How can I add more horsepower to my 5.7 Hemi Challenger? The answer is very simple! A performance upgrade is what you need!

With the perfect Dodge Challenger horsepower upgrades you can unleash the ultimate power of your Dodge Challenger. Being one of the most renowned cars in the USA for more than one decade, the Dodge Challenger now comes with various powerful engine options. They are meant to serve with an extraordinary increase of horsepower.

However, the engine options are not the only way to gain extra horsepower. We’ve gathered up the best ways to upgrade your dodge challenger horsepower with a detailed comparison.

Read on to know the most cost-effective and fruitful upgrade to gain a horsepower boost!

Dodge Challenger Horsepower Upgrades

Dodge Challenger Upgrades will push your car from the edge of “better” to the top of “Best”!

And to be more specific on the HP gain, we’ve picked the most popular and expert-approved upgrades for your Dodge Challenger and compared them based on their cost-effectiveness to make your decision easier.

Dodge Challenger Horsepower Mods: Cold Air Intake

Cold Air intake is the most affordable way to boost your Dodge Challenger’s horsepower. The job of the cold air intake system is to ensure more air into the engine.

The increased level of cold air brings more oxygen that works on increased engine power. And the cold air intake can gain you around 10 to 20 horsepower.

The cold air intake system, as Dodge Challenger RT performance mods, adds up to around 9 horsepower to the 5.7 Hemi. The gain is almost the same for the 3.6L V6 SXT.

But the result is astonishing when it comes to the SRT. The horsepower increases by almost 20-22 with the cold air intake system.

The cold air intake can cost anywhere from $200 to $500.

Larger diameter throttle body

A larger diameter means more air intake, and more air into the engine means more power production.

When you install a larger diameter throttle body, it automatically increases several aspects of your engine. Along with better acceleration performance, you’ll notice the increased horsepower of your Dodge challenger.

This is one of the easiest and cheapest Dodge Challenger mods to add an extra 15 to 25 horsepower to your vehicle.

You’ll have to spend around $100 to $500 for the throttle body. As for the spacer, it will cost you something around $50.

Exhaust headers

Exhaust headers are aftermarket parts that take the exhaust gases from the engine to the exhaust system. But the plus point is it lessens the exhaust backpressure and increases the horsepower.

For Dodge Challenger SXT horsepower upgrades, the exhaust headers are a good option. The headers can add up to 6 to 9 horsepower to the 3.6L V6 engine.

Depending on the quality of headers and the vehicle engine, the horsepower may boost up as much as 15 to 20 with increased torque.

Short headers will cost you something around $500. For long tube headers, you may need to spend as much as $2000.

High-flow catalytic converters

A high-flow catalytic converter is used to reduce harmful emissions faster. To put it simply, the high-flow catalytic converter receives the exhaust gas and gets traps the emissions that are damaging to the environment.

A high-flow catalytic converter increases your engine’s flow capability and helps it produce more power.

Spending $100-$200, you can get a moderate gain on your vehicle’s horsepower and torque.

Performance chip and programmer

Performance chips and programmers allow your vehicle to gain finer power and speed. To achieve that, the performance chip or the programmer adjusts the vehicle settings like the fuel-air ratio, turbo boost, ignition timing, and fuel cut.

The perfect calculations and timing improve the horsepower and overall performance. The hp gain can reach almost 30 at times.

You’ll need to spend $500-$1500 to install a performance chip or programmer, such as for the Dodge Challenger RT horsepower upgrades. However, you can also hire a tuner from a friend or nearby garage and make your tuning.

Nitrous oxide (NOS)

The fastest method to gain a great deal of horsepower within a very short time and at a low cost.

Nitrous oxide, also known as NOS, provides an excessive level of oxygen to the combustion process. This great amount of fuel produces a surprising amount of energy and gives a huge boost to your vehicle’s horsepower.

When you use a NOS setup for your Dodge Challenger SXT upgrades, your vehicle’s horsepower will increase from 40 to 200.

The average price of an NOS setup is around $1000.

Forced induction: Dodge Challenger V6 turbo kit

Forced induction compresses the air flowing to the engine and increases the air intake density. With more air flowing to the cylinders, the engine is able to produce a lot more energy and power.

Forced induction, such as supercharger or turbocharger offers the greatest performance increase. The average horsepower gain from this upgrade can be as much as 100 to 400.

For such an excellent hp gain, you’ll naturally have to spend more than any other upgrades. The forced induction system will cost around $3000 which can reach up to $10000.

Which one is the best pick?

Based on Horsepower increase

If we look at the HP gain rate of the above-mentioned options, forced induction is clearly the champion. You can gain up to 400 hp with a forced induction system in your car. Although this is the most costly option for upgraded horsepower, it is also the best one for 2016 Dodge Challenger RT horsepower upgrades.

The second best is the NOS setup, which gives you almost 100-200 horsepower boost. On top of that, at a lower price.

But one thing you need to keep in mind is that, even though it is effective, easier, and saves a lot of money, you must follow the rules and regulations while using it. If not used wisely and as per the instructions, it can be quite risky.

Based on cost-effectiveness

Now, if we compare the gained horsepower against their cost, we see a completely different picture.

NOS turns out to be the most cost-effective among all the upgrades. As we already know, for a hp gain of 100-200, we only have to spend something around $1000.

Next on this list comes the cold air intake. We can get 10 to 20 increased horsepower by spending only $200-$500. Larger diameter throttle body also competes with the cold air intake system.

So, if you’re looking for a long-lasting, hassle-free service but also an extreme increase in horsepower, Forced induction is the best pick for you. It will cost you a fortune, but it will serve you the best.

On the other hand, if you are craving for a great boost to your vehicle’s HP but also want something cheaper, you should go for NOS. However, you’ll need to keep the risk factor in your mind.

The cold air intake and the headers will be best for those who are looking for a safe and cheap way to increase their vehicle’s horsepower to a moderate amount.

A Helpful Tutorial You May Need!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Wrap up

Dodge Challenger is already the most admired sports car with its standard horsepower. But the Dodge Challenger horsepower upgrades will level up your game and keep you one step ahead of others!

You can choose from the above HP upgrade options based on your preference. Whether you are looking for the best performance or something more budget-friendly, there’s an option for everyone.

You can go for the one that best meets your vehicle needs, style, and budget!

You Can Also Read:

• Dodge Challenger Front Bumper Replacement Cost (A Complete Guide)
• Know the Dodge Challenger Evap Canister Location
• Dodge Challenger Steering Wheel Swap: Things You Should Know
• How To Tell If Your Car Has A Factory Amp – 8 Important Tips

Eng. Okolo Mokwena

Okolo is a mechanical engineer and a full-time employer in a renowned vehicle parts manufacturing company. Apart from her job, she likes to play with words. And whenever she gets time, she writes for us and shares her experience by adding value to car parts-related topics. Okolo is also a good cook sidestepping her engineering life.