The BadWagon

[BadWagon]

So Chino posted up his wagon, and I got all chatty in his thread so I figured I should start my own. My other passion besides RC is drag racing. I caught the bug in 2008 and haven't slowed down since. My racecar isn't really typical, but it's a blast and the butthurt we get to spread makes it all the better. I run a 05 Dodge Magnum R/T nicknamed the BadWagon.

it's current set up is as follows:

6.1 based 392 by Arrington Performance
Custom Thitek heads (dual springs and custom chambers with big valves)
API 607 cam
ARP studs all around
stock rockers
ATI 18% overdrive balancer
3.6L Kenne Bell Supercharger
CTP Oil Fill
LMI 5" CF intake tube
ID1000 injectors
Fore return style fuel system w/ dual Walboro 405s (spec'd by Stage6 Motorsports)
Paramount Performance built NAG1 trans
Paramount Flexplate
Paramount 2800 Dominator Converter
Driveshaft Shop (DSS) 9" conversion
DSS CF driveshaft (single piece)
DSS 1400 HP axles
AGP Coilovers in rear
Lakewood 90/10s in the front
CTP solid rear subframe bushings
148mm Kenne Bell mammoth TB
Afco GT500 heat exchanger

Challenger SRT seats
Custom Magnum SRT fascia
AMG paddle shifters
CF MSRT hood
Hemituner custom TCM
Tuned by Brent Huges at DTP Racing
and a bunch of Billet Technology goodies

There's more to it, but i figured that's probably too long of a list anyway. LOL

Ok so far we've gone 10.21 @ 134 with a 1.54 60'. There is a lot left in the build as it sits. We haven't really turned up the bottom end yet, thus the crappy 60'. We'll see 9s out of it soon, though we need to get a handle on the IATs... it's a Kenne Bell, which means it makes power and heat... and a lot of both.

So far we've only turned it up to 18 lbs, but with the high IATs, we can't really give it a ton of timing yet. I'll reroute the HX/IC system this winter which should cut down the IATs quite a bit. I also have a brake upgrade (brembos) to go on the car as soon as I get them powdercoated. Other new items for the car include solid billet valve covers with a custom breather system (we already have a breather set up on the car, we'll just make this one clean with hard lines.)

The car is a daily driver (mostly, I have a lifted Suburban I drive as well) and I take my kids to school in it, on road trips, etc... its a blast, though a handful on the street. traction is non-existent even with the lower power street tune (650ish at 16lbs).

Ok, so enough chit chat, here's some pics:

Race Trim:

Street Trim

Engine Bay Pic (yes it's a mess with all of the hoses)

Blower and Heads

Mock up and yours truly:

Shortblock

Here's a video of a 10.24 pass:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By3bpBN2o9I

I hope y'all dig it. I love this car... who would've thought a wagon would be so much fun.

 

[chino63]

Very nice! "thumbsup"

 

[BadWagon]

I guess that I should mention that the wagon went from a shell to driving to Florida (from NC), racing and taking 3rd in the modified class of the MSHS.... In a week. We did all the work in my driveway. Major systems: trans, radiator, engine, blower, fuel system and brakes were completed in 2 days.

Here's where we started:




We started Saturday morning, and had the trans, engine, and blower in by that night. Sunday afternoon we fired the car, but still had a long way to go to be ready for the race the next weekend.



We had a major storm that week as I wrapped up the build. It didn't help any, as I worked in the mornings, and wrenched through the afternoons and late into the night (1-3am).




I got it buttoned up Wednesday around 1am in the middle of a snow/ice storm.... Can ya guess what happened when I cracked open my beer?



F.U. pop up tent. LOL

 

[BadWagon]

So Thursday I found a really bad fuel leak due to a crappy fitting, and that the hood didn't clear the blower, so I had to solve both of those issues.

Hood, madmax style:


U haul rented my reserved trailer out from under me, so I decided to drive the car to Florida for the first race. No tuning, just a start up tune. So I did 3rd gear pulls and data logged on the highway on my way south. I'd pull over email the logs to my tuner, he'd send me a revision and I'd hit the road and repeat. Lol.

I made it there without any issues. Race day I beat my buddy in his new hellcat on my shakedown pass, short shifting at 5K. Lol. Funny as hell. No timing in the tune, and fat as hell to keep it safe.

Tensioner smacked the power steering pulley, which we swapped out and I headed home Sunday. It was epic.

 

[BadWagon]

Very nice! "thumbsup"

Thanks chino!

 

[GLHS592]

Why did they get a quit making Magnums? Yours is a bad machine.

 

[BadWagon]

Why did they get a quit making Magnums? Yours is a bad machine.

Thanks bud!

Actually, it was one executive who made the decision to cancel the Magnum. He used the upcoming Challenger and a drop in sales as the reasons. Pretty weak. If they had done any advertising beyond the initial launch, I think sales would have continued to be strong.

It's my favorite vehicle I've ever owned, and I've owned some sweet ones. It's huge in the inside, rides nice, haul ass and anything else I need to carry. I still get compliments almost every time I fill up the tank.

At this point I'm stoked to own a car that didn't have a real long run, as it's gonna end up as a unique ride down the road. I'll never get rid of it. That's for sure.

 

[GLHS592]

My uncle was the accountant at Music City Dodge for 34 years. He had countless demos (one for him and my aunt) over the years. I drove a Magnum they had. It was a really nice driving car. It had tons of room. My uncle didn't like it because the Caravans got better gas mileage as if he was paying for the gas. If only they made a Chrysler 300 version.

 

[BadWagon]

My uncle was the accountant at Music City Dodge for 34 years. He had countless demos (one for him and my aunt) over the years. I drove a Magnum they had. It was a really nice driving car. It had tons of room. My uncle didn't like it because the Caravans got better gas mileage as if he was paying for the gas. If only they made a Chrysler 300 version.

Actually, they did make a Chrysler 300 version. It was sold in Europe as the 300 touring. The Magnum and 300 are on the same platform and the front clips are an easy swap.



I have to say that my favorite is the MSRT front clip on a 300. He's my buddy's 300SRT with a Magnum SRT front clip.



He's since sold that car, but it was a beast.