2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
My Demon is home after a 6 month wait. I originally ordered a little late in the game....on July 22nd. The Yellow Jacket Demon arrived at the dealer with 4 miles on the odometer. I was there as it rolled off the truck. I've driven it home about 70 miles and parked it in the garage
Read below for some facts and figures on the Demon and how the order, build, and transport of my car progressed.
The Demon is the most powerful American car ever made. It has a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that puts out 808 hp and still gets 22 mpg on the highway. It’s an update of the Challenger SRT Hellcat’s 707 hp motor, which now seems quaint — even more so if you fit the Demon with the special engine control module, included in a tool-and-parts kit called the Demon Crate, that allows it to run on 100 octane race gas and bumps the power up to 840 hp to go with its 770 lb-ft of torque. Over half of the Hellcat engine’s components were modified in the, including the block, and a monstrous 2.7-liter supercharger strapped on to the top of it. The Demon’s 8-speed automatic transmission, driveshaft, differential and half shafts are appropriately beefed-up, as well.
There is no manual transmission available, but the automatic is one of the coolest ever made. It’s equipped with a feature called a TransBrake. It’s a drag racing technology that, in this case, engages first and second gears simultaneously to bind the transmission, so you can step on the gas to build up torque in the engine and drivetrain without having to use the brakes, which wouldn’t be able to hold back much of what the Demon dishes out before the tires started spinning. Meanwhile, a torque converter with a high stall speed lets you rev engine even higher than you normally could without moving as you await the green light. The Demon is the only production car that can lift its front wheels off the ground.
THE FIRST-EVER FACTORY PRODUCTION CAR TO ACHIEVE FRONT WHEEL LIFT AT LAUNCH
THE FIRST-EVER FACTORY PRODUCTION CAR WITH DRAG RADIAL TIRES10—made from an exclusive compound and construction
THE FIRST-EVER FACTORY PRODUCTION CAR WITH A TRANSBRAKE
THE FIRST-EVER FACTORY PRODUCTION CAR WITH DRAG MODE LAUNCH ASSIST
HIGHEST G-FORCE BY A PRODUCTION CAR (1.8 G)
THE FIRST-EVER FACTORY PRODUCTION CAR WITH A TORQUE RESERVE LAUNCH SYSTEM
First-ever, factory-production car designed to run on 100+ high-octane unleaded fuel or 91 octane on demand
First-ever, factory-production car with front passenger and rear seat delete
World’s fastest quarter-mile production car with an elapsed time (ET) of 9.65 seconds and 140 miles per hour (mph) as certified by National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)
Challenger SRT Demon is too fast for the drag strip – officially banned by NHRA as shown in the letter below from the NHRA to FCA
Several new owners have also been able to do wheelies at the local drag strips
Dodge Challenger Demon: So Fast, You Have to Sign a Waiver to Buy It
Want to place a Demon order? You'll have to sign this in front of a notary first
Good way to do it but it just didn't happen
The cars are standard with no front or rear seat but they are available as an option
Options Available for $1
Front Passenger Seat $1
Rear Seat - $1
Trunk Dress Kit (adds carpet to trunk) - $1
Demon Crate - $1 (available ONLY after vehicle purchase)
DEMON CRATE
The Demon Crate is loaded with all the equipment needed for the drag strip. Included are a hydraulic floor jack, a cordless impact wrench with charger, a torque wrench and more.
FEATURES INCLUDE:
**Branded with Demon logo
The Demon Crate is loaded with all the equipment needed for the drag strip. Included are a hydraulic floor jack, a cordless impact wrench with charger, a torque wrench and more.
FEATURES INCLUDE:
- Front Runner Drag Wheels
- High-Octane Engine Calibration
- Passenger Mirror Block-Off Plate
- Performance Air Filter**
- Trunk Foam Case**
- Fender Cover**
- Personalized IP Badge**
- Shipping Crate
- Torque Wrench with Extension and Socket**
- Cordless Impact Wrench with Charger**
- Hydraulic Floor Jack with Carrying Bag**
- Tire Pressure Gauge**
- Tool Bag**
**Branded with Demon logo
CHALLENGER SRT DEMON HIGHLIGHTS
840 HP Supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 Demon engine
FIRST EVER, FACTORY PRODUCTION CAR WITH:
Drag Mode - Retuned suspension for weight transfer
TransBrake - Increased torque in the rear tires during launch
Torque Reserve - State-of-the-art launch acceleration
Launch Assist - Mitigates tire stick/slip at launch
SRT Power ChillerTM and After-run cooling
Nitto street-legal 'Demon' branded drag tires - 315/40R18 PURPOSE BUILT FOR THE STREET AND THE STRIP
Widebody design - Front and rear fender flares
18x11-inch drag aluminum wheels
Air-GrabberTM Hood and intake system
Line Lock - Allows for smokey burnouts at the touch of the button
NEW SRT Performance Pages with real-time dyno, race cool down and G- force graphs
Reduced weight for the strip – Over 90 kgs (200 lbs)
NEW lightweight Brembo 4-piston front brakes
Lightweight hollow front and rear sway bars
Minimal audio system - 2 door speakers without amplifier
Front passenger and rear seat delete AVAILABLE DEMON CRATE WITH DIRECT CONNECTION PERFORMANCE PARTSHigh Octane Engine Calibrations
Front Runner Drag Wheels
Performance Air Filter
Track tools and Demon Track Pack System
Personalized, Serialized Instrument Panel Badge
840 HP Supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 Demon engine
FIRST EVER, FACTORY PRODUCTION CAR WITH:
Drag Mode - Retuned suspension for weight transfer
TransBrake - Increased torque in the rear tires during launch
Torque Reserve - State-of-the-art launch acceleration
Launch Assist - Mitigates tire stick/slip at launch
SRT Power ChillerTM and After-run cooling
Nitto street-legal 'Demon' branded drag tires - 315/40R18 PURPOSE BUILT FOR THE STREET AND THE STRIP
Widebody design - Front and rear fender flares
18x11-inch drag aluminum wheels
Air-GrabberTM Hood and intake system
Line Lock - Allows for smokey burnouts at the touch of the button
NEW SRT Performance Pages with real-time dyno, race cool down and G- force graphs
Reduced weight for the strip – Over 90 kgs (200 lbs)
NEW lightweight Brembo 4-piston front brakes
Lightweight hollow front and rear sway bars
Minimal audio system - 2 door speakers without amplifier
Front passenger and rear seat delete AVAILABLE DEMON CRATE WITH DIRECT CONNECTION PERFORMANCE PARTSHigh Octane Engine Calibrations
Front Runner Drag Wheels
Performance Air Filter
Track tools and Demon Track Pack System
Personalized, Serialized Instrument Panel Badge
The below video helped convince me to go with the black hood
After all the Hype I was ready to order. Here's a timeline of how the build and order progressed.
- BA: New order that hasn't been checked 7.22.17
- D1: Gateline schedule - scheduled to be built 12.15.17
- E: Frame 1.8.18
- I: Built not ok'd 1.22.18
- JB: Shipped to Upfit Center (for Stripe) 1.24.18
- KZ: Released by plant , invoiced 1.26.18
- KZX: Delivered to dealer JH101298 /// 39619230 /// TRACY, CA /// 02/03/18 04:50:00 PM
It took forever but I got a call on 12/15 informing me that my car now had a VIN. This was the message on the online Track My Demon.
Right around January 8th my car started to roll down the assembly line.
This is the first sneak peek of my car in the storage facility in Warren Michigan
Once I got notice that the vehicle shipped I got on the phone with Reliable and they put me in touch with the driver. The car's journey across the country is documented below. This includes the first ever pictures of Demon #1298
This is an actual picture of the truck that my car shipped in. All Demons ship via truck....no rail lines. In this picture the truck and my car are in Nebraska. This was the second stop. First car to get dropped off was in Illinois.
I got the phone number of the driver and he was more than willing to document the journey across country.
I got the phone number of the driver and he was more than willing to document the journey across country.
Here's the view back on the road and on the way to Colorado. I should have the first peek at it shortly. Most of these trucks have two drivers. I don't know about you guys but I get a woody every time I see a Reliable truck knowing what might be in there.
This just in......my first view of the Demon. That red one has the window sticker in already. Thought they did that at the dealer. I'll see if I can find what numbers the other cars are.
Not hugely exciting but exciting to me that I get to see my car before it's even at the dealer.
Pics keep coming in. Mine is up front.....will be the last car delivered. They are now in Boulder Colorado. I like that he stepped back and got the truck in there too.
It's getting closer. Not sure where this is but it's good to see the weather cooperating.
Just got a couple more. It's in California now!
They made the final stop at Sacramento Dodge so now on to our final destination. I know some of these are just pictures through a windshield but it's pretty cool seeing the journey.
The Reliable guys were great at giving me up to the minute status updates. I ran in to some traffic and after a two hour drive I got there just 10 minutes before them.
Ran to the curb just in time. They knew it was me. These guys are awesome. They were taking my picture and i was taking one of them.
This was my first view of my car. My heart was racing and not just because I had just chased the truck around the block
There was a crowd starting to gather. Most people were either taking pictures or video.
Click below for a video of the car getting unloaded
Finally on the ground and ready to roll. Took a bunch of photos. The car looks amazing. Was kind of a blur with people congratulating me and shaking my hand.
Seeing it in the light of day really hammered home that the black hood was the right choice. The contrast with yellow and black is incredible.
Seeing it in the light of day really hammered home that the black hood was the right choice. The contrast with yellow and black is incredible.
Down below that's the general manager Joe on the far left. I really liked him. He was very gracious in making sure everything was handled the way I wanted. I could hear him discussing where the car would go so it would be left alone. He mentioned he didn't want it in the show room for fear of people messing with it. I really appreciated his concern.
The buzz the car generated was insane. So many pictures being taken. This really was an impressive well planned product build and advertising campaign. These cars get people talking and everyone was excited and seemed to be thrilled to be there. Most of them ran to the truck when they saw it pull up behind the dealership.
This is the wonderful Evelio Lainez that drove the Reliable truck. He didn't have to send me any of those updates or pictures. The fact that that he did really impressed me. He kept telling me when you go with Reliable your not just getting transportation you're getting an experience. For me those pictures out the window were just as good as the car pictures. This guy was a great representative for Reliable. His updates were spot on. He literally gave me up to the minute and mile status reports. Towards the end he would say he was 1.25 hours away. Then he was 9 miles out, 6, and then 2. This enabled me to get right out on the street to see him roll up.
In talking to Evelio he let me know that out of the 5 cars in his truck the first went to Illinois, then to Nebraska, Boulder Colorado and the on to California for stops in Sacramento and then Tracy. He said he has done 5 loads of Demons so far. They also are the shipper for Porsche and a few other super cars.
My sources told me the dealer ETA was 2/3-2/9. When I finally got word it shipped on 1/31 I called Reliable. Keep in mind these guys are not obligated to tell you anything. You are neither the owner or end user. So really they don't have to tell us anything. I called the dispatcher on 2/2 and asked if they could give me an ETA. They put me on a brief hold and told me the car was being unloaded. In a panic I called my guy OJ at the dealer. He walked around the building and saw nothing. I called Reliable dispatch again and talked to a very nice guy named Damon. He put me on a longer hold and the came back and he talked to the driver and he said the car was scheduled to arrive 2/3 between 5-6 pm. He then went on to say how he explained to Evelio the driver that I seemed like a nice guy and would it be ok to call him. He gave me the phone number of the truck and I immediately called.
I excitedly dialed the number and when he answered I said "I hear you have a nice surprise coming for me". "Yes, I have a beautiful yellow incredible car coming for you". He was very polite and kept calling me sir. So when your car ships try the Reliable Dispatcher and see if they can help. If you're lucky they may even give you the number of the driver. If you're really lucky you'll find someone on the other end of the line like Evelio that is eager to help. It was pretty clear that he knew he was part of a big event. I thanked him over and over just to make sure he knew how much he was appreciated.
In talking to Evelio he let me know that out of the 5 cars in his truck the first went to Illinois, then to Nebraska, Boulder Colorado and the on to California for stops in Sacramento and then Tracy. He said he has done 5 loads of Demons so far. They also are the shipper for Porsche and a few other super cars.
My sources told me the dealer ETA was 2/3-2/9. When I finally got word it shipped on 1/31 I called Reliable. Keep in mind these guys are not obligated to tell you anything. You are neither the owner or end user. So really they don't have to tell us anything. I called the dispatcher on 2/2 and asked if they could give me an ETA. They put me on a brief hold and told me the car was being unloaded. In a panic I called my guy OJ at the dealer. He walked around the building and saw nothing. I called Reliable dispatch again and talked to a very nice guy named Damon. He put me on a longer hold and the came back and he talked to the driver and he said the car was scheduled to arrive 2/3 between 5-6 pm. He then went on to say how he explained to Evelio the driver that I seemed like a nice guy and would it be ok to call him. He gave me the phone number of the truck and I immediately called.
I excitedly dialed the number and when he answered I said "I hear you have a nice surprise coming for me". "Yes, I have a beautiful yellow incredible car coming for you". He was very polite and kept calling me sir. So when your car ships try the Reliable Dispatcher and see if they can help. If you're lucky they may even give you the number of the driver. If you're really lucky you'll find someone on the other end of the line like Evelio that is eager to help. It was pretty clear that he knew he was part of a big event. I thanked him over and over just to make sure he knew how much he was appreciated.
This is the shipping manifest showing it came from the Mack Storage yard area on E Warren Avenue in Detroit Michigan.
only 4 miles on the odometer
Finally all locked up. PDI will happen Monday or sometime early next week and then I'll pick it up.
I wanted to make sure nobody messed with it so I made arrangements to be there when they did the PDI. The car was delivered on a Saturday but I couldn't pick it up until Wednesday. They parked it in a stall until I could come back for it. I asked them not to drive it and they didn't. I also asked them to not wash it.
That's Joe on the left and my sales guy OJ McCulley on the right. Joe was there when the car was unloaded and went out of his way to make sure the unload and delivery went well. He asked me questions about everything and it was clear he wanted to make the whole process go smoothly. I could hear him talking to other people about where they could stash the car so it wouldn't get touched.
OJ was great to work with. I made a bunch of calls in early July. Most dealers couldn't tell me what they would sell the Demon for. OJ was up front from the start. He was my last call because after talking to him I knew I wanted to buy from him and that I could trust him. During the wait he kept me up to speed about when the VIN would be assigned.
OJ was great to work with. I made a bunch of calls in early July. Most dealers couldn't tell me what they would sell the Demon for. OJ was up front from the start. He was my last call because after talking to him I knew I wanted to buy from him and that I could trust him. During the wait he kept me up to speed about when the VIN would be assigned.
Took forever for the day to pick it up but it finally did. Joel was the tech that did the PDI. I made sure they had a copy of the Demon specific PDI which states they are to add no miles to the car and do no road testing. (PDI info at the bottom of this post)
Joel doing his thing. They were really good about asking me what I wanted done. They wanted to know if I wanted the plate frame on the back. I had them leave all the covers and plastic in place except the blue plastic on the super charger. I also asked that they not wash the car.
Joel doing his thing. They were really good about asking me what I wanted done. They wanted to know if I wanted the plate frame on the back. I had them leave all the covers and plastic in place except the blue plastic on the super charger. I also asked that they not wash the car.
The Demon PDI guidelines state: DO NOT TEST DRIVE, ROAD AUDIT OR PERFORM ANY ACTIONS THAT ADD MILEAGE TO THE VEHICLE.
Joel was a little shy but agreed to take a picture. The car is ready at this point. Now time to finalize the paperwork and bring it home.
Finally on the highway and headed home. I was very glad that my brother (and photographer) was with me for the fun. He had to keep me in line cause this whole process is a little blurry when you're so excited.
Getting closer to home
Home safe in the garage
