Help with 2006 5.7 Hemi for disabled son's drag car

Greetings! I'm a lot of a newbie when it comes to tuning. I'm looking for some pointers. It's a long story that I'll try to make short.

My son (21) uses a power wheelchair due to his disabilities. He is a car guy who loves everything automotive. When he turned 16 - he wasn't able to get a driver's license due to his limitations with strength and reaction speed. It just about crushed him.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity, he went out and bought a 2006 Dodge Charger 5.7. He takes it to the local dragstrip and has volunteer drivers take his car down the track. He rides shotgun, and is responsible for both driver strategy and car modifications. We have a blast - but we are not going very fast yet. The car has an exhaust (not sure which one) and a cold air intake. Otherwise it's stock. Our fastest pass was 14.8 seconds. (I'm blaming his old all season tires. He is saving his disability pension for some fresh rubber this year.)

One of the "make a wish" organizations made him a "Get Doug Racing" package last year. Among some other stuff, it contained of a folding power wheelchair that he can put in the trunk of his Charger and a MPVI3.

And here's my question finally. We want to start seeing if we can get a bit more speed. He's just started tire shopping for some grip - but we're pretty sure there's more power under the hood. I doubt it's been tuned for the intake/exhaust combo.

He's probably going to be looking for a tune. We're nowhere near capable of doing it ourselves, but maybe an e-tune is in the future.

The track opens again (weather dependent) next weekend. I'd love to log some runs and see if anyone can let us know where we should start looking. I've tried logging using a laptop with VCM Scanner on some previous runs but didn't seem to get anything useful. I'm a software developer - so I'm pretty computer happy - but I don't necessarily understand which sensors I should be logging and how to select them.

Maybe with a few runs logged someone can help me see if there are seconds hiding in the tune, or if he should be focusing his (limited) funds on other go fast goodies.

Attachment 144827)

A 180 thermostat and a proper tune. A stock SRT8 intake is also probably better for the track, as most aftermarket intakes have High IAT's from pulling underhood air.

People on here will ask that you post a read of your stock engine/trans tune file; I'm sure others will chime in also.

Touching story.

Aside from that, there isn't a whole bunch of HP to be picked up tuning an otherwise stock normally aspirated engine. But by reviewing data logs and time slips you should be able to pick up some ET and a little bit of MPH. Traction is key so first and foremost should be good drag radial tires and then need to pay a lot of attention to how the cars leaves. That's both driver technique and vehicle suspension.

This channel config should be most of what you need for a decent track data log. Need to post data logs along with time slips. And the current tune file.

Oh yeah, vehicle needs to be in best mechanical condition possible. Fresh plugs, oil, good fuel, clean filters, etc.

Chipping away at drag racing is as much about experience and driver technique as it is about tuning.

Attachment 144843

Resurecting this post. After I posted that message last year life got a bit busy, and we didn't get a chance to do anything with the tuning software. We got out to the track a few times though. Ran tyically between 15.3 and 15.7 depending on who was driving.

After weighing the pros and cons of some drag radials, he stuck with the wheels he has - and bought Indy 500 rear tires in 275/40/R20. It feels like we dropped about 1/3 of a second. (I wasn't consistent enough in my driving to be sure).

To start this season off, on our first night, I ran 6 runs - all of them within 0.05 of each other. Last night (Friday) we ran 4 runs - the best being a 15.10.

Here is a link to our timeslips from this year: https://app.rmsweb.net/mission/history (put car number 805C in the search bar for our history)

Here is a copy of the log from that the last run on Friday May 9 2025. I don't know how to trim and edit - so it's logging from pit to pit.

LOG FILE OF 9PM RUN on Friday May 9, 2025

YouTube video of the run from the track livestream

Car is a stock 2006 Charger RT with:
- CAI (K&N)?
- Exhaust (cat back, I think)

Thanks for any tips!

Here are a few tips,

1. Use the Channel list posted above as you didn't record enough data for us to see whats going on.
2. Stop letting it idle in the staging lanes your IAT Temps were 140F before you even left the line. This will cause the computer to pull timing and Make less power.
3. post your tune file so we can see if any improvements can be made

Quote:

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Originally Posted by N2speed

Here are a few tips,

1. Use the Channel list posted above as you didn't record enough data for us to see whats going on.
2. Stop letting it idle in the staging lanes your IAT Temps were 140F before you even left the line. This will cause the computer to pull timing and Make less power.
3. post your tune file so we can see if any improvements can be made

---

1 - Thanks for pointing out the channels to log post. I completely missed what that meant. Got it loaded for next time. Next scheduled race day is May 23 - but maybe we can find a freeway onramp before then to log a few pulls with the new channel list.
2 - Good to know. Thanks.
3 - He is running a factory stock tune.

Thanks again!

With mild tune changes it should easily be in the 14's. Is it running 93 octane? Has the air filter been cleaned recently?


I tuned a friends 2005 5.7 300c down into the high 12's with an intake and exhaust - with weight reduction and a drag radial though.
A mild version of this tune so it is ultra safe would do well in this charger I think. If you post the current stock engine/trans tune file, I or someone else on here can take a look and make some tweaks.

Sorry for the radio silence. Doug got himself locked out of his car and we needed to figure out how to reset the alarm module before we could open the door and start the car. Hasn't been on the road yet, but here's the downloaded hpt file.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AmJIj7Zb8tCfjsh2...CQIeg?e=gdcI9H

I still have to fight with HP Tuner support as I can't register the serial number of his MPVI3. It says in use by another account. I've raised a ticket for that. Hopefully this is the file you were looking for?

Next track time is Friday night May 23 2025. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jefo

With mild tune changes it should easily be in the 14's. Is it running 93 octane? Has the air filter been cleaned recently?


I tuned a friends 2005 5.7 300c down into the high 12's with an intake and exhaust - with weight reduction and a drag radial though.
A mild version of this tune so it is ultra safe would do well in this charger I think. If you post the current stock engine/trans tune file, I or someone else on here can take a look and make some tweaks.

---

Sorry for the radio silence. Doug got himself locked out of his car and we needed to figure out how to reset the alarm module before we could open the door and start the car. Hasn't been on the road yet, but here's the downloaded hpt file.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AmJIj7Zb8tCfjsh2...CQIeg?e=gdcI9H

I still have to fight with HP Tuner support as I can't register the serial number of his MPVI3. It says in use by another account. I've raised a ticket for that. Hopefully this is the file you were looking for?

Next track time is Friday night May 23 2025. :)

I put together a very conservative Engine and Transmission tune (Both will need to be flashed to the car) that should be a decent starting point and liven up the car a bit at the track. As others said datalogging is important, and "Total Knock Retard" is a key parameter.

To confirm, it's running on premium fuel right?

Edit: Changed the tune a bit, should pick up a little more than the previous version while still being very safe. Edit: See Latest

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jefo

I put together a very conservative tune that should be a decent starting point and liven up the car a bit at the track. As others said datalogging is important, and "Total Knock Retard" is a key parameter.

To confirm, it's running on premium fuel right?

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Thanks. (Vancouver, Canada gets 3 grades is gas. 87, 89, 91). We run premium 91. (93 and 94 are available but need specific stations visited. If it makes a difference we can try that.).

(Still waiting on a HPTumers tech support ticket to link our credits and serial number so we can flash.....)

In that case I wouldn't bother upping to 93+ octane even with a tune taking advantage of it, it won't gain too much. The tune I posted is mild and should be fine on 91 octane.

Also, looking at the timeslips it launches well with a 2.1 60ft, but its missing some mph from where it should be. I'd check to see if the air filter is dirty - this could be the cause and an easy fix with cleaning.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jefo

In that case I wouldn't bother upping to 93+ octane even with a tune taking advantage of it, it won't gain too much. The tune I posted is mild and should be fine on 91 octane.

Also, looking at the timeslips it launches well with a 2.1 60ft, but its missing some mph from where it should be. I'd check to see if the air filter is dirty - this could be the cause and an easy fix with cleaning.

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HP Tuners sorted me out and I wrote the tune to the car half an hour ago. Took it for a run around the block a couple times. Definitely noticing more aggressive shift points. I looked the the compare log in VCM Editor - and I see where you adjusted things.

Besides watching for knock (my test laps around the block had none) anything else in particular that will be different?

Leaving for Mission Raceway Park within the hour - curious to see where we end up. I'll post results - but not likely until after the weekend.

Sweet!

Knock (KR), RPM, MPH, MAP (kpa), Total Spark (deg), Accel Pedal %, TPS %, IAT (f), and input shaft (rpm) are good ones to log. But of course knock is the main one, the others just would allow pinpointing the knock if there happens to be any.

In terms of noticeable change it should shift harder at a higher rpm, launch a bit harder, and have a little more power overall.

I attached an updated engine/trans tune that you can try, if of course there was no knock in the datalog with the previous one. This should pick up a bit more time, but again is conservative.

Edit: See Latest

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jefo

I attached an updated engine/trans tune that you can try, if of course there was no knock in the datalog with the previous one. This should pick up a bit more time, but again is conservative.

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We ran a PB 14.88 on one of our runs - in spite of a very dirty air filter (he's cleaning it tonight). (how come I can't attach files?)
Link to log from that run. - https://1drv.ms/u/s!AmJIj7Zb8tCfjslY...fcwyQ?e=pvUtRS

If we have time on Friday I'll put the v3 tune on.

We will have a freshly cleaned air filter - and hopefully at 180 degree thermostat installed then.

Fingers crossed!

Cool! So it picked up just over 2 tenths. Depending on how dirty the air filter was, with it cleaned it could net you a mid 14s pass!

For the 180 thermo, be sure to bleed the cooling system well and get all the air out of the system. And when you get the 180 thermostat installed, I attached the V3 tune with revised fan settings to take advantage of it.

Also, to attach files click "go advanced" next to "post Quick Reply"

Edit: See Latest

remove the air filter for the track

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jefo

Cool! So it picked up just over 2 tenths. Depending on how dirty the air filter was, with it cleaned it could net you a mid 14s pass!

For the 180 thermo, be sure to bleed the cooling system well and get all the air out of the system. And when you get the 180 thermostat installed, I attached the V3 tune with revised fan settings to take advantage of it.

Also, to attach files click "go advanced" next to "post Quick Reply"

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Looks like the themostat is delayed in delivery. Won't have it in time for tomorrow's pass. Does the v3 tune with updated fan settings still ok to run?

put the settings back to stock or the fan will be running continuously (and the tstat will be closed simultaneously)

and remove the air filter

Without the 180 thermostat, run the normal V3 Tune in post #15. Everything is the same except for fans settings - and the fans would constantly.

For the air filter, as long as its clean it shouldn't be much of a restriction and no worry of sucking something into the engine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LilSick

put the settings back to stock or the fan will be running continuously (and the tstat will be closed simultaneously)

and remove the air filter

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The track we are at is right beside a river. Lots of mosquitos in some seasons. :)

mosquitos are protein

might pick up : )

Checked your times on the site; Looks like it got even better! Dropped 5 tenths and gained 2mph vs the stock tune, comparing runs with similar DA.

I'll want to check the latest logs, as the mph is still low - there's something holding it back. Great 60ft though!


Comparing before/after:
Attachment 161216

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Edit: I checked the logs from a couple of weeks ago, and everything looks good, but I see the high IAT readings. Ideally, you'd have a closed airbox like a stock 6.1 SRT8 intake so the IAT is in check.

I did notice though, the IAT readings drop really slowly through the run. So I'd recommend cleaning the intake temp sensor in the intake tube with Mass air flow cleaning spray, if it has gunk on it the readings can be slow. I remember when I cleaned mine I couldn't even see the blue part of the sensor.

Attachment 161226

Also, when you install the 180 thermostat and upload the logs from yesterday for review, I'll tweak the tune and make a V4 final version.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cpenner

Greetings! I'm a lot of a newbie when it comes to tuning. I'm looking for some pointers. It's a long story that I'll try to make short.

My son (21) uses a power wheelchair due to his disabilities. He is a car guy who loves everything automotive. When he turned 16 - he wasn't able to get a driver's license due to his limitations with strength and reaction speed. It just about crushed him.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity, he went out and bought a 2006 Dodge Charger 5.7. He takes it to the local dragstrip and has volunteer drivers take his car down the track. He rides shotgun, and is responsible for both driver strategy and car modifications. We have a blast - but we are not going very fast yet. The car has an exhaust (not sure which one) and a cold air intake. Otherwise it's stock. Our fastest pass was 14.8 seconds. (I'm blaming his old all season tires. He is saving his disability pension for some fresh rubber this year.)

One of the "make a wish" organizations made him a "Get Doug Racing" package last year. Among some other stuff, it contained of a folding power wheelchair that he can put in the trunk of his Charger and a MPVI3.

And here's my question finally. We want to start seeing if we can get a bit more speed. He's just started tire shopping for some grip - but we're pretty sure there's more power under the hood. I doubt it's been tuned for the intake/exhaust combo.

He's probably going to be looking for a tune. We're nowhere near capable of doing it ourselves, but maybe an e-tune is in the future.

The track opens again (weather dependent) next weekend. I'd love to log some runs and see if anyone can let us know where we should start looking. I've tried logging using a laptop with VCM Scanner on some previous runs but didn't seem to get anything useful. I'm a software developer - so I'm pretty computer happy - but I don't necessarily understand which sensors I should be logging and how to select them.

Maybe with a few runs logged someone can help me see if there are seconds hiding in the tune, or if he should be focusing his (limited) funds on other go fast goodies.

Attachment 144827)

---

Make a Wish , those guy(and Gals) are great to work with, The company I use to run did a lot of work with them over the years, helped set up a trip to the Monaco Race this year , got her in to Leclerc's pit for this year's GP race.

I looked at the two logs posted, Need more Data, (and Jefo's tune is a good solid tune).

Look into logging Accelerator Voltage and Throttle Voltage, it's more of a "lets see what it's doing during "stage and where spark is when it goes in to WOT tables,
In Air flow , Look at logging P-ratio and also Total VE ,
lets get Cylinder # 1 & # Pulse width and Fuel mass, that'll let us look at the Injector duty Cycle.
Also Fuel Command , log PE enrichment(FA adder)
Manifold Vacuum, Knock sensor # 1 ,
MRP is a real nice track, been there a few times, Elevation is under 50ft nice track,
2nd Log , you didn't record Baro (Under specific parameters in Environment).

Attached is the V4 Engine and Trans Tune to use when you have the 180 thermostat installed in the car. It should make more power overall down the track and shift quicker using SRT shift logic. Just keep an eye out for KR in the datalogs.

I saw in the V2 logs it was hitting cat protection starting at 85mph, which adds fuel and pulls timing - So I upped the ecu calculated value limit from 1715F to 1749F (To the same as a hellcat), and it should get you a little further before engaging.

Hopefully this tune gets you around a 14.5! And of course the tips mentioned in my above post will only make it better.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jefo

Checked your times on the site; Looks like it got even better! Dropped 5 tenths and gained 2mph vs the stock tune, comparing runs with similar DA.

I'll want to check the latest logs, as the mph is still low - there's something holding it back. Great 60ft though!


Comparing before/after:
Attachment 161216

---------
Edit: I checked the logs from a couple of weeks ago, and everything looks good, but I see the high IAT readings. Ideally, you'd have a closed airbox like a stock 6.1 SRT8 intake so the IAT is in check.

I did notice though, the IAT readings drop really slowly through the run. So I'd recommend cleaning the intake temp sensor in the intake tube with Mass air flow cleaning spray, if it has gunk on it the readings can be slow. I remember when I cleaned mine I couldn't even see the blue part of the sensor.

Attachment 161226

Also, when you install the 180 thermostat and upload the logs from yesterday for review, I'll tweak the tune and make a V4 final version.

---

Yeah - we pulled a PB of 14.79. Thanks for your help in getting this far already!

Here are the logs of our two fastest runs from that night.

I can't find a photo of his intake other than the "before" one I took to guilt him into cleaning it.
Attachment 161414

I'm trying to find a photo of his engine bay so you can see how it's set up. Car is offsite today, and son is out making an Ikea run to get some lighting for his model car display...

As far as cleaning the sensor - what tools / link to video do we need?

We aren't running at the track this week, so his hands that wrench assistent will be doing the theromstat next week. He can clean the sensor then too....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jefo

Attached is the V4 Engine and Trans Tune to use when you have the 180 thermostat installed in the car. It should make more power overall down the track and shift quicker using SRT shift logic. Just keep an eye out for KR in the datalogs.

I saw in the V2 logs it was hitting cat protection starting at 85mph, which adds fuel and pulls timing - So I upped the ecu calculated value limit from 1715F to 1749F (To the same as a hellcat), and it should get you a little further before engaging.

Hopefully this tune gets you around a 14.5! And of course the tips mentioned in my above post will only make it better.

---

Thanks for that. We aren't running this week - but the plan is that for next week we'll
- clean the MAF sensor
- install 180 degree thermostat
- flash v4

Doug is really enjoying making forward progress. Thanks to all you guys who have tossed ideas our way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PurpleRam

Make a Wish , those guy(and Gals) are great to work with, The company I use to run did a lot of work with them over the years, helped set up a trip to the Monaco Race this year , got her in to Leclerc's pit for this year's GP race.

I looked at the two logs posted, Need more Data, (and Jefo's tune is a good solid tune).

Look into logging Accelerator Voltage and Throttle Voltage, it's more of a "lets see what it's doing during "stage and where spark is when it goes in to WOT tables,
In Air flow , Look at logging P-ratio and also Total VE ,
lets get Cylinder # 1 & # Pulse width and Fuel mass, that'll let us look at the Injector duty Cycle.
Also Fuel Command , log PE enrichment(FA adder)
Manifold Vacuum, Knock sensor # 1 ,
MRP is a real nice track, been there a few times, Elevation is under 50ft nice track,
2nd Log , you didn't record Baro (Under specific parameters in Environment).

---

Doug's first choice for his wish was to have a guided tour of Leno's garage. Unfortunately travel restrictions were in place so we needed to pivot to something local. So he got the folding power chair, MPVI3, GoPro, a signed hotwheels/pictures by Leno, and a video message from Jay. Pretty cool.

As far as logging more things, I'm happy to. Is there a config file I can use to load it? In post #3 in the thread I was given a link to DODGE2015Channels.xml. Is there a similar file you can send me that I can add in the parameters you want to see added to our next logs?

From the logs I was able to see I set the converter lockup too late in 2nd gear (past peak power) so I revised the V4 tune and saved it above.

Also, I see the fuel level is almost full. Target to arrive 3/8 tank or so when at the dragstrip if you can to lose some weight. And it there's any miscellaneous unneeded loose weight leave it at home as well.


For the IAT sensor, depending on the intake you have it should be here:
Attachment 161461

With oiled filter intakes, it can accumulate gunk on the blue portion of the sensor. If you check it and it's clean, this is a non issue. MAF sensor cleaner (CRC makes some) is good because it's not harsh and you don't need to touch the sensor, just remove it and spray clean the blue portion of the sensor.

Also, you want to make sure the IAT orientation angle with respect to the tube intake is correct, so the black housing on the sensor isn't shielding the actual blue sensor from airflow. From the perspective below, the airflow should be going directly into the photo.

Attachment 161462