You Need This: A Mopar Alternative to the Crown Vic

The popularity of Crown Vics continues to grow in motorsport. But if you’re one to buck trends–or if you’re a Mopar fan–maybe this 2015 Dodge Charger Police Pursuit is what you’re looking for.

Does it have a Hemi? Yes, it does. The 5.7-liter iteration of the V8, to …

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V8 power, all-wheel-drive and the added bonus of everyone moving out of your way on the highway? I'm in.

Colin Wood said:

V8 power, all-wheel-drive and the added bonus of everyone moving out of your way on the highway? I'm in.

Or just driving exactly 2mph below the speed limit 

I dimly recall that a lot of PDs moved to Fords because the Dodges didn't like idling for eight hours per shift.  Something about the rockers not getting enough oil and the valve tips getting chewed up.  The lifter rollers don't like it much, either.  (Ohio state patrol still uses Chargers but the local PDs largely switched to Explorers, err Utilitys)

There's an updated oil pump with a lot more volume at idle to help combat this.  Or, you know, just don't idle all the time 

I'm a big Ford guy, but I gotta admit I've never understood the love for the Crown Vic. The Charger is more modern, faster, and handles better, plus it had actual performance variants that can donate parts even if you have a base model. Plus, it has that sweet ZF 8-speed, which IMO is one of the best automatics ever made.

My local PD has moved almost entirely moved over to 2wd Silverados. I guess that makes sense

Colin Wood said:

V8 power, all-wheel-drive and the added bonus of everyone moving out of your way on the highway? I'm in.

Just till you get to a 4 way stop and everyone loses their minds, or a rural 2 lane road with no passing. It's a double edged sword. I should know. I dailed a 95 9C1 for 12 years.

Yeah the Hemi cam and lifer thing is real.  You can choose not to idle it much, but what did the PO do?  I don't think I'd buy an ex-police one unless I was already planning on a rebuild.  It's a big job, don't ask me how I know.  But the Hemi is a beast, and a thoroughly modern engine, I like it.

On Ram trucks there is an hours counter that can display on the dash idle hours and running hours, if the cars have that you could check.

Colin Wood said:

V8 power, all-wheel-drive and the added bonus of everyone moving out of your way on the highway? I'm in.

I thought AWD cars only came with the V6?  Maybe it was different for police cars.

buzzboy said:

My local PD has moved almost entirely moved over to 2wd Silverados. I guess that makes sense

I think it actually does.  You see more from an SUV.  A lot more.  Even a 4X2.  So better equipped to either "protect and serve" or "punish and humiliate" whichever kind of LEO you are 

stuart in mn said:

Colin Wood said:

V8 power, all-wheel-drive and the added bonus of everyone moving out of your way on the highway? I'm in.

I thought AWD cars only came with the V6?  Maybe it was different for police cars.

That's why squad cars are special. It's the only way to get the V-8 and AWD from 2015-2020.

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

Colin Wood said:

V8 power, all-wheel-drive and the added bonus of everyone moving out of your way on the highway? I'm in.

Or just driving exactly 2mph below the speed limit 

 

I dimly recall that a lot of PDs moved to Fords because the Dodges didn't like idling for eight hours per shift.  Something about the rockers not getting enough oil and the valve tips getting chewed up.  The lifter rollers don't like it much, either.  (Ohio state patrol still uses Chargers but the local PDs largely switched to Explorers, err Utilitys)

There's an updated oil pump with a lot more volume at idle to help combat this.  Or, you know, just don't idle all the time 

Yeah, having driven in-service NY State Trooper Tahoes after repairing them, everyone just drives really slow in front of you.

And the Hemis definitely did not like idling. I had a Mopar mechanic friend who said that it chewed the valvetrain up even faster than normal for a 5.7L, which is saying something. 

Of course, then he went to Ford and said they also replaced EcoBoost turbos extremely frequently on NY State Trooper Tauruses because the oil passages in the turbos and feed/return lines would get all coked up.

I just want the all-plastic back seat with rubber floors, 13 year old boys are about as messy as drunk frat boys. 

ekauppi7 said:

On Ram trucks there is an hours counter that can display on the dash idle hours and running hours, if the cars have that you could check.

Would that be in the ex-cop cars computer and would you be able to read that from the OBD port ?

ekauppi7 said:

Yeah the Hemi cam and lifer thing is real.  You can choose not to idle it much, but what did the PO do?  I don't think I'd buy an ex-police one unless I was already planning on a rebuild.  It's a big job, don't ask me how I know.  But the Hemi is a beast, and a thoroughly modern engine, I like it.

On Ram trucks there is an hours counter that can display on the dash idle hours and running hours, if the cars have that you could check.

Less idle. More action. I think I can make that happen. 

Fortunately, this one has very little mileage. I am curious why, though.

In reply to californiamilleghia :

Probably?  I have not looked for that specifically.  If you get the AlfaOBD app it can get all kinds of detailed stuff out of the computer.  It's not free but it's not expensive, like $50 or something.  Well worth it if you have a modern Mopar.  I think you can get a free trial, that might be enough to check out a prospective purchase.

I looked online at some auction chargers about a week ago. Of about eight cars, six were non-operational. There were very short videos of the other two running.
 

One sounded okay and already had bids pending. The other sounded like valve train noise.