General Challenger

SRT-Tom · Dec 6, 2021

When most people think of wind tunnels, an aerospace tunnel usually comes to mind. This helps designers and engineers understand how aircraft will behave during various flight conditions. Automotive wind tunnels are usually very similar to aerospace tunnels, but they often feature a rolling floor that lets test engineers simulate a car driving on the road at various speeds. What are Wind Tunnels? Wind tunnels are large tubes with air blowing through them which are used to replicate the interaction between air and an object flying through the air or moving along the ground. Most of the time, large powerful fans blow air through the tube. The object being tested is held securely inside the tunnel so that it remains stationary. The...

SRT-Tom · May 19, 2022

What is Blind-Spot Monitoring? Blind-spot monitoring one of those features we didn’t know we needed or wanted until carmakers began offering it. Volvo was the first, incidentally. It offered its Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) for the S80 in 2005. BSM is just what its name implies. It keeps an eye on the space just off the rear quarter areas of your vehicle. These blind spots can hide a vehicle approaching in an adjacent lane because many drivers improperly set their car’s outboard mirrors. Consequently, merging into that lane often results in a crash. As far as today’s crop of driver-aid technologies goes, blind-spot monitoring is quite simple. The least sophisticated examples use radar or ultrasonic sensors embedded in each...

SRT-Tom · Feb 13, 2022

We are now entering the electric car age. These vehicles are powered by Li-Ion batteries. This type of battery is energy dense and durable. However, it can also be unstable and prone to catching fire under certain circumstances. But not all Li-Ion batteries are suited for vehicles. How Do They Work? Lithium ions store the energy by creating an electric potential difference between the negative and positive poles of the battery. Those are isolated using a separator material to prevent internal discharge. Although it blocks the electrons, the separator allows the lithium ions to pass through. When the battery is charged, the ions move from the positive side to the negative one through the separator. When you discharge the battery...

SRT-Tom · Feb 21, 2020

Many are unaware of the vital role played by Chrysler Corporation in World War II. As Mopar enthusiasts, we should all be proud of its outstanding war record. In 1939, the U.S. military was laughable. The Army's own chief of staff, Gen. George C. Marshall, ranked it 19th in the world- one spot behind Portugal- in a report to the president. Roosevelt was about to change that- and America- forever. Decades of isolation and a global depression had created a nation unresponsive to the world beyond its borders. But the battles raging in Europe and Asia were growing steadily closer. Despite serious opposition to joining another foreign war, President Franklin Roosevelt understood the magnitude of the disaster unfolding on the world stage...

SRT-Tom · Apr 29, 2021

Stellantis is finalizing its 5-year and 10-year plans. According to Automotive News Europe, newly appointed Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato told Italian journalists, during a roundtable event, that all future vehicles from the company would be electrified. They will be built on a new platform known internally as the STLA large-vehicle architecture that will be shared across brands under the Stellantis umbrella. Tim Kuniskis, in a recent Autoweek interview, was quoted as saying, “I can’t give you a date but I can tell you the future is coming faster than we could have guessed 24 months ago and the shift to electrification is coming like a tidal wave. It’s (electrification) going to enable more performance than we’ve ever seen...

SRT-Tom · Nov 5, 2021

The question frequently comes up, “Are E10 and E85 fuels harmful to my engine?” Here is everything you wanted to know about the chemical compound ethanol that is added to gasoline. Ethanol is used as an “oxygenate” and is added to fuel to help reduce hydrocarbon emissions that cause air pollution. It is highly refined beverage (grain) alcohol, approximately 200-proof, that can be produced from natural products such as corn, sugar cane and wheat. New technology allows ethanol to be made from cellulose-rich feedstocks including corn stalks, grain straw, paper, pulp, wood chips, municipal waste, switchgrass and other sources. Ethanol fuel mixtures have "E" numbers which describe the percentage of ethanol fuel in the mixture by volume...

SRT-Tom · Nov 8, 2021

Window film (a/k/a, tint) is a thin laminate film that can be installed to the interior or exterior of glass surfaces in automobiles. It is usually made from polyethylene terephthalate due to its clarity, tensile strength, dimensional stability, and ability to accept a variety of surface-applied or embedded treatments. Window films are generically categorized by their construction components (dyed, pigmented, metallized, ceramic or nano), by their intended use (automotive, marine or architectural), by type of application (glass or polycarbonate), and/or by their technical performance (privacy, solar control, safety and security). History The first tints were done back around the time World War II started, a popular manufacturer was...

SRT-Tom · Aug 8, 2021

Cars come with conventional-size and strength springs that help it deal with potholes and bumps on the road. Manufacturers have spent considerable time and money to come up with just the right suspension components. Nevertheless, it has become fairly common for car owners to modify their cars’ suspensions to make them ride lower. Usually aesthetics are one of the most important reasons for reducing ride height- many people prefer the appearance of a lower car- but there are other advantages, as well as disadvantages. Here are some of the pros and cons: Advantages Head-turning good looks. Handling (tire grip) can be improved by lowering the car’s center of gravity, which tends to reduce body roll and minimize skidding. Lowering...

Swiftjr · Aug 2, 2021

SRT-Tom · May 21, 2021

Simply put, rev limiters restrict the maximum speed an engine can achieve. They are there to prevent an engine from damaging itself by extending beyond its limits. Any engine is only designed to be able to function up to a certain speed, which is measured in revolutions of the crankshaft per minute. Out of the factory, the rev limiter is set at the point the engine’s maker is happy for it to rev to on a regular basis. It’s not to be confused with the redline, although it can sometimes be set at the same point in the rev range. While the redline is the start of the engine speed zone in which it’s best not to spend too much time, the rev limiter is there to stop the engine speed extending beyond what other parts in the engine are...

gostro · May 13, 2021

Wondering if anyone has any insight or thoughts into the current offer of 0% a.p.r. for 72 mos. I wonder, will this be a one-time deal? I've literally wanted one of these cars since 07, when they came out. For one reason and another over the years, I've never yet pulled the trigger. Got on this forum several years ago, to follow the latest news and info. I've lurked, enjoyed your guys' posts and kept on dreaming of the day. I've said for years, "why can't they offer 0% on the damn challenger??" Now, that time has come. But, only till June 1st. I'm torn between dipping into money I'm saving for a new house vs. waiting a while longer. I was planning on getting a home this year, but with the housing market as insane as it is, I'm...

SRT-Tom · Apr 10, 2021

There are three different terms that are used concerning a car's weight- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and Curb Weight. So how are they different? A car’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) refers to the maximum poundage your car can weigh to operate safely and without harm to its components. Put simply, it's the maximum weight before everything breaks. Manufacturers calculate this number by testing the structural integrity of your car’s suspension components, tires, wheels, body and frame. GVWR is defined as the maximum operating mass/weight of a vehicle. It includes the vehicle's weight along with all the additional weight upon it, including cargo, accessories, fuel, liquids, as well as passengers...

SRT-Tom · Apr 3, 2021

Many have heard the term rocker arm ratio mentioned when talking about an engine. But, do you know what rocker-arm ratios are, and how different ratios can affect an engine’s performance? To start with, an engine is just a sophisticated air pump. The amount of power this “pump” delivers is directly affected by the amount of air ingested and expelled by the engine. Increase the amount of air flowing through the pump, and you can increase power output. While an engine is running, air is pulled in and pushed out by the moving pistons, but the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves is what regulates that air flow. This opening and closing of the valves is controlled by the rocker arms, which are actually driven by the...

SRT-Tom · Mar 3, 2021

Since the Obama Administration finalized standards in 2012, to encourage the automotive industry to reach a 54.5 miles per gallon corporate fuel economy average by 2025, manufacturers have been employing every means possible to squeeze another mile out of a gallon of gasoline. A combination of aerodynamics, weight savings, electrification, hybrid technologies and advanced engine management software has gone a long way, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that you save a lot of fuel when the car isn’t running. Auto-Stop/Start technology automatically shuts the engine off when the vehicle comes to a full stop, and then starts it again when the driver wants to get moving. If your commute consists of a single stoplight and...

SRT-Tom · Feb 28, 2021

Richard Lee Petty is aptly named "The King." Over a racing career spanning 34 years, from 1958 to 1992, he was the first driver to win the NASCAR Cup Series championship seven times, while also winning a record 200 races, including the Daytona 500 a record seven times. Incredibly, he won a record 27 races (10 of them consecutively) in the 1967 season, alone. Statistically,he is the most accomplished driver in the history of the sport, and is one of the most respected figures in motor sports. Petty began his NASCAR career on July 18, 1958- 16 days after his 21st birthday. His first race was held at CNE Stadium, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was named NASCAR Rookie of the Year, after he produced 9 top 10 finishes, including six...

SRT-Tom · Jan 29, 2021

Automotive antennas have evolved since their introduction in the 1930s. Once tacked on as optional equipment, they are now designed into the car as an indispensable accessory. Several different approaches have been used to improve performance while making the antenna attractive, including embedded windshield versions and electric hide-away styles. The First Antennas In the 1930s, car antennas were incorporated into the radio body, as most stations were in the AM band, which required a ferrous core receiver antenna. The lack of bandwidth competition and general radio noise in the 1930s also meant that stations could be picked up for a long distance without external receiver antenna hardware. 1930s Mopar Chrysler Delco AM Radio...

SRT-Tom · Jul 4, 2020

What's the difference between running an engine on an engine-dyno, or, as installed in the car, on a chassis-dyno? Most chassis dynos extrapolate an engine's power and torque based on vehicle inertia. Many variables can affect chassis dyno results. It's a great convenient tuning aid, but you can't directly equate the reported torque and power numbers back to engine dyno results, or even the results obtained from two different chassis dynos. Operator experience is critical for obtaining consistent results from small incremental changes. If you want to know how the engine will run in the real world as-installed in your vehicle and/or determine overall drivetrain performance and efficiency, then the chassis-dyno is the better choice...

SRT-Tom · Nov 27, 2020

Do you want to protect your wheels and tires from being stolen? The best security is locking lug nuts. These special wheel locks will help keep your wheels and tires safe even in dangerous neighborhoods or unlit parking lots. You’ll sleep better at night knowing that they will still be on your car when you wake up in the morning. Without a unique key, most thieves will be stopped in their tracks if they attempt to steal your rims and may move on to easier scores. Thieves are not only after your rims but also after your tires. It’s not just low profile tires that are fetching a premium on the black market. If you own run-flat, SUV or off road truck tires, you may be a target as well. If your tires are stolen there’s very little chance...

SRT-Tom · Nov 9, 2020

Not so long ago, drivers had only the view provided by the auto’s windows, as well as their own judgment, to drive their vehicles. However, no matter how experienced and skilled a driver was, there was always the risk to misjudge the distance between the car and curb while parking or not to notice other auto’s maneuver on the road, especially when it was in the blind zone. All these led to numerous accidents in which no one could prove whose fault it was. The good news is that if you own a 2017 Dodge Challenger or newer model, it is already equipped with a rear back-up camera, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and a number of other safety technologies which help to protect you and your passengers. (Note: On March 31...

SRT-Tom · Aug 18, 2020

The origin of the lowly Phillips screw is an interesting one. The history of metal fasteners go back to the 15th century. British toolmaker Joseph Whitworth devised the first screw in 1841 and American engineer produced the same in 1864. Screws were very hard to produce, however, and required the manufacture of a conical helix.. The brothers Job and William Wyatt found a way to produce a screw on a novel machine that first cut the slotted head, and then cut the helix. Though their business ultimately failed, their contribution to low-cost manufacturing of the screw ultimately led to a vast increase in the screw and the screwdriver's popularity. The increase in popularity gradually led to refinement and eventually diversification of...

General Challenger

Show only:

Wind Tunnels

Blind Spot Monitoring

Li-Ion Batteries

Chrysler Corporation in World War II

Electric and Hydrogen-Powered Cars

Ethanol Fuel Mixtures

Window Tint

The Advantages & Disadvantages of Lowering Your Car

New front grill insert.

How Rev Limiters Work

0% financing

Car Weight Terminology

Rocker Arm Ratios

Auto-Stop/Start Technology

Richard Petty- "The King"

The History of Car Antennas

Engine Dyno vs. Chassis Dyno

A Guide to Locking Lug Nuts

Camera Technology

Phillips Head Screw

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