SRT Q&A Session: 12/21/05

[ekool]

Please keep all discussion on topic and related to the SRT lineup of vehicles.

Thx.
Hello and welcome from SRT. We are gald to be on the 300C SRT8 forum this month. I would like to start with an opening comment on the grille issue that has been discussed on this forum.
"There has been some controversy recently about how well engineered some of the product sold by Mopar Performance Parts can be since the SRT Performance Parts Engineering staff is nowhere the size of a platform team or even the Accessories Group. As those of you who drive SRT4's know, size doesn't always matter! The implication is that we cut corners and this results in us shortchanging you the customer.

Our Mission Statement is quite simple. We engineer and assist in producing genuine performance enhancements and highly specialized customization upgrades for Chrysler Group cars and trucks. We are proud of the fact that we do more testing and development than anyone in the aftermarket. We also leverage the expertise of not only our SRT counterparts but also those throughout the corporation.

While performance parts are generally not backed by a full warranty, you can rest assured that when you buy a part that has been certified by SRT Performance Parts Engineering we have done the due diligence required to make sure you will be satisfied with your purchase. We believe those of you that have already bought our parts for your SRT's will attest to our high standards and quality levels. We believe the product speaks for itself."

Now off to the questions.

Goodnight from SRT and we wish all of you a very happy holiday. We will be back on the SRT4 forum next month. I apologize in advance, but I do not quite have the questions from the older chat ready to go. I must admit that there were a lot of great questions and it has taken us a little while to put all the answers together. We will post all of the answers on the SRT4 forum no later than the first week in January. If I can get all of the answers sooner, I will put them out there over the holidays.

Again, thanks for all your great input here on the forum and we'll look forward to our next chat in 2006.

[Rambit]

Alright, I'll give this another try this session on this forum. Last session I asked what was being done to address the horrendus brake dust issue that most of us agree is the worst and most annoying problem with this car.

Your reply was simply to inform us of the superior braking capabilities the SRT8's have and it's a trade off and to use Mopar wheel cleaner. We all know the braking distances, so not exactly the reply I expected. I'll ask again:

1. What if anything is being done to address this problem? Sorry to repeat the same answer from last time, it still is a trade off with high performance brakes. However, there are studies underway with brake pad material suppliers for future improvements. These may be several years away.
2. Will the new pads as per the TSB reduce the dust or just the squealing issue? The new pads address noise concerns.

3. Is the SEVERE premature gouging of the rotors being investigated? - BIG BIG BIG PROBLEM. Gouging is not a performance concern. We continue to examine opportunities for continuous improvement.

4. Will you agree the pad material selected is the route cause of the three problems above? Brake performance is dependent upon the entire brake system. That includes pads, calipers, and rotors.


5. Are the new brake pads being installed as a rolling change on cars being built now?
For me the single most annoying part of owning this car is the brake dust, seconded by the rotor gouging. Trust me, your suggestion of buying Mopar wheel cleaner as a solution would require us to use it every 50 miles. Most of us are not interested in taking our cars to the track, so track pads are not what we want or need. I would gladly give up a few feet of braking distance to have less dust. This forum has been riddled with complaints with the brakes and I was the first to report it last March. Please be specific as we would like some straight answers here.

One additional question: Can the three mode ESP off be retrofitted to the 05 and early 06 SRT8's by software alone? I understand the ABS pump is different on the later 06's though. No. The ABS pump is different.

Rambit

[all_bran]

SRT4 CAI
Are there ANY ill effects in running the Mopar CAI where the crank case driver-side nipple vents into the intake tube? This does put SOME amount of oil and fumes through the turbo/pipes, intercooler, throttlebody, etc... Is it at all dangerous when used for a prolonged period of time?

Should we be using catch cans in this scenario?

With the installation of the Mopar Performance Parts CAI in accordance with the instructions included with the kit, no ill effects can be expected. The system was designed to emulate the production crankcase venting mechanism as closely as possible and the installation of catch cans or similar devices is not recommended.

[all_bran]

EVERY DAY DRIVER, SRT4
Stage 2 and supporting mods

I also want to know about the oil issue - what *should* we put in, what *would* you recommend, and what *do* you run?
Obviously Mobil 1 Syn, but 0W40, 15W50, 5W30, 10W30, etc...

[all_bran]

SRT4



VERY IMPORTANT! lol!

I have been researching this for A LONG TIME. Can you dig up the part numbers/manufacturers for the connector kits that go on the MAP sensor?

I am looking to build a wiring harness extension to the MAP sensor, so I will need:
1) one of the female connector kits that come stock with the car
2) one of the male connector kits that would be the same configuration as the wiring input to the MAP sensor

Even just one of the connectors with a manufacturer name would help... I can call them and ask "What is the corresponding male connector that matches this female one??"

[LuvMySRT8]

Howdy! Appreciate this opportunity to chat ....

How many SRT8's will be produced per year?

[Rambit]

A lot of the SRT8 Owners have heard that the 6.1 is Tuned Down for the ESP and if true, what's the Honest Potential of this Engine and what Real World applications are we going to see to get that in our cars?

Is it true in testing it was doing 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, so fast that the ESP couldn't keep up with it, forcing you to detune?

Rambit

[HEMEEE]

Will SRT support owners who want to go club racing?
If so How?

[Rambit]

Will the SRT-8 team, at any point, voluntarily work with aftermarket producers so that aftermarket computerized tuning becomes a viable option? Will DCX open the source code?

Rambit

[Rambit]

On behalf of another member (jMatt):

Dear SRT-8 team: What is the expected resolution of the inordinate rotor grooving experienced by virtually all SRT-8s? Before it is indicated that "performance brakes are just like this" note that your own Mercedes Benz AMG line does not have this problem. Nor does your Viper. Nor do Ferraris, Porsches, etc.......

Rambit