2006 Dodge Hemi Charger - Happenin' Hemi Headers

We strapped the Daytona to SLP's dyno with the new headers and exhaust in place, and the stock restrictive air cleaner system was reinstalled. After spinning the rollers, we were pleased to learn we picked up over 20 hp and 30 lb-ft of torque. Clearly, SLP's headers and exhaust will produce the added power most Moparites want. No doubt, when SLP introduces their cold-air induction kit, higher-ratio rockers, and plug-in power programmer, the 350hp Hemi will approach the power level of a bone-stock SRT-8.

After the dyno test, we wanted to see how much quicker the Hemi would haul down the quarter-mile. In the meantime, we arranged a test day at E-town. For our strip test, we were greeted with a hot and humid day with a high of 82 degrees. When we began testing, the temperature was 80 degrees, and the crew at E-town sprayed the track surface with the sticky stuff to ensure good bite. We deflated the rear tires to 30 psi and inflated the fronts to 45 psi. Our test weight was down to 4,240 pounds (same half-tank of gas) due to the new lighter, less restrictive exhaust. To equalize our baseline test weight of 4,275 pounds, we added six gallons of fuel.

After a one-hour cool-down because of the 45-minute ride, we pulled the headerized Hemi up to the line. With the added power, we hoped there wouldn't be any traction issues. the Charger hooked up, and with an improved 2.04 60-foot time, it boogied to an amazing 13.81 at 101.48 mph. Wow! We went right back to the line for a hot-lap and ran an even better 2.02 60-foot with a 13.80 at 101.18 mph. Next, we decided to give the motor another one-hour rest period to cool off. We were still concerned we were on the edge of spinning the tires, but E-towns starting line hooked us up with a nonspinning 13.78, and we backed that up with a 13.80 hot-lap.

After the dyno showed us peak improvements of 21.6 hp and 31.1 lb-ft of torque, we only expected to pick up roughly 0.3. Always remember the importance of average power gains (we checked the average power gains from 3,000 to 5,500 rpm on this stock Hemi), which were 33 hp and 30 lb-ft of torque. The headers and exhaust broadened the power band enough to push the portly Dodge down the track more quickly than we expected.

We're looking forward to SLP's production of more goodies for the late-model Hemi cars.