Officially, the Mr. Olympia of muscle cars possesses enough power to obliterate sound and disrupt gravitational waves. At its peak performance, the 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI engine generates 1,025 maximum horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 945 Ib-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. This remarkable performance is achieved by fueling the engine with E85-soaked embers sourced from the depths of Hell’s forges. In simpler terms, this car has the capability to halt Earth’s rotation and cast Japan into perpetual darkness, as it is where the legendary JDMs reside and hone their otherworldly aftermarket tuning skills.
Now, let’s delve into the topic of output measurement. A Demon 170 underwent testing at a speed shop to verify Dodge’s claims and ensure that the approximately 3,300 customers who placed orders were not being deceived. The video below reveals the true power and torque figures of the Demon 170, proving that Dodge may have underestimated its capabilities.
To ensure fairness, the Challenger Demon was filled with E85 fuel during the test. The results differ from Dodge’s claims of 1,025 horsepower and 945 pound-feet of torque. According to the Baily’s Hyperformance dyno, the blue Demon 170 actually produces 898.02 horsepower and 878.91 pound-feet of torque at the rear wheels. Translated into metric units, this equates to 911 PS and 1,190 Nm.
The Texas speed shop and YouTuber, Herman Young from Demonology, agreed upon a 15% drivetrain loss, meaning that the aforementioned figures correspond to a crankshaft output of 1,057 horsepower (1,071 PS) and 1,034 pound-feet (1,402 Nm) of torque. This suggests that Dodge was not misleading customers, but rather being modest in their claims. In fact, the car’s potential was understated by 32 horsepower.
Interestingly, another dynamometer test conducted by a car enthusiast named Hennessey Performance in Texas yielded different results just two months prior, in December 2023. Using the same E85 fuel recommended by Dodge for optimal performance, Hennessey’s test revealed 925 rear-wheel horsepower and 903 pound-feet of rear-wheel torque. Watch the second video to witness these findings.
There are a few possible explanations for the discrepancies between the two tests. It could be that the two tuners utilize different dyno algorithms or that the drivetrain loss percentage varies. Alternatively, John Hennessey’s Demon 170 may simply be slightly more powerful straight from the factory. Applying the same 15% correction factor between net and flywheel figures would result in 1,088 horsepower (1,103 PS) and 1,062 pound-feet (1,440 Nm) of torque. Regardless of the reason, these figures surpass Dodge’s metrics by a significant margin.
In the thrilling world of the Demon 170 dyno sessions, it is important to take note of a crucial detail. The manufacturer has given a strong advisory that tires should only exceed the speed rating of 149 mph (240 km/h) in drag race scenarios, and never during regular highway use. It is worth mentioning that previous videos have shown the dyno tests of the Demon 170 being conducted in fifth gear, rather than sixth gear which possesses a 1:1 ratio. This discrepancy is significant as the speed governor would prematurely cut off power, leading to inaccurate results. As we eagerly await Herman Young’s forthcoming test of this devilish Challenger on the dragstrip, we remain curious about the testing methods he employed.
[Link to video: https://youtu.be/C5qcYpTDAW0]
According to the Source autoevolution.com