iBestTravel’s Turbocharged 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170: A Charitable Fast Track
The loud pedal slams to the floor and the sound in the dyno room swells to a rippling roar as a 6.2-liter D170 engine devours Hellion turbocharger boost, rocks the rollers, and sends the output well into the four-digit stratosphere. It is the first of a rare breed to wear twin turbos, boasting nearly 1,300 hp to the tires! However, there is more to the tale than simply joining an elite club of high-output performers.
Building for a Purpose
Peer through the window of one of Shane Pitt’s pack of potent Mopars, and the dash plaque might say, “Built To Have Fun and Help People.” While the 1,000-horsepower 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is an extravagant acquisition for many, for Pitt, it becomes a powerful means to a noble end.
Two severe bouts of COVID prompted Pitt to reassess his life, prioritizing a reduced business load and focusing on personal healing. This reflection ignited his inspiration to assist children and veterans through charitable efforts, with the limited-production Demon 170 as his vessel for change. Thus, 3 Demons Performance was established.
A Commitment to Charity
Pitt shared a vision with his racing buddies: to engage in drag racing while committing 30 percent of profits to charity events. Initially acquiring three Demon 170s, they quickly decided to add a fourth for charity use, showcasing a powerful commitment both on and off the track.
This mission led Pitt to Hellion Turbo, a reputable turbocharger specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There, he communicated with drag racer John Urist, whose honest approach solidified a collaborative partnership.
The Turbo Transformation
Pitt and his team took a strategic approach: they decided on a stock version, a turbocharged version, and a compound-boost variant where turbos augment the factory supercharger. The evolving project brought a fourth car into the mix, which soon transformed into the world’s first turbocharged 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170.
Before any modifications, Urist conducted a baseline run at The Dyno Edge, revealing an impressive 932 horsepower in stock form. After shedding the supercharger for two compact 64/66R turbochargers, capable of over 1,700 horsepower, the true power potential loomed large.
Hellion designs kits catering to a variety of Mopars, ensuring compatibility and performance enhancement. Urist emphasized that their systems support various power needs, from moderate boosts to builds exceeding 2,000 horsepower.
Fueling the Fire
To optimize fuel supply for the twin-turbo setup, Urist chose a Fore Innovations triple-pump fuel system reconfigured for the Demon 170’s needs. This system feeds eight Fuel Injector Clinic 2,150cc fuel injectors nestled within a specially designed intake manifold, all tailored for this occasion.
After removing the supercharger and harnessing the twin turbos, how much power would emerge? A remote tune from Barth Tuning revealed that at stock boost levels, the Demon 170 achieved 1,047 rear-wheel horsepower—a gain of 130 horsepower by alleviating parasitic losses associated with the supercharger.
Performance and Adjustability
The Hellion kit seamlessly integrates a TurboSmart boost controller, allowing for on-the-fly adjustments. By increasing boost beyond factory settings, the Go Mango variant cranked out an astonishing 1,275 horsepower and 1,204 lb-ft of torque. Given the stock engine and drivetrain, Urist wisely chose to maintain these figures for now.
Pitt’s Demon 170 is now poised for further calibration, readying itself for its inaugural turbocharged dragstrip experience. With existing factory Demon 170s already achieving times in the 8-second range, the twin-turbo’s capabilities promise even greater thrills on the track.
Images Courtesy of Hellion Turbo and 3 Demons Performance
