New RT owner here, coming from a dogwater Ecoboost Mustang. Just get the V8. I know it's the cliche advice in the Challenger community, but the main reason is the noise. I have a 19 (so active exhaust), the way it sounds when flooring it in a tunnel makes your spine shiver. The sound makes it all worth it, the extra power is also nice. 2009 Dodge Challenger Overview. The rear-wheel drive 2009 Dodge Challenger is available with a V6 or two different HEMI V8 engines, depending on the trim. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard on the base SE, while a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic are available on R/T and SRT8 models. The answer is always V8. It’s not worth it to put a SC on a V6, by the time you get the 6 within the same power level as the V8 you’re already $10k in and you could’ve bought a 392 and skipped the 5.7 entirely. Skip the V6 is you want power. The V6 is the poser engine option unless you absolutely need the AWD on the newer cars. He stated that removal of the top of the throttle shaft is like going from an 80mm to an 84mm TB. This is copied right from his site ---> -Half Shaft: Modified Factory Shaft. The top of the shaft is removed providing extremely smooth airflow across the top of the blade and an additional +4mm more airflow at wide open throttle. A year later, with no other changes, I ran a 13.41 @ 103.75 in very good air. I think the CAI was a big factor. I believe it does add a little HP and is noticeable at wide open throttle. In any case, it does greatly improve the engine sound. A Hemi should sound like a Hemi. So, having owned both, I say get a V8. There is nothing wrong with the V6, in fact it puts out close to the same horsepower as some of the 1970 V8's did. But this ain't 1970, if you get a V6, you will have second thoughts about it right away, I did (no slam on the V6 owners, I was one). Of course it never ends. Seeing as the V8 trim levels for the Mustang and Challenger are about 1 second faster than their V6 counterparts, it seems like people are paying $10-15,000 extra for a 20% speed increase. I only think it would be worth it if I saved up for a Hellcat (because it's actually worth it at that price point) or a Lexus RC-F (because it's also The Challenger also has 60/40 split folding rear seats, but the pass-through will be narrower and you'll have to contend with the coupe's 3.1 inches of extra liftover height. 2021 Dodge Charger How much is a 2010 Dodge Challenger worth? The value of a used 2010 Dodge Challenger ranges from $2,732 to $16,731, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options. Get a free appraisal here. To Yes, buy the V8. For the Challenger specifically, you should get the V8 or don't bother, unless you think it's the coolest car on the planet and there's no way you can afford the V8. I haven't driven the Challenger personally, but the V6 is something like 50-60% more horsepower than my car, but it weighs like 40% more. mDYzW.