Torque is a wonderful thing when used responsibly. However, used irresponsibly it can break expensive things and outright ruin your fun. To that effect, the SRT Demon engineers have kept that in mind by redesigning this track monster’s driveline with race hardened parts. If you haven’t been following until now, the Dodge Demon features increased engine torque, increased traction, increased weight transfer and increased torque multiplication.
Week 8’s teaser SRT Demon video appropriately named “Race Hardened Parts” explains to us in great detail just exactly what Dodge has done to make this a reliable quarter-miler.
Special attention has been paid to the Dodge Demon’s driveline to battle the added stresses. The upgraded prop shaft with heat treated stub-shafts is manufactured out of high strength steel and features a 20 percent increase in tube thickness. The improved differential housing is built from A383 aluminum alloy giving it a 30 percent higher torque capacity and the shot-peened higher strength gear set vows to take whatever beating you can give it. The new 41 spline half-shafts are an increased diameter high-strength low alloy steel with 8 ball joints which improve torque capacity by 20 percent while reducing operating temperatures significantly.
While a driveline system composed of race hardened parts is a welcomed upgrade, that still doesn’t solve a drag racers worst nightmare – wheel hop. Wheel hop is the major culprit when it comes to snapping driveline components as it’s when the wheels quickly slip and then regain traction. Consequently, huge torque spikes occur from the storing up and releasing of the energy. The only way to get around this problem previously was to let your foot out of the throttle but who wants to do that?
Launch Assist is a software solution dreamed up by Dodge who proudly notes that this is a first for any production vehicle. It combats the wheel hop issue on the Challenger SRT Demon by utilizing the wheel speed sensors to monitor slippage. If slippage is detected, it will momentarily reduce engine torque that instant. Now the driver can keep the throttle pinned and let the computer system sort out the traction problems.
As we all know by now, the SRT Demon’s rear seat is deleted. We’ve now learned that this allows there to be mounting provisions for a new Speedlogix four-point harness bar. There’ll be no need for hacking up the interior just to install your safety equipment.
More information can always be found at the offical SRT Demon site ifyouknowyouknow.com
