Car Model History

Fifth generation · L-body (FWD subcompact) · 1982–1987

1986Dodge Charger

A completely different car: a front-wheel-drive subcompact three-door hatchback on the Omni-based L-body. The turbocharged Shelby Charger (1983–1987) was its performance halo. Shares the Charger name only — not the muscle-era lineage.

Fifth generation · L-body (FWD subcompact)

1986 Dodge Shelby Charger — L-body front-wheel-drive hatchback, front right view

Photo: “1986 Dodge Shelby Charger, front right, 06-08-2024” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Quick facts

Engines
4offeredPeugeot-built 1.6-liter inline-four → Turbo I multi-port-EFI 2.2-liter
Top output
146hpTurbo I multi-port-EFI 2.2-liter

Body styles3-door front-wheel-drive hatchback coupe

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1986 Dodge Charger model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Documented lineup

Find your exact 1986 Charger

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

5factory 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.

5versions shown
Three-door front-wheel-drive hatchback coupe

Dodge Charger 1.6-liter

Body
Three-door front-wheel-drive hatchback coupe
Engine
1.6-liter Peugeot-built inline-four (64 net hp / 87 lb-ft)
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Three-door front-wheel-drive hatchback coupe

Dodge Charger 2.2-liter

Body
Three-door front-wheel-drive hatchback coupe
Engine
2.2-liter Chrysler SOHC inline-four (96 net hp / 119 lb-ft)
Gearbox
Close-ratio 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Three-door front-wheel-drive hatchback coupe

Dodge Charger 2.2 High Performance

Body
Three-door front-wheel-drive hatchback coupe
Engine
High-performance naturally aspirated 2.2-liter SOHC inline-four (110 net hp / 129 lb-ft)
Gearbox
Close-ratio 5-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Three-door front-wheel-drive hatchback coupe

Dodge Charger 2.2 Automatic

Body
Three-door front-wheel-drive hatchback coupe
Engine
Regular-output 2.2-liter Chrysler SOHC inline-four (96 net hp / 119 lb-ft)
Gearbox
3-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Three-door front-wheel-drive hatchback coupe

Dodge Shelby Charger Turbo

Body
Three-door front-wheel-drive hatchback coupe
Engine
Turbocharged multi-port-EFI 2.2-liter SOHC inline-four (146 net hp / 168 lb-ft)
Gearbox
Close-ratio 5-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1986 model year

Overview

Dodge's 1986 factory brochure separates three named L-body models—Charger, Charger 2.2, and Shelby Charger—but its engine/transaxle matrix creates five distinct orderable configurations. The base car offered a standard 64-hp Peugeot-built 1.6 with four-speed manual or an optional 96-hp Chrysler 2.2 with five-speed manual or automatic. Charger 2.2 used the 110-hp high-performance 2.2 with a five-speed; choosing its automatic substituted the regular 96-hp engine. Shelby retained the 146-hp non-intercooled Turbo I 2.2 and close-ratio five-speed.

Specifications

Engines
  • Peugeot-built 1.6-liter inline-four64 hp
  • Regular-output naturally aspirated 2.2-liter96 hp
  • High-performance naturally aspirated 2.2-liter110 hp
  • Turbo I multi-port-EFI 2.2-liter146 hp
Transmissions
4-speed manual, Close-ratio 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
Body styles
3-door front-wheel-drive hatchback coupe
Dimensions
Length 174.8 in (174.7 in Shelby) · Wheelbase 96.5 in · Width 66.1 in · Height 50.7 in (50.2 in Shelby) · Fuel capacity 13 gal

Year over year

What changed

  • The base 1.6-liter rating rose to 64 hp and remained paired exclusively with the four-speed manual.
  • The factory matrix explicitly offered the regular 96-hp 2.2 in the base Charger with five-speed manual or three-speed automatic.
  • Charger 2.2 made the 110-hp high-performance engine and close-ratio five-speed standard, but an automatic order substituted the 96-hp 2.2.
  • All models received a supplemental high-mounted center stop lamp.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • Factory ratings were 64 hp/87 lb-ft, 96 hp/119 lb-ft, 110 hp/129 lb-ft, and 146 hp/168 lb-ft.
  • Approximate curb weights were 2,215 lb for Charger, 2,366 lb for Charger 2.2, and 2,352 lb for Shelby Charger.
  • The brochure identifies the turbo engine as not recommended for trailer towing.
  • Factory brochure form 81-205-6017 was printed in August 1985.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • A Charger 2.2 badge does not prove which 2.2-liter calibration is present: automatic cars received the 96-hp engine, while the 110-hp high-performance engine was manual-only.
  • The Shelby Turbo uses multi-port injection, turbo-specific cooling and exhaust, and a close-ratio five-speed; naturally aspirated 2.2 parts and schedules are not sufficient fitment evidence.
  • The archived maintenance schedule rendered below is scoped to the naturally aspirated VIN C 2.2-liter record and does not establish complete service requirements for the 1.6-liter or Turbo I configurations.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1986 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 1986 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
3
Factory intervals
2
Fitment-scoped
3
Exact references
1

Before orderingIdentify 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 and filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1986 · Naturally aspirated 2.2L SOHC inline-four · United States · This recovered schedule is scoped to the cited naturally aspirated 2.2L configuration; Shelby/turbo and other engine requirements are not claimed.

    Published interval: 7,500 mi / 12,000 km · Normal service; the archive also directs annual replacement when yearly mileage is below 7,500 miles.

    Source: Dodge — 1986 Charger L4-135 2.2L SOHC VIN C 2-bbl factory normal-service schedule (preserved service-manual database) · Maintenance > Service Intervals > Normal Service — recurring 7,500-mile rows · checked

  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1986 · Naturally aspirated 2.2L SOHC inline-four · United States · This recovered schedule is scoped to the cited naturally aspirated 2.2L configuration; Shelby/turbo and other engine requirements are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Catalyst-equipped U.S. normal-service replacement interval.

    Source: Dodge — 1986 Charger L4-135 2.2L SOHC VIN C 2-bbl factory normal-service schedule (preserved service-manual database) · Maintenance > Service Intervals > Normal Service — 30,000-mile row and repeating rows · checked

  • Engine oil filter

    Exact reference available

    The order numbers below establish replacement-filter fitment only; they do not establish a service interval. Confirm the installed engine, VIN, build date, and filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1986 · United States

    1.6-liter Peugeot-built inline-four (64 net hp / 87 lb-ft)

    K&N HP-1002

    K&N publishes HP-1002 for this exact year-and-engine application; confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1986 · 1.6-liter Peugeot-built inline-four (64 net hp / 87 lb-ft) · United States · Exact 1986 Charger engine application. Confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: K&N Engineering — Dodge Charger replacement-oil-filter application catalog · 1986 Dodge Charger 1.6-liter application row — HP-1002 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    2.2-liter Chrysler SOHC inline-four (96 net hp / 119 lb-ft)

    K&N HP-1002

    K&N publishes HP-1002 for this exact year-and-engine application; confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1986 · 2.2-liter Chrysler SOHC inline-four (96 net hp / 119 lb-ft) · United States · Exact 1986 Charger engine application. Confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: K&N Engineering — Dodge Charger replacement-oil-filter application catalog · 1986 Dodge Charger 2.2-liter application row — HP-1002 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    High-performance naturally aspirated 2.2-liter SOHC inline-four (110 net hp / 129 lb-ft)

    K&N HP-1002

    K&N publishes HP-1002 for this exact year-and-engine application; confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1986 · High-performance naturally aspirated 2.2-liter SOHC inline-four (110 net hp / 129 lb-ft) · United States · Exact 1986 Charger engine application. Confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: K&N Engineering — Dodge Charger replacement-oil-filter application catalog · 1986 Dodge Charger 2.2-liter application row — HP-1002 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    Regular-output 2.2-liter Chrysler SOHC inline-four (96 net hp / 119 lb-ft)

    K&N HP-1002

    K&N publishes HP-1002 for this exact year-and-engine application; confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1986 · Regular-output 2.2-liter Chrysler SOHC inline-four (96 net hp / 119 lb-ft) · United States · Exact 1986 Charger engine application. Confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: K&N Engineering — Dodge Charger replacement-oil-filter application catalog · 1986 Dodge Charger 2.2-liter application row — HP-1002 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    Turbocharged multi-port-EFI 2.2-liter SOHC inline-four (146 net hp / 168 lb-ft)

    K&N HP-1002

    K&N publishes HP-1002 for this exact year-and-engine application; confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1986 · Turbocharged multi-port-EFI 2.2-liter SOHC inline-four (146 net hp / 168 lb-ft) · United States · Exact 1986 Charger engine application. Confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: K&N Engineering — Dodge Charger replacement-oil-filter application catalog · 1986 Dodge Charger 2.2-liter application row — HP-1002 · 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 — 1986 Charger, Charger 2.2, and Shelby Charger factory brochure (81-205-6017)
  2. DodgeGarage — 60 Years of the Dodge Charger, Generation 5: 1982–1987

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