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- 2016 Dodge Challenger Hellcat
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A few here know I converted my build to the DragPak 4-link rear two years ago. Most would consider that to be a super expensive track only thing compared to staying with the IRS. Let’s compare….. Once you move into the 8 second arena, things have to get serious if you want to get down the track with any degree of consistency. With the IRS, the minimum is the AAD control arm set with cradle lockouts, the full Performance brace, aftermarket axles (G-Force Outlaws or the latest DSS) and a 15” brake conversion. Got the motor to go low 8’s with dreams of a 7 in the future? Add the HemiTuner billet diff with the new Wavetrac LSD and some Hellcat specific coilover shocks front and rear and you’re ready to go for it. Wait! How much does that “street car” setup cost? I just added it all up and I got…. $16,000 (and that doesn’t count the wheels) 🫤. The MPR DragPak setup I got was $7500 two years ago. I imagine it’s more now but without calling to check… I’m guessing $8500. That consists of a Strange Engineering housing and aluminum carrier with a 9” Pro Gear (your choice ratio) and a 40 spline spool. You can get the Wavetrac if you want. The axles are Strange 40 spline gun drilled that are super light and much stronger than any CV axle. Also included are the Strange billet caliper brakes and Strange 20 point adjustable shocks with Hyperco springs in your choice weight to work with your car. This is basically the same setup that came in the 2015 Factory Stock Dragpaks from the guy who built them. Of coarse there are some additional costs with the 4-link. Because the stock fuel tank has to be removed, you have to replace that with a fuel cell. Mine is a 15 gallon custom aluminum tank that I placed in the spare tire well in the trunk. Perfect fit with enough volume to allow for street driving if needed. There are a ton of options here as far as fuel systems go. From in-tank pumps like the Fore systems that most at this level are using already to external sump fed Aeromotive pumps like I’m using now. My custom tank was around $600 and was fabricated by the shop that did the install along with my cage. There are a practically unlimited number of prefabricated tanks available thru Summit as a option. So…. that leaves install cost. The 4-link is still about $7,000 under the max effort IRS so let’s compare. Some will be able to do the IRS install work themselves, where that’s not likely on the 4-link. If you have to pay shop labor to drop the cradle and do the complete IRS setup with brakes and everything, you’re probably looking at $2,000. Carlin Fabrication in Calif who does these 4-link installs now gets around $5,000 for the whole thing if you already have a cage and just a few add-ons are needed to support the 4-link attachment points. Of coarse they can do a whole cage and tie it into the install but that would obviously be more. Just for the sake of comparison… if you had to pay shop labor to do the Max Effort IRS vs the cost of the 4-link without cage…... I think you would still be at least $3,000 ahead with the DragPak. What are the benefits?….. 300 lb weight reduction for one. Much better weight transfer to the track on a less then max prep surface. There are many that have seen some incredible 60’ numbers with the IRS on a well prepped surface. Me included. My best with the IRS at 4550 lbs was a 1.26. I also experienced the frustration of not being able to hook at all on the open test and tune surface when being shared with street cars. This where the 4-link is much better. Now a 1.3 is considered horrible. Once I get it fully dialed in, I doubt I’ll ever see one of those again. Anyway….. just some info to consider for anybody planning to go stupid. I’ll include some pic in a few minutes.
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