I am not the most technical guy, but overall performance from the acceleration to braking to handling are the biggest difference between a Street and Racing machine and the 300C. I love it for pure performance with a little luxuary! Still have power with the 5.7L, but not the same. Also, Are you looking 2011/2012 (SRT8) models or 2010 and later?

 

The 6.1 engine is a different block and is speced out like a racing engine.

Here is some info from allpar.com:

The 425 horsepower, normally aspirated (no supercharger) 6.1-liter Hemi matches the gross horsepower rating of the 426 Hemi engine exactly, albeit with lower torque (420 versus 490 lb-ft). It seems to beat the Elephant Engine's net horsepower, which has various sources have pegged at between 330 and (again) 425. In short, the 6.1 Hemi is the closest any V8 has come to the most successful stock racing V8 to come out of Detroit - and it gets better gas (and oil) mileage.

The SRT group uses traditional HEMI engine cues such as an orange-painted cylinder block and black valve covers. Greater power was achieved by boring the cylinders (increasing their diameter) by 3.5 mm each; they also increased the compression ratio from 9.6:1 to 10.3:1, and made other changes as detailed below.

Engine breathing was increased with new high-flow cylinder heads, a specially designed intake manifold, and exhaust “headers”with individual tubes encased in a stainless steel shell, all unique to the 6.1-liter Hemi. Larger diameter valves and reshaped cylinder ports in the heads maximize air flow. The intake manifold was designed with larger diameter runners for higher-speed tuning. Exhaust is routed through a larger-diameter (2.75-inch vs. 2.5-inch) exhaust system with 3.5-inch chrome tips.

Performance-oriented camshaft profiles were developed to balance total vehicle requirements, allowing more air in and out of cylinders. This increases performance and allows a higher top engine speed, 6,200 revolutions per minute (rpm) rather than the stock Hemi's 5,400 rpm. Intake and exhaust valve stems are hollow, and the exhaust valve stems are filled with sodium to help dissipate heat more efficiently.

The 6.1-liter Hemi V8 engine is further strengthened with redesigned components, including a reinforced engine block with increased coolant flow, forged steel crankshaft, high-strength powdered-metal connecting rods, floating-pin pistons (cooled by oil squirters), and an oil pan modified for reduced oil foaming.

More information on the SRT 6.1 Hemi is on our standard Hemi page.
Power is channeled through an A580 five-speed automatic transmission with specially calibrated driver-selectable range control. A heavy-duty four-flange prop shaft sends the torque from the transmission to an upgraded differential and axles.

 

Thanks for the post! Very interesting. I'm more of a technical guy so that really put the engine and tranny differences into perspective.

long story short,
your going to get a better suspension, better brakes (brembos), lower profile, faster reaction time and suffer from a wider smile

Oh and SRT weighs less errr i mean has less chrome lol at:

Suspension doesn't matter since I was planning on putting the Pedders Street 2 kit on the ride... better brakes is a good one though! That's a must have...

I basically have about ~$20k to get a car and I really like the 2008 model, but can't seem to find a SRT8 model for that price range. All of the lower mileage (<35k miles) are anywhere from $25-27k

I have found some 2008 300C's for my price range however... which is why I asked this question. I also have to assume that the insurance costs between the 2 models would be significant. Even though I am 28 years old, have a clean driving record with no accidents or points for the last 10 years..... but living in the state of NJ is always a PITA cuz insurance is so high for any car...let alone a SRT8

Are there major differences between the 2006, 2007 and 2008 SRT8 models?

 

long story short,
your going to get a better suspension, better brakes (brembos), lower profile, faster reaction time and suffer from a wider smile

Oh and SRT weighs less errr i mean has less chrome lol at:

 

I hear ya on the wider smile! I have that same look every time I drive my BEAST!

 

why did you leave out 05's?

and theres some changes between the years like the NAV options REC vs Mygig plus non HID vs HID
then i'm sure something with the tranny, but not really sure on the tech specs.

Either way nothing wrong with moderate high mileage with SRT's.
most commonly go from $18k-23k now so keep an eye out and goodluck

 

I've currently got a 2010 SRT8 in the garage overnight tonight evaluating whether or not to trade my 2005 5.7L 300C for it. It was close to a 100 mile drive home, which provided a decent chance to get a good feel for the car, much better than the 30 minute test drive I took last Saturday. Simply put, the SRT8 has a ton of "personality" and feels more like a race car, while the regular 300C is more sterile and feels like a luxury car. Whereas the 5.7L has decent power, handles well and stops fine, the SRT8 has tremendous, never-ending power, razor-sharp handling and world class braking ability. Don't forget about the slightly better/more destinctive interior and better sound system with the SRT8, too.

I also have a 2004 Ram SRT-10. The differences between the SRT model and the regular production 300C aren't quite as night-and-day as they are with the truck, but you can't really appreciate the performance orientation of the SRT8 until you drive one. In this case, the call on whether to get the SRT8 is primarily my wife's since she'll be the main driver. I think at this point, she may be leaning toward sticking with the 2005 a little longer. Just mentioning that from the standpoint that I think you have to be an enthusiast who appreciates, and plans to utilize, the capabilities of the SRT for them to be of any consequence, since the non-SRT cars are still pretty decent performers, themselves.

Good luck with your decision!

 

With respect to insurance costs... I'm in WV vs NJ but the difference in our cost for the two vehicles... 300C Heritage Edition vs Magnum SRT8 was only about $15/mo. To me, that wasn't significant vs the overall insurance semi-annual cost.

Consider also the fuel requirements. 300C is 89 octane, although you can get by with good 87 octane. But the SRT needs premium 91+ octane due to the compression difference. Fuel economy is only slightly different... not that the 300C is that bad, but rather that the SRT is pretty darn good for he beast it is.

 

Thanks fellas!

 

Tim lets be honest... most buy the predator and run 91 or 93 anyways so fuel evalutation goes out the window anyways lol

 

2008 SRT8 has radar controlled cruise control....I think thats the only MY that had it (dont quote me!). 2007 & later have different trunk lids incorporating a 3rd brake light & spoiler moulded in - so the tail lights are a different size....most think its not a very harmonious backside. The cabin from 2008 onwards in SRT8 was upgraded & is a better quality & the colours are better internally too

 

You also get the fantastic seats with the SRT8. I believe there are some special editon 300Cs that have the same seats such as the Heritage Editions and ones with the SRT Design package. They are the most comfortable car seats I've ever sat in. They are well bolstered for twisties and are standard on the SRT8.

 

I have leased an 07 300C SRT Design for three years before buying a 2010 SRT8. I had the closest you can get to the real thing; still not the real thing. You can buy a nice SRT Design easily for your budget but the real difference $ wise isn't that great, especially considering the hardware differences as shown above. You can't come close to the SRT8 without spending a lot more money than you would if you just buy an SRT8 for just several thousand $ more. The insurance difference was $40 more every six months but that was more because the 2010 SRT was NEW. Believe me, I have studied this over the years and also own an 05 Viper. The SRT Design (or Heritage) is an excellent car but the SRT8 is a better platform for mods but even without mods is still the best way to go. +1 on all the above posts but my main point to you is that the $ difference is negligible compared to the benefits especially if you are going to mod. At the time, I was making Viper payments so a $100/month on a new lease for 07 300C vs SRT8 was too real at the time.

 

Us SRT guys will all tell you the extra cash for the SRT8 model is best value, if you can afford the price difference and slightly lower fuel economy.

 

I believe the SRT8 has over $10,000 factory fitted extra additions to a 5.7

 

SRT8 is just on a whole 'nother level. If you're the type of buyer who would even consider an SRT8 -- and you go with a 5.7 -- you'll hate yourself to the point of suicide.

Which isn't to say an SRT8 is for every 300 buyer. Some people don't know what "SRT" stands for, what a "Hemi" is, think "Brembo" is an encore at a fine-dining establishment, and "HID" is some form of sexually-transmitted-disease. And for those people, a 2.7 or 3.5 feels really powerful and is plenty motor, thank you very much! You're not that person, now are you?!?

 

As a 300C owner, I can say that the extra $10,000 for the SRT8 is a bargain for the performance extras that you get. That being said, the SRT8 has a limited choice of colours so if you don't want black or silver, you will have a hard time finding the more rare colours such as Inferno Red or the grey that I think is called Tungsten. Not that I would exclude a silver or black SRT8 from my driveway but I sure prefer my Magnesium Pearl.

 

jersey brian, i have 5.7 with bolt ons simple bolt ons at that and have a track best of 13.5 in the 1/4, the srt does post better #'s and is a better car, but i dont feel like im missing much and have beaten srt8 chargers,mags,and c's at ETOWN, its the driver most of the time that makes a difference in performance. i live in new milford your more then welcome to come check out the car. and i will tell you what i paid for mine, alot less then an srt!!!

 

NOT BASHING AN SRT i will be the first to tell you that the brakes alone will cost you near the difference in purchase price if you wanted to go brembo on the C it would cost alot of money, so the differences are worth the difference in purchase price, but the repair costs and gas are more expensive on the SRT and im sure insurance is higher too. so if your on a budget, I would say a C, if your not , and not worried about gas and repair costs or insurance premiums, i would say SRT. no beef with anyone just an opinion

 

I live in Matawan/Old Bridge area and I pay around $525 for 6 months for my 300C. At the time I bought the car, the cheapest SRT-8 was double what I paid for my C. I wanted the SRT-8 bad but not at twice the price. Having said that, I still day dream of the day I trade it in for an SRT-8.

 

Better mpg on the SRT 8 , + add on the predator & game over for the 5.7 , I've had a 5.7 grand Cherokee & 2 SRT 8's , chalk & cheese

 

I had a 5.7 for two years and loved it, I said I would only get rid for a srt8 which I now have and what a difference, cant believe how two car that have the same shape can be so different. I would save for the srt8 any day ( but still loved the 5.7 )

 

just a note from an old time original SRT8 owner who bought his car new in August 05.

The car has been a dream to own. Not even a hiccup in 60k miles. One set of fans purchased (predator casualty) cost 100 bucks new in a box and took 10 minutes to install!

Just plan on tires a lot if you drive like I do, currently shopping for set 5!

 

just a note from an old time original SRT8 owner who bought his car new in August 05.

The car has been a dream to own. Not even a hiccup in 60k miles. One set of fans purchased (predator casualty) cost 100 bucks new in a box and took 10 minutes to install!

Just plan on tires a lot if you drive like I do, currently shopping for set 5!

Have you tried different tires? What did you like best so far?

 

I owned a 2005 3ooc and loved it,however when I traded up to a 2010 srt8 it was, as has been said a different car. If you can work it the srt is the way to go. In 2009 the srt's got a Limited slip diff.