Whats the difference between 5.7 and 6.1 HEMI?

I am looking at buying a new Challenger, and I am
trying to figure out what the differnce is between the RT and SRT8.
Are the heads different, the intake, the cam, the
bottom end? I am wondering if you could just upgrade
a couple parts on the 5.7 and then have the same performance of 6.1?
I posted this here because it is a performance question. Thanks.

dont quote me on this, but i beleive for 09 the 5.7 is rated at 390 hp and the 6.1 at 425. i personally would not spend the money for an srt, unless you are just worried about the package.

the 6.1 has been around since about 05
and the 5.7 is the new Eagle 5.7 hemi in 09. It has variable cam timing, different heads, and a different intake from previous 5.7 cars and trucks.

There have been quite a few posts here where 5.7 cars have out ran or at least kept up with a 2008 6.1. the 08 6.1 autos did not have the 3.90s that are now offered in the 09 6.1 manual trans cars.

i guess what i am saying is an 08 srt auto car to me is not very impressive, mainly cause of the rear gear ratio.

the 09 5.7 stick cars comes with 3.90 and 390 hp
the 09 6.1 stick cars comes with 3.90 and 425 hp

i will let someone else chime in thats actually got money to drive one

justin

Thanks for the info.
I am looking at the 6 speeds.

see signature below ...

I noticed that and i totally agree!!

I thought that the new 5.7 hemis are rated at 372 HP. There is more to the SRT package than the engine. It will always be more exclusive if that means anything to you.

I saw that also, online 5.7 is rated at 372HP.
But the truck 5.7 is rated at 390HP, that is interesting.
It will be more exclusive, but it is a lot more money.
There are alot of things to take into consideration about these cars.

I believe the 09 5.7 is rated at 390 hp in the Dodge Ram only.The Challenger/Charger is rated at 372 or 375 I believe depending on auto or stick.It would'nt make much sense to have only a 35hp spread for the added markup of an SRT-8.
I believe the intake and camshaft are different as well as the bottom end is stronger on the SRT-8 to handle the extra rpm.

The heads are also different.

Two different engines although some parts interchange.

Heads, intake, cam, springs, forged crank and rods instead of cast are the biggest differences. The block is supposed to be a little stronger but looking at them side by side....I dunno if that's really true.

The thing is, everything mentioned above will swap on to a 5.7. The crank for example literally drops right in. You can make darn near the same power with a 5.7 for alot less money, but it'll never be considered the crown jewel like the 6.1.

The 6.1 is larger CI to begin with and has more potential for bigger displacement via the plethora of stroker kits out there..... But again the 5.7 isn't far behind and is dirt cheap in comparison.

I'm more than likely picking up a 5.7 today to mess with and it'll be the second one I've rebuilt. The first one was bone stock, just needed bearings, but this one is in rougher shape. Mopar has forged .020 over pistons for only 200 bucks right now (see my post in the new product area) so those will likely go in it, and I'm thinking about a 6.1 crank and rod upgrade also. Low buck forged bottom end. I'm thinking about running this one on carbs instead of FI just to be different.

I always am amazed at the price difference between packages.
Roughly $8k from the base model car to the 5.7 Hemi R/T, and another $10k from the Hemi to the SRT8 package.

SE 2-door coupe $21,820

R/T 2-door coupe $29,820

SRT8 2-door coupe $39,820
Price note: SRT8 adds $1751 Gas-Guzzler Tax

One is made in mexican plant with people who can not afford the cars they go in.
And the other is made in a mexican plant with Oh wait, No differance

Block wise, the 5.7 has a solid casting through the main webs were the 6.1 has a 'D' shape opening in the web. For windage??? I don't know. The 6.1 also has neat little oil squirter's to help cool the pistons where the 5.7's don't. Sonic checking both the blocks, the 5.7 can handle more of an over bore than the 6.1. The 6.1 comes with a forged crankshaft which will drop right in a 5.7 and also has 4 bolts that attatch the toner ring to the crank compared to the 5.7's cast crank with only 3 toner ring bolts.

Now this is getting interesting.
It sounds like the 5.7 is the best bang for the buck.
And its not that hard to swap a few things and be right with the 6.1.