Thoughts on Dodge's 2021 Dragpak?

[Illegal_Demon]

I have an opportunity to buy one of the fifty (50) 2021 Drakpaks that Dodge made available this past September.

What are your thoughts on this iteration of the Dragpak (relative to past iterations) and relative to what they didn't do/could have done? Did they leave anything on the table or is this as badass as they could have done for the price they charged? As for price, the car stickered at 136K before any tire, paint, wheel, and seat add-ons, which can max the car out at ~155K (before tax).

For those not familiar, here is everything you ever wanted to know about the 2021 (and previous) Dodge Chalenger Dragpaks.

https://www.dodgegarage.com/drag-pak-experience

Right now, my life is not conducive for competitive/dedicated drag racing, but within a couple of years, I won't have to work and likely will be moving out east (finally, good air!). So racing all my cars will be on the docket in the not-so-distant future. However, my opportunity to buy one of these at a great price (MSRP) is now.

I also would like to get your crystal ball projections on value for this non-street legal car. It's not my primary concern, but yes, I like getting a good deal. My thought is that these cars could very well double (or more) in 5 years or so. Dodge won't be making any more ICE Dragpaks that's for sure.

Thoughts are most welcome...

 

[vortecd]

My thought wouldn't be for value going up but for actually racing it. I can't imagine the value going down being there are only 50 a year so not many for sale. What color?

This one was at my friends track rental last fall

 

[vortecd]

Another pic of the car at a different track. Think you need to buy one

 

[DavidKFla]

My opinion is; if you buy it, you have to spend another $100K at Watson Racing to make it competitive. Then you actually race it.
Look at the older drag pack cars. They're outdated and hard to sell. There's a few that's been on the market for years.

 

[Tool Time]

I've heard $200k in mods to the cars to make them competitive, regardless, its a big number, and just the beginning if your going to race in the class they are designed for. I have an '18 COPO, and the value on it has come off of msrp over time. Not street legal and a small pool of buyers equals not much demand. If your going to run it at local track for fun, even that comes with work and expense. Youll need a "Cool Cart" that connects to the cars cooling system and cools the engine between rounds. Unless you build your own, they are $2500ish. Then theres the retorquing head bolts every 10 or so runs. Engine disassembly after 50 runs. This is for the COPO, would think the Drag Pak would be similar. They are very high quality builds though, right from the mfg, cool cars for sure. But if I were going to race at my local track, I think I'd buy something less expensive, I wouldnt buy one of these and sit on it thinking it will appreciate, just my $.02

 

[DavidKFla]

I've heard $200k in mods to the cars to make them competitive, regardless, its a big number, and just the beginning if your going to race in the class they are designed for. I have an '18 COPO, and the value on it has come off of msrp over time. Not street legal and a small pool of buyers equals not much demand. If your going to run it at local track for fun, even that comes with work and expense. Youll need a "Cool Cart" that connects to the cars cooling system and cools the engine between rounds. Unless you build your own, they are $2500ish. Then theres the retorquing head bolts every 10 or so runs. Engine disassembly after 50 runs. This is for the COPO, would think the Drag Pak would be similar. They are very high quality builds though, right from the mfg, cool cars for sure. But if I were going to race at my local track, I think I'd buy something less expensive, I wouldnt buy one of these and sit on it thinking it will appreciate, just my $.02

I didn't realize that the $$ bar was that high on these cars. Great info thanks!

 

[Marc W]

The new DragPak is a $150k starter kit for seriously funded racers that want to compete at the NHRA heads-up class level. As it rolls out…. It isn’t competitive until a number of things get tweaked and changed. To be competitive… you better have a Pro Stock level budget and tuning talent behind you. Currently the people racing them are seeing between 20 to 30 passes before rebuild on the motors. I’ve heard less for some of the more serious programs. If you just want to go out and have fun running 8.0’s keeping the rpm down then you could hope for more. As far as it being a investment…. Not if it’s raced. If one is kept in untouched condition…. Then it will be up to the BJ/Mecham bunch who pass “collectibles” around amongst themselves for a hobby. If they decide there is enough hype around the DragPak name, then it could become collectible and go up in value. As far as actual value goes…. $150k is a fair price. You can not build one with everything it’s got for less. Ask me how I know 😳

 

[Illegal_Demon]

My opinion is; if you buy it, you have to spend another $100K at Watson Racing to make it competitive. Then you actually race it.
Look at the older drag pack cars. They're outdated and hard to sell. There's a few that's been on the market for years.

Good point, especially since eventually I'd want my cake (racing it and winning) and to eat it too (not owning a "net" money pit if I sold 10 yrs from now). That's what I asked what people thought about this generation's and if Dodge really went overboard (meaning that +100K wasn't as necessary this go around). Also, this is the LAST (non-EV) Dragpak so maybe that will matter too...

 

[Illegal_Demon]

I've heard $200k in mods to the cars to make them competitive, regardless, its a big number, and just the beginning if your going to race in the class they are designed for. I have an '18 COPO, and the value on it has come off of msrp over time. Not street legal and a small pool of buyers equals not much demand. If your going to run it at local track for fun, even that comes with work and expense. Youll need a "Cool Cart" that connects to the cars cooling system and cools the engine between rounds. Unless you build your own, they are $2500ish. Then theres the retorquing head bolts every 10 or so runs. Engine disassembly after 50 runs. This is for the COPO, would think the Drag Pak would be similar. They are very high quality builds though, right from the mfg, cool cars for sure. But if I were going to race at my local track, I think I'd buy something less expensive, I wouldnt buy one of these and sit on it thinking it will appreciate, just my $.02

Thank you. Very good points (a few I was not aware of). The rebuild after 50 runs seems 1960s esque. Ok yeah I need to do more research. My intention would be to race -and- not lose my shirt. Both. Thanks again, this place is awesome!

 

[Illegal_Demon]

I didn't realize that the $$ bar was that high on these cars. Great info thanks!

Exactly! Dodge suggests in its marketing of these cars that they are ready to go! Maybe go somewhere, but doesn't sound ready to win!

 

[Illegal_Demon]

The new DragPak is a $150k starter kit for seriously funded racers that want to compete at the NHRA heads-up class level. As it rolls out…. It isn’t competitive until a number of things get tweaked and changed. To be competitive… you better have a Pro Stock level budget and tuning talent behind you. Currently the people racing them are seeing between 20 to 30 passes before rebuild on the motors. I’ve heard less for some of the more serious programs. If you just want to go out and have fun running 8.0’s keeping the rpm down then you could hope for more. As far as it being a investment…. Not if it’s raced. If one is kept in untouched condition…. Then it will be up to the BJ/Mecham bunch who pass “collectibles” around amongst themselves for a hobby. If they decide there is enough hype around the DragPak name, then it could become collectible and go up in value. As far as actual value goes…. $150k is a fair price. You can not build one with everything it’s got for less. Ask me how I know 😳

Thanks Marc, you are another person I was hoping would reply! What's a bit misleading is how Dodge says none of this when they are trying to sell. I guess they expect "people to know" but again that rebuild after so few runs. THAT'S a monster point that needs to be said. Buying and holding and not racing might work (Mecum etc) but I DO want to race too. It sounds like this ain't it. My Demon already sounds like a much better bargain on that front. I don't want to mod that car to go even faster though. Any suggestions on a car that could go in the 8's without the insane build-up/maintenance headache say in the 150K range? Or am I stupid for even asking? lol

Either way, thanks for taking the time to reply! You all have been hugely helpful. A big eye-opener for me. these cars are rarely talked about on here.

 

[Marc W]

Thanks Marc, you are another person I was hoping would reply! What's a bit misleading is how Dodge says none of this when they are trying to sell. I guess they expect "people to know" but again that rebuild after so few runs. THAT'S a monster point that needs to be said. Buying and holding and not racing might work (Mecum etc) but I DO want to race too. It sounds like this ain't it. My Demon already sounds like a much better bargain on that front. I don't want to mod that car to go even faster though. Any suggestions on a car that could go in the 8's without the insane build-up/maintenance headache say in the 150K range? Or am I stupid for even asking? lol

Either way, thanks for taking the time to reply! You all have been hugely helpful. A big eye-opener for me. these cars are rarely talked about on here.

The reason that being competitive in the FSS class is so expensive is because that’s the way it is when heads-up competition in a premier class in the NHRA lines up. There are racers with million dollar budgets that will spend thousands on a hundredth of a second. Taking a few pounds out of one place at a huge expense, so they can add that weight back in a better place is a good example. They are currently pulling the wiring harnesses out and replacing them with lighter high tech systems that consolidate components. The reason the motors are seeing limited passes before needing attention (replacement) is because they are spinning them to the moon (10k rpm at the finish line). DSR went through 5 motors at one event last season. They are testing and tuning them to the point of destruction for that .01 of a second between winning and loosing in this class. That doesn’t mean it’s a weakness in the original car. It is what it is…. a foundation to start with in a real race program. As far as building a go fast Hellcat that can rival the 7 second performance of the DragPak……. That’s what I’m doing. It is for the most part a clone except for the engine. The finished car will be running a Dart block based 426 with the big 3.8 Whipple (vs the smaller 354/3.0) It will make the hp but live happily in the 8000 rpm limit and will not require the maintenance. It is being built to be a match race/challenge type of car. If a class evolves in MSHS or some of the other sanctions, I’ll be there. The goal is to have fun going fast without the pro race team requirements.

 

[BULL]

Voted

 

[Illegal_Demon]

The reason that being competitive in the FSS class is so expensive is because that’s the way it is when heads-up competition in a premier class in the NHRA lines up. There are racers with million dollar budgets that will spend thousands on a hundredth of a second. Taking a few pounds out of one place at a huge expense, so they can add that weight back in a better place is a good example. They are currently pulling the wiring harnesses out and replacing them with lighter high tech systems that consolidate components. The reason the motors are seeing limited passes before needing attention (replacement) is because they are spinning them to the moon (10k rpm at the finish line). DSR went through 5 motors at one event last season. They are testing and tuning them to the point of destruction for that .01 of a second between winning and loosing in this class. That doesn’t mean it’s a weakness in the original car. It is what it is…. a foundation to start with in a real race program. As far as building a go fast Hellcat that can rival the 7 second performance of the DragPak……. That’s what I’m doing. It is for the most part a clone except for the engine. The finished car will be running a Dart block based 426 with the big 3.8 Whipple (vs the smaller 354/3.0) It will make the hp but live happily in the 8000 rpm limit and will not require the maintenance. It is being built to be a match race/challenge type of car. If a class evolves in MSHS or some of the other sanctions, I’ll be there. The goal is to have fun going fast without the pro race team requirements.

I will be watching and hopefully reading your success in such a future class. Thanks again for the immensely useful info. 10K at the trap. Yeah, that will do it!

 

[Marc W]

Also…. There are many Hellcats running mid 8’s now still using the 8 speed trans and IRS rears. I ran 8.7 over a year ago. Almost too many to count have done it now. Two years ago I said my goal was 8.7 without spraying nitrous and that’s what we did at 4500 lbs. Now…. it’s 7.5 seconds without spraying at 3700 lbs. I can gear God laughing 😂

 

[Mike Jesse]

How about piecing one together using the DC catalog?
Stick one of the Hemi crate engines in it with a turbo 400 or a Glide.

 

[Marc W]

How about piecing one together using the DC catalog?
Stick one of the Hemi crate engines in it with a turbo 400 or a Glide.

The capability to “piece one together” goes a little beyond nuts and bolts. You’re talking about a car that is going to get down the quarter in less than 8 seconds. That looks like this. There’s welding involved. 😂

 

[BULL]

The capability to “piece one together” goes a little beyond nuts and bolts. You’re talking about a car that is going to get down the quarter in less than 8 seconds. That looks like this. There’s welding involved. 😂 View attachment 65379 View attachment 65380 View attachment 65381 View attachment 65382 View attachment 65383 View attachment 65384 View attachment 65385

It freaks me out to see a unibody designed for IRS with ONLY solid axle in it.


Almost naked looking.

 

[Marc W]

It freaks me out to see a unibody designed for IRS with ONLY solid axle in it.


Almost naked looking.

Haha. 300 lbs worth of clothes removed. There’s a lot more to that solid axle then initially obvious. There’s no attaching that stuff to the “unibody”. The entire Chromoly roll cage/structure is the new triangulated foundation for that rear end and suspension. From scratch you’re looking at over $40k to do that including the suspension and rolling pieces. That’s if you can contract the necessary shop skills and time at a “reasonable” cost. Good luck

 

[DavidKFla]

The capability to “piece one together” goes a little beyond nuts and bolts. You’re talking about a car that is going to get down the quarter in less than 8 seconds. That looks like this. There’s welding involved. 😂 View attachment 65379 View attachment 65380 View attachment 65381 View attachment 65382 View attachment 65383 View attachment 65384 View attachment 65385

I've wondered about how complete are the different systems that Direct Connection is offering? What else is needed except a skilled builder?