Nice collection Gary! I'm curious on your thoughts of how the E Bodies handle compared to the modern counter parts? My buddy is trying to talk me into a retro but I'm holding tight on the Classic!
Thanks. I like both in different ways. I'll keep the classic basically the same as it was, perhaps with some certain improvements, and the modern basically the same as it is. Others may merge those for a modernized classic, but that's not for me. I enjoy each as they are.
Comparing the handling of the old Challengers to the new Challengers is not a precise "this or that is better". The two new Challengers are essentially the same compared to each other with the same body, chassis, and engine, with the differences being automatic versus manual transmissions and the complementing rear axle ratios. The two old Challengers, both T/As, are similar in body, chassis, and transmissions, but differing in engines, and slightly differing rear axle ratios. I've only had the green one since 2021 although I was involved in its build in the late 80s. It actually needs more work to get it where it should be for its best handling. The orange one has only recently been put back on the road after about 20 years and it's a different car than it once was with its current 440. Plus it has little driving so far to compare its current handling just yet.
For the comparison, I'll compare the new to the orange Challenger as it was with the original 340 and when I drove it daily, and pushed it to extremes at times. I have not pushed the new Challengers to similar extremes.
The new Challengers handle well, are quite stable, and mostly controllable, although they can get squirrely with loss of rear tire traction. Side loading of the tires seems to hold well, especially the black T/A with its Continental tires. The bulk and weight of the new Challengers is noticeable, especially diving into a curve, but the factory Bilsteins and sway bars maintain control. The Scat Pack has 4-piston Brembo brakes which are excellent. The black T/A has 6-piston Brembo brakes which are beyond excellent.
The orange T/A, stock back then with a few improvements, handled very well, particularly compared to other muscle Mopars and similar cars of the day. The fast ratio steering made snapping through S-curves a breeze, albeit a bit light to the touch like any Chrysler power steering then. Diving into a curve with it was very controllable, and the car cornered flat and true up to the limit of tire adhesion. Rear tire traction loss could make it squirrelly as well, but it was controlled a little more readily, possible due to the less weight and bulk leading to a quicker return. This car forced me to wear seat belts, which I had rarely done prior. The first time I dove at speed into a sharp left turn, I found myself sitting on the console. The T/A brakes, power disc and 11" drum, actually worked very well, and pulled the car down from speed with good balance better than anything else I saw back then. My T/A embarrassed many so-called sports or handling cars in navigating curvy roads.
Comparing the old to the new is partially "apples to apples", but also "apples to oranges". The 392 in the new cars readily outpowers the 340, although the current 440 with 4.10 gear can give them a run on takeoff. The greater multiple speeds and spread of the new transmissions give a big edge over the superb, yet limited, three speed 727s of the old Challengers. The lighter weight and less bulk of the old Challenger does seem to make it more nimble, and comparable to pushing the side forces in curves. Although I have not pushed the new Challengers to the same extremes, it feels like the old is at least as good, possibly a little better, in hard turns and switchback. Steering feel is better in the new Challengers. The 1970 T/A brake system and 70s/80s radial tires do very well, but the 6-piston Brembos and Continentals do better, even with an extra ~1000 pounds bearing on them. The 4-piston Brembos falls in between, but not so far better than the old on the lighter car.
In sum, overall, the new Challengers can be considered to generally handle better, but the old Challenger still holds up well, and can be more fun exercising its handling capabilities. If the orange one had its 340 back, maybe some further tweaks or with some more hard core suspension improvements and with decent tires, its handling could then close the gap. The personalities, feel, and approach of the new versus old makes that handling gap to be a somewhat unclear and variable difference.
to FEBO from New Jersey
