Car Model History

Fourth generation · Personal-luxury B-body · 1975–1978

1978Dodge Charger

Repositioned as a personal-luxury coupe — sharing its body with the Chrysler Cordoba — with formal styling, opera windows, and plush trim rather than performance. The B-body Charger ended after 1978.

Fourth generation · Personal-luxury B-body

1978 Dodge Charger R/T — final-year personal-luxury B-body coupe, front three-quarter view

Photo: “1978 Dodge Charger R/T” by Renzo Maia; cropped and adjusted by Commons uploader Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 3.0. Cropped to 16:9.

The 1978 model year

Overview

The 1978 Charger catalog consisted solely of the Charger SE two-door specialty hardtop. A 318 two-barrel V8, Electronic Lean Burn, and a newly revised TorqueFlite automatic with lockup torque converter were standard outside California. Dodge's factory power-team chart also lists regular-market 360 two-barrel and 400 four-barrel options, a heavy-duty 400, a high-altitude 360 four-barrel, and California-specific 318 and 360 four-barrel combinations.

Specifications

Engines
  • 318 cu in LA V8, 2-barrel (regular markets)
  • 318 cu in LA V8, 4-barrel (California)
  • 360 cu in LA V8, 2-barrel (regular markets)
  • 360 cu in LA V8, 4-barrel (California/high altitude)
  • 400 cu in B V8, 4-barrel
  • 400 cu in B V8, 4-barrel heavy-duty
Transmissions
TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic with lockup torque converter
Body styles
2-door specialty hardtop (Charger SE)
Dimensions
Length 215.3 in · Wheelbase 114.9 in · Width 77.1 in · Height 52.9 in · Fuel tank 25.5 U.S. gallons

Year over year

What changed

  • The Daytona was no longer listed; Charger SE was the only Charger model.
  • TorqueFlite gained a lockup torque converter intended to reduce engine speed, transmission temperature, and fuel use during highway driving.
  • Electronic Lean Burn became standard on every engine except the California/high-altitude 360 four-barrel.
  • The factory power-team chart separated regular, high-altitude, and California engines and axle ratios.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • The 1978 Charger SE was the final personal-luxury B-body Charger before the name moved to the smaller L-body.
  • A T-bar roof, power sliding metal sunroof, landau roof, and halo-style vinyl roof remained available.
  • The standard specification included power front disc brakes, power steering, and a 25.5-gallon fuel tank.
  • Factory form 81-205-8004 was printed in August 1977.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Match ignition and carburetor service parts to the emissions label: the brochure excludes the California/high-altitude 360 four-barrel from Electronic Lean Burn.
  • Confirm whether a 400 is the regular or heavy-duty power team; the heavy-duty engine was mandatory with the Trailer-Assist Package and carries different equipment requirements.
  • Inspect the TorqueFlite lockup system and verify the converter engages correctly at cruise, since 1978 introduced this feature to the Charger.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1978 Charger on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1978 Dodge Charger. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
4
Scheduled topics
0
Applicability stated
4
Exact references
4

Before ordering Identify your engine, options and build date. Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitmentView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    This catalog evidence establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not establish an oil-change interval or a complete maintenance schedule.

    318 cu in engine

    Baldwin B233

    Applies to: 1978 · 318 cu in · United States

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog, Pre-1980 Applications · Printed catalog page 640, 1978 Dodge Charger 318 row — Lube — B233 column · checked

    Verified ordering references

    360 cu in engine

    Baldwin B233

    Applies to: 1978 · 360 cu in · United States

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog, Pre-1980 Applications · Printed catalog page 640, 1978 Dodge Charger 360 row — Lube — B233 column · checked

    Verified ordering references

    400 cu in engine

    Baldwin B233

    Applies to: 1978 · 400 cu in · United States

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog, Pre-1980 Applications · Printed catalog page 640, 1978 Dodge Charger 400 row — Lube — B233 column · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Engine air filter — catalog fitmentView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine air filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Match the installed air-cleaner housing and dimensions before ordering; the catalog publishes housing-dependent alternatives where applicable.

    318 cu in engine

    Baldwin PA615 or PA2010

    The catalog prints alternative elements distinguished by air-cleaner dimensions; measure the installed housing before ordering.

    Applies to: 1978 · 318 cu in · United States · The catalog prints alternative elements distinguished by air-cleaner dimensions; measure the installed housing before ordering.

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog, Pre-1980 Applications · Printed catalog page 640, 1978 Dodge Charger 318 row — Air — PA615 or PA2010 column · checked

    Verified ordering references

    • Validated equivalentBaldwin PA615

      Qty. 1 · Engine air-filter element; 10 1/4-inch outside diameter · catalog-listed

      Baldwin's application table lists PA615 for the 1978 Charger 318 application. Confirm the installed engine, filter housing, emissions equipment, and dimensions before ordering.

      Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog, Pre-1980 Applications · Printed catalog page 640, 1978 Dodge Charger 318 row — Air — PA615 (10 1/4 OD) · checked

      Search this part on Amazon
    • Validated equivalentBaldwin PA2010

      Qty. 1 · Engine air-filter element; 12 3/4-inch outside diameter · catalog-listed

      Baldwin's application table lists PA2010 for the 1978 Charger 318 application. Confirm the installed engine, filter housing, emissions equipment, and dimensions before ordering.

      Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog, Pre-1980 Applications · Printed catalog page 640, 1978 Dodge Charger 318 row — Air — PA2010 (12 3/4 OD) · checked

      Search this part on Amazon

    360 cu in engine

    Baldwin PA2010

    Applies to: 1978 · 360 cu in · United States

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog, Pre-1980 Applications · Printed catalog page 640, 1978 Dodge Charger 360 row — Air — PA2010 column · checked

    Verified ordering references

    400 cu in engine

    Baldwin PA2010

    Applies to: 1978 · 400 cu in · United States

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog, Pre-1980 Applications · Printed catalog page 640, 1978 Dodge Charger 400 row — Air — PA2010 column · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Crankcase oil-vapor filter — V8 catalog fitmentView intervals, applicability and sources

    Crankcase oil-vapor filter — V8 catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    The catalog lists this oil-vapor element for the V8 applications shown; it does not list the 225 six-cylinder application.

    318 cu in V8

    Baldwin SA4141

    Applies to: 1978 · 318 cu in · United States

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog, Pre-1980 Applications · Printed catalog page 640, 1978 Dodge Charger 318 row — Oil Vapor — SA4141 column · checked

    Verified ordering references

    360 cu in V8

    Baldwin SA4141

    Applies to: 1978 · 360 cu in · United States

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog, Pre-1980 Applications · Printed catalog page 640, 1978 Dodge Charger 360 row — Oil Vapor — SA4141 column · checked

    Verified ordering references

    400 cu in V8

    Baldwin SA4141

    Applies to: 1978 · 400 cu in · United States

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog, Pre-1980 Applications · Printed catalog page 640, 1978 Dodge Charger 400 row — Oil Vapor — SA4141 column · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Automatic-transmission filter — catalog fitmentView intervals, applicability and sources

    Automatic-transmission filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    This is a catalog fitment reference, not a fluid specification or replacement interval. Confirm that the car retains the cataloged automatic transmission before ordering.

    318 cu in application

    Baldwin 18032

    Applies to: 1978 · 318 cu in · United States

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog, Pre-1980 Applications · Printed catalog page 640, 1978 Dodge Charger 318 row — Trans — 18032 column · checked

    Verified ordering references

    360 cu in application

    Baldwin 18032

    Applies to: 1978 · 360 cu in · United States

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog, Pre-1980 Applications · Printed catalog page 640, 1978 Dodge Charger 360 row — Trans — 18032 column · checked

    Verified ordering references

    400 cu in application

    Baldwin 18032

    Applies to: 1978 · 400 cu in · United States

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog, Pre-1980 Applications · Printed catalog page 640, 1978 Dodge Charger 400 row — Trans — 18032 column · checked

    Verified ordering references

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Sources

  1. Dodge — 1978 Charger SE factory brochure (81-205-8004)
  2. Mopar Muscle — Dodge Charger model history and 1974 body/engine range

Other Fourth generation years

All Fourth generation · Personal-luxury B-body years →

Documented lineup

Find your exact 1978 Charger

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

6factory configurations
Exact factory pairings documentedHow this lineup was verified

These source-backed records identify published body, engine, and transmission combinations. Exact pairings do not by themselves assert that every factory option or special edition is represented.

6versions shown
Browse 6 documented records — use the filters above to narrow the list
Two-door specialty hardtop

Dodge Charger SE 318 2-barrel V8

Body
Two-door specialty hardtop
Engine
318 cu in LA V8, 2-barrel carburetor
Gearbox
TorqueFlite automatic with lockup torque converter
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door specialty hardtop

Dodge Charger SE 360 2-barrel V8

Body
Two-door specialty hardtop
Engine
360 cu in LA V8, 2-barrel carburetor
Gearbox
TorqueFlite automatic with lockup torque converter
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door specialty hardtop

Dodge Charger SE 400 4-barrel V8

Body
Two-door specialty hardtop
Engine
400 cu in B-series V8, 4-barrel carburetor
Gearbox
TorqueFlite automatic with lockup torque converter
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door specialty hardtop

Dodge Charger SE 400 4-barrel Heavy-Duty V8

Body
Two-door specialty hardtop
Engine
400 cu in B-series V8, 4-barrel carburetor, heavy-duty specification
Gearbox
TorqueFlite automatic with lockup torque converter
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door specialty hardtop

Dodge Charger SE 360 4-barrel V8 (California/high altitude)

Body
Two-door specialty hardtop
Engine
360 cu in LA V8, 4-barrel carburetor
Gearbox
TorqueFlite automatic with lockup torque converter
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door specialty hardtop

Dodge Charger SE 318 4-barrel V8 (California)

Body
Two-door specialty hardtop
Engine
318 cu in LA V8, 4-barrel carburetor
Gearbox
TorqueFlite automatic with lockup torque converter
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

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