By You know what’s super awesome? V8 noises. You know what makes great V8 noises? Chrysler’s Hemi V8s, especially big ones like the SRT 392 and the 6.2L SRT Hellcat engines. Do you have a Dodge Challenger? Does it already have one of the most awesome, glaring paint schemes out there like SubLime Green, Plum Crazy Purple, or Go Mango Orange? Do you want it to be even more shouty and pronounced on the street? One of the easiest ways to make an improvement in the feel, sound, and performance of your Dodge Challenger is an aftermarket exhaust. Some offer better flow and a more noise while a few can really increase horsepower and torque. Exhaust upgrades include axle-back upgrades that replace you stock muffler, cat-back setups that replace (yup, you guessed it) everything from the catalytic converter back to the exhaust tip, and full headers-and-back systems that replace your entire exhaust system. We’ve got a mild and wild recommendation for each type of system for your V8 Challenger!
Axle Back
Axle-back systems are replacement mufflers for your Challenger. These will sound a little bit different on automatic-transmission Challengers than on 6-speed manual ones, as the 6-speed-equipped cars have no resonators in their stock exhaust.
To start, we recommend the Corsa Sport axle-back exhaust. This simple upgrade replaces the stock muffler, giving you a more refined tone. For a more eccentric approach, try the Flowmaster Outlaw. These are one of the most popular options for the 5.7L Dodge Challenger R/T and R/T Scat Pack thanks to their simplicity, both in installation and form. They are more or less straight pipes, with a direct, throaty sound.
Cat Back
Cat backs are where things start to get gnarly. Instead of a midpipe that collects into a suitcase muffler behind the rear bumper, a lot of cat-backs will split into a Y-pipe with shorter individual mufflers instead. This increases both volume and flow significantly since your exhaust isn’t hitting a right angle at the back of the car. The Borla ATAK system gets you into real muscle car noise, letting out great burbles and pops no matter where in the rev range you sit. It offers fewer bends and less restriction than the standard midpipe and muffler, meaning you get better flow and a louder sound.
Corsa’s sport series axle-back is refined and tame, but the Corsa Xtreme cat back is a far cry in the other direction. One of the most popular cat backs for the Dodge Challenger, the Corsa Xtreme gives a guttural sound on acceleration while managing to avoid drone at highway speeds. Corsa’s Xtreme cat back offers an average 10hp increase on challenger with the 6.4L engine with a manual transmission; they offer a different version for cars with the automatic transmission.
Headers Back
The most noticeable changes to exhaust sound and performance on a Dodge Challenger come from new headers. If you are upgrading from stock, anything will provide better sound and flow, as many aftermarket headers don’t have built in catalytic converters. Keep in mind a few things: these systems are the most complicated exhaust upgrade for your Dodge Challenger short of a turbocharger manifold. Also, most of these headers will work for every Hemi-powered car, including the Chrysler 300 and Charger. Unfortunately, these may not be legal if you’re in a place like California that doesn’t allow fun.
Speaking of fun, Corsa makes headers for the 5.7L, 6.1L, and 6.4L Hemi V8s. The Corsa long tube header is deep and burbly at idle and on startup, giving you that classic American muscle car sound. At higher RPM, it lets out a shout like nothing else on the road.
Meanwhile, at the extreme end of the spectrum, the Kooks long tube header is a great way to get some power out of your SRT8. The 4-to-1 design makes it sound smooth at high and low RPM, and combined with a good cat-back system with catless midpipes they can make close to 50 more horsepower than stock on a 6.4L. A proper tune and forced induction will take this even further!
PURCHASE THE KOOKS 1-7/8″ LONG TUBE HEADERS HERE!
PURCHASE THE KOOKS 2″ LONG TUBE HEADERS HERE!
PURCHASE THE KOOKS STEPPED LONG TUBE HEADERS HERE!
There are so many modification options available for your Dodge Challenger. Think of the possibilities– an all-out drag strip beast, an ear-piercingly loud highway missile, or a stanced out influencer whip are all within easy reach with a little bit of planning and research. For new exhaust systems as well as tons of other parts for your Challenger, check out the Motoroso Marketplace!
