Why The Challenger SRT Demon 170 Sounds Different Than Other Dodge Muscle Cars

Key Takeaways

• The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is the fastest and most powerful production muscle car ever made.
• As RacerX suggests, the Demon 170 has a unique and impressive sound compared to other Hellcat-powered Dodge Challengers.
• Dodge’s Demon 170 features a highly modified. engine with a bigger supercharger and other power components, making it capable of reaching 1,025 hp and 945 lb-ft of torque.

Gear head, muscle car fan, and YouTube channel RacerX recently got to realize a dream: by taking delivery of a shiny, new Demon 170. This version of the Dodge Challenger is significant for different reasons. Not only is it the most powerful production muscle car ever, but it is also the last Challenger since Dodge is discontinuing the Charger and Challenger in their current form.

The V8-powered muscle car is also ostensibly going away, but RacerX has also discovered another interesting fact about the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. That, of course, is the sound, which is unlike any other Hellcat. We check out what he has to report, after spending a short time with one of the most important muscle cars of today.

Takeaways After Receiving A New Dodge Challenger Demon 170

In a video update from around a week ago, RacerX shows off the Demon 170 as he receives it at the dealer. Since then, he has covered lots of its features, some of which we’ll look at below. In this post, he shows off the sound of the 170 and says that it sounds perhaps louder and snappier than other Hellcat-powered Dodge Challengers. While the sound of Dodge’s flagship is deeply subjective, it does sound impressive, and perhaps he’s right on the money about the Demon’s soundtrack.

RacerX Is Happy With His Latest Acquisition: The Dodge Demon 170

• RacerX moves on from the twin-turbo Ford Mustang to a Demon 170
• Currently respecting the break-in period to avoid engine damage and ensure longevity
• The car is impressive in both its performance and looks
• The Demon 170 has a unique sound that could be louder than a standard Hellcat

YouTuber RacerX has owned various muscle cars in the past, including a Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack. A popular feature on the channel is his 1,000+ hp, twin-turbo S550 Ford Mustang. His Demon is in red with the black satin hood, roof, and trunk option.

The new owner is taking extra care to respect the ‘break-in’ period of this expensive muscle car, a process that’s recommended on any new car for their stated mileage. As for the sound, there is a very good reason that the Demon could sound so different from other Hellcats.

The Reason The Dodge Demon 170 Sounds Different Is Its Highly-Modified Engine

Highlights Of The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170’s Powertrain

• E85 fuel required for 1,025-hp / 945-lb-ft horsepower and torque outputs
• Driveline upgraded to handle additional power with 53%-stronger differential housing and 30%-stronger prop shaft
• Demon 170 makes 103 hp more than the Challenger SRT Redeye even in base form on standard gas
• The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 can dynamically adjust the engine settings in real time based on the fuel’s octane content

That reason is undoubtedly down to the exhaust, but what flows through the exhaust is also the sound from a highly modified version of the familiar Hellcat engine. Dodge’s engineers made some big changes under the hood of this beast to make it the first production muscle car to hit 8 seconds on the quarter mile.

One of the headline features of the powertrain is the new supercharger setup that utilizes a bigger, 3-liter supercharger. It runs at 40% more boost than the Hellcat Redeye Challengers at around 21 psi. There’s now a 3.02-inch pulley and a revised (105 mm) throttle body to increase airflow by 33%.

RacerX shows off the huge air filter under the hood. We can also see that the supercharger lid gets painted black instead of silver (the engine block below is now yellow). That’s only the start: in fact, Stellantis says that all the major engine power components are new. Only the camshaft was left untouched. This is just one of the many reasons why the Dodge Demon 170 is awesome.

Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 Specifications

Figures courtesy of Stellantis

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Comparing The Dodge Demon 170 V8 To The Hellcat V8

Takeaways From The Hellcat And Demon 170 Specifications

• The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 makes a minimum of 93 hp and 103 lb-ft more than the Super Stock
• If the Demon 170 sells for its MSRP of $96,666, it represents great value for the boost in power and features at only $5,366 more than the Super Stock
• Running ethanol, the Demon 170 is faster than any other Challenger and many other production cars to 60 mph (and also on the quarter-mile).

As we saw above, the Demon 170 can make 103 hp more than the Hellcat Redeye: even the Super Stock version of the Challenger tops out at 807 hp. The Demon 170 looks even more impressive when it gets equipped with E85 fuel and unlocks the headline ‘1025 hp’ figure. It’s no accident that it makes 5 hp more than the Tesla Model S Plaid, either.

When operating with all 1,025 hp / 945 lb-ft and in the right conditions, it can theoretically replicate Dodge’s official 1.66-second-to-60 mph time. The official 1/4-mile time is also impressive at 8.91 seconds, as is the 2.004-G acceleration force which was the highest of any production car at the time according to Stellantis. It’s worth remembering that the 2023 Dodge Challenger range is no longer on sale, but the MSRP figures for the 2023 muscle cars are still available on Dodge’s website.

2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Variant Specifications

Figures courtesy of Dodge

Getting A Piece Of Dodge History May Be Expensive

The Original Demon Is An Alternative To Demon 170

• The Demon 170 is now out of sale, with markups reported
• Alternative to the Demon 170 is the 2018 Demon which was the most powerful production Challenger
• Both cars are rare and valuable with limited production numbers
• On pump gas, the Challenger SRT Redeye and SRT Super Stock are very close to the 2018 Dodge Demon’s standard power output

As we know, highly-anticipated and limited-edition enthusiast cars often get markups applied. The C8 Chevy Corvette famously got some big markups by dealers and was no stranger to getting flipped on the used market with delivery miles.

We recently reported that the 2023 Demon 170 is no longer on sale. Dodge introduced some incentives against this practice by dealers by prioritizing the production of cars that sold for the car’s MSRP or under. Various outlets including The Drive reported a sighting of a Demon 170 for sale with a $250,000 dealer markup.

Another chance to drive a Demon is the 2018 version (pictured above), which makes up to 840 hp and was the most potent Challenger until the arrival of the Demon 170. Today, the Demon changes hands for around $147,000 on average at auction, according to Classic.com. Since it was also built in around 3,300 units, it will, like the Demon 170, continue to be a rare and valuable legend from the last chapter of the V8-powered Dodge muscle car.

2018 Demon Vs 2023 Demon 170 Specifications

Figures courtesy of Stellantis / Classic.com

If bought for its MSRP of $96,666, the Demon 170 represents fair value for money considering its performance increase, unique features, and limited-edition nature. Only 3,000 are slated for production in the U.S. and 300 in Canada. Because of the limited production, dealers can get away with adding markups to high-demand vehicles, as long as customers are willing to pay.

Sources: Dodge, Stellantis, RacerX, The Drive