the veil of factory specs. I would not be surprised if the S2 software also included mods to the stability control.

Friend of mine has a C7 and a Cobra replica. He doesn’t dive the Cobra much. Besides everything else, he says it just sits and spins.

Conclusion, you can build a very high HP car, but will it give you the things that make you happy?

I have a 70 `cuda ragtop, with a stock 6.4/NAG in it. It has upgraded stock-style suspension and huge brakes. Without the nanny controls, the car is really useless in low gear, and is stupid fast. I have 50+ years of experience with powerful cars...but I'll admit that the `cuda got away from me, once. I wasn't giving it the respect it deserved, and it let me know. I now have a lot better "feel" for the car. [note Mi. Hoopty in background, LOL]

 

[GNBRETT]

Generally its a really dumb idea! You end up spending more to build it and it ends up being worth far less not being an actual Hellcat. IMO its only worth doing if ur going TT and its a sleeper grudge......

Basically u need to rebuild the entire car and its just a dumb idea period.

 

[covidcommander]

I expected more from the C8, but I guess that is why they are coming out with the higher hp version soon. My guess is they sell more cars by saturating the first adopter market with "lesser" cars, then later sell all the same customers "improved" cars.

There were 2 C8's at Land Speed Trials last year, best was about 168 in the 1mi, the stock M6 did 174.

I was next to a C8 at the dragway last fall, since RT does not count, I always go late. After the launch I never saw him again! Maybe he wasn't trying?

Yep I agree sell the cheap slow ones, then make them faster and sell more of basically the same car. Kinda like they do with cell phones. Marketing at its finest