Unleash Your Challenger Hellcat's Full Potential with Headers

Understanding Challenger Hellcat Headers

The Dodge Challenger Hellcat is an incredibly powerful muscle car right out of the box, packing a whopping 707 horsepower supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 engine. However, many Hellcat owners choose to unlock even more power through aftermarket upgrades like headers. Headers provide significant benefits for high performance engines like the Hellcat powerplant.

What are Headers?

Headers refer to the exhaust manifolds and tubing leading into the rest of the exhaust system past the engine block. Stock manifolds on the Hellcat are made from cast iron and designed to meet emissions regulations and factory cost targets.

Aftermarket headers are instead made from stainless steel or titanium alloys, featuring better airflow and heat management qualities. This translates to reduced backpressure for the engine, allowing more exhaust gases to be scavenged from the cylinders.

Benefits of Aftermarket Headers

Installing aftermarket headers specially designed for the 6.2L Hellcat delivers meaningful real-world gains over the stock cast manifolds. Benefits include:

• Increased horsepower and torque output
• Faster spool up of the supercharger
• Enhanced throttle response
• Higher redline RPM capabilities
• Better engine bay aesthetics

With the right set of headers, Hellcat owners typically see rear-wheel horsepower gains of 15-25 HP, putting down over 700 HP to the wheels. This extra power accentuates the Challenger's already ferocious acceleration. Headers also change the engine sound, yielding a deeper and more aggressive exhaust tone.

Popular Header Options

There are a variety of quality header manufacturers to choose from for the Hellcat engine, catering to different budgets and goals:

• Kooks Signature Series - Top of the line long tube headers made from 304 stainless steel with 1-7/8" primaries and 3" collectors. Designed and build 100% in the USA. Huge power gains but very expensive.

• Pacesetter Long Tubes - Affordable cobalt and stainless options delivering great bang-for-buck performance upgrades. CARB compliant models available.

• Hooker Blackheart - Aggressively tuned shorty headers providing maximum high RPM power. Made from durable 16-gauge 304 stainless steel.

Be sure to match the headers to your Hellcat's intended use. Long tube headers give the biggest peak horsepower gains but may suffer clearance issues. Shorty headers offer great torque and work well for dragged out street/strip cars. OEM-style cast stainless headers retain factory-like fitment for hassle-free installation.

Supporting Modifications

To take full advantage of new headers, Hellcat owners should consider these other upgrades:

• Less restrictive exhaust system
• High flow air filter
• Tuned ECU/TCM via programmer
• Upgraded fuel system

These supporting mods work synergistically with new headers to extract maximum power and speed from the forced induction Hemi V8.

Installing Headers on a Hellcat

While headers themselves are bolt-on parts, installing them properly requires some mechanical skill and labor. Expect the job to take 8-10 hours for most DIYers.

Key Installation Steps

Key steps during the header install process include:

1. Lifting the car safely on jack stands
2. Removing factory exhaust manifolds and gaskets
3. Transferring over oxygen sensors to new headers
4. Fitting and bolting new headers into place
5. Fabricating custom mid pipes and exhaust as needed
6. Reconnecting steering shaft and suspensions components
7. Refilling fluids and double checking all hardware

Proper gasket selection and torquing of the header fasteners is vital for avoiding leaks. Quality header builds also pay attention to component clearances around lines, belts, rack and pinion gear, frame rails etc.

Tuning Considerations

Once the new Challenger Hellcat headers are mechanically installed, the ECU software needs calibration to account for the performance changes. This ensures optimal drivability and power delivery.

Most tuners offer custom calibration files to pair with popular header kits - dialing in parameters like ignition timing, fuel maps, supercharger boost, shift points, and more. Flashing the PCM and TCM with the updated tune is key to success.

Enjoy Your Upgraded Hellhorse

Hellcat headers unlock tremendous potential from the factory Hemi engine. Complemented by supporting mods and professional tuning, the results are truly supercar-slaying levels of power.

Just be sure to only unleash all that fury at the drag strip. Because when upgrading a Challenger Hellcat, things are bound to get downright diabolical.

FAQs

What are the main benefits of installing headers on my Hellcat?

Headers help unlock more horsepower, faster throttle response, higher redline RPM, and better engine bay aesthetics. You can expect rear-wheel HP gains of 15-25 HP with a proper header setup. It also enhances the muscular exhaust tone.

Will long tube headers clear the steering shaft on my Challenger?

Quality long tube header kits are designed to provide adequate component clearances, including around the steering shaft. However, you may need to install a steering rack spacer for maximum confidence.

Do I need to upgrade my fuel system with new headers?

Upgrading the fuel injectors and pumps is recommended to provide enough fuel flow for the engine's additional air intake capabilities enabled by the headers. This supports making full power safely.

What tune do I need with aftermarket Hellcat headers?

Most tuners offer custom calibration files to optimize your Hellcat's computer for the specific headers you choose. Flash tuning optimizes timing, boost, transmission behavior and more to maximize drivability & power with the headers.