Dodge Challenger R/T and Charger R/T V8: the HEMI in duet, the exhaust guide

The 5.7-litre HEMI: the naturally aspirated V8 of the Challenger R/T and Charger R/T

The HEMI owes its name to its hemispherical combustion chambers. This naturally aspirated 5.7-litre V8 stays true to American tradition, with a single camshaft in the block and pushrod-operated valves. It produces 380 hp and 556 Nm in the Challenger R/T from 2009 to 2014, 373 hp and 536 Nm in the Charger R/T from 2009 to 2010, then 375 hp in the 2011 Charger.

The Challenger and Charger share the same technical base and breathe through the same V8, hence a shared Rog exhaust. With no turbo to dampen the pulses, it is the exhaust that shapes the whole sound character, and the factory one has been tuned for restraint. The Rog exhaust lets the HEMI speak up when you want it to and brings it back into line when needed, with the engine and ECU left as standard.

How the exhaust on your Dodge Challenger R/T V8 (2009-2014), Charger R/T V8 (2009-2010) or Charger R/T V8 (2011) is put together

An exhaust system is best understood in two parts. Here is what each one does, and what Rog replaces.

The figures for your Dodge Challenger R/T V8 (2009-2014), Charger R/T V8 (2009-2010) or Charger R/T V8 (2011)

What an exhaust changes straight away is the sound, the engine's breathing and the weight at the rear. For more power, add an ECU remap.

Published factory figures, converted from US units.

With or without an ECU remap, the exhaust fits and works. But it is an ECU remap at an approved tuning centre that truly unlocks your Dodge Challenger R/T V8 (2009-2014), Charger R/T V8 (2009-2010) or Charger R/T V8 (2011), and that is what we recommend.

Configuring your exhaust, step by step

4 choices, in the same order as the product page configurator.

1. 1

   Step 1 of 4: Material: stainless steel or titanium

   Titanium costs more than stainless steel; the price of each version is shown on the product page, in your currency.

   304 stainless steel

   Weight

   Baseline

   Sound

   Full and rounded

   Durable, corrosion-resistant, with a rounded, full sound: the most popular option.

   Titanium

   Weight

   Around 40% lighter

   Sound

   Metallic, crystal-clear

   For the same design, it weighs around 40% less than stainless steel. A more metallic note at high revs and a look all of its own, from brushed to blued.

   Both materials age well: 304 stainless steel copes with winter and salt, and titanium does not rust. Stainless steel or titanium: what really changes.

2. 2

   Step 2 of 4: Front section: manifolds and catalytic converter

   Optional: the manifolds on your Dodge Challenger R/T V8 (2009-2014), Charger R/T V8 (2009-2010) or Charger R/T V8 (2011), with their catalytic converter. Sound rating out of 10, valves open: the factory exhaust sits at 3.

   Cat-back only

   Included

   7/10

   Factory emissions control

   Nothing changes at the front: the cat-back alone is already enough to change the car.

   200-cell sports catalytic converter

   8/10

   Road use and inspection

   The everyday compromise: emissions control is still there, and breathing improves noticeably.

   100-cell sports catalytic converter

   9/10

   Inspection: depends on local rules

   One step further: more flow, a more aggressive sound, reduced emissions control.

   Decat

   10/10

   Track use

   Everything unleashed: maximum flow and unrestrained sound, for the track.

   Sound intensity, on a scale of 0 to 10

   1. 10/10Decat manifolds + Rog cat-back
   2. 9/10100-cell sports catalytic converter + Rog cat-back
   3. 8/10200-cell sports catalytic converter + Rog cat-back
   4. 7/10Rog cat-back only, factory catalytic converter retained
   5. 3/10Factory exhaust, for comparison

   Valves open. With the valves closed, every configuration becomes discreet again.

   What about the engine warning light? With a sports cat, it can come on with some engines: the sensor placed after the catalytic converter measures a different level of emissions control from the original. It is not a mechanical failure, but a warning light should never be masked or cleared without dealing with its cause: the right answer is a catalytic converter suited to the engine, with a map by a tuner who takes it into account. The decat version, for track use only, almost always triggers it. If this happens to you, write to us and we will point you in the right direction. Passing vehicle inspection with a sports exhaust.

3. 3

   Step 3 of 4: Valves: Rog remote or factory control

   Two ways to control the valves on your Dodge Challenger R/T V8 (2009-2014), Charger R/T V8 (2009-2010) or Charger R/T V8 (2011).

   Rog remote

   

   The simplest solution: a control unit in the boot and a remote, open or closed at the press of a button, whatever mode you are in. A question while fitting? We will get back to you.

   Factory control

   • Only for vehicles fitted with factory valves
   • Controlled by the drive modes

   Does your vehicle have factory valves? The exhaust keeps their existing control: the drive modes operate the valves, as before, with no added electronics.

   On a long journey, what matters is the absence of drone at a steady speed. With the valves closed, the exhaust keeps the cabin calm; the show is still there whenever you ask for it. More about exhaust drone.

4. 4

   Step 4 of 4: Tips: the visual signature

   Match the tips to the style of your Dodge Challenger R/T V8 (2009-2014), Charger R/T V8 (2009-2010) or Charger R/T V8 (2011), understated or bold. A particular finish in mind? Send us a photo and we will look at it together.

   • Chrome
   • Gloss black
   • Blued titanium

   

The Rog sound signature on the HEMI of the Challenger and Charger R/T

The HEMI has the voice of American cross-plane V8s: a loping idle made of deep, irregular beats, then a thick rumble that swells without ever turning shrill. It is a sound steeped in culture, almost as important as the mechanicals, and the factory exhaust on these muscle cars only delivers a softened version of it.

With the valves open, the Rog exhaust gives your Challenger or Charger back its lumpy idle, a frank rumble with every acceleration and downshifts that roll like a thunderstorm. With the valves closed, they go back to being peaceful cars, for daily journeys and early departures without waking the street.

From order to fitting

1. Configuration

   You choose the options for your Dodge Challenger R/T V8 (2009-2014), Charger R/T V8 (2009-2010) or Charger R/T V8 (2011) and enter its VIN, from box E of the registration document or the base of the windscreen.

2. Check

   We confirm compatibility with your car before we build it.

3. Manufacturing

   Made to order, for your Dodge Challenger R/T V8 (2009-2014), Charger R/T V8 (2009-2010) or Charger R/T V8 (2011).

4. Delivery

   Free, insured delivery, with tracking sent on dispatch.

5. Fitting

   Clamps and gaskets, no welding: two hours on average at the garage of your choice.

20 working days from order confirmation to delivery

Warranty

3 years, parts and workmanship, from the date of purchase

Payment

Card, PayPal or bank transfer

Installation

At the garage of your choice

What about the manufacturer's warranty? In Europe, fitting a part from another brand is not enough on its own to void it; the manufacturer has to prove the link between that part and the fault. Our article on the manufacturer's warranty.

Our recommendations for your Dodge Challenger R/T V8 (2009-2014), Charger R/T V8 (2009-2010) or Charger R/T V8 (2011)

• Daily driving

  • Stainless
  • Cat-back only
  • Rog remote

  Your Dodge Challenger R/T V8 (2009-2014), Charger R/T V8 (2009-2010) or Charger R/T V8 (2011) stays easy to live with, the factory emissions control is retained, and you open the valves whenever you decide.

  View this configuration

• Fast road

  • Titanium
  • 200-cell manifolds
  • ECU remap

  For great roads: more voice and more response, while staying road-friendly.

  View this configuration

• Track

  • Titanium
  • Decat manifolds
  • Stage 2

  The most extreme configuration, for track use only.

  View this configuration

These profiles are starting points. The right choice is often made in a few messages.

Dodge Challenger R/T V8 (2009-2014), Charger R/T V8 (2009-2010) or Charger R/T V8 (2011): your questions

Further reading

• All Dodge exhaust systems
• Dodge Challenger R/T V8 5.7
• Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat V8 6.2
• Dodge Charger V8 6.4
• Exhaust diameter: bigger does not mean more powerful
• How to pass vehicle inspection with a modified exhaust
• Stainless steel or titanium: what really changes
• The 28 brands we cover