Loading

How many pistons does a challenger have?

The quick answer: six pistons in the V6 Challenger and eight pistons in the V8 variants.


Across the Dodge Challenger lineup, piston count follows engine configuration. Pistons sit inside engine cylinders; a six-cylinder engine uses six pistons, while an eight-cylinder engine uses eight. Modern Challengers are offered primarily with V6 or V8 powertrains, and the piston count remains constant within each engine family, regardless of trim level or performance tuning.


Engine options and piston counts


The main factory engine options and their piston counts are:



  • 3.6L Pentastar V6 — 6 pistons

  • 5.7L Hemi V8 — 8 pistons

  • 6.4L Hemi V8 (392) — 8 pistons

  • 6.2L supercharged Hemi (Hellcat family) — 8 pistons


Note: The Demon and other high-performance variants also run the 6.2L V8, which uses eight pistons, and there are no Challenger engines with fewer than six pistons. The count is a direct reflection of cylinder count.


Why piston count matters


Piston count aligns with engine displacement and cylinder configuration, influencing power delivery, torque, and maintenance considerations. In the Challenger lineup, choosing between six- and eight-cylinder engines defines whether the car has six or eight pistons in its heart—the engine.


Summary


In short, the Dodge Challenger's pistons come in two common counts: six for the V6 and eight for the V8 variants. The exact number depends on the engine installed under the hood; most modern Challengers use one of the eight-piston V8s, while the base V6 uses six.

How many brake pistons does a Dodge Challenger have?


BREMBO FOUR-PISTON BRAKE SYSTEM
With four-piston Brembo calipers and 14.2-inch (front) and 13.8-inch (rear) vented/slotted rotors, the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack and 392 HEMI®Scat Pack SHAKER deliver a braking distance of 100-0 km/h in 36 meters.



How many pistons does a Dodge Charger have?


(6 piston) G/T special come with it. Standard RTs, GTs, and SXTs do not. But if you bought a 2023 Scat Pack, Dodge did you dirty, since that year they did the 4 piston, not the 6 piston brembo which was 2021-2022.



How to tell if you have 4 piston or 6 piston brakes?


If you count the arches, you can usually tell how many pistons are in the caliper. 4 and 6 piston calipers are a little more tricky but you can still usually see the outline of the 2 or 3 outboard pistons. Below, we discuss what brake caliper pistons are, and detail the differences between a variety of different types.



How many pistons does a scatpack have?


Scat Pack Widebody has six-piston Brembo Performance Front Brakes and four-piston Brembo Rear Brakes.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.