With the new Challenger only...
With the new Challenger only a couple of years old, there are already plenty of performance parts hitting the market. Follow along as we install BBK's short-tube headers and back up their performance claims with dyno numbers.
Back in the "good old days" of hot-rodding that most of us have fond memories of, if you wanted to improve the performance of your new car it could be done by simply bolting on the right parts. Using the basic principle that the more air and fuel you put through the engine, the more power the engine will make, a bigger carburetor and a more efficient intake manifold were a common choice back in the day. And since more air and fuel going into an engine requires a more efficient way to expel the burnt gasses, individual tube headers were a common addition as well, reducing exhaust restriction to free up even more power.
Although the perception is that today's new cars are computer controlled, making it difficult for the do-it-yourselfer to improve his or her car's performance, in actuality today's cars respond to modifications much like our old muscle cars do. In fact, in some ways new cars are easier to tune than older ones, requiring only a handheld computer programmer to change parameters like ignition timing and air/fuel ratios that used to require opening up the hood and getting our hands dirty. And when it comes to reducing exhaust backpressure, new cars like the Dodge Challenger respond exactly like our old muscle cars, making more power through improved exhaust flow.
The new Speedware Series short-tube...
The new Speedware Series short-tube headers from BBK look impressive. Follow along as we install them and back up the looks with equally impressive dyno numbers.
Fortunately, companies like BBK Performance Parts are already developing and producing some great components for those of us who want to tinker with our new rides. BBK's new exhaust products are top-notch, and their Speedware Series exhaust headers bolt directly in place of your Challenger's (or Charger, Magnum, or 300's) exhaust manifolds. These headers have short individual tubes and are manufactured from stainless steel so they'll likely last the lifetime of your car. Additionally, these headers feature 100 percent mandrel-bent tubing, ensuring the best possible flow, and are either ceramic or chrome plated, ensuring the best possible aesthetics. The primary tubes are 15/8 inch diameter, and the one-piece, laser cut flanges ensure a tight seal.
Of course any part can be made to sound good on paper, but we wanted proof. To test the performance of BBK's new headers, we followed along as they installed a set on their 5.7 Hemi equipped '09 Challenger R/T test vehicle. We must say that we were pleasantly surprised by the construction of these headers, and by how easily the headers were to install. Even more impressive were the dyno results which backed up BBK's claims of additional horsepower and torque. Follow along as we show you how easy it is to install these headers on your new Challenger, and check out the dyno numbers. This installation netted more than six rear-wheel horsepower and over eight lb/ft of torque across the entire rpm range.
After disconnecting the battery...
After disconnecting the battery (located in the trunk), the first step is to put the car on a lift and unplug the oxygen sensors from the mid-pipes so the mid-pipes can be removed from the vehicle.
On the passenger side, the...
On the passenger side, the dipstick and dipstick tube must also be removed so they don't interfere with the manifold and header during removal/installation.
With the oxygen sensors in...
With the oxygen sensors in the exhaust system unplugged, the exhaust mid-pipes are removed to facilitate header installation.
Each exhaust manifold has...
Each exhaust manifold has its own oxygen sensor. These need to be unplugged as well and will be transferred to the new headers on the workbench.
After supporting the engine...
After supporting the engine from below with a transmission jack...
...the left and right motor...
...the left and right motor mount brackets can be removed to allow removal of the factory heat shields.
Each factory exhaust manifold...
Each factory exhaust manifold has a heat shield that's held in place by four, ten millimeter nuts on the exhaust manifold studs. Removing the heat shield makes access to the manifold easier.
With the motor mounts and...
With the motor mounts and heat shields out of the way, the exhaust manifold bolts can be removed. A long extension and 13mm wobbly socket help facilitate manifold removal.
Once the exhaust manifolds...
Once the exhaust manifolds are removed, it's easy to take the oxygen sensors out of the manifolds and install them in the headers.
Don't forget a touch of anti-seize...
Don't forget a touch of anti-seize compound on the threads before reinstalling the sensors.
Applying sealant around each...
Applying sealant around each tube at the flange ensures leak-free performance as well as helping to hold the gasket in place during header installation.
The headers now simply bolt...
The headers now simply bolt in place of the original manifolds. These headers fit nicely and are what we'd call a direct bolt-on replacement.
The dipstick tube can now...
The dipstick tube can now be reinstalled with a spacer provided in the BBK header kit.
Now the engine mounts and...
Now the engine mounts and associated brackets are reinstalled on each side of the engine.
Prior to reinstalling the...
Prior to reinstalling the exhaust mid-pipes, the flange studs provided with the BBK kit need to be threaded into the new headers.
The exhaust mid-pipes can...
The exhaust mid-pipes can now be installed and bolt right up to the headers just like they did to the factory manifolds.
With everything in place,...
With everything in place, the oxygen sensor wires can be reconnected. After reconnecting the battery, the car is now ready to fire up to check for leaks and test drive.
No exhaust leaks were detected,...
No exhaust leaks were detected, so the Challenger was ready for dyno testing. Remember that this car has been modified with items such as a cold air intake, so the numbers will likely be higher than a stock Challenger R/T. For the purposes of testing, however, the baseline was taken with factory manifolds, and the only change made was adding the BBK tuned length, short-tube headers.
The dyno numbers clearly tell...
The dyno numbers clearly tell the story. By simply bolting on a set of BBK short-tube headers, the Challenger gained more than 6.6 rear-wheel horsepower and over 8 lb/ft of torque. As a true bolt-on modification, the BBK headers proved their worth with dyno proven power, making the Challenger R/T even more fun to drive.