Unleashing the Power of the Exomod C68 Carbon

By now, you’ve surely seen Exomod’s line of 1968 and 1969 Dodge Charger look-alikes, built over the chassis of 2023 Dodge Challenger Redeye widebodys. Called the C68 Carbon, the latest Exomod land-based cruise missile, like those before it, is rebodied in carbon fiber and takes the shape of a classic 1968-to-1970 Dodge Charger, although for copyright reasons that name doesn’t appear on the car or anywhere in the company’s literature. You may have even seen a few of them cross the Mecum auction block; the most recent one that met reserve sold for $324,500 in Las Vegas during the auctioneer’s 2022 event.

Performance Meets Classic Design

We’re not going to rehash the specifics of the C68 Carbon here, other than to say these are very impressive replicas with all the modern conveniences of last year’s 2023 Dodge SRT Challenger Redeye Widebody. What’s new is that Rick Katzeff, Exomod’s CEO, reached out to us to say his latest C68 has been equipped with Mopar’s new Direct Connection Stage 2 kit. This kit, which we initially reported in August 2022, is a smog-legal upgrade for any Dodge SRT Challenger Redeye that boosts horsepower from the factory 807-hp rating to an astounding 885 hp on E85 fuel (837 hp on 91-octane).

Mopar Direct Connection Stage 2 Kit Overview

This is the first time we’ve seen the Mopar Direct Connection Stage 2 kit upgrade in the wild. As we wait for a pricing and installation quote from our local Direct Connection dealer, we thought we’d ask Katzeff what he thought about the Stage 2 kit. The kit requires the Redeye Pre-Stage kit (tuner, filter, 180-degree thermostat, calibration; part No. 770-72579AD; $1,195), the Redeye Stage 1 kit (840-hp calibration; part No. 77072581AB; $395), and the Redeye Stage 2 kit (885-hp E85 tune, 3.17-inch diameter Hellephant pulley; part No. 77072583AB; $1,195).

Installation and Requirements

Exomod’s Katzeff told us: “As for the Stage 2 kit, it’s pretty straightforward. You have to have a Power Broker Dodge Dealer install the kit for you—no aftermarket or external shops. That way, it maintains the Dodge powertrain warranty.” Currently, there are just 91 Dodge Power Brokers nationwide, which might explain why we see so few Redeye Stage 2 upgrades in our travels. Fortunately for Katzeff and the Exomod crew, Jim Shorkey North Hills Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is located nearby and is a full-fledged Power Broker dealership.

Understanding the Stage 2 Kit Benefits

Katzeff confirmed that all three kit part numbers were required to achieve the 885-hp output rating on E85 fuel, noting, “Stage 1 is an ECU-unlock plus an external touchscreen data monitor. This adds 10 horsepower. Stage 2 includes a 180-degree thermostat swap and a smaller supercharger pulley that creates additional boost with a recalibrated tune. It adds 50 horsepower on 93-octane fuel and 80 horsepower on E85.” He mentions that the engine runs about 20–25 degrees cooler, which is beneficial for longevity and ensures cooler overall temperatures under the hood, contributing to a better air induction charge.

Conclusion: The C68 Carbon Awaits

At the heart of the Stage 2 kit is the smaller-diameter Hellephant supercharger pulley, which provides an additional 2 psi of boost. As the Redeye’s factory boost at sea level is 14.5 psi, the Stage 2 kit raises that boost number to 16.5 psi, with the tune able to detect whether high-octane gasoline (837 hp) or E85 (885 hp) is present in the fuel system.

For those interested in owning a brand-new classic Dodge Charger look-alike with 885 horsepower, you won’t find it at Dodge. You’ll need to visit Earth Motorcars in Dallas, where an Electric Blue example is currently headed.

Exomod C68 Carbon Specifications

• Base donor car: 2023 Dodge SRT Challenger Redeye with 6.2-liter Hemi
• Direct Connection Stage 2 kit
• Electric Blue Pearl body color
• Stripe delete
• Three-Piece Forgeline wheels with Transparent Gold centers and polished HGC outers
• Cosmetic carbon chin spoiler, side skirts, and rear diffuser
• Pearl Leather interior

Photos provided by Exomod and Direct Connection