Tuned SHO as fast as SRT8?

[jim1274]

Just off from about an hour and a half battle over at a Mopar site on the topic that the new Chryslers hot rods in a couple years may be downsizing engines and going the turbo route. I was very straightforward and came out admitting that I love V8's for all the reasons that they do but was quick to add that after owning the SHO, I can see how they can be replaced by turbo V6's. That opened the floodgates to a lot of bashing on me, but I held the course, remained respectful and delivered the facts. Some blockhead people are just so attached to V8's that they can not fathom the thought of going to a V6. They better get with the times as that is going to be the wave of the future.

This thread topic is generally about 1/4 mile comparison of SRT8 vs SHO platform, but I think there is a lot more to a car's goodness than that narrow definition.  If they had put a hot twin turbo in the challenger, I personally would not have even considered one.  The charm of that car was the throwback styling with rumbling old school big block goodness.  It would not work for me even if 500hp in TT form.  Conversely, I really prefer the opposite approach being used on the SHO.  The engine just quietly (relatively), efficiently, and smoothly goes about its business.  The Challenger would have worn thin as a DD, and i never would have taken it on a long road trip when the SHO  was available next to it.  The SHO is an awesome long trip cruiser.  The SRT8 is an awesome weekend short cruiser and just plain more fun.  The Challenger is in a whole other league when it comes to braking with big Brembos on all corners (Ford REALLY dropped the ball on SHO brakes IMHO) and the better handling suspension (and adjustable, but maybe the PP would change that).  I could go on, but think my point was made.  They really are two different animals and both great cars to my mind.  If my garage was bigger, I ABSOLUTELY would have kept the SRT8 too.  I appreciate and love both flavors.

 

[SRT82ECOBOOST]

^^^^Just so you know, Motor Trend tested the braking and got the following results for each vehicle from 60-0:
-2011 Challenger SRT-392 @ 117 feet
-2013 Taurus SHO @ 106 feet
-2010 Taurus SHO @ 112 feet
Also sourced from Motor Trend is the 300' skidpad numbers:
-2011 Challenger SRT-392 @ .89g
-2013 Taurus SHO @ .88g
-2010 Taurus SHO @ .87g
So the SHO takes two out of three categories when tuned (braking and straight line) and the SRT gets slightly better handling. I would think that is a win just based on performance metrics.

 

[steve142857]

^^^^Just so you know, Motor Trend tested the braking and got the following results for each vehicle from 60-0:
-2011 Challenger SRT-392 @ 117 feet
-2013 Taurus SHO @ 106 feet
-2010 Taurus SHO @ 112 feet
Also sourced from Motor Trend is the 300' skidpad numbers:
-2011 Challenger SRT-392 @ .89g
-2013 Taurus SHO @ .88g
-2010 Taurus SHO @ .87g
So the SHO takes two out of three categories when tuned (braking and straight line) and the SRT gets slightly better handling. I would think that is a win just based on performance metrics.

Nice numbers. I'd be curious to do the skidpad test with a lowered 2013 SHO with H&R's and better tires. My guess is that it should be @ .90g...

The only thing that a tuned SHO with H&Rs wouldn't win against a Challenger 392 SRT8 is a rolling race over 60mph... Our cars with excess weight and the loss of power from our AWD makes it difficult to win on the highway... But methanol is a good cure for that...

Cheers!

 

[SRT82ECOBOOST]

I would definitely think that skidpad numbers would be appreciably higher with the H+R springs.
The 392 would eat up a tuned SHO since it traps so much higher in the quarter mile. Not sure how many mods it would take to even the playing field.

 

[TSS]

Some blockhead people are just so attached to V8's that they can not fathom the thought of going to a V6.

That was me............before the MKS.  The only thing I miss now is the sound of a good V8.

 

[SRT82ECOBOOST]

Some blockhead people are just so attached to V8's that they can not fathom the thought of going to a V6.

That was me............before the MKS.  The only thing I miss now is the sound of a good V8.

I went from a cammed 6.1L with longtube headers, Corsa exhaust and exhaust cutouts to the stock sound of the SHO. I need some noise as soon as the salt and the sand of winter go away. Still will not be the same though.

 

[DRII]

Some blockhead people are just so attached to V8's that they can not fathom the thought of going to a V6.

That was me............before the MKS.  The only thing I miss now is the sound of a good V8.

very true.  only thing lacking with the 3.5 EB is the exhaust note...

 

[jim1274]

^^^^Just so you know, Motor Trend tested the braking and got the following results for each vehicle from 60-0:
-2011 Challenger SRT-392 @ 117 feet
-2013 Taurus SHO @ 106 feet
-2010 Taurus SHO @ 112 feet
Also sourced from Motor Trend is the 300' skidpad numbers:
-2011 Challenger SRT-392 @ .89g
-2013 Taurus SHO @ .88g
-2010 Taurus SHO @ .87g
So the SHO takes two out of three categories when tuned (braking and straight line) and the SRT gets slightly better handling. I would think that is a win just based on performance metrics.

Interesting, and thanks for the specs.  I should have done my homework first before posting and now stand corrected.  I suspect the SHO specs are for PP cars, so my observations are seat of pants for my 2012 NON PP SHO and 2012 SRT8 Challenger.  Not sure if I ever have seen braking and skid pad comparison numbers for SHO PP vs non-PP.  My recollection is braking is same for both SHO versions in 2010 to 2012?  Was it maybe just different pads on the PP for '10 thru '12?  The upgrade brake spec on 13 and later is huge it seems.  Looking at the skid pad numbers, it seems the PP probably makes a pretty big difference.  I still stand by my comment of handling on a NON-PP vs SRT8.  I am most shocked on those braking comparisons.  The tests are what they are, but I would have no problem putting money where my mouth is on my 2012 NON-PP SHO VS SRT8 on braking performance.  I am not generally an aggressive driver, but last fall purposely did a few really aggressive braking tests in trying to decide how bad it was to determine if worth 2g's to do the Wilwood conversion.  The brake feel was not confidence inspiring and was not nearly as good as the SRT8, but I did not do any measurements to put a number to it.  I really am not trying to defend the SRT8, and I could have just as easily traded the SHO in instead of the SRT8 to get the wife her caddy, so that about says it all in terms of which car I liked more.  I still stand by both as awesome cars.  I mostly regret not getting the PP on my SHO, but when driving mostly on the horrendous roads around here, I do appreciate the extra cushioning and compliant  suspension on the non-PP and makes it a really tough choice.  I never really noticed the big handling difference until pushing the SHO really hard on a cloverleaf ramp and it was not as planted and stable as hoped for.  Float and lean come to mind.  Maybe I am just a shitty driver and the SRT8 is easier to drive at the  limit?  Could be part of it.  That SRT8 ate the curves compared to to my SHO.

Maybe somebody else here has or had a second gen SRT8 (470hp version) challenger (or charger--might be similar enough?) and a first gen non-pp SHO to weigh in on their driving experiences?  I am not challenging the numbers and experiences of others posted here that suggest my driving experience comparison comments are flawed, just sharing my seat of pants observations. 

I suspect a lot of SHO owners would enjoy trading off once in a while (in good summer weather!) and driving an SRT8.....

 

[PokerMunkee]

I seriously considered running medical oxygen bottles plukbed in like nitrous

Have you ran your SHO at Bandimere yet?  I've only seen one video of a '12 SHO going 14.85@95.  Be interesting if a tuned only SHO could get into the mid/high 13's.

Here is the video: 2013 Ford Taurus SHO vs Porsche Carrera

 

[panther427]

No bandimere yet.. just got the car in November

its cold out but using the LiveWire TS performace test my quarter time is 13.7

 

[skinny]

I have a 2014 sho with tune down pipes exhaust and ran up on a 2012 r 2013 charger srt 392 on the highway and from a roll 60 mph a pulled him by car length up to a least 140 my speedometer was pegged

 

[liteyouup]

The one time I ran my car I did 12.8 on 1/4; I watched Challenger 392 line up few runs later and he couldn't get off the line to save his rear--ended up running 14.9 in the 1/4.

Dang, he all get beat by a Civic?  HA

 

[SHOnUup]

My buddy won't line his up... :-

Rich

 

[FracaSHO]

My buddy won't line his up... :-

Rich

Cause he's scurred!

 

[liteyouup]

Still no quarter mile times at Bandimere?

 

[PokerMunkee]

2013 Charger SRT8 at Pueblo drag strip, 1000' lower than Bandi.  Doing 13.5@102:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31dYybyc2ls


panther's tuned SHO does 13.5-13.8 at Bandimere depending on DA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2MnkLvxP_A


I plan to hit Pueblo in a few months with my tuned SHO.  Hoping for low 13's.

 

[SHOnUup]

I was able to do a little run vs my buddies Charger Hellcat over the weekend. He wasn't able to access launch control yet (under 500 miles) so we rolled into it from a dig. Door to door until 70...then it looked like I threw out an anchor...lol

Rich

 

[SHOdded]

So, about 4.3 seconds worth of grins, and then wth's?

 

[SHOnUup]

So, about 4.3 seconds worth of grins, and then wth's?

Yup...even tried to weigh him down slightly by having the wife ride with him...lol

Rich

 

[pjw315]

The one time I ran my car I did 12.8 on 1/4; I watched Challenger 392 line up few runs later and he couldn't get off the line to save his rear--ended up running 14.9 in the 1/4.

I raced a Challenger SRT he asked for it! He was revvin me at a green light I took him up to 80mph then backed off it was a 45mph zone. I had the AC running no effort, too easy. Those cars have a lot HP stock harder to launch.

I seen a tune only SHO do 12.42 last weekend.