Building a Budget Scat Pack: Best Mods Under $1,500

Starting With the Right Platform

The 6.4L HEMI in the Scat Pack makes 485 HP stock. With 1,500 dollars, you're not going to double that number — but you can add 50–80 wheel horsepower, significantly improve sound, and dramatically sharpen throttle response. Done right, the car will be noticeably quicker in every gear.

The $1,500 Recommended Build

Step 1: Cold Air Intake (~$350–$450)

Start here. The 6.4L HEMI responds extremely well to better airflow, and the intake's gains compound with everything that follows. A closed-box cold air intake from Corsa, S&B, or K&N is the foundation.

Gain: 10–18 WHP on a stock tune; more with the tune in Step 2.

Step 2: Custom Tune on 93 Octane (~$400–$600)

A professional remote tune or dyno session on 93 octane, accounting for your intake, unlocks the full potential of what you've done so far.

With intake + tune: expect 25–40 WHP over stock. The tuner can also:

• Disable MDS (if desired)
• Improve shift firmness on the 8-speed
• Optimize torque management for better launches
• Raise rev limiter slightly (with supporting mods)

Step 3: Cat-Back Exhaust (~$500–$700)

With intake and tune maximizing engine breathing, an unrestricted cat-back lets exhaust gases exit more efficiently. More importantly, it transforms the sound — a tuned 6.4L with a good cat-back sounds extraordinary.

Recommended: Corsa Sport (controlled aggression), Borla S-Type (slightly more aggressive), or Flowmaster Outlaw (loud and raw).

Total Spend and Expected Results

| Mod | Cost | Expected Gain |

|-----|------|---------------|

| Cold Air Intake | $400 | 10–18 WHP |

| Custom Tune | $500 | +15–20 WHP stacked |

| Cat-Back Exhaust | $600 | 5–10 WHP + massive sound improvement |

| Total | $1,500 | ~40–55 WHP total |

A 6.4L making 445 WHP stock will likely reach 475–495 WHP with this combination — a meaningful, seat-of-the-pants-noticeable improvement.

What's Next After $1,500

This combination is often called the "Stage 1" platform. Once you've done intake + tune + exhaust, you're set up for the next tier:

• Long-tube headers + revised tune: Another 25–35 WHP, $1,500–$2,500
• Camshaft: The big leap to 500–530 WHP, $2,500–$4,500 all-in
• Forced induction: The jump to 650+ WHP, $5,000+

Each subsequent tier builds on the previous. The CAI + tune + exhaust build is the right foundation for everything that follows.