Over the course of the past few months, the first Direct Connection stage kits began reaching dealerships around the United States, leading to the first wave of installations on privately owned Dodge Challenger SRT^® Hellcat Redeye models. The Direct Connection performance packages began shipping to Power Broker dealerships a bit later than expected, due to the time-consuming nature of federal emission requirements. With all of that out of the way, these power-adding kits have begun shipping to dealers and those specially prepared dealerships have begun installing the kits.

Dodge plans to offer Direct Connection stage kits for other models as time goes on, but the first batch of kits are specifically for the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye. I currently have the Pre-Stage and Stage 1 kits on order for my Challenger SRT Hellcat, but those have not yet started shipping to Power Broker dealerships just yet. However, with scores of Challenger Redeye owners around the country making the company-supported jump to 840 or 885 horsepower, these kits are proving to be popular with the Brotherhood of Muscle.

If you have a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye and you are considering adding the Direct Connection stage kits, you currently have three basic options to add power while maintaining your factory warranty.

The Pre-Stage kit is the first option and it is required for anyone looking to add Stage 1 or Stage 2, because the Pre-Stage kit includes the Direct Connection tuning device that applies the various engine tunes. The Pre-Stage kit also includes a performance air filter, a 180-degree thermostat and 5 extra horsepower thanks to an advance in spark of 5 degrees over the stock engine tune.

When you select the Direct Connection Stage 1 kit, it doesn’t come with any additional hardware (beyond what comes with the Pre-Stage kit), but it adds race gas functionality to the Challenger Redeye. When running on race gas, the Stage 1 kit increases the output of the supercharged HEMI^® engine to 840 horsepower and 770 lb-ft of torque.

Finally (for now), the Direct Connection Stage 2 kit for the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye adds a 3.17-inch Hellephant pulley and a pair of unique engine calibrations. When running on 93-octane pump gas, a Challenger Redeye with the Stage 2 kit delivers 837 horsepower, but when you switch to the 100-octane race gas tune, the output jumps to 885 horsepower and 787 lb-ft of torque. It should be noted that those Dodge owners who are going straight to Stage 2 do not need to also buy Stage 1.

Stage 1 Owner Input

We spoke with Mel Dickson, owner of the Pitch Black 2022 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye shown here. We started by asking him why he went with the Direct Connection upgrades rather than an aftermarket performance shop.

“I opted for the stage kit over an aftermarket tuning shop because I believe the aftermarket shops cannot offer what Direct Connection is offering with their manufacturer-backed performance through the Power Broker network of dealers. The top selling point for me on the DC performance upgrade(s) is the ability to retain the manufacturer’s warranty. Also, the serviceability through the Power Broker network coast to coast. If I decide to move across the country, I know that with the Power Broker dealers, I can have my car repaired, modified and serviced by staff trained on handling DC performance vehicles.”

We then asked why he picked Stage 1 rather than Stage 2.

“I am a ‘check all the boxes’ kind of person. Initially, I wanted to go straight to Stage 2. My Power Broker informed me there is a delay with the Stage 2 kits, so I decided to give Stage 1 a try. I now realize Stage 1 is more than enough power and performance for cruising the streets and occasional track use in my weekend warrior Redeye.”

Dickson then provided a ton of great input on the installation process and his overall experience with the Direct Connection program, starting with us asking him if he was happy with the results of the kit.

“Yes. In the 91+ octane mode, the car has improved throttle response and increased power throughout the power band providing a much beefier feeling within the overall driving experience. In 100 octane mode, the car has a substantial increase in low end torque and top end horsepower. The high-octane performance of this vehicle is borderline scary. The Redeye is already very fast to be a street-driven vehicle and the Stage 1 kit bumps it up another level.

“Installation took a few hours. I dropped off my car at the dealership, ran a few errands, and received a call the installation was complete and the car was ready for pickup. I was impressed with the how smooth and efficient the upgrade process went. My local Power Broker dealer and the local SRT/Direct Connection team delivered a personalized experience from start to finish. I felt like royalty. I was well informed throughout the entire process. I cannot say every experience will be like mine but Butch and Clint at Hall CDJR went above and beyond to deliver five-star service during the Stage 1 installation process.

“I love the lower temperature thermostat. Engine temps is one thing that concerned me about the Redeye. Seeing normal operating engine temps of 210-220 degrees was robbing me of horsepower. Now I’m seeing temps of 185-190, which gives me peace of mind. Cooler engine operating temps equates to cooler IATs, cooler transmission operating temps and the potential for increased performance. I also enjoy having the tuning device in the cockpit. I can monitor a lot of parameters and have an overview of what is going on with the vehicle.”

Finally, we asked Dickson what other Direct Connection components he was considering in the future.

“I plan on installing the zero camber knuckles and the Direct Connection-licensed AAD catch can and idler pulley combo. With increased traction, reduced belt slip, and cleaner intake air, I feel these items can help maximize the potential of the Stage 1 kit.”

Stage 2 Owner Input

We also had a chance to speak with Jerome Stone, who owns a Frostbite 2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock with the Direct Connection Stage 2 kit. We asked Stone the same basic questions, starting with his input on why he went with the Direct Connection kit rather than an aftermarket tuning shop.

“I’m a purist by heart … loved the fact that the car keeps 100% of the full factory warranty – especially after headaches with the 8-second modified Hellcat I drive.”

He went on to explain that he picked the Stage 2 kit because he wanted the 885 horsepower and as the first official installation of the DC Stage 2 kit, he and the folks at Bluebonnet CDJR in New Braunfels, Texas, were unclear on how long it would take, but from start to finish, it only took about 6 hours.

Finally, we asked Stone if he was happy with the results of the Direct Connection Stage 2 kit and what aspects of the kit other than the big power he really likes.

“I couldn’t be happier. I love everything about it. I will enjoy cruising the highways, especially with temperatures above 100 degrees. I’ll be anxiously waiting for January temperatures here in Texas to really feel the full power of the Stage 2 kit at the drag strip in cooler air. People will be really impressed. I estimate 9.4 capabilities in the quarter-mile – extremely fast and powerful all with a full factory warranty.

“Options galore on the tuning device. It is easy to store and mount in seconds – my dealer even tucked away my cord so I have zero interference in footwell pedal area. Direct Connection really thought through every little detail. My favorite option, of course, is the data log option, giving you the ability to see the inner workings of the engine, transmission, etc.”

Jerome Stone is a very active drag racer, but when he got his DC stage kits installed, the heat of summer had already descended upon Texas. As a result, he cannot get a good head-to-head comparison of his best quarter-mile times before and after the Stage 2 install, but he has made 8^th mile runs before and after in similar conditions. Before the Stage 2 kit, his Challenger SRT Super Stock with a 2018 Demon hood ran a 6.91 at 3,301 feet of density altitude. After the stage kit upgrades, he has run a best time of 6.54 at similar DA, so he has cut almost 4 tenths of a second in the 8^th mile. Stone’s Super Stock ran in the high-9s in the quarter-mile when stock, so with the Direct Connection power addition, he could be well into the mid-9s based on his 8^th mile results in the heat.

In the future, Stone plans to add the AAD suspension components from the Direct Connection catalog and he is currently first on the list at his dealership for the rumored Stage 3 kit.

These are two of the many Direct Connection stage kit installations performed by Power Broker dealerships over the past few months, but in reading through the comments of other stage kit buyers, everyone is enjoying the extra power.