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Showcase cover image for Full Bolt On 6.4 Stroked 2015 Durango RT Purpose Built for the Drag Strip

General Information

Name
D Snipes
Year
2015
Make
Dodge
Model
Durango RT
Color
Granite Crystal
Packages
Heavily Modded Package
History
Started this over 4 years ago with a cone K&N intake filter mod where it was housed inside the stock filter box. From there I learned everything about the 5.7 motor, mods available and where I wanted to go with my Durango. I'm a tinkerer and put 100% into things I love. I hit my goal of an 11sec 1/4 mile at Sacramento Raceway with a naturally aspirated stock bottom 5.7 after I installed the 3.70 rear differential and cut some more weight. 392 stroker and 234/250 Greene Racing cam installed. Time to hunt the 10s N/A!


Performance and mod videos

All installed with my own two hands in my garage. Tuning by Jay Greene at Greene Racing. Tires installed on wheels by Discount Tire.

2015 DD R/T AWD (Street only) or RWD (Track) mods:
Manley Forged 391(6.4) Stroker, 234/250 Stage 5 Greene Racing Custom VVT Cam, Custom CIA w/9in K&N Filter, American Racing 1 7/8 LT Headers to Catless Mids to Custom Resonated 3" Turn Down Exhaust, 3.70 SRT Rear Differential, 3.70 Mercedes Front Differential (For AWD street pulls), BES/HHP Ported/Milled .040 Heads, Ported 6.4 RAM Intake Manifold w/Z Automotive SRV Controller, Circle D 4800+ Converter, RAM 6.4 Injectors, ATI 15% UD SuperDamper, BBK 85mm TB, SOS Coils/Plugs Gapped to .065, Billet Catch Can, 180 Tstat, PLX wideband O2, MDS Deleted, Diablo Trinity w/Jay Greene 100 to 109 Octane PCM Tune and TCM Tune (via HPtuners, Diablo software wouldn't allow enough fueling on the Durango PCM), Eibach Lowering Springs Rear Cut 1/2 inch, Bilstein 5100 Rear Shocks, AWD deleted (for the track), Rear Hoosier 28x14.5 17s on Weld 17x10 wheels and Front M&H 28x4.5 17s on Race Star 17x4.5 wheels for track , 20x10 Jeep SRT8 Replicas Wrapped in 315/35r20 Toyo Proxes STiiis for the Street, ~1100 lbs race weight reduction including 5lb Antigravity battery, Custom Fuse 77 Toggle Switch if needed, Custom Track Intake, Custom underbelly drag reducing panels, Manton valve springs, retainers and pushrods, Manley Race Flo intake and Race Master exhaust Valves, Stanke Rocker Stabilizers/Collars

Future mods: Custom Turbo

2/11/24
She's a beast at a lower altitude drag strip. Finally got some track time and did a new personal best at Famoso Dragstrip outside Bakersfield, CA. Time to get a good suspension setup though. I'm rocking right after a good hook and it's causing a bit if flat spin as the weight leaves the rear end. So, that's priority now. That's worth a good 2-3 10ths with a 1.50 60 ft or better. She definitely has the potential for an N/A 10 sec pass.


1/13/24
Finally did a full street pull. Lost a lot on the launch from the flat spin of the front tires. The PCM pulls timing when the traction light is flickering and it short shifts to 2nd. Gonna try some second gear launches and paddle shifts. This shouldn't effect anything on the drag strip when in RWD on slicks. But the street times could be better.

Still beat my best at Sacramento Raceway, 1840 ft higher in sea level, 230lbs heavier and still not at the best possible shift points. Jay said because I'm on single valve springs, to save it for the best possible run. So that'll be at Famosa Dragstrip on Feb 10th.

Before then I'm gonna try to work the kinks out of my street launch and do a Death Valley run at -239 ft below sea level😁 Haven't been there since Dec 2021 when I hit the 12s N/A a few projects ago. It's been off limits since the flooding trashed all the roads. But I drove my jeep out there to check it out...
View attachment 130705

12/5/23
First MS109 WOT pulls for tuning after I rebuilt a transmission for it. It's still a stock hp70 using a RAM 1500 case, low mileage JGC internals and my stock valve body/TCM. Slowly getting her track ready.

Also, just finished the roll bar and swing out door bar installation and some other NHRA safety compliant upgrades. Currently working in the side window lexan swap and clearing out the inner door panels to offset as much of the roll bar weight as I can. Might be more in the dash I can sacrifice.


9/9/2023
Sound Clip!
Fully installed the new stroker motor, and reassembled everything. First start up on the first tune was perfect. No issues. Sounds absolutely mean as f**k😁 have a bit of a break in period for the new piston rings then I can start playing with race gas and WOT. First ever 3rd Gen Durango in the 10s N/A? Oh yeah.


8/8/2023
Currently working on the stroker install. Cam arrived as well, 234/250, she's a beast! Will have everything together early September when I'm back home. Can't wait for some street logging and to drive it again 😁 Won't be able to do a full track run until I get the rollbar installed to be able to run quicker than 11.49. Will also be replacing at least the side glass with polycarbonate and removing the inner door panels to offset some weight of the rollbar. Oh, yeah the rollbar kit arrived too.


5/11/2023
Pulled like a freight train with the new Circle D converter. Lost traction even with AWD and 315s on all fours. Motor isn't at its full potential: 3800DA, 2140ft Alt., 91 pump gas with VP booster (98 octane) on a 91 tune dumbed down for use with the higher compression.

5/4/2023
Installed a 3.70 Mercedes GL450 front diff for use on the street. So I can get good traction for data logs and pulls. Saved a lot over the cost of an SRT front diff. Also installed the new Circle D converter. Ready to start some data logging soon. Also the Manley stroker kit arrived. 4.050 stroke, stock bore, 10.4:1 compression with milled heads to make 11.3:1. 391ci officially. Will be a boosted stroker eventually.


Vid of timeslip above:


Removed the front differential, front axles, front drive shaft and disabled the transfer case computer. Switched to a slicks and skinnies setup for the drag strip. Lost 193 lbs in the process. Also removed some more plastic trim, door panels, speakers, amp, front sway bar and rubber trim. Puts my race at about 4370lbs.

2/18/2023
New Dragy PB in Sacramento. 11.96 @113 -900 DA. Unfortunately had to be on Nitto 555riis which don't dig well on asphalt:
Vid:

2/3/2023
Finally got some track time after almost a year! Need to up the tire game for the track. Radials did well but grip could be better. Did five passes all 12.5x @108-109. Very consistent. Still launched 70+ degree intake temp with the track intake. Aircharge was highest I've ever seen so far though. DA was between 1950 and 1750 through all five runs. Three cam track vid:

12/17/2022
0-60 in 3.81 secs 12.08 1/4 mile @ 112 mph! Most likely the fastest NA stock block 5.7 in the world! Switched to 295/40r20 Toyo Proxes STiiis the day of this run. Radials we're spinning too much in much lower DAs and with updated tunes.


Switched it up to a custom lightweight performance resonated exhaust. Saves 59 pounds and sounds way better than just the turn downs or the full Catback. So no more exhaust tips.


Drive bys with current exhaust:


10/4/2022:
Big day new upgrades installed and first start up after 4 months on jack stands. Waited a while for the converter and ported heads. First warm idle with the newly installed custom cam along with the BES ported heads, ARH 1 7/8 LTs and Paramount Converter.

2/12/2022
Best run with with PREVIOUS cam with a 91 octane race tune and 3.45 gears and ported intake manifold got me a 12.92s 1/4 mile @ 106 mph. -239 altitude, -615 DA in Death Valley.

3/11/2022
Best Las Vegas run with PREVIOUS cam was a 13.07 @ 105 mph, complete track ready on radials and with 97 Octane. ~4890lbs 1975 ft altitude 1467 DA. Best track run that night was 13.62. heat soak killed times by half a sec or so. New track intake will help with that significantly.

No more fog lights. Ram air inlet on passenger side now. Also pics of new look. Cleaned up the underside while keeping weight down using ABS plastic and aluminum DIN rails.

Engine bay, hood insulation cut to allow room for the RAM intake manifold.

Custom rally stripes, light tint and debaged

Modifications

Drivetrain
3.70 SRT Rear Differential, 3.70 Mercedes GL450 front diff for street use (front diff, front axles, and front driveshaft removed for track pulls with lightweight Slicks and skinnies). Weller One Piece Driveshaft with custom fitted and welded 1/8 steel plate supports for the u-joint flanges.
Interior
~1100 lbs of weight reduction for racing/pulls. Pretty much completely gutted but has an NHRA compliant roll bar with a swing out door bar, light weight race seat and 5lb Antigravity battery. All inner door panels have been removed as well as the crash bars and the side glass is replaced with lexan. Current race weight: 4370 lbs with me in it.
Exterior
HEMI badges, Custom Rally Stripes
Exhaust
American Racing 1 7/8 Long Tube Headers to Catless Mids, 3” Custom Resonated Turn Down Exhaust
Wheel and Tire
Rear Hoosier 28x14.5s 17s on 17x10 Weld wheels and Front M&H 28x4.5 17s on 17x4.5 Race Star wheels for the track, 315/35r20 Toyo Proxes STiiis on 20x10 Jeep SRT8 replicas for the street.

Comments

· Premium Member
2015 Dodge Durango R/T
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1,075 Posts
Dyno numbers with all the mods? Sorry if I copy off your build
Not yet. Hopefully I'll get a chance early next year. More interested in ETs right now.

Go for it. That's why I share.
 

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152 Posts
I see you want brembos. I do too but I have a theory I don’t need them but maybe you could prove my theory to be wrong. My current belief is that brembos will not reduce stopping distance only improve heat dissipation. I think maybe it’s just the widened contact patc
I don’t know if draggy has anything to monitor stopping. 60-0 with the same tires with stock calipers and then with brembos.
I think deep down my wife must be part Jewish. She monitors like every penny I spend. And I forgot to mention I had an ‘03 WRX where I ripped out everything I thought was unnecessary weight. Everyone thought I was crazy but that 500 lbs or so made my track days that much more fun.
 

· Premium Member
2015 Dodge Durango R/T
Joined
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1,075 Posts
I see you want brembos. I do too but I have a theory I don’t need them but maybe you could prove my theory to be wrong. My current belief is that brembos will not reduce stopping distance only improve heat dissipation. I think maybe it’s just the widened contact patc

I don’t know if draggy has anything to monitor stopping. 60-0 with the same tires with stock calipers and then with brembos.

I think deep down my wife must be part Jewish. She monitors like every penny I spend. And I forgot to mention I had an ‘03 WRX where I ripped out everything I thought was unnecessary weight. Everyone thought I was crazy but that 500 lbs or so made my track days that much more fun.
They help with stopping a bit. There's a vid by zwade on YouTube testing them. Not a bunch. I was thinking they would hold better for burnouts at the track but the stock ones did fine last night. Just need more practice.
 

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I hope I don’t annoy you with all my stupid questions. What did you do for 3.45 gears?

and when you get bored with drag racing and wanna try road racing let me know. You’re 1st post says you’re a tinkerer so could you build a bracket for a hose to the back of the brakes. Using caliper top and bottom mount. Will find a pic if it sounds like fun. I’m not so handy. Much respect to those who are
 

· Premium Member
2015 Dodge Durango R/T
Joined
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1,075 Posts
I hope I don’t annoy you with all my stupid questions. What did you do for 3.45 gears?

and when you get bored with drag racing and wanna try road racing let me know. You’re 1st post says you’re a tinkerer so could you build a bracket for a hose to the back of the brakes. Using caliper top and bottom mount. Will find a pic if it sounds like fun. I’m not so handy. Much respect to those who are
Not a problem. Here's a thread for the part numbers. Both differentials are direct swaps. Not really any parts needed unless the seals are worn. And then differential fluid to fill them.

If I did get into autocross, it would be a different vehicle. So at the moment not likely In the near future.

You'd have to send a pic of what you mean or looking for. I don't know how to weld yet if it might be needed but always willing to help someone out.
 

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152 Posts
You are best of with a Miata or something. I can’t get into a car with a cage or even low cars give me a problem. I like paddle shifters of Durango. I’ll look for pic but today’s my anniversary so I’ll have to look later thanks for input
 

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Found time here ya go had these on my evo, solved brake cooling issues. My purty red brembos were completely black, my titanium shims were a beautiful rainbow but was still boiling my fluid which had a 660 degree boiling point. The ducts let me run much longer sessions View attachment 125408
 

· Premium Member
2015 Dodge Durango R/T
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Found time here ya go had these on my evo, solved brake cooling issues. My purty red brembos were completely black, my titanium shims were a beautiful rainbow but was still boiling my fluid which had a 660 degree boiling point. The ducts let me run much longer sessions View attachment 125408
The pic isn't showing up.
 

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2015 Dodge Durango R/T
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You can run hoses anywhere. On my evo I had hoses attached to NACA ducts in center grille opening. On Durango I think there’s an opening under fogs
 

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2015 Dodge Durango R/T
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You can run hoses anywhere. On my evo I had hoses attached to NACA ducts in center grille opening. On Durango I think there’s an opening under fogs
I have the older style fascia. Cut out the fog lights to make an intake tube for the track intake. Both sides are cut out now because the RAM intake goes to the passenger side. Using the driver side he for a tube running to a custom air curtain vent in front of the front tire. Have a tube running from the lower grill to the vent for the passenger side air curtain.
 

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Most race cars that were road cars use fog light cutouts but it’s all up to whoever builds car. It’s just fresh air to cool the 1000+ degree temps. Standing in turn 1 at Daytona for the Rolex 24 where the cars go from 190mph down to 45 in like a football field or so is a pretty awesome experience. Pitch black watching the rotors glowing while the ground is shaking all around you is something you won’t forget.
 
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