1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Cummins Diesel 4x4 Flatbed Dually 7" Stacks Slt 35" Tires on 2040-cars

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Dodge engineers trying to shoehorn Pentastar into Dart?

The fact that the Dart's launch has been a pretty dismal affair isn't what we'd call secret. Judging by its mounting inventories and poor critical reception, Dodge's successor to its unloved Caliber has struggled since it hit the market. And while both of those are difficult problems to address, at least their cause is well known - the powertrain.
Even Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has acknowledged that the powertrain options in the Dart are substandard, admitting at January's Detroit Auto Show that the powertrains are "less than ideal." Leading with the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder found in the Fiat 500 Abarth left a bad taste in the mouths of consumers thanks to the laggy engine and dead throttle response (to say nothing of the manual and dual-clutch gearboxes that needed more refinement). The addition of the 184-horsepower 2.4-liter Tigershark in the Dart GT has helped matters some, but apparently Auburn Hills doesn't think it's quite enough.
If rumors are to be believed - get that salt ready - a possible solution may be in the works. A report from Allpar is claiming that Dodge is considering fitting a Pentastar V6 into the Dart's engine bay. As the Mopar-obsessed website points out, the critically acclaimed Pentastar is available in three different sizes - 3.0 liters, 3.2 liters and the original 3.6 liters. We don't get the 3.0 here in the US, but the 3.2 can be found in the new Jeep Cherokee and the 3.6 has been seemingly fitted to every model Chrysler can shoehorn it into.

Fiat-Chrysler shows its SEMA lineup

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles already previewed its 2014 SEMA show lineup with some slick renders. Now, the automaker has finally showed us the actual cars, and among the group there are definitely some that stand out more than others.
Dodge is really showing off its muscle at this year's show with four concepts that all pump up the power of the brand's models. Perhaps most interesting among them is the Challenger T/A Concept (pictured above) in striking Sublime Green and matte black. It's meant to resemble the classic Trans Am racer from the '70s. Under the hood is a 6.4-liter V8, and to fit the vintage style there's a pistol-grip gearshift inside.
The Charger R/T also gets some attention with the Mopar concept that shows off what FCA's aftermarket performance arm can do. Mods include an updated body kit, cold-air intake for the 5.7-liter V8 and a coil-over suspension kit. Beyond that, the Dart R/T Concept looks a lot meaner with a black hood with duct work that leads straight to the air intake. The rest of the compact sedan is dolled up in O-So-Orange paint and is fitted with upgrades to improve handling like a coil-over suspension and big brake kit from the Mopar catalog.

Mopar rolls out new Scat Packages for Dodge Challenger, Charger and Dart

Dodge buyers looking for that extra performance edge, take note: Mopar is bringing back the Scat Pack. Announced at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas today, the new Scat Packages will be available in three stages for the Challenger, Charger and Dart starting next spring.
Upgrades for the Charger and Challenger equipped with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine include a
new cold-air intake and cat-back exhaust, as well as a remapped ECU. Upgrade to the Scat Package 2 and you get a new camshaft, and the Scat Package 3 tosses in ported and polished heads and hi-flow headers. Upgrades for the Dart GT with the smaller 2.4-liter, four-cylinder Tigershark engine with six-speed manual transmission start with a cold-air intake, short-throw shifter and upgraded brakes. The second stage kicks in a remapped ECU and cat-back exhaust, while the Scat Package 3 for the Dart gives you even bigger brakes, an adjustable suspension and sway bars front and rear.