The automaker wants to help you make the most out of your Mopar muscle car.
As all of Detroit’s automakers prepare for the annual Woodward Dream Cruise festivities, Dodge has just pulled the cover off of a ton of new Direct Connection performance parts for modern and vintage Mopars alike. Additions to the catalog include a wide-range of products from basic exhaust components on up to entirely new bodies-in-white.
Dodge’s Direct Connection performance parts catalog originally launched at dealerships back in 1974, and would continue to offer parts and service until 1987. The automaker revived the program back in January, with the intent of pillaging some business from the aftermarket industry’s popular Mopar-focused parts providers. Of course Dodge benefits from a wider range of expertise and manufacturing capability then traditional aftermarket companies, which is made evident by this latest parts drop. The largest addition to the Direct Connection Catalog comes by way of the Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak Rolling Chassis, which is set to compete in NHRA and NMCA sanctioned events. The platform starts life as a Challenger body-in-white, before a cage made of 4130 chromoly tubing is TIG-welded in place. The cage itself is NHRA-certified for passes as fast as 7.50 seconds.
Compared to the available Challenger body-in-white, this rolling chassis package comes equipped with a ton of drag racing hardware already installed. Double-adjustable Bilstein coilovers with Drag-Pak specific tuning, a Strange Engineering 9-inch rear end, Strange Pro Series II racing brakes, Weld beadlock-capable wheels and Mickey Thompson drag radials finish the package. All you have to do is spec the crate engine, gearbox and engine management system you desire. Thankfully, Dodge offers those through the catalog as well, including the newly added TorqueFlite 8HP70 automatic transmission. The Direct Connection Drag Pak Rolling Chassis carries an MSRP of $89,999, while a standard body-in-white starts at just $7995. Unfortunately, we won’t get pricing details for the rest of the new parts until the 2022 SEMA Show, which runs from November 1-4.
Dodge has also added a few new supercharger kits to the catalog for those looking to get more speed out of their drag racing muscle car. There’s a 2.7-liter blower based on the unit which sits atop the Hellcat V-8, while a larger 3.0-liter unit is derived from the Hellephant crate engine and its factory blower. Should you wish to hear more of that V-8 song, an American Racing Headers kit is now available for the Challenger, Charger, and Durango lineups.
The Direct Connection catalog isn’t limited to traditional go-fast parts. Working in conjunction with SpeedKore, Dodge will now offer a suite of carbon fiber components to help cut some weight out of these big boats. These include items like a new rear spoiler, front splitter, rocker panels and rear diffuser. Dodge isn’t keeping the carbon fiber exclusive to the current lineup either, thanks to some help from the folks at Finale Speed. Direct Connection customers will now have the opportunity to purchase a 1970 Dodge Charger body constructed entirely from the lightweight material. The bodywork should bolt right to your chassis thanks to OEM specifications being honored, which makes for a great pro-touring launch pad. Dodge says that carbon bodies will also be available for Plymouth Barracuda and Road Runner models at a later date.
Dodge has found itself in a tough spot as the world begins to transition to electric vehicles. While we know that the development of Dodge’s upcoming electric muscle cars is well underway, the raucous Hemi V-8 remains at the center of the brand’s identity. This Direct Connection catalog is an interesting method for Dodge to continue that tradition moving forwards, and one that we wouldn’t mind seeing other automakers adopt. What would you like to see Dodge add to the Direct Connection Catalog moving forwards? Let us know down below.
Keyword: Dodge Direct Connection Will Sell You Rolling Chassis and Full-Carbon Bodies