2.7L - OK or total dog?

[high888]

Don't mean to be degrading, but the wife would like a Magnum, but not real expensive. The base SE comes with the 2.7L which I have never driven.
My previous Charger SE had the 3.5L, which was very strong, surprisingly
so. Anybody here own the 2.7L, and is it acceptable? 200 hp doesn't seem
that bad. She would only drive it back and forth to work which is 3 miles
from home. I would slap some 20's on it first thing, and maybe shave the
rear window wiper. So, honest assessments, please.:nervous s

[BLKCHARGER]

Over at www.lxforums.com there are a lot of magnum owners. Since most consumers don't get 2.7l chargers, we may not be of much help.

What I can say is that based on what I have read on that board, the 2.7 benefits greatly from basic bolt-on options like CAI and Exhaust.

[mywhitecharger]

I test drove a 2.7 Magnum prior to getting the 3.5 Charger. I think there is a huge difference, but that's just me.

If your wife is not really a car person chances are she won't really care what size the engine is.

[GoManGo_1269]

I have had a magnum with the 2.7 in it as a loner while my charger was in the shop. (Also, we were looking for a magnum when we purchased the charger.)

The r/t is awesome as you would expect.

The 3.5 is actually a very nice motor for the vehicle and you do not notice a lack of power at all. (unless you just got out of an R/T) It drives very nice and has plenty of power.

The 2.7 blows. The car is just to heavy for it and the horsepower and torque numbers do not do justice to how much of a dog a magnum is with the 2.7. It is so underpowered it is almost scary to drive. (keep in mind, when I drove it I had just dropped off my daytona so that could have something to do with it)

in my opinion, I would not purchase lower than the 3.5 motor in the car. The 3.5 has plenty of power and drives very nice. The 2.7 should have never even been offered in a vehicle this heavy.

Michael

[TNCHARGER]

you might save up front but will probably lose down the line when time to trade. The 2.7 will make the car less desirable.

[06chargerdude]

from all the articles that i have read and heard the 2.7 is a dog in that particular car. get the 3.5.

[36 chambers]

i got 06 magnum with 2.7 for a steal and ended up returning it 5 hours later for my charger huge differene 2.7 is a slug

[HemiBeast]

Get the 3.5! My bro bought the 2.7L Magnum for his wifey. He regrets not getting the 3.5 to this day. They didn't want to fork over the $$$ for the RT and he was debating over the 2.7 versus the 3.5 until the dealer basically gave him the 2.7 He couldn't pass up the deal they gave him to take the 2.7 off the lot.

[Spiffywerks]

I have a bunch of friends that are mechnics at my local Chrysler dealer. They HATE the 2.7L. Basically, they don't even sell it at the dealerships here cause the engine is too underpowered for the size of the car.

5/5 Chrysler/Dodge Mechanics say: If your going for a V6, get the 3.5L.

[high888]

OK, OK. I hate underpowered vehicles. I have owned enough of them already. I was very pleased with the 3.5L. Never had one complaint.
A excellent everyday driving engine.

[Cyclopse]

I own the 2.7 Charger, and have had it for less than a week. I'm out scouring the web for a supercharger now. I've upgraded the intake and exhaust already. So yeah, it's underpowered a bit. I have made it my goal in life though to tweak it as much as possible to get it to rock. Who knows though. . . lol. I may end up trading it in when all is said and done.

Speaking of which. . . does anybody here know where I can get a supercharger for the 2.7?

[1LAPSRT]

Speaking of which. . . does anybody here know where I can get a supercharger for the 2.7?

If you go to www.unobtainium.com or www.noonemakesthispart.com you should be able to get a pretty good deal on what you are looking for.

[06chargerdude]

I own the 2.7 Charger,

Speaking of which. . . does anybody here know where I can get a supercharger for the 2.7?

save yourself the time and headache and just save money and trade it in for a hemi, you will never get your money back building the 2.7 up. and plus whats the point? you might still not be able to keep up with a hemi after you s/c it. just my opinion man, not flaming. i do admire the thought of it though.

[cjsCharger]

Back to the original point...

I have a 3.5L in my Charger, and I have driven several 2.7L rentals on business trips. I can say that I can't stand the 2.7L, and honestly it gives Chargers a bad name. If I had driven it first, I would have never bought a Charger, because I would've thought they were weak.

On the other hand, I have had coworkers comment that the 2.7L has plenty of power, but most of them are getting in it from their minivan or other family hauler.

Another thing to consider is that the 3.5L usually gets better mileage because it doesn't have to work as hard to get this beast moving.

My opinion, spend the few extra bucks and get the 3.5L.

[eyevancsu]

If its anything like the 2.7l intrepid its not really worth getting if your a car guy. Ive driven my dad's intrepid and good god is it a pig. Ive floored it to get around some cars and you can hear the engire roar but the car doesnt pick up at all.

He does get good mileage though!

[chef]

The 2.7 drives just fine. The 3.9 rear end and 4 speed auto make up the difference from the 3.5 so anyone that says anything different is just full of it. You can not tell a difference plus you will be getting better gas mileage with the 2.7.

[cjsCharger]

The 2.7 drives just fine. The 3.9 rear end and 4 speed auto make up the difference from the 3.5 so anyone that says anything different is just full of it. You can not tell a difference plus you will be getting better gas mileage with the 2.7.

You've obviously never driven a 3.5L if you think that a different rear end and a crappier tranny will make up for 70 hp. The 2.7L is 180hp stock, the 3.5L is 250hp. The 3.5 has a 5 speed Autostick, the 2.7L has a plain 4 speed auto. I think that's enough said to disprove your theory that they are pretty much equal.

Depending on your driving habits and how heavy your foot is, the 2.7L could get a little better mileage. But from personal experience, if you like to drive a little fast, the 3.5L will get better mileage because it doesn't have to work as hard. This is from experience driving rental 2.7Ls and my personal 3.5L, this is NOT just my opinion, it is based on fact.

[GoManGo_1269]

The 2.7 drives just fine. The 3.9 rear end and 4 speed auto make up the difference from the 3.5 so anyone that says anything different is just full of it. You can not tell a difference plus you will be getting better gas mileage with the 2.7.

If you honestly think the average driver (not even an enthusiast) can't tell the difference between 180 hp through a 4 speed transmission and 250hp through a 5 speed transmission, when driving a car close to 2 tons, I would have to consider you delusional.

Michael

[juanvaldz]

I drove a 2.7L with 15k miles on it for an over night test drive ( was looking for a used car)
But ended up taking home a new 3.5L.
I was actually pretty impressed with the 2.7L when I compaired it to my 3.5L 1997 Intrepid with 150K miles on it.

I just couldnt see buying used whne I saw how close they were pricing it compaired to my SXT, I'm guessing that was the idea of giving me the 2.7 for the night.

Bill

[unsolvedriddle]

just took back the 2.7 300 that they gave me why my car was geting some work
2.7 is soooo slowwwww ..do not get a 2.7 whatever you do!

[charginemup5000]

If its anything like the 2.7l intrepid its not really worth getting if your a car guy. Ive driven my dad's intrepid and good god is it a pig. Ive floored it to get around some cars and you can hear the engire roar but the car doesnt pick up at all.

He does get good mileage though!

The 2.7L intrepid was horrible!!:dead: I had a 98' Intrepid before my Charger, and the difference is like night and day.

[wattsg]

If you all take a deep breath and review all of your responses, with the exception of perhaps one; you all are placing yourselves in the exact same position as some (not all) of the Hemi owners that consistantly bash the V-6 (no matter 2.7 or 3.5). We are constantly replying to the 5.7 owners that it is our choice to own a 3.5 and if we want to mod it, that's our business. Let's not offend any of our fellow Charger owners with the disrespectful comments concerning their cars. Take this analogy: If you wanted to add an additional room onto your home, how would you feel if someone told you that your house was inadequate, small, and just plain inferior, and that you should have just purchased a larger one in the first place? It's the exact same situation that is happening here. If you own a Charger, no matter what engine it has in it, you still have the best looking car on the road!

[GoManGo_1269]

Take this analogy: If you wanted to add an additional room onto your home, how would you feel if someone told you that your house was inadequate, small, and just plain inferior, and that you should have just purchased a larger one in the first place?

It would suck especially if you had asked peoples opinions prior to purchasing and they all said go for it, only to change their minds once you put your money down.

wouldn't it be nice if you asked peoples opinions prior to purchasing and they actually gave them to you so you could make an informed decision?

Michael

[unsolvedriddle]

It would suck especially if you had asked peoples opinions prior to purchasing and they all said go for it, only to change their minds once you put your money down.

wouldn't it be nice if you asked peoples opinions prior to purchasing and they actually gave them to you so you could make an informed decision?

Michael

True that if i would have came here before i got my car i would have done alot diffrent....

[triplefive]

I bought a 2.7 inadvertently, when I realised I traded it in and bought a Daytona R/T.

However, while I had the 2.7, I still found it a nice drive, and my girlfriend drove it and thought it was fast so there ya go!

[Dutch]

I had a rental 300 with the 2.7L and found it quite satisfactory. It felt plenty quick around town because of the 3.90 rear end, but on the highway I had to downshift out of overdrive on all but the most gentle grades. I would own one.

With the Magnum's extra weight, though, it might not be so good.

[superdart]

Ummm.....The 2.7L is 200hp, not 180hp.

It is "sufficient". I'd say the 2.7L Charger is no slower than my '92 Olds Cutlass coupe with a 3.1L (160hp). For a "non car" person, it's plenty powerful enough.

The thing to keep in mind is that not everyone cares about power. If I were to buy a Charger it would be a 3.5L..just a nice compromise between power and mileage. I couldn't justify wasting the extra money on an R/T. The "value" aspect to me is pointless, because if you are going to keep it for the long haul, it's not going to be worth much anyway.

Have you seen what a 1500 Hemi Ram is worth these days? Squat...because there are a ton of them out there.

[cjsCharger]

Ummm.....The 2.7L is 200hp, not 180hp.


I was pretty sure it was 180hp, so I did a more thorough search, and turns out I have to split the difference with you. The 2.7L actually has 190hp and 190tq att the crank.

https://www.fleet.daimlerchrysler.ca/FleetCanada/CA/04/EN/FLEET/1,,CA-04-EN-FLEET-VEHICLES-DODGE-CHARGER,.html

Sorry for the false info earlier.

[streethawk]

Before I had the Charger, I owned a 2001 Intrepid with the 2.7. Honestly the engine did have some power but once you turned on the A/C, the engine was a total dog. Compared to the 5.7 the 2.7 is a dog, but if you aren't looking for tons of power, it should be ok.

[jasonface]

One word...WOOF! Every driving test I've seen says it's way too underpowered for this car. Get the 3.5 at least

[Cyclopse]

It's not that bad. . . especially since I put the K&M intake on it. It sounds much better now, and I beat up a Mercedes yesterday. I'm actually looking at a couple more mods. Unfortunately, there really isn't a supercharger out there for it, and to one-off one, it'll cost more than getting a new tranni, and the Hemi engine. . . so, I'm looking at a ram-hood induction system, and for the hell of it, I'm throwing in a turbinator. I figure with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee, what do I have to lose? The 2.7 does kick some ass on fuel economy though. . . I will say that. I want to go through a couple more tanks of gas before I average it out. . . make it really reliable, but I'll post the stats when I have them.

[MotorCity Muscle]

I owned an Intrepid R/T with the 3.5 HO and I can truly say it was a great engine. No problems at 90k miles when I turned it in. And, a truly great car. Even tho it was FWD it rocked!!
The Charger body is heavier than the Intrepid (which it is replacing) so a 3.5 should be a logical choice as opposed to the 2.7. I know i might be biased a bit towards the high horsey range, but that's just me. Yeah, i've gone a bit overboard.

[TripleTransAm]

wouldn't it be nice if you asked peoples opinions prior to purchasing and they actually gave them to you so you could make an informed decision?


Wouldn't it be even BETTER if the potential buyer actually tries the car out for himself before trusting others' opinions? That's what I would do, given that I don't tend to go out and buy what other people tell me to. Now, asking for reliability opinions is slightly different, but even that's going to bring mostly biases opinions, since this IS a Charger-focused forum. So I think the best approach would be to try the car out and see for yourself whether it does what you need it to do, or whether you actually DO need to move up.

Otherwise, get the SRT-8 and then you won't have to worry anymore about it. :)


Lots of people (including myself) would say my '78 T/A is slow. But yet somehow I thoroughly enjoy driving that thing (it's not all about speed with a Trans Am) and wouldn't give it up.

[wattsg]

Wouldn't it be even BETTER if the potential buyer actually tries the car out for himself before trusting others' opinions? That's what I would do, given that I don't tend to go out and buy what other people tell me to. Now, asking for reliability opinions is slightly different, but even that's going to bring mostly biases opinions, since this IS a Charger-focused forum. So I think the best approach would be to try the car out and see for yourself whether it does what you need it to do, or whether you actually DO need to move up.

Otherwise, get the SRT-8 and then you won't have to worry anymore about it. :)


Lots of people (including myself) would say my '78 T/A is slow. But yet somehow I thoroughly enjoy driving that thing (it's not all about speed with a Trans Am) and wouldn't give it up.

Very well said!

G

[jbp-ohio]

What does everyone think they are too underpowered to do???

My 2.7 Magnum can easily hit 70mph on an uphill freeway entrance ramp, cruise @ 72mph @ 2100rpm, and the passing gear/ rear ratio is low enough to pass in a reasonable time.

More power is more fun, but not NEEDED for effective transportation.......

[cjsCharger]

That's true, but most of the people on this board will agree that they also want to have fun driving their Charger!! While the 2.7L is very capable as transportation, it just doesn't have the kick to make itfun to drive like the larger engines do.