Why SRT Engines Are Crazy Powerful? Explained
Many manufacturers are pushing aggressively for electrification. The emission laws are getting stricter and higher fuel prices are driving them away from regular gasoline vehicles, especially the muscle cars that are powered by big engines.
The Ford has an electrified form of Mustang in disguise of Mach-E whereas Dodge has finally decided to part ways with Challenger and the Charger with V8s. It has been a sad affair for purists and old-school folks who believed in SRT supremacy.
A quick origin story
SRT stands for Street and Racing Technology. The badge goes back decades when it was actually known as “Team Viper” in 1989. A team specially formed for the development of the Dodge Viper. Now SRT is a subbrand of Stellantis which produces engines for Dodge, RAM, Chrysler, and Jeep.
It started with 6.1L HEMI
To understand the SRT engine’s potentness, we must look into the very first V8 engine that was introduced in 2005. It was a 6.1 L naturally aspirated Hemi V8 engine with 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Compared to the 5.7L HEMI (Pre Eagel), the 6.1 setups had a higher compression ratio, bigger camshaft, and bore, and superior cylinder heads.
If we put the 6.1L HEMI V8 against the GM’s 6.0L LS2 V8 engine, the latter will lose by 25 horsepower. The 6.1L from SRT also featured larger intakes than the 5.7L and 6.0L counterparts.
A few special things about the 6.1L HEMI were that it was less complicated due to the absence of a multi-displacement system (MSD), and variable valve timing (VVT). However, this engine had some downsides too. You could not boost it due to the extremely limited tolerance on the piston compression ring.
So what would happen if you tried to boost a factory setting 6.1L V8 from SRT? The cylinder pressure and heat will close the ring gap which will eventually break the piston. If you still want to take it under a garage project then it is recommended to use forged pistons with correct ring gaps.
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Dial it upppp…..
Ok, we have established the 6.1L V8 HEMI are great but they are not greater than the second installment from SRT which was 6.4 L naturally aspirated Apache V8. This 392 cubic-inch engine was also known as the Scat-Pack motor. The 6.4L had a larger bore and longer stroke length than the 6.1L which allowed bigger intake valves. Unlike the 6.1L V8 which featured aluminum intake manifolds, the 6.4L HEMI had dual-path intakes and variable cam timing.
These changes made the 6.4L V8 more efficient. The engine with automatic transmission then received MDS which is basically GM’s displacement on demand or DOD. This motor was working so well that it basically made entry into nearly every vehicle from Jeep Grand Cherokee to Chrysler 300 to Dodge Charger.
Meanwhile, like the previous 6.1L HEMI, the 6.4L HEMI was also allergic to factory boost as it had thinner ringland. If you wanted to boost the 392 motor then forged pistons with thicker ringlands were needed.
6.4L HEMI V8 vs 6.2L LT1 V8
Now with SRT 6.4L V8, you receive a more aggressive camshaft, higher output, and larger bore. Hence, it was also heavier. On the other hand, the 6.2L V8 had less weight. It was installed in lighter vehicles like the 6th Gen SS and Stingray models of Camaro and Corvette.
Still hungry? SRT can serve more
In 2015, SRT revealed a 6.2L supercharged V8. The new engine had the same bore as the 6.4L HEMI but the stroke length was borrowed from the 5.7L HEMI. The supercharger was a new addition and so were the factory-forged pistons. Eventually, these changes lowered the compression ratio to 9.5:1 which is lower than 10.2:1 in the 6.4L HEMI and 9.6:1 in the 5.7L HEMI.
T6 aluminum construction for cylinder heads was used in the 6.2L S/C V8 instead of alloy construction. Furthermore, hollow stem intake valves and sodium-filled exhaust valves were also used. The standard output of the 6.2L V8 Supercharged engine made a whopping 707 horsepower. At the same time, with the right tuning and fuel, the same engine on the SRT Hellcat Redeye, SRT Demon, and SRT Super Stock made between 797 horsepower and 840 horsepower. You would need 100-octane fuel to produce up to 840 horsepower.
6.2L supercharged SRT V8 vs 6.2L supercharged LT4 V8
GM’s LT4 supercharged V8 engine is milder in nature but it is ideal for more precise handling in cars like Corvette. It is lighter, less powerful, has a smaller blower, and has a higher compression ratio compared to the SRT Hellcat Supercharged V8. Basically, the SRT 6.2L supercharged V8 is a powerhouse for straight-line performance. At the same time, the LT4 6.2L supercharged V8 with a dry sump oil system and direct injection system is suitable for a thrilling ride on a track with lots of corners.
Finale
The 6.2L HEMI had VVT but no MDS. It is still a good choice for low to mid-range power. However, these engines are high in demand and of course expensive. However, like the LS and Coyote engines, the Gen-3 HEMI engines are perfect for your home garage projects that you always wanted to start.
Hence, if your budget is limited just use forged pistons, a supercharger, and a few other modes like the Hellcat Supercharger Adapter Kit by MMX with the 5.7L HEMI to make it a budget Hellact model.
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