SRT Q&A Session: 5-16-2007

[SRTengineers]

Originally Posted by MeatGrinder

A couple of SRT8 owners have installed a NAPA coolant filter, to filter out the
mysterious white substance. Upon cutting open the filter, it is filled with the
white goo. Would this filter put backpressure on the water pump? I suppose you could tell if the coolant flow was slowing too much, as the coolant temperature would rise. But would this devise harm the water pump?

Very innovative filter system! Need a job at Mopar?

We'll begin by covering the discussions from the chats 'o yore:

Cherokee SRT8 Forum - View Single Post - [COMPLETED] - 4/18/07 SRT Q&A Session

We'd like to re-iterate that "we know exactly what the issue is and are working to push the issue UP the proverbial mountain to get you guys a solution".

We hope all of our enthusiasts (aka YOU) understand that we are not spending our time here trying to put a spin on the situation. We are limited by our management and corporate structure (read check & balance system) about what we can discuss on this forum. We are telling you all we can right now. We want you to love your cars and enjoy them as much as we enjoy developing them.

With that being said... if you have an SRT8 LX vehicle that was built in the second half of 2005 CY or 2006 CY, you should check your coolant bottle for abnormal coolant (i.e. cloudy, scuzzy, floaters, ammonia smell etc). If you find an issue, please take your car to the dealer and show them the previous post in the link above. When they call DCX, they will be told to perform a flush and fill and add an additive.

Important Notes / Other Answers to Your Questions:
- The dealer must perform a flush and fill per the LX service manual, not just a drain and fill. For those of you that have had the dealer service your vehicle and the issue come back, it sounds like it was not done properly. Once a full flush has been performed, be sure to have them either flush and fill with Mopar Coolant w/ additive or flush and fill with Zerex G-05.

- The filter idea is a great one, but would be difficult to implement in the field. We've shown that the flush and fill when properly performed removes the majority of the solids and with new fluid fill, the system stabilizes.

- The white substance in the coolant is Aluminum Hydroxide. The ammonia formation is possible in ANY HOAT coolant, which is the standard in many if not most vehicles today.

- If you want to read more about this phenomena, check out papers available out there, one of which is ASTM 1546-962X and articles from the Radiator Reporter.

NO2- + 2 Al0 + 5 H2O = NH3 + 2 Al(OH)3 + OH-

WFO....PEACE

[GasGunR]

In the LX platform, after the halfshafts... what part of the drivetrain would you expect to fail next as aftermarket mods become available and horsepower increases? What part would you least expect to break?

How many rear wheel horsepower or how much rear wheel torque will breaking the next piece take?

Thanks

[stealthsrt8]

SRT-Engineers, would you confirm/deny/speculate on plans for the Challenger SRT? Engine Size? HP?

[hugabone]

Originally Posted by SRTengineers

Haven't heard about what you're describing before. Can you let us know what mods you've made, if any? The only thing we can speculate is to check your cats for blockage.

Car is 100% stock, only tsb's done. I can only describe it as when it gets to around 110mph, the engine sounds like it is bogging down but the rpm is at 6k. Since I was in drive I couldnt tell what gear I was in. I havent gotten a chance to try it in autostick.

Is there a number I can call to get this squared away. I'm not getting much help from the dealer since they can test at that speed.

[SRTengineers]

Originally Posted by DoubleLX

So, what mods have any of you done to your SRT-8s?

Assuming one uses a reputable aftermarket company, and assuming they've tested the cam so that it's not slamming valves into the cylinders are there any other real dangers to installing an aftermarket camshaft into the 6.1?

Check out our One Lap and Targa Newfoundland cars for what we have done. The problem with a different cam is you don't have an engine cal for it. A different enough cam to be worth it will need a different cal.

[1fastsedan]

Originally Posted by SRTengineers

A different enough cam to be worth it will need a different cal.

And you wonder why we keep asking for a tuner? You guys have one to play with, we just want to join the club. Seriously, thanks for the kick a$$ car, great follow-up with the tranny and brake TSBs, and things like this to keep in touch with the real enthusiasts.

[SRTengineers]

Originally Posted by hugabone

Car is 100% stock, only tsb's done. I can only describe it as when it gets to around 110mph, the engine sounds like it is bogging down but the rpm is at 6k. Since I was in drive I couldnt tell what gear I was in. I havent gotten a chance to try it in autostick.

Call the Star Center (number in the owner's manual) and specifically state that "this is an SRT vehicle" and they'll work with you to get this resolved.

[immo]

Any updates on the Coolant gunk TSB on the SRT-8?

[Hemi31]

Alot of guys are getting rid of the front end clunk by going with Coilovers.I have personally seen this on cars that I have done installs on.Is there anything in the works for the clunking or am I resigned to spend $1500 on coilovers so my car doen't make noise?

[ResumeSpeed]

Originally Posted by ResumeSpeed
One of the latest "mod" rages is the installation of an "oil catch can" for the "reduction of oil into the intake manifold". Here are a couple of pics of an installation in a Grand Cherokee SRT8:

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...o/IMG_0256.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...o/IMG_0257.jpg

What's your opinion on the necessity or advantages/disadvantages of these? They are selling for a whopping $200... .

Breathers are not emission legal and the engine does need to breath to compensate for pumping motion in the engine. Be sensitive not to overfill the engine oil.
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I had the terminology wrong, as Blown7 noted I should have said "air/oil separator" - can you guys re-comment on the necessity/advantages/disadvantages of adding an oil separator.


A seperator should not be required. Race cars want the best conditioned air to make power an use seperators in their dry sump systems.