As a Dodge Durango R/T Tow N Go owner gearing up for a Whipple supercharger upgrade, the allure of Hellcat power and control is undeniable. Unlike the Charger and Challenger Hellcats, which come with both black and red key fobs to manage horsepower, the Durango Hellcat surprisingly only includes two red keys. This sparked a question: are the Durango Hellcat red keys truly distinct, or are they simply standard keys in a red shell?
Delving into OEM part numbers, the Durango Hellcat key fob (part number 68467666aa) appears straightforward. However, examining a 2021 Durango Hellcat PCM calibration file revealed a peculiar detail: the power values associated with the black and red keys seemed reversed. This discovery raised concerns about the actual functionality of the Durango Hellcat red key.
The Durango Hellcat Key Mystery: Swapped Power Values?
To investigate further, I compared PCM parameter data from a 2021 Durango Hellcat against my 2023 Durango R/T Tow N Go. The findings were quite revealing.
Here are the “Power Mode” parameters from a 2021 Durango Hellcat calibration file:
Notice that the Red key value is listed at 500, while the Black key is at 707. This is the opposite of what’s expected, as red keys are typically associated with full power, and black keys with a reduced output.
For comparison, here are the parameters from my 2023 Durango R/T Tow N Go:
In my R/T TnG, the values are as expected, with the Red key showing a higher value than the Black key. This discrepancy in the Hellcat data begs the question: are these “Power Mode” fields simply for display on the uConnect screen, or do they actually control engine output? Durango models don’t display horsepower figures on the uConnect screen like Chargers and Challengers, suggesting these fields might be inconsequential in Durangos.
Digging Deeper: The Black Key Torque Multiplier
If the “Power Mode” values are merely cosmetic, the real performance limiter might lie elsewhere. My investigation led me to the “Black key torque multiplier” parameter.
Here are the values for a Hellcat Black Key Multiplier:
And for my TnG’s black key multiplier:
The torque multiplier values appear to be correctly configured in the Hellcat PCM, suggesting this is the actual mechanism for power reduction when using a “black key” equivalent, even if Durango Hellcats don’t officially come with black keys.
My Proposed Solution: Adding a Durango Hellcat Red Key
Based on these findings, my hypothesis is that purchasing a 2023 Durango Hellcat key fob and programming it to my R/T TnG’s BCM will register it as a “red key.” Furthermore, I believe I can then adjust the black key torque multiplier in my tune to reduce performance when using my existing black keys.
My plan is to pair a Hellcat red key, then experiment with lowering the black key torque multiplier to a desired level for reduced performance. Validating the reduced performance might require some creative testing, as the Durango uConnect doesn’t display horsepower. Perhaps setting a very low black key modifier (e.g., 0.10) and a standard red key modifier (1.0) for testing purposes would be sufficient to confirm functionality.
Seeking Community Insight: Durango Hellcat Black Key Experiences
This leads to my question for the community: Has anyone with a Durango Hellcat attempted to purchase and pair a black key fob for reduced performance? Your experiences and insights would be invaluable in confirming these theories and guiding the best approach to managing performance with different key fobs on the Durango platform. Share your knowledge and let’s unlock the full potential of key-based performance control for Durango owners!
