It looks like modifications to this particular Dodge Demon pushed it over the edge, causing the 8-speed automatic to explode, spilling its guts, and causing a fire.

Car fires are one of the few irreversible incidents that can happen to a car that spells doom to the entire vehicle, making a once running piece of machinery destined for the wrecking yard. That’s what unfortunately happened to this Dodge Demon. As per Instagram user @GTFiveHunnit on his most recent post earlier yesterday (Nov. 19, 2018) it looks like his uncle’s modified Dodge Demon is no more. According to his official explanation, the Dodge Demon’s transmission exploded causing hot Automatic Transmission Fluid to presumably spill all over an already hot exhaust, igniting the fluid and the car. In a DM with his friend, which I’ve embedded below, the Dodge Demon was traveling at close to 170 MPH when things went horribly wrong. Check out the videos and DM for yourself below! Is the video below not visible? Here’s a mirror just in case. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @gtfivehunnit on

Rip to my families demon.. I am sure you’ve seen pictures and videos everywhere, so here is what happened.. due to the transmission grenading the tranny fluid ignited and burnt the car to the ground.. the next one will be faster don’t worry

 

Since the original video poster isn’t the Dodge Demon owner, he doesn’t go into much detail than what he posted. Dodge Demons aren’t particularly known for catching fire as the platform has been in production, more or less since 2008 when the Dodge Challenger as we know it, first debuted.

In addition, the variant of the ZF 8-speed paired to the Demon’s supercharged 6.2L Hemi is one of the most robust transmissions in the world at the moment. It should be noted that FCA has modified this particular ZF-8-speed dubbed the Torqueflight 8-Speed, but no problems have been reported. After all, since the Demon is a production car, it’s subjected to the same validation as any regular production car.

GTFiveHunnit did mention it was modified somehow so perhaps this owner tweaked the automatic transmission for better performance, possibly increasing line pressure for even faster shifts.

Automatic Transmission Fluid is known to be extremely flammable, a hot exhaust is more than enough to ignite ATF thanks to a low flashpoint. Garrett, the turbo manufacturer, did a study to find the flashpoint of common ATF and with a flashpoint of 383 F and an auto-ignition temperature of 417 F, a hot exhaust at 1000 F is a recipe for disaster if ATF finds its way on a scorching pipe. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher on you, it’s game over for your car.

Such was the case with this Demon, a transmission grenades, spilling ATF where it shouldn’t land.

Source: @GTFiveHunnit

2 COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here