Could you imagine what Direct Connection could do with the 5.7L if they really thought about it? A few years ago they had that "Scat Pack" Stage kit setup for the 5.7L which had the 392 Heads and exhaust along with an upgraded cam and a tune. Imagine for a second what Direct Connection could do with a 5.7L Hemi with this new Whipple supercharger, a set of Apache heads, a performance camshaft, a 6.1L crank (which is just a forged version of the 5.7L Crank), direct connection tune, bigger injectors, Hellcat fuel pump, SRT exhaust manifolds/cats and a Magnaflow catback exhaust. Have that as a Direct Connection package for the 15+ Charger/Challenger & 300 cars along with a package made for the Jeep Grand Cherokees, Durangos and the 1500-series pickup trucks along with Direct Connection Brembo big-brake packages, Direct Connection suspension upgrades that would upgrade non SRT vehicles to nearly SRT spec minus the adaptive shocks and so many other things.
I'm a big advocate for Direct Connection and honestly feel that every dealership should be a power brokers dealership across the country, no questions asked. People who buy cars from this brand are usually looking to modify and upgrade their cars anyway, so why not be able to do it directly from the dealership. Most people can afford a 5.7L Hemi powered vehicle, so why not give people access to upgrades right from the factory. Direct Connection already has exhaust systems from ARH along with some suspension stuff from AAD and for awhile they were also partnered with Borla for certain exhaust projects. They were partnered with Katzkins for interior upholstery packages and all kinds of stuff, so why not continue that but make it bigger? To me, Direct Connection, from a business standpoint, is a missed opportunity for Dodge. I watch both GM and Ford have their performance catalogs, GM especially with their "connect and cruise" engine and transmission packages and the Z28 and ZL1 take off parts for the lower tier Camaros along with Recaro seats and everything else, Same as Ford with Ford Performance and I wonder why Dodge, the performance brand, has not really cashed in on this? Every Dodge dealership parts department should literally be a speed shop. Every dodge dealership should be a magnet for Mopar enthusiasts and that ranges from Muscle, to Jeep, to Ram. Dodge is bringing out an all-Hemi lineup for the Durango, upgrades need to be advertised and available. The Hurricane-6 Charger is coming, Direct Connection NEEDS to be all over this car with parts available right from EVERY SINGLE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN THE COUNTRY!