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Basic Specifications
Vehicle Color: Hemi OrangeEngine Type: 8 Cylinder
Transmission: Manual
Est. Horsepower: 376 HP
Est. Curb Weight: 4,000 lbs.
Mileage: 40 miles
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Get your forum exposure. Click here and join for FREE!Swap_A_Holic's 2009 Dodge Challenger
2009 Hemi Orange Challenger RT
About this Current Vehicle:
I've wanted one of these since 1970... and in December 2008 I finally got one! It has the six speed manual transmission, electronics convenience package, sunroof, navigation radio, sound group 2, and 20" chrome wheels. It was a struggle to find this car, but definitely worth it.
Vehicle Journal:
Mar 02
Everything's cool... for now
After a bunch of programming and experimenting along with tech support from Spal, I ended up using the older controller (V1) and my original single fan. The controller's secondary (high) wiring is used and the primary fan wiring is not used. The V3 controller won't let you do this.
I was able to get an "on" at 203 degrees and "off" at 190. The off setting is perfect as the gauge drops to 188 after the fan kicks off.
By doing this, the fan goes to high speed right away, and is also activated when the AC is in use. This setup will keep the fan from running when driving down the road, which was my main concern. It is not needed at that time and I didn't want to add the wear to it. If the fan continues to run after the thermostat closes, it is then working against the thermostat and counterproductive.
Feb 28
My car doesn't like the Spal fan controllers
After over a month of use, I found the Spal FAN-PWM controller caused the fans to run on high all the time once the low temp range was reached, and they never shut off once activated. The controller is designed to use the OEM temperature sensor and kick in the low speed fan at 50% speed at the "low" temperature setting and then increase it to 100% as needed. Once the "high" temperature setting is reached both are supposed to run at 100%. The high side fan is not variable speed and operates through it's own relay, the controller either turns it on or off (actually only on in my experience).
There is an option to use a Spal sensor, but this would require extra plumbing for no guaranteed benefit.
I was hoping to be able to adjust them so low kicked on about 10 degrees over the normal range (181 low, 188 high) with high kicking in another 5-10 degrees above that.
The Version 1 (V1) controller I bought needs a minimum 20 degree range from low to high to operate, and there is no published data at what temp it turns the fan off. I did email the guy that designed V1 and he still uses one with settings of 180 low and 220 high, a 409 degree split! He said it is designed to run the low speed fan all the time, and turn off at 15 degrees below activation temp. For reference, all my Chevy powered cars operate via the computer in a 7 degree range from on to off. I did a lot of experimenting and even data logged the voltage from the OEM sensor (it was OK) while dealing with Spal support. Long story short, $130 later I had the version 3 (V3) unit, which was supposed to allow closer temp ranges.
It did exactly the same thing.
I was finally able to get low speed to come on by setting it at 185 and high at 224! This held the idle in garage temp to 188 degrees and of course ran the low speed fan all the time, although it was running at 100% speed.
At this point, I have pulled the dual fans and reinstalled the OEM single fan. I want to see what temp ranges it turns on and off. Since the factory thermostat was 203 degrees, it will probably be pretty high, but at least it won't needlessly run when the car is going down the road. What an expensive lesson.
I may try & use the Spal with the OEM fan on the high side only since this goes through my heavy duty power relay and it can handle the amps needed. If I can get it to work within a better range I'll be happy.
Ultimately, I plan on getting HP Tuners software for the car once it is available so I can use the car's computer to operate the fan as it was designed.
Jan 19
New wheels, tires, and road testing
The new Privat Netz wheels and Nitto Invo tires are on. The wheels are 20x8.5 front and 20x10 rear (stock was 20x8), and offset is +20 on both. The tires are 245/40 front and 295/35 rear. The rears are very close to the stock ones for overall diameter and the fronts are a little shorter. The car sits higher than I'd like- you can fit a 4x4 piece of wood between the front tire & fender, and almost fit it in the rear. I don't care to lower the car so I will stick with this as is for now.
The cooling system upgrades worked very well. My water temps are now consistently around 185 degrees and the oil has not gotten much past 170 while driving in cooler to cold (50 to 30 degree) weather. I expect the oil will be hotter during the summer, that will be the true test of the system.
Factory Options:
"27J" package, six speed manual transmission, electronics convenience package, sunroof, navigation radio, sound group 2, and 20" chrome wheels.
Exterior Modifications:
Added rear view camera. Mopar hood struts, HID headlamps, and wider 20" wheels/tires.
Interior Modifications:
N/A
Performance:
Added a Roto-Fab cold air inlet.
Suspension/Chassis:
N/A
Drivetrain:
5.7L Hemi V8, Tremec TR6060 six speed, 3.92 limited slip diff. Added 180 degree thermostat, Severe Duty 2 radiator, and front mount oil cooler.
Electronics:
Skip shift eliminator, MyGig Lockpick for rear view camera and navigation on the go.
To-Do List:
N/A
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