You’ve probably seen the headlines. 1,025 horsepower. A 0-60 time that makes a Tesla Model S Plaid look like it’s stuck in a school zone. It’s the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, and honestly, the numbers are so big they almost feel fake. But they aren't.
This car is basically a love letter to internal combustion written in tire smoke and E85. It’s the final "Last Call" for the HEMI era. Dodge didn't just tweak a Hellcat; they effectively built a street-legal dragster that happens to have a radio.
The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 Horsepower Breakdown
When people talk about the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 horsepower, they usually jump straight to that four-digit figure. But there is a catch. To see all 1,025 of those horses, you need the right juice.
The name "170" actually refers to the proof of the fuel. It’s a nod to E85 ethanol, which is 170 proof. If you pull up to a regular gas station and fill it with 91-octane premium, you’re "only" getting 900 horsepower and 810 lb-ft of torque.
Still enough to ruin your tires? Absolutely.
But when that corn-fed fuel hits the injectors—specifically at 65% ethanol content or higher—the engine’s computer wakes up. It shifts the timing, ramps up the boost, and suddenly you have 1,025 hp at 6,500 rpm and 945 lb-ft of torque. It’s a Jekyll and Hyde transformation. One minute it’s a rowdy cruiser; the next, it’s a 1.66-second-to-60 monster.
Why This Engine Didn't Just Explode
You can’t just shove 21.3 psi of boost into a standard block and hope for the best. Dodge tried that during development, and engines were reportedly popping like popcorn.
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To fix it, the SRT team basically threw out everything but the camshaft.
The cylinder head studs? Replaced with aerospace-grade high-strength steel. The main bearing caps? Billet steel. The engine block itself had to be machined differently to handle the 2,500 pounds of internal pressure per cylinder.
Think about that. Every time a cylinder fires on full E85, the pressure inside is roughly equivalent to a small elephant standing on a postage stamp.
The 3.0-Liter Supercharger
The heart of the beast is a 3.0-liter supercharger. For context, the engine in a modern Honda Civic is about 2.0 liters. This car has an air pump bigger than most people's entire engines.
- Pulley Size: 3.02 inches (providing 40% more boost than a Hellcat Redeye).
- Throttle Body: 105mm (basically a gaping maw for air).
- Fuel Flow: The injectors can dump 164 gallons of fuel per hour.
To put that in perspective, that’s faster than the flow rate of a standard American showerhead. You aren't just driving; you're drowning the cylinders in fuel to keep them cool and moving.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 1.66 Second 0-60
Marketing is a powerful thing. Dodge claims a 1.66-second 0-60 mph time, which is the fastest of any production car. But you won't do that at a red light on your way to a grocery store.
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That number is achieved on a prepped drag strip with a rollout.
Even so, the G-force is violent. At 2.004 Gs, it’s the highest acceleration force of any production vehicle. It’s enough to make your vision go a bit blurry if you aren't ready for it.
The NHRA actually sent Dodge a "ban" letter for the Demon 170 because it can run a sub-nine-second quarter mile (8.91 seconds at 151 mph) without a roll cage or a parachute. Dodge wears that letter like a badge of honor. It’s the ultimate "too fast for its own good" marketing flex.
Living With the Demon 170
It’s surprisingly manageable if you aren't pinning the throttle. It still has the same basic interior as a standard Challenger, though you can delete the passenger and rear seats to save weight.
Dodge used Mickey Thompson ET Street R drag radials (315/50R17 in the rear). These are essentially street-legal racing slicks. If it’s raining, you probably shouldn't even take the car out of the garage. They have almost no tread and are designed to turn into glue when they get warm.
The driveline was beefed up significantly too. The rear axle housing is 53% stronger than before, and the driveshaft is 30% stronger. Dodge knew owners would be launching these things at the track repeatedly, and they didn't want the rear end ending up in the staging lanes.
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Actionable Insights for Owners and Collectors
If you’re lucky enough to be hunting for one of the 3,300 units produced, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, check the ethanol content. The car has a real-time sensor that shows you the percentage on the dashboard. Don't expect 1,000+ horsepower if your local station is selling low-quality E85 that’s hovering around 50%. You might need to source "racing" E85 to see the full potential.
Second, the tires are a consumable item. If you’re actually using the TransBrake 2.0 and doing full-power launches, those Mickey Thompsons will be bald before you finish your first tank of gas. Budget accordingly.
Finally, keep the documentation. Since this is the end of the line for the internal combustion Challenger, the "Last Call" plaques and the personalized decanter set that came with the car aren't just trinkets—they are the provenance that will determine the car's value at auction in 20 years.
Treat it like the piece of history it is, but for heaven's sake, take it to a drag strip at least once. 1,025 horsepower is a terrible thing to waste on a 35-mph speed limit.