[CrazyDood]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a real OEM SRT8 hood for my 2009 R/T Charger and I wanted to get some tips from anyone who's done an upgrade like this with an OEM hood. Since the 2011 are totally different, I'm sure it won't be too long before SRT8 OEM hoods are hard to get for my model. I'm sure there's a thread here about it, but searching several different terms didn't come up with anything useful. :\

1. I've heard conflicting stories that the OEM won't fit without removing the engine shroud, but that if you remove the internal intake pieces attached to the hood. I doubt I'll be using the hood for a true intake.

2. I've heard the OEM hood (being aluminum) is too light for the gas hood struts, is that true?

3. Any tips on who to get to paint the hood? My car is the Brilliant Black. I was thinking a dealer's body shop my be best? I want it to match perfectly. I heard Maaco is awful. Is that true? What about painting cost? What's fair? I don't want to get totally ripped off.

4. There is also concern about the actual install of the hood. I'm guessing the body shop would install it as well?

Of course any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

I've babied my Charger since I got it and it gets parked in the garage. I work from home, so it's really my pleasure driver. So I think the paint should be about perfect still and match with a new painted hood.

Thanks!

 

[Charger RT 2010]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a real OEM SRT8 hood for my 2009 R/T Charger and I wanted to get some tips from anyone who's done an upgrade like this with an OEM hood. Since the 2011 are totally different, I'm sure it won't be too long before SRT8 OEM hoods are hard to get for my model. I'm sure there's a thread here about it, but searching several different terms didn't come up with anything useful. :\

1. I've heard conflicting stories that the OEM won't fit without removing the engine shroud, but that if you remove the internal intake pieces attached to the hood. I doubt I'll be using the hood for a true intake.

2. I've heard the OEM hood (being aluminum) is too light for the gas hood struts, is that true?

3. Any tips on who to get to paint the hood? My car is the Brilliant Black. I was thinking a dealer's body shop my be best? I want it to match perfectly. I heard Maaco is awful. Is that true? What about painting cost? What's fair? I don't want to get totally ripped off.

4. There is also concern about the actual install of the hood. I'm guessing the body shop would install it as well?

I've babied my Charger since I got it and it gets parked in the garage. I work from home, so it's really my pleasure driver. So I think the paint should be about perfect still and match with a new painted hood.

Thanks!

I just did this to my 2010. I did a how to write-up to show others who may be interested. See the link for the how too.
Link : http://www.chargerforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138680

Yes the OEM SRT hood fits perfect on a non SRT model, you do not have to remove the engine cover if you do not use the inlet duct that goes under the hood. If you do install the duct then yes the engine cover has to be removed. The weight of the SRT hood is the same or very close to the weight of the stock R/T hood. I have OEM gas struts on mine and there is no difference.
Paint matching was the hardest part. The paint code for the BB Crystal Pearl is PXR but depending on how it is mixed it can turn out different (Anywhere from metallic silver look to medium to light pearl density). I had just the hood painted at a local body shop without having them touch the fenders or facia and it is a very close match. See my write-up on the installation and it should help answer any questions.

Couple of pictures after the installation with the new hood;

Good luck

 

[Jonny]

I would think the SRT8 hood would be a bit heavier than an R/T hood... more structure to it.

I have struts, no problem with it. The R/T hoods are also aluminum..... and the SXT... and the SE. AFAIK.

 

[CrazyDood]

I just did this to my 2010. I did a how to write-up to show others who may be interested. See the link for the how too.
Link : http://www.chargerforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138680

Thanks so much, that's an excellent link! And your tips help a lot. I'm gonna buy this thing.

So these parts didn't come with the hood?

1 - Duct: 5030282AC (Online Orderd List Price $116.00, My cost $79.81)
1 - Inlet Scoop: 5030262AA (Online Ordered List Price $58.45, My Cost $40.31)
3 - Push Pins for Duct: 6506293AA (Online Ordered List Price $3.10 each, My Cost $2.13 each)

 

[Charger RT 2010]

Thanks so much, that's an excellent link! And your tips help a lot. I'm gonna buy this thing.

So these parts didn't come with the hood?

1 - Duct: 5030282AC (Online Orderd List Price $116.00, My cost $79.81)
1 - Inlet Scoop: 5030262AA (Online Ordered List Price $58.45, My Cost $40.31)
3 - Push Pins for Duct: 6506293AA (Online Ordered List Price $3.10 each, My Cost $2.13 each)

That is correct. When you get an OEM SRT hood all it has on it is the hood latch bracket.

It is a plug and play on the original hinges, unbolt old one and put the new hood on and make your adjustments.

The inlet scoop is the honeycomb insert for the hood. It just snaps in the opening of the hood. (no attaching parts needed)
The duct directs the airflow over the engine (if used with the AIRAID 6.1 CAI you can redirect the air into the filter box (my next future mod)). Installing the duct causes clearance interference with the engine cover so I removed the cover on mine.
The push pins are used to secure the duct to the hood. If you do not use the duct you do not need the plastic push pins.

 

[CrazyDood]

Thanks man, I really do appreciate it. And I saw your detailed install. I might even do the install myself with those detailed instructions!

I'm mostly going for a look. I'm pretty sure I'll get the optional parts too, such as insulation, etc.

 

[BlackRT313]

OEM is the way to go. I will be doing this mod soon myself. I wonder myself if after a while it'll be hard to get this hood due to the new Charger being out. Maybe I should hurry up.

 

[Sublimeon22s]

I *might* have the brilliant black OEM SRT hood off my car for sale soon....

But yea, its a simple swap out and as stated, the gas struts work fine

 

[CrazyDood]

I *might* have the brilliant black OEM SRT hood off my car for sale soon....

But yea, its a simple swap out and as stated, the gas struts work fine

Now you tell us. I just bought one today!

Good to know about the simple swap. My worry is now finding a GOOD place to get it painted. That's a hard thing to know, and you don't wanna pick someone who seems good but ultimately sucks.

 

[Charger RT 2010]

Now you tell us. I just bought one today!

Good to know about the simple swap. My worry is now finding a GOOD place to get it painted. That's a hard thing to know, and you don't wanna pick someone who seems good but ultimately sucks.

When you have the hood painted, make sure the paint shop that is doing the work sees your car to understand what Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl looks like. Show them how it sparkles in the sun and looks almost pure black in the shade. That way when they shoot the hood they understand what they are matching it against.

 

[CrazyDood]

When you have the hood painted, make sure the paint shop that is doing the work sees your car to understand what Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl looks like. Show them how it sparkles in the sun and looks almost pure black in the shade. That way when they shoot the hood they understand what they are matching it against.

Thanks for the tip! I was thinking about going with a shop that regularly does work on Chrysler/Dodge vehicles that's near a dealership. The one I did find does have good reviews, but those can be doctored. And right, I'll definitely go when it's nice and sunny out.

 

[chubs026]

I *might* have the brilliant black OEM SRT hood off my car for sale soon....

But yea, its a simple swap out and as stated, the gas struts work fine

I know this was posted quite a while ago, but do you still have the hood you *might* be selling?