Performance Tune 2009 Challenger R/T - help!

[FORDMOPAR70]

Okay, you have to understand I have driven mostly Mustangs and have modified several of them.  So when I first mashed on the pedal  on this Challenger at 20mph and it responded like a water buffalo stuck in a mud pit , I knew a tune was in order(from a stop it will roast the tires, nicely though).  Compared to the relatively small mustang this vehicle is a tank!  SCT does not have a template yet available for tuning, to my knowledge anyway.  I am a little weary of using a predator  since the SCT seens to have better built tunes (mustangs).  I would like to use a C&L intake paired with a SCT tuner. 
Has anyone found a good combination for cold air intake kit and tuner for the 2009 5.7?  This challenger is AWESOME, it just needs a little tweaking.

[71bigblock]

Guys absolutely rave about the Predator, I guess its the cats meow.  Over on LXforums.com. 

Oh and I think that the best intake is the Airhammer, but I dont know if he's still making them.  He made them for the other LX cars, dont know why one wouldnt fit the Challenger. 

And the ad at the bottom of the page right now is a superchips ad, lol. 

[TorRed R/T]

Guys absolutely rave about the Predator, I guess its the cats meow.  Over on LXforums.com. 

Oh and I think that the best intake is the Airhammer, but I dont know if he's still making them.  He made them for the other LX cars, dont know why one wouldnt fit the Challenger. 

And the ad at the bottom of the page right now is a superchips ad, lol.

You also need to consider adding 180 T-stat, You have a 6Spd or Auto?

[Old MrB]

Interesting stuff guys.  But I'm curious, what temp thermostat is in the engine origonally?  Or did I misinterpret the 180 T-stat?

[TorRed R/T]

Interesting stuff guys.  But I'm curious, what temp thermostat is in the engine origonally?  Or did I misinterpret the 180 T-stat?

They come factory with 198  because of better fuel economy , the newer Hemis run better cooler so that with retune with Predator .

[Chryco Psycho]

I have to agree , I drove an SRT8 6 spd & was amazed at how underpowered 425 HP is , either the engine I build make a lot more & 425 is boring or the way they are tuned they don`t pull very hard , my friend has a dyno & an SRT8 magnum & said he only got 25 more HP from a cold air box & a chip tune on his

[FORDMOPAR70]

Huh, hadn't thought of the thermostat.  Does it require taking a college course before being able to change it?  On the tranny question, my wife cannot drive a stick.  Unhappy wife = no challenger;  challenger 6 sp = no wife.

[TorRed R/T]

Huh, hadn't thought of the thermostat.  Does it require taking a college course before being able to change it?  On the tranny question, my wife cannot drive a stick.  Unhappy wife = no challenger;  challenger 6 sp = no wife.

No only the usual 15 -20 minutes  but have to have the Predator (I am unsure if the SCT will do this but probably )to reprogrammer cooling fans to work with the lower T-stat , but this seems to at least make it feel more responsive  many say that these 2 are the first Performance tune that they should have done , as far as the Trans well choices , choices ,choices 

[Old MrB]

So just to be straight    The Predator is only used to reprogram the car's computer and you only need to do this if mods are made?  The thing doesn't have to stay in the car does it?

[TorRed R/T]

So just to be straight    The Predator is only used to reprogram the car's computer and you only need to do this if mods are made?  The thing doesn't have to stay in the car does it?

Correct it a hand held scanner/programmer plugs into OBDII port saves factory settings (for backup and wty reapair reasons) and the scroll to adjust settings on PCM  when finished disconnect and drive.

[FORDMOPAR70]

Can anyone speak on whether the Predator increases throttle response?  Also, does it seem to help with downshift from 4th to 3rd on acceleration? 

[71bigblock]

Can anyone speak on whether the Predator increases throttle response?  Also, does it seem to help with downshift from 4th to 3rd on acceleration? 

I've been wondering about throttle response, too, for the '04 truck hemi I stuck in my project, the throttle response sure takes some getting used to...

[TorRed R/T]

I've been wondering about throttle response, too, for the '04 truck hemi I stuck in my project, the throttle response sure takes some getting used to...

Thats the biggest part of that you will notice.
 The probably best Performance add-ons would be a 180 tstat / Predator tune and CAI

[FORDMOPAR70]

180 t-stat, predator u7135 and CAI= a whole different car!  I thought the perfomance tune did wonders for the Mustang, but this is IMPRESSIVE!
BTW, I am noticing a rattle at start up which immediately goes away, almost sounds like valve train noise - lack of lubrication.  Anyone else have this issue? 451 miles.  Oil was just changed but engine made this noise when started up on the showroom floor too.

[71bigblock]

My '04 Hemi that I stuck in my pickup kinda sounds the same, I think I know the noise you speak of.  I think its just the nature of the beast. 

Great to hear it woke it up some.