I bought a 2016 Charger Hellcat. What do you want to know about it, from the owner POV?

"themushman" (themushman) 04/19/2016 at 10:28 • Filed to: None

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Two weeks ago I traded in my heavily modd’d 2008 Charger SRT8 with close to 700hp for a brand new 2016 Hellcat Charger. What can I answer about the Hellcat from an owners perspective that you would like to know? You know what the media has covered, want to know anything else? PS-I dont feed trolls.

MLGCarGuy > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:31

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Amazing color choice. Congrats.

From a daily driver standpoint, is the car relatively comfortable and quiet?

I’m asking because if the Hellcat can switch personalities then it is the ultimate car.

Ash78, voting early and often > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:32

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WHY DID YOU TURN...one car in for another one so similar?

Illegitimus Prime > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:33

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I have no question, I just came here to tell you that color is fantastic.

Nibby > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:34

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Future next gen S2000 owner > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:37

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Do you need anymore friends to encourage you to do reckless fun things with it?

themushman > Ash78, voting early and often 04/19/2016 at 10:37

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2008 SRT8, 5speed auto, 425hp stock —-> 700hp modded is not as similar as you might think to a 2016 700hp stock, with a sweet 8speed transmission. Reliability and streetability between the two is far different

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:37

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my question is how usable is it as a daily? sure it's comfy, but isn't the 700hp so.... tempting?

450X_FTW > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:37

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Does it go past 11?

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:38

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without diving deep into financial lay out, do you think you got a fair trade value for your SRT8?

Cherry_man1 > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:39

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How is the 8-Speed? I know they are drag strip slayers but could one be used on a road course?

themushman > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 04/19/2016 at 10:39

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Its as tame as you want it to be. Traction control nannies help a lot. My wife drives it no problem. You can put it in 500hp mode with Eco mode on and its fairly tame. They did a really good job making it close to a touring car if you arent going wide open throttle.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:40

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PS-I dont feed trolls.

Dammit

themushman > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 04/19/2016 at 10:40

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Yea, i think so. I moved as many mods off that I could. So after selling those off, I came out where I wanted to be honestly.

jimz > Ash78, voting early and often 04/19/2016 at 10:41

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this one has a warranty.

EL_ULY > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:41

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have you at any point thought of removing the hellcat logos from the fender and adding a Hello Kitty decal?

jimz > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:41

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LOL at this thing having something actually called “eco” mode.

themushman > Cherry_man1 04/19/2016 at 10:42

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I am in love with it. Its a piece of art I think. Could you road course with it? I think it would do pretty good. The paddle shifters let you have full control over it. You can hold it in any gear you want in Manual mode

themushman > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 04/19/2016 at 10:42

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Haha. ;)

themushman > jimz 04/19/2016 at 10:43

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that too!

themushman > jimz 04/19/2016 at 10:43

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I know, crazy. Works great too. We went on a 4hr road trip last week in eco mode and got over 25mpg at 80mph

vondon302 > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:44

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That color wow! Nice. Why Charger over Challenger?

themushman > EL_ULY 04/19/2016 at 10:44

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LOL. No, but i did suggest HELOKTY as a license plate to my wife.

Honestly, I dont like the Cat head emblem.

themushman > MLGCarGuy 04/19/2016 at 10:46

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Its (near) as smooth as a cadillac and quiet as can be normal driving. Mash the pedal, its loud obnoxious redneck white trash ‘merica fun. Very quiet inside, smooth, leather..i love it

Milky > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:47

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Do you drag race this or your old car? How often is traction an issue? 275's just seem so small with 700+ HP.

themushman > vondon302 04/19/2016 at 10:47

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thanks! Ive had 2 challengers already. Cant go wrong with one of those either. I have 2 kids, the charger is easier for them to get in and out of

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:48

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Congratulations. I am also going to say I love that color. I’ve only seen a white one in person.

So do your rear quarter panels look like this?

Or is there more rubber there?

EL_ULY > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:48

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put the 3.5L badge on it. I’ve seen some AMG people do that switching the decals to E 350 and C 300 lol

themushman > Milky 04/19/2016 at 10:48

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275s are way small. For the street, i guess they do ok. Track, no way. Traction is definitely an issue on the track. On the street, leave traction control on and it does fine. I dont care to be racing on the street anyways.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:49

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Does it ride like a 2x4 or is it pretty comfortable?

How disappointing is it when you have to drive a 4-cylinder family sedan?

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:49

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Do you feel it itching your right foot to go faster? Like in my FRS, it feels like the car always wants me to go faster

themushman > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 04/19/2016 at 10:50

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White is pretty nice. I was torn on white or B5 blue.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:51

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What about this one?

vondon302 > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:51

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Thx fyi I’d have gone Charger too. Have fun and keep it out of the ditches.

themushman > EL_ULY 04/19/2016 at 10:51

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Ha. I took DODGE off the back. I wanted to put CHRYSLER on it. I still might

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:52

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sweet, good to know it's not crazy all the time :)

themushman > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/19/2016 at 10:53

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It street suspension mode, its very soft and cadillac-like. Very smooth. In track suspension mode, its really stiff, like low-rider stiff. So you can get either really. Not as smooth as luxury high end, and not as stiff as full race suspension. But a nice compromise of either

themushman > Santiago of Escuderia Boricua 04/19/2016 at 10:53

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Yea, its lots of willpower to not be an asshole all the time, so I only do it half the time. LOL

themushman > vondon302 04/19/2016 at 10:54

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Thanks buddy, certainly will try!

themushman > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 04/19/2016 at 10:55

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HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. amazing! I might have to do that for real

haveacarortwoorthree2 > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:55

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PS-I dont feed trolls.

That’s because that bloated overweight car already ate everything! JK Nice color! Does TN only require a rear plate? TX requires both, so sometimes you have to argue with the dealer not to install the holder for the front plate. On so many cars (including the Hellcat), that front plate just screws up the look so much.

themushman > haveacarortwoorthree2 04/19/2016 at 10:57

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TN only requires front, thankfully. And yea, for sure its a big heavy car, but Im used to that, so it doesnt matter to me.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:58

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I have one on my helmet, it's pretty awesome.

themushman > 450X_FTW 04/19/2016 at 10:58

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Nothing goes past 11 :P

marshknute > themushman 04/19/2016 at 10:58

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Lol, the Hellcat makes more power in Eco Mode than a Ferrari F40!

themushman > Future next gen S2000 owner 04/19/2016 at 10:59

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My wife got pulled over 3 times already in it. She might be the only friend I need, lol

themushman > marshknute 04/19/2016 at 11:00

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Yea, but..not all about power all the time. But its still fun to say stuff like that! Id take the Ferrari if it were an option for me

Milky > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:02

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Well since it looks better with more meat anyways, throw some 305s on there!

BigBlock440 > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:02

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How does it compare to the one you traded in? On paper, a 700 hp Charger is a 700 hp Charger, but how different are they in metal? Also, what was done to get 700 hp out of the old one and was it also supercharged?

Somethin' 'bout a truck > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:06

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500 hp Eco mode?

This car really is insane. I love everything about it!!

Somethin' 'bout a truck > Illegitimus Prime 04/19/2016 at 11:07

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Yeah. The color is amazing.

themushman > Milky 04/19/2016 at 11:08

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I havent gotten into looking at tire options yet. Id like 315 if possible

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:08

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Future plans for it?

uofime-2 > EL_ULY 04/19/2016 at 11:09

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that’s the best kind of rebadging!

My bird IS the word > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:10

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How is this thing in inclement weather? I am currently too scared to dd a rwd car after I ruined my 944 in the rain. If the traction control can keep up with this thing it can keep up with anything.

uofime-2 > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:10

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how does it compare to your old car?

Does 700 hp feel like 700 hp or have they done a bunch of refinements to make it feel better in the hellcat?

themushman > BigBlock440 04/19/2016 at 11:11

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A big difference is the transmission. The old Mercedes 5 speed as used by dodge (with different clutches) was a piece of crap. I did have a forged motor in my last one with a blower running 12psi. Although, it was a centrifugal blower. It didnt make full boost until red line. This blower makes lots of boost all over, so the TQ curve is much flatter, and the delivery through the 8speed is way smoother and responsive. You also couldnt really tune the old ones for part throttle boost. Fuel/spark/timing/etc really only had WOT and everything else. So you had to stay out of boost unless you were WOT to make sure you didnt go lean and get detonation. Had to be driven way differently

themushman > Somethin' 'bout a truck 04/19/2016 at 11:12

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Yup! Im not sure what eco mode does tuning-wise. But it disables paddle shifters, lowers HP to 500, and makes the transmission run in granny mode.

themushman > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 04/19/2016 at 11:13

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Whatever i can get past the wife. Ive done a few small things, changed the HID bulbs to 6k, replaced terrible interior lights with pure white LED, tinted the windows, installed a catch can, ordered ceramic brake pads. Shooting for pulley and tune next.

themushman > My bird IS the word 04/19/2016 at 11:14

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Havent driven it in snow obviously, but rain, a bunch. If you respect it and dont go WOT, you are totally fine.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:16

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Is it going to be a daily car or a weekend car?

themushman > uofime-2 04/19/2016 at 11:16

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Power delivery is way smoother and refined in the hellcat than my last car. Also a different type of blower than I had. Blower in my last car was either off...or on. And going from off to on was like a shot of nitrous. They call it “lightswitch”. The bypass valve is either open and venting out all boost, or closed producing whatever boost it is making at that RPM. The TQ curve is way different in this than my last one too. Thats very noticeable

themushman > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 04/19/2016 at 11:16

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Daily. No fun to leave it parked all week!

Stevo777 > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:18

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I was seriously considering trading my BMW 550i (daily) for one of these. Do you use this as a daily or is this kitten a garage queen? Also, excellent pictures btw

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:18

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also...is the purple one yours?

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:18

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On a scale of 1 to biting off a bats head live on stage how crazy is it

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:18

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What's the mileage like? Does it change when you drive like a hoon.

themushman > Stevo777 04/19/2016 at 11:26

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Thanks! Daily driving it. Traded 2 cars for it. Had 3 prior. Down to 2 now, one for me, one for my wife. Never been a fan of buying and parking 6 days a week

themushman > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 04/19/2016 at 11:26

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No, its one of my good friends. He got his a day before I did.

themushman > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 04/19/2016 at 11:28

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LOL, nice analogy. Um, depends on how you drive it. Im used to this power range, so its not toooooooo crazy to me. But anyone who has ridden in it and said “show me what this thing can do” has left a little pee in their drawers. Drive it normal, it feels pretty normal. Drive like a tard, its bite bat heads loonie

themushman > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 04/19/2016 at 11:29

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Definitely. We took it on a 8hr round trip road trip the weekend after we got it. It got about 25mpg on the hwy at 80mph. Driving like we all like to drive, it gets down to 14mpg range.

themushman > uofime-2 04/19/2016 at 11:31

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And hopefull, more reliable. When you add over 300hp to something not made to have 300hp added to it, its hard to retain reliability. I was always working on my old car. So HOPEFULLY, engineers with lots of brain and skill made this 700hp better than some hick from TN (me) made my last one.

citizennick > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:35

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This. Changing the bulbs right away is one of the best mods.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:39

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25. That makes me sad

citizennick > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:41

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How do you like the interior on these newer Charger’s? Been around a few Hellcats and I’ve come to the conclusion that they're awesome.

Twism > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:43

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Has the aftermarket community embraced the Hellcat yet? I know Hennessey makes one with a set of turbo, but what about regular parts supplier?

PilotMan > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:51

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Any signs of heat soak after lots of aggressive driving?

themushman > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 04/19/2016 at 11:52

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daily

themushman > citizennick 04/19/2016 at 11:52

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yea. Its 2016 Dodge, my base model silverado has OEM LED interior lights.

themushman > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 04/19/2016 at 11:53

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why?

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > themushman 04/19/2016 at 11:53

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I drive like a grandma in my car and only get 17.

themushman > citizennick 04/19/2016 at 11:54

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I like it. Its not top spec luxury. But the seats and leather are great. Tons of technology. Tons of features. Door panels and dash arent leather, but not plastic either. Its like a rubber/foam type of material. Definitely a step up from my 2008.

themushman > Twism 04/19/2016 at 11:56

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So far so good. Tuning is available (with changing the PCM required), exhaust options, headers, rear-ends, drive shafts, axles, pulleys, injectors, brake pads, coilovers, etc. Then your standard small mods like interior bits or dress-up bits.

themushman > PilotMan 04/19/2016 at 11:58

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I havent done anything too extreme with it yet, in terms of prolonged agressive driving. But I have noticed the blower definitely soaks up some heat. Its hot to the touch even an hour or so after turning off and parking. Thats why all the extra cooling coils and extractor vents were needed. So while driving, intake temps stay pretty decent, but parked, it gets hot quick

themushman > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 04/19/2016 at 11:59

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Oh, ha. Well, I guess technology has come a long way lately. I think the most significant reason why its so good is the 8spd transmission. No way it would even get close to 20 if it had a 5 speed.

Cherry_man1 > themushman 04/19/2016 at 12:11

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Also would you recommend red or black key for the road course?

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > themushman 04/19/2016 at 12:26

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I’m blaming 4 speed auto

Twism > themushman 04/19/2016 at 12:40

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So when will you start modding this one?

Do we know where the limits are on the Hellcat? I suspect the eight-speed transmission would break before the rear end or the block...

themushman > Cherry_man1 04/19/2016 at 12:50

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my initial thought would be red key, because why wouldnt you? But then again, traction might be an issue. Thats a good question, I dont really have an answer to

themushman > Twism 04/19/2016 at 12:52

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I hear the fuel pump runs out of fuel before anything. And i think there have been some issues with the drive shaft breaking on the track with slicks and good traction. I imagine the transmission/rear end are the next biggest question marks. And ive also read the blower runs out of steam at 18psi.

Cherry_man1 > themushman 04/19/2016 at 13:01

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Sounds like you need to go and test it out???

Stevo777 > themushman 04/19/2016 at 13:02

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Good man! Keep us updated for the long term!

themushman > Cherry_man1 04/19/2016 at 13:08

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LOL. There isnt a lot of options around here for road course. I think there is one in bowling green at the corvette museum, but im not sure how awesome it is or isnt. Thats really about it besides the show up at a parking lot and bring cone events randomly around, which i dont really know how to be a part of .

Meatcoma > themushman 04/19/2016 at 13:57

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Question 1: Why no burnout videos?

Question 2: Refer to question 1.

themushman > Meatcoma 04/19/2016 at 14:00

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Haha. Its been hard not to. But every press article/video about them has had an epic burnout video, so i figured no one will care

Meatcoma > themushman 04/19/2016 at 14:09

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figured wrong! Damn if that thing don’t look great though. Grats.

Somethin' 'bout a truck > themushman 04/19/2016 at 14:40

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I’m sure it’s still pretty “quick” in 500 hp “eco” mode! I would love to give it a shot in either mode!

Cherry_man1 > themushman 04/19/2016 at 15:21

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Hmn what part of KY are you in because just look into the SCCA or NASA and you can find them that way

That_Guy > themushman 04/19/2016 at 16:03

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How is the interior working for you?

themushman > Cherry_man1 04/19/2016 at 17:15

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Im in nashville TN, but Ill check both out. I went to a SCCA event LONG TIME ago, it was just a cone track in a parking lot, but possibly the most fun ive ever had. I couldnt recall the name of the organization until you just mentioned it. Thanks!

themushman > Meatcoma 04/19/2016 at 17:20

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Well, I have 3 other friends with hellcats here in town, so maybe we can one up the press and do a 4hellcat burnout video. Ill see what i can do