Dodge SRT-4

[inferno]

For one, the neon was never based on the same chassis as the eclipse. especialy not now, because the eclipse isn't even a compact any more. The eclipse is based on the same platform as the galant. So this it a neon chassis plain and simple, which never had anything to do with an Eclipse. However, the engine on the other hand, as opposed to the 130hp 2.0 liter found in the base Neon, is in fact a mitubishi sourced 2.4 liter I4 cylinder, to which dodge added a turbocharger to produce 215 hp. the exact same arangement found under the hood of the PT cruiser turbo, Which I might add IS based on the Neon platform.

That being said, it's rediculous they had to add a turbocharger to this engine to achive 215 hp. I would much rather have a naturaly asperated version which could easily make that amount of HP and save the weight of both the turbo and intercooler.. I say, either ditch the turbo, or give me 300 hp. One or the other, either way it would be a better car.

 

[Duke]

i dont want this to turn into another its a neon thing.but it was the srt concept that was based on the neon the srt-4 was pretty much built up from the eclipse

I'm sorry to tell you this, but you are 110% dead freaking wrong. Sorry, bub. Unless the wink means this was a joke.

However, the engine on the other hand, as opposed to the 130hp 2.0 liter found in the base Neon, is in fact a mitubishi sourced 2.4 liter I4 cylinder, to which dodge added a turbocharger to produce 215 hp. the exact same arangement found under the hood of the PT cruiser turbo, Which I might add IS based on the Neon platform.

WHY does everybody think this? They thought the same about the original Neon's DOHC 2.0. News flash:

The 2.0 SOHC, 2.0 DOHC, the Magnum SOHC, the regular 2.4, and the turbo 2.4 are all designed, engineered, and built in America with the exception of the 2.4's Mitsu-sourced turbocharger unit itself. Some of the engines are assembled in Mexico but they are North American products with no real Japanese content beyond the turbine itself.

That being said, it's rediculous they had to add a turbocharger to this engine to achive 215 hp. I would much rather have a naturaly asperated version which could easily make that amount of HP and save the weight of both the turbo and intercooler.. I say, either ditch the turbo, or give me 300 hp. One or the other, either way it would be a better car.

Yeah, whatever. My TSX's 2.4 iV-Tec engine makes 200 hp and about 165 lbs of torque way up near 6,000 rpm using Japan's finest high-tech natural aspiration, and requires premium (92 octane) gas. The SRT's 2.4 turbo makes about 230 hp and 230 lbs of torque way down about 4,000 rpm and runs the same gas.

You tell me which engine you'd rather follow around. Remember that the SRT costs about $7,000 USD less than I paid for my TSX (yes, there are differences in luxury - that's why I bought the TSX). Also remember that you can bolt about 50 hp and 50 lbs of torque onto the SRT for well under $1000 additional.

Man, am I ever tired of ignorant, uninformed dislike of American cars and America in general.

For the record, it's not all about drag racing. Neon ACRs dominated Showroom Stock B and C until they got legislated off the podium by other manufacturer's whining. Tell me why the 160-hp Civic Si had to get put in the lower class with the 132-hp SOHC Neons... not against the 150-hp DOHC Neons.

 

[Boost Lee]

Why does everything have to come back to drag racing?

Because the drag strip is a measuring stick for acceleration. It's easier to say my car runs low 11's in the 1/4 - 400m, than to say I can beat a C5 Corvette by 4 buslengths.

the measure of a car and it's driver is much more than a straight line

That's why there are different forms of racing, with people that have different opinions. Some understand the other forms, and some do not.

 

[Drift-Kid]

Why does everything have to come back to drag racing?

.....

it was to his statmen..........i could really car less about drag racing...im more of a road race guy........................



ps............I have a freind doing a LS1 swap into a 3rd gen RX-7

 

[Omnis]

I'm sorry to tell you this, but you are 110% dead freaking wrong. Sorry, bub. Unless the wink means this was a joke.

WHY does everybody think this? They thought the same about the original Neon's DOHC 2.0. News flash:

The 2.0 SOHC, 2.0 DOHC, the Magnum SOHC, the regular 2.4, and the turbo 2.4 are all designed, engineered, and built in America with the exception of the 2.4's Mitsu-sourced turbocharger unit itself. Some of the engines are assembled in Mexico but they are North American products with no real Japanese content beyond the turbine itself.

Yeah, whatever. My TSX's 2.4 iV-Tec engine makes 200 hp and about 165 lbs of torque way up near 6,000 rpm using Japan's finest high-tech natural aspiration, and requires premium (92 octane) gas. The SRT's 2.4 turbo makes about 230 hp and 230 lbs of torque way down about 4,000 rpm and runs the same gas.

You tell me which engine you'd rather follow around. Remember that the SRT costs about $7,000 USD less than I paid for my TSX (yes, there are differences in luxury - that's why I bought the TSX). Also remember that you can bolt about 50 hp and 50 lbs of torque onto the SRT for well under $1000 additional.

Man, am I ever tired of ignorant, uninformed dislike of American cars and America in general.

For the record, it's not all about drag racing. Neon ACRs dominated Showroom Stock B and C until they got legislated off the podium by other manufacturer's whining. Tell me why the 160-hp Civic Si had to get put in the lower class with the 132-hp SOHC Neons... not against the 150-hp DOHC Neons.

that's why he's an admin.

 

[Earnhardt]

Back to the FWD v. RWD thing, I guess it's a matter of opinion. I'd rather have a RWD car 10x over than a FWD car, since I grew up driving/getting driven in RWD cars. I'd much rather drive my dad's '88 lowrider truck or his '76 drag truck, or even my Bird (see sig) than my mom's '95 Olds Cutlass Supreme, because the feeling of all the power pushing the vehicle, rather than pulling it, appeals to me. Also, when I go drag racing (no auto-x tracks around here), people laugh when a FWD car does a burnout before prestaging. And don't forget about those reverse donuts! I'm all about having fun, but to me, FWD isn't fun. I'm also a fan of larger cars, not stubby, short wheelbase cars like an SRT-4. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice looking car, but nothing that could get a second look from me.

 

[DRIFT GOD]

how about some pics of the SRT-4 with aftermaket wheels ???

 

[sqcomp]

Since I drive an SRT-4, understeer is an issue for me on cornering in extreme situations. The little thing has enough grunt to leave the wheels spinning in the stock form. I'm waiting for my tax refund so I can put the Stage 1 upgrade ($329). I'll still be vigilant when trying to corner and acclerate...you can only press the gas so much before loosing the traction. That fact is brought to light in that SCC article I mentioned last night. This car could be served with a brake upgrade as well. Not that the 4 wheel discs aren't nice, it's just that they fade when you work them too much over a short period of time. My last car was a 1985 Toyota MR2 (flying wedge!). This little cheap car had the balance I'd want on the SRT-4.

The Acura RL is what I'm drooling over. I'd give one of the new Caddies a try as well.

As for NA versus turbo...The engine build on this thing is brilliant IMHO. I mean really, 230 hp 250 torque with 8.1:1 compression on 92 octane. That gives a hell of a lot of room for more boost...see the Mopar turbo upgrades. The upgrades also give alternate 100 octane fuel settings for racing and a 1st gear boost adjustment so you don't burn off your tires. There are SO many upgrades Mopar offers for this car. You can turn it into a track racer with so little money its ridiculous.

Earnhardt,

I hear what you're saying about the feel of a RWD V8. http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/763325 My brother in Washington has a 72 440 GTX. It has loads and loads of power. The thing is, the handling is terrible compared to my SRT-4...and it is heavy. Saying that...WOOOOO!!! This thing is fast! Having driven it, it needs bucket seats and oh crap handles. My brother (along with most of my close friends) wants me to stage 3 my SRT and go to the drag strip to see a side by side. I'd be down for that along with a road track run.

I have come to respect the FWD cars but I'd still lke to have the potential of an V-8 in a RWD platform. It's funny the looks the people give a "neon" when it keeps up with (or beats) a much more expensive car.

 

[exhaust_note]

ill take my car over any neon anyday...

 

[sqcomp]

Of course you will, it's a different class of car. Saying that , how much did you spend on it? It's at LEAST 10K more new than an SRT-4. For $5K on that SRT, you'll have more than a run for your money.

Recognize the different classes and compare apples to apples.

 

[iceburns288]

The SRT4 does not make 215hp. It makes much more like 260hp STOCK. I've seen SRT4s dyno nearly 250wtq stock. Yes, stock, without the WARRANTIED and very INEXPENSIVE Mopar stuff.

 

[MrktMkr1986]

The SRT4 does not make 215hp. It makes much more like 260hp STOCK. I've seen SRT4s dyno nearly 250wtq stock. Yes, stock, without the WARRANTIED and very INEXPENSIVE Mopar stuff.

They are underrated most likely for insurance purposes...
I still want one, though -- in the game...

 

[SupraTTlover]

i didnt have time to look at all posts, but telling from the first page, few of you know what your talking about. the SRT4 has a mitusbishi turbocharger in it(might be the one from the eclipse gst or gsx). That is why i beleive he said the srt4 is based off a eclipse. yes it is a neon, a powerful one at that. the only thing that i dont see is so hot about the srt4 is its looks. id still buy one, but id rather have a rsx type s(i own one) or a wrx, although, both are alittle more than a srt4 though.
SRT4
likes:
-Pure performance
-Potential
-Comes turbocharged
-Lovely sound(its a hate or love thing)
-Cheap speed

dislikes:
-Boyracerish look
-5 speed
-Front wheel drive

that sums it up for me. and dont ask why i would take a DC5 over a srt4(drive both and you would understand).

 

[Blackbird.]

Interestingly enough this topic has gone towards real-life SRT-4s so why not move this to cars in general since there isn't much SRT-4 in GT4 talk. Moderators I think you would agree.

 

[MrktMkr1986]

I have a way to bring it back on topic. 💡

I wonder if the SRT-4 in GT4 says 215 horsepower but the number changes when it gets to the garage.

Example: in GT3 if you buy a Skyline R34, it is rated at 276 horsepower, but by the time you get to your garage (no modifications/no oil change) it says it has 320 horsepower (or around that figure).

Perhaps it is the same in GT4.

 

[Rism]

the SRT4 is good for doing one thing and that is going fast in a straight line hence the reason why all the street happy fast and furious wannabe teens drive them. Take that car on a twisty road and a brick on 4 wheels will out handle it.

Oh yea and it looks like a skittle

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

Take that car on a twisty road and a brick on 4 wheels will out handle it.

theres one smily that decribes that

 

[Omologato]

Because the drag strip is a measuring stick for acceleration. It's easier to say my car runs low 11's in the 1/4 - 400m, than to say I can beat a C5 Corvette by 4 buslengths.

Cute. Some of us out there dont care so much about how fast it goes in a stragiht line, but rather how well it can take turns n such. Thats what I was getting at.I just feel that a car shouldn't be judged solely on speed.

 

[sqcomp]

I would take issue with the statement of the SRT-4 hadling poorly. The only thing it does poorly is the understeer. The balance of this car needs to be more centered instead of the 60/40 it is now. Coming up over hills on curves the end is too light. I had a nice experience going over a "gentle" right hand corner around 125 mph. The ass end got squirley.

Out where I live we have this scenic highway on the Columbia River. It is an absolute joy to drive coming down from around 1000 feet on many twists and turns, some very fast and some VERY tight. This car shines in and out of those turns.

For those who want to judge the car's handling before actually driving it, this car has become very popular in off road rally, autocross and in drag racing...I'd be happy to put the Mopar stage 3 suspension kit on and have you feast on your own words.

...again, for the price this car is at least worth a very close look...on GT4 and in real life.

 

[Duke]

the SRT4 is good for doing one thing and that is going fast in a straight line hence the reason why all the street happy fast and furious wannabe teens drive them. Take that car on a twisty road and a brick on 4 wheels will out handle it.

I just love people who have no idea what they're talking about but say it like it was gospel truth. Go peddle it elsewhere, fanboy.

sqcomp, have you spent any time at www.neons.org? That's about the oldest Neon community around. I wrote the Neon FAQ and I was (am, though retired) a board admin there, too. I've kind of drifted away from the community a bit but it still has a lot to offer.

I'd also suggest you look into www.grmotorsports.com. Grassroots Motorsports is building up their SRT for autocross work and they've been campaigning it for a couple seasons now. They've had some revelations about the handling and they have an excellent buildup series that runs back over 6 or 8 issues. I would definitely look into buying the back copies if I had an SRT.

And, I think there's enough GT4 content that this can stay here.

 

[Blackbird.]

And, I think there's enough GT4 content that this can stay here.

Fair enough.

 

[MoparSRT10]

Great topic... love the SRT-4

about that eclipse thing... the SRT-4's only part from mitsu... is the turbo... the block itself and trans are made by DCX

super fast, super cheap, and super sleeper

check out my freinds "neon" engine and trans swapped with an SRT-4

here's the dyno vid "neon" dyno

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

 

[Diego440]

Man, am I ever tired of ignorant, uninformed dislike of American cars and America in general.

Yeah, I really hate it when people talk bad about Venezuela...

 

[Rism]

I just love people who have no idea what they're talking about but say it like it was gospel truth. Go peddle it elsewhere, fanboy.

sqcomp, have you spent any time at www.neons.org? That's about the oldest Neon community around. I wrote the Neon FAQ and I was (am, though retired) a board admin there, too. I've kind of drifted away from the community a bit but it still has a lot to offer.

I'd also suggest you look into www.grmotorsports.com. Grassroots Motorsports is building up their SRT for autocross work and they've been campaigning it for a couple seasons now. They've had some revelations about the handling and they have an excellent buildup series that runs back over 6 or 8 issues. I would definitely look into buying the back copies if I had an SRT.

And, I think there's enough GT4 content that this can stay here.

You conciously believe the SRT4 has even remotely good handling?
Im a fanboy? I didnt mention any brands in my post however you seem to be the fanboy judging from you response. Which usually involves complete denial of the truth.

Maybe a couple grand into the suspension it will handle ok but stock it handles like crap. I have driven my friends mutiple times and I can tell you it wouldnt even touch my mazdaspeed protege in the twisties I dont care how much WHP it has.

 

[sqcomp]

Well, that is where we'll disagree...respectfully of course. Still, if I did "dump" a few thousand into the suspension (actually $1400), I'd still come up with the same amount one would pay for a Mazadaspeed Protoge and have some REALLY nice adjustable coilovers from KW suspensions AND beefier strut bars.

The key point I keep trying for here is the value of the entire package regardless of bias. You do have to admit for the price it is a sweet deal...in GT4 as well! Is the thread good enough to keep going?

 

[Boost Lee]

Cute. Some of us out there dont care so much about how fast it goes in a stragiht line

.. And some of us do.

Nice Cadillac.

 

[sqcomp]

Seeing a stage 3 neon take down a viper on the quarter mile is fairly satisfying. Give me an Americal LeMans race any day. I'd love the chance to share Portland International Raceway's straightaway and festival curves with the other heavy hitters in this thread. An Evo VIII and a Mazdaspeed protoge...we should throw in a Nissan Sentra SE-R Vspec, an RSX Type S and a WRX Sti. That would be a hoot!

I guess We'll all get a chance to race those at Laguna in a day or two won't we?

 

[Duke]

You conciously believe the SRT4 has even remotely good handling?
Im a fanboy? I didnt mention any brands in my post however you seem to be the fanboy judging from you response. Which usually involves complete denial of the truth.

Maybe a couple grand into the suspension it will handle ok but stock it handles like crap. I have driven my friends mutiple times and I can tell you it wouldnt even touch my mazdaspeed protege in the twisties I dont care how much WHP it has.

I've never driven a Mazdaspeed Protege, so I can't speak to that. But there's nothing terribly wrong with the SRT's handling except the tendency for hard cornering to lift the inside rear hoof - a tendency of most FWD cars. This tends to confuse the ABS system, it's true. It's not the easiest car to drive but it's far from the worst.

Besides, as sqcomp has mentioned, it's pretty cost-effective to modify the suspension using either third-party pieces, Mopar Performance pieces, or the OEM Dynamic double-adjustable setup from the second-gen ACR Neon, or a mix of those.

Starting from scratch, incuding purchase of the cars, I bet it's cheaper and easier to get the SRT to handle as well as your Protege than it would be to get your Protege to outrun the SRT. I wish I had $50,000 to see.

 

[FreewayDrifter]

Anybody got a vid of the SRT in GT4.