Are you someone who always craves more power and performance from their scat pack and always looks for ways to supercharge it? Is the existent power of the Dodge Challenger not sufficient for you? Well, you are not alone.
But some still wonder if adding a supercharger would add even greater performance; how much does it cost? Are the rewards for hunting power from Scat Pack worth the effort and money?
If you have similar queries, this guide to supercharging the Scat Pack will offer answers and more!
Can You Supercharge a Scat Pack?
Yes, you can supercharge the Scat Pack trim to generate more power from its 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine. Both the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack and Dodge Charger Scat Pack come equipped with a naturally aspirated 6.4-litre 392 HEMI V8 engine that produces 485 horsepower.
Initially, the Dodge Scat Pack was not equipped with any forced induction or supercharger. But, by supercharging the Scat Pack, you can generate more power and go faster. Brands like Procharger, Magnuson Superchargers, and Whipple Superchargers are the force behind making and providing the appropriate parts for Scat Pack to be supercharged.
Additionally, there is another option available, the Hellcat Trim, which offers 707 supercharged horsepower, which is relatively higher than the Scat Pack trim.
How Much Does it Cost?
Cost can increase substantially if labor and engine upgrades are required to handle more power reliably. Simply put, supercharging any car, let alone a Dodge Scat Pack, is expensive.
And if you are looking to generate more power like that Hellcat trim produces – about 707 horsepower to the crank – then expect the cost to go above $10,000 for the supercharger and engine modifications likely needed.
Even with a conservative supercharger setup and 6 psi of boost on a Scat Pack with proper tuning, achieving around 550 horsepower at the wheels will cost five figures. At that power level, however, your output will still fall by about 50 whp (wheel horsepower) compared to a Hellcat that provides 707 crank hp (approximately 600 whp).
Is Supercharging a Scat Pack Worth It?
The effort and money invested in supercharging a Scat Pack trim might not be the most feasible option, particularly if you aim to reach power levels equivalent to a Hellcat trim.
Rising prices in the market today for aftermarket parts are cause for concern in terms of reliability and overall value; rather than supercharging their Scat Pack, most people now opt for purchasing a Hellcat.
Supercharging a Scat Pack will depend on your goals and finances; however, if your wallet allows, then purchasing a Hellcat would likely be wiser.
Supercharging a Scat Pack was a more cost-effective option for the last few years; however, due to increasing aftermarket component prices, some Scat Pack owners now spend as much as the equivalent cost of a Hellcat in total for their vehicle.
Undoubtedly, a Scat Pack equipped with an aftermarket supercharger wouldn’t be as reliable as one equipped with factory supercharging capabilities to begin with.
Having said that, many individuals still find that supercharging the Scat Pack, while costly, can yield substantial results if done properly. Attaining more power from a Hellcat requires both effort and financial commitment from you and your wallet.
Another issue that can put a dent in your bank account if not fixed timely is the coolant reservoir keeps emptying problem with your car. Learn more about it if you don’t want to regret it later.
Drawbacks of Supercharging a Scat Pack
As much as drivers benefit from supercharging a Scat Pack, there are some disadvantages to it as well. Here are a few reasons to avoid supercharging a Scat Pack:
- Supercharging Is Expensive
Installing a supercharger kit on a Dodge Scat Pack is undoubtedly costly. However, it becomes even more astounding when one sees the overall costs needed to ensure an effective system.
Although your purchase list may depend on your desired power levels and supercharger brand, upgrading a Scat Pack engine’s pistons, heads, and rods for higher boost applications is often necessary.
- Issues with Warranty
Although installing a supercharger kit may not immediately void your Scat Pack’s warranty, it’s essential to be aware that dealerships may refuse to cover anything broken due to modification.
For instance, if a drivetrain component breaks due to increased power from a supercharger, this could potentially lead to invalidating its warranty. If the component supported by the manufacturer’s warranty is proven to be damaged due to the use of an aftermarket part (such as the supercharger), they will have no responsibility to rectify it.
- Lower Resale Value
Modifying your car doesn’t typically increase its resale value, especially if installing something as significant as a supercharger kit on a Scat Pack.
Performance modifications on a vehicle will reduce its appeal as people might assume you have driven harder than they would like. Thus, compared with Hellcats that already contain superchargers as part of their base package, Scat Packs have lower resale values once modified with one.
- Supercharge Reliability Concerns
Even with the proper setup and tuning, a supercharged Scat Pack may never match up to being as reliable as one designed explicitly to support the vehicle, such as the Hellcat.
The increased strain could harm its performance because you will be adding additional stress on an engine that did not come equipped with forced induction features.
To maintain maximum reliability when supercharging a Scat Pack, you should either stick to a maximum of 6 psi of boost pressure or invest in engine building with forged parts.
Recent owner reports indicate that one of the key weaknesses of a Scat Pack 6.4-litre engine is its stock pistons; replacing these with lower-compression forged pistons should help you reach higher power levels.
At higher power levels, another significant consideration is transmission reliability – which can be an expensive mechanism to upgrade or repair when something breaks.
Conclusion
This wraps up the write-up on “Can you supercharge a scat pack, and how much does it cost?” In this guide, I have provided you with a simple answer to this striking question and walked you through a price breakdown.
I have also explored whether supercharging a scat pack is worth it or not and some drawbacks of doing this. Hopefully, this guide has answered all your questions, and you won’t be confused about supercharging your scat pack anymore.
