30/05/2026
2007 Dodge Charger 5.7L HEMI on the hub dyno.
The car came in already making a healthy 344–348 HP and responded well to calibration, finishing at 373 HP.
The dyno graph also exposed issues that a basic flash would never identify.
We noticed transmission slip at the beginning of the run and throughout the pull, with dyno hub RPM no longer correctly matching the expected vehicle RPM under load.
On the dyno, intake temperatures stayed at approximately 25°C, matching the outside temperature.
During the road test, the real problem became obvious:
• Intake temperature reached 87°C at idle
• Intake temperature averaged around 57°C while driving
• Engine coolant temperature reached 106–107°C
• Exhaust gas temperature exceeded 900°C
The open air-box intake is pulling hot engine-bay air instead of fresh outside air. The current exhaust setup is also retaining excessive heat.
Our recommendations:
• Fit a properly enclosed intake box
• Route a cold-air scoop from the front of the vehicle
• Install a lower-temperature thermostat
• Inspect the cooling system
• Fit a freer-flowing exhaust system for off-road or motorsport use
• Investigate the transmission slip before further hard use
Tuning is not just about chasing a peak power figure. Proper dyno testing and live-data analysis expose the issues that affect real-world performance and reliability.