08/22/2026
2019 Challenger Hellcat M6 vs. 2024 CT5-V Blackwing M6
I tuned both of these cars on the same day, and with similar mods I thought it made for an interesting comparison. If you want a bigger, comfortable performance car with a manual, these are two cars you might realistically cross-shop.
Both were tuned on 93 octane.
Hellcat M6
• Pulley, intake, full exhaust, injectors
• BRC Raceworks unlocked PCM
• Baseline: 644 RWHP
• Final: 789 RWHP / 685 RWTQ (+145)
CT5-V Blackwing M6
• Pulley, intake, full exhaust
• HP Tuners unlocked PCM
• Baseline: 595 RWHP
• Final: 656 RWHP / 677 RWTQ (+61)
The interesting part is how they make the power.
The Blackwing’s factory TVS 1740 makes about 13.8 psi almost immediately and carries it to redline. The Hellcat’s larger 2.4L twin-screw is under 13 psi at the hit, but gradually climbs to nearly 17 psi at redline. That rising boost curve is a big reason the Hellcat carries so much more power up top.
The Blackwing also tends to be more knock-limited on 93, likely in part because it makes so much boost/cylinder pressure right in the meat of the torque curve. Yes, the Hellcat has lower compression, but the LT4 also benefits from direct injection and its effect on knock resistance, so I consider some of that a wash.
I’ve seen this reinforced when putting a Kong X-ported blower or Magnuson 2650 on a Blackwing. They can make 700+ RWHP and the boost curve becomes much more like the Hellcat — less boost early and increasing boost with RPM — and the power curve follows.
The factory 1740 isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It gives the Blackwing incredible immediate response and torque, but those same characteristics can become a limitation when chasing power on pump gas.
Same tuner. Same dyno. Same day. Same 93. Similar mods. Very different ways of making power.
Which one are you taking?
