Zac Quinn 
The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is the final word in American muscle, with record-setting power under the hood and even more incredible levels of acceleration. This super muscle car can go from 0-60 in just 1.66 seconds, on its way to an 8.91 quarter mile time. And while plenty of that is credit to its 1,025 hp powertrain, an impeccable chassis setup and clever weight reduction strategies play a part, as well.
Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 Chassis: Details
The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 shaves weight with the addition of lightweight front brakes, hollow sway bars, passenger and rear seat delete, trunk trim, noise, vibration, harshness pad delete, and lightweight interior carpet with a minimal audio system. Because who needs music when you’re engine is purring away. Removal of the front flares generates a weight savings of 16 pounds (compared to leaving them on) which is pretty impressive, and gives a unique, haunched stance.
Optimizing weight transfer for a 2.0-G launch is a set of adaptive damping Bilstein shocks with uniquely tuned valves. Along with an improved launch response, the new Bilsteins allow for user customizable drag race settings.
The new dampers allow for a raised rear ride height of 10mm and restricted rear jounce travel by 17mm to package the massive Mickey Thompson drag radials. A revised rear suspension camber increases contact patch under load compared to the Hellcat Redeye Widebody, while weight transfer is further aided by softer springs (35% softer in front, 28% rear) and softer sway bars (75% front, 44% rear). Yes, it can still pop wheelies, but there’s no more need for a set of skinny tires in the front.
The updated Drag Mode option for the Challenger SRT Demon 170 dials in performance — front Bilstein shocks are set for firm compression and soft rebound damping while in Drag Mode, while the rear Bilstein shocks are set for firm compression and firm rebound damping.
Customers of the Dodge Challenger Demon 170 can do away with the standard 17-inch by 11-inch rear and 18-inch by 8-inch front forged aluminum wheels and replace them with a lightweight carbon fiber wheel option. The optional Lacks Enterprises carbon fiber wheels shed weight from the Demon 170, with the lightweight 17-inch by 11-inch rear wheels shaving 11.98 pounds off the rear compared to the standard Redeye Widebody configuration. Likewise, the 18-inch by 8-inch wheels shave 20.12 pounds off the front. Those are some serious weight reductions for a car focused on insane performance.
The two-piece carbon fiber wheels feature a forged aluminum center with SRT logo center caps and are fastened together with titanium alloy hardware. A larger weave pattern than traditional carbon fiber wheels allows the material to be seen from a greater distance. The Lacks carbon fiber wheels lower un-sprung vehicle mass, reducing vibrations while maintaining a more consistent tire load and ultimately improving handling, acceleration, and braking.
Altogether, with the lightweight wheels included with the Dodge Demon 170, the car sees a reduction of 157 pounds compared to that of the Challenger Hellcat Redeye Widebody, which is pretty impressive.
There is a dose of irony in all of these weight saving measures, however. Because of beefier engine and drivetrain upgrades, the curb weight of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is a hefty 4,275 pounds.
