A note on V6 Challengers

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw) 01/07/2019 at 17:39 • Filed to: old man yells at cloud

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They look nice, and I’m sure they’re good cars. But if you buy one, please don’t get a cheap aftermarket exhaust - they sound like ass, and announce to the world that you didn’t spring for the Hemi.

Hey you - the lady in the gym parking lot, revving that engine - I’ve heard fart-canned Civics that sounded better - really!

On the flip side, five minutes later, I passed a Trailblazer SS that sounded righteous - I was going the other way, and actually *felt* the noises it was making.  

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 17:54

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It is of my opinion that Challengers/Chargers/300s should not be sold with V6s outside of rental fleets.

WilliamsSW > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 01/07/2019 at 17:57

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Nah, there have been weak engined pony cars since the beginning of time - it builds volume for the manufacturer and gives people a way to buy in when they can’t afford the big motor.

I don’t have any problem with them in general (though I would never buy one), just be careful opening up the exhaust, and I’m happy.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 18:06

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V6 Challenger owners with fart pipes are the kind of owners I expect also go around saying “it’s got 6 cylinders, just like a Porsche 911 ” as well.

WilliamsSW > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks 01/07/2019 at 18:14

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What got me was that the woman driving it was clearly revving it as she rolled through the parking lot - with the windows rolled down, and it was clearly an automatic, just blipping the throttle and letting the torque converter keep things from getting out of hand.  She was clearly enjoying the awful racket it made.

Pich, with Z32 now featuring Civic [Si] / No > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 18:14

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I couldn’t agree any more with this, every time I’ m outside working on the Z this V6 challenger with an exhaust revs when he passes by as if he was asserting dominance in the neighborhood, granted -my V6 doesn ’t sound any better- but it’ s just embarrassing and sad

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 18:15

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Well, it’s possible she’s deaf?

I mean literally deaf. Like, did you see if she had hearing aids?

WilliamsSW > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks 01/07/2019 at 18:18

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The thought of a deaf woman getting an aftermarket exhaust system to up the noise on a car is making me giggle a little bit, tbh, so I’m probably going to hell.  (and yes, I realize that she would be able to feel the exhaust better with a catback)

WilliamsSW > Pich, with Z32 now featuring Civic [Si] / No 01/07/2019 at 18:19

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Maybe yours doesn’t sound better, but at least it’s in a car that weighs a hell of a lot less!!

PS9 > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 18:20

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‘Springing’ for an extra $2-300/mo on your car note isn’t something everyone can reasonably do.

Agreed on the exhaust, though. Worst sound V6 on the market. 

WilliamsSW > PS9 01/07/2019 at 18:25

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I wouldn’t think it would be that much? But I have nothing against anyone who gets the V6 - just leave the damned exhaust alone.

Just looked it up - the spread between the cheapest V6 and cheapest Hemi is $6 ,700, which probably adds a few options besides just the motor.  Not cheap, but then again, they spend some of that savings on a shitty exhaust...

interstate366, now In The Industry > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 19:00

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V6s from companies that are more well known for their V8s tend to not sound that good.

Certain Honda/Acura V6s, though...sheesh.

(rear wheels on this car are disconnected from the driveshaft for tuning purposes)

19JRC99 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 01/07/2019 at 19:01

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The V6 in the 300 is actually really nice. Buddy of mine from work let me drive his, and it’s a *lot* quicker than I expected. But in a Challenger? Nah, need the V8. 

wafflesnfalafel > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 19:03

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I do run into a higher than average percentage of v6 Chargers with goofball punk kids at the wheel . I have had a few do the “race me?” sh!t. And you are exactly correct - that satan star v6 doesn’t sound very good opened up in that vehicle.

TheDutchTexan > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 19:09

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And then you come across this guy in your stock 392 and get drug... (Below is shameless self promotion, do not watch video unless you want to hear the earsplitting exhaust noise of a boosted v 6. H e actually changed the exhaust to something a bit more civilized and the car looks completely different now ).

ranwhenparked > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 19:11

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Its a $6700 price difference between the base V6 and base V8, probably an extra $125 a month or so.

But, then, there’s also the  5 mpg highway fuel economy penalty, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but if you have a long commute, it certainly can make a big difference in total cost of ownership.

ranwhenparked > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 01/07/2019 at 19:13

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Well, the automakers did it to themselves by not making engines available a la carte, unbundled from options packages, and by charging a greater price premium than manufacturing costs would justify.

punkgoose17 > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 19:38

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Its sad they never made a V6 manual, I always thought it would be DD a mix of practical and fun. I supposed the fat car needs the help from the torque converter to move its butt, but the older ones only have a tragic 4 speed.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > 19JRC99 01/07/2019 at 19:44

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Na ah, I drove a new 300s for several days as a rental and I was thinking the whole time it needs the 5.7 or 6.4

shop-teacher > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 19:46

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Agreed. Leave the exhaust alone in these. Really, any V6. 

19JRC99 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 01/07/2019 at 19:49

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Agree to disagree, I suppose. 

I own dead car brands only > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 20:08

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Well, I’m Deaf and I had an aftermarket exhaust on my Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme back then...

I own dead car brands only > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 20:10

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I would have no problem driving a V6 Challenger. Lighter front end so it would be a bit more of a corner carver than the V8. I also have no problem with the GT AWD one either, in fact, I absolutely adore it. 

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 20:45

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I hate straight-piped V6 muscle cars.  Nothing redeeming about amplifying the noises they make.  They're fine, but there's literally no point in shouting that they are anything more than that.

WilliamsSW > I own dead car brands only 01/07/2019 at 20:59

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Nothing against the car itself - but this one I saw today had an awful aftermarket exhaust and sounded like shit.  

I own dead car brands only > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 21:02

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Oh I know. I’ve been told it’s best to leave the exhaust alone so I’m with  you on that. But it's just weird to me that everyone's fine with the four cylinder mustangs and Camaros but for some reason the Challenger just seems weird with the V6

WilliamsSW > punkgoose17 01/07/2019 at 21:02

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The newer v6 has 305 Hp, so it’s no slouch even in that heavy car. I’m sure it pairs well with an 8 speed auto, but yeah it seems like a 6 speed would be nice.  

WilliamsSW > I own dead car brands only 01/07/2019 at 21:02

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I presume you can feel the exhaust and of course you might get a little more Hp out of it right?

WilliamsSW > I own dead car brands only 01/07/2019 at 21:28

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The car I heard today happened to be a Challenger - the same criticism would apply to a Mustang or Camaro, really. The one thing in their favor, though, is that they weigh a lot less than a Challenger does.

My whining is a V6 issue, not a Dodge issue.

WilliamsSW > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever 01/07/2019 at 23:16

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V6 engines can be great, but it’s hard to make them sound good ( but it is possible)

WilliamsSW > shop-teacher 01/07/2019 at 23:17

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Yeah- it’s a V6 problem, not an FCA problem. There are some good sounding V6s but they’re rare. 

shop-teacher > WilliamsSW 01/07/2019 at 23:19

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GM managed to make their late 80's-mid 80's V6s sound pretty good, but yeah, they’re rare.

WilliamsSW > shop-teacher 01/07/2019 at 23:42

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Yeah, those did - the Alfa Busso V6 sounds good, too. 

WilliamsSW > interstate366, now In The Industry 01/07/2019 at 23:52

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Here’s an Italian V6 that sounds great, too

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > WilliamsSW 01/08/2019 at 00:34

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Yeah, straight-piping and cat-deleting them is not the answer (it rarely is) .

shop-teacher > WilliamsSW 01/08/2019 at 07:10

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Yep.

i86hotdogs > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 01/08/2019 at 12:02

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The Pentastar is the only V6 I’ ll accept in those vehicles. I owned a 2005 300 with the 3.5 and 250HP just didn’t do it for me. It was completely fine, but was missing that opportunity to punch it and grin. There even was a 2.7L V6 option in those first generations, and dear god they were slow.   My dad drives a 2013 Charger with the Pentastar and it is mounds more fun than my old 300. But I agree with the OP here-the exhaust needs to be done right or else it loses its musclecar charisma. Think of that muscular Canadian from the movie G rown U ps. Thats what a V6 Chall/Char/300 sounds like.