Dodge Neon SRT-4 Stage 3

[Blackbird.]

Pump in 100 octane unleaded, and you'd better hold on to your potatoes as the engine pushes 355 hp and 365 lb-ft to the crank.

335hp in a neon? Why not, sounds like fun! Read the article(click the link), that thing has to be a fast mofo.

Source: Automobile Magazine

 

[Ev0]

OMFG!!!!!!

That car is seriously sweet. I can't wait to see how it stacks up to the Evo and the STi, although the BF Goodrich tires and the FF drivetrain will probably give a handling edge to the Japanese rockets.

 

[VIPFREAK]

I'm not really that impressed. I have a feeling it might not actually beat an EVO or WRX. Sorry Eric.

 

[Joey D]

Wow imaging the torque steer.

 

[iceburns288]

hahahaha, these numbers are the most BS thing I've ever seen. I bet it puts out 400hp and at least 420lb-ft. Easy.

 

[Joey D]

hahahaha, these numbers are the most BS thing I've ever seen. I bet it puts out 400hp and at least 420lb-ft. Easy.

I wouldn't doubt it to tell you the truth, a stage 3 turbo is rediculous.

 

[pimp racer]

Any Front Wheel Drive car with OVER 300 HP is just freaking crazy. Not really nessary unless it weighs a lot! I bet this will sell alot if its UNDER 22,000 USD!

 

[Blackbird.]

Any Front Wheel Drive car with OVER 300 HP is just freaking crazy. Not really nessary unless it weighs a lot! I bet this will sell alot if its UNDER 22,000 USD!

No chance. I think just under $30,000.

 

[pimp racer]

No chance. I think just under $30,000.

Wow then thats really damn stupid. Rather save up a few grand and get a STI.

 

[Blackbird.]

Eh I'd get the Legacy 2.0GT Sedan. Love that Subaru.

 

[Emohawk]

I wonder if the drivetrain would swap into a second revision Neon? That'd make it even more sleepery (and the new ones are a step up the fugly scale).

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

That sounds like torture. Might be good for drag racing.

 

[Quick_Nick]

I hope it has a new differential for a higher gear ratio. The stock SRT-4 tops out so soon it's not even funny.

 

[Ev0]

The report says test drivers have brought the car up to 160mph before running out of room, so I think Dogde has given the car new gear ratios to accomodate the extra power.

 

[TsLeng]

This is crazy

Anything over 250hp and front-drive is not nice to drive 👎
And tires aren't cheap too.

 

[JNasty4G63]

.....so I think Dogde has given the car new gear ratios to accomodate the extra power.

They didn't. All of the Mopar "Stage" packages for the SRT-4 are just engine mods. They do offer some suspension mods and a couple other things, but all of the "Stages" are just power. Also, these kits aren't on the car when you get it. You just buy the SRT-4, and then you add the kits later. Its not like the "Stage 3" car is a whole new model. Its just an SRT-4 with a ton of power mods.

The first one offered, "Stage 1" is only offered for 2003 models. It was a slightly tweaked ECU for more boost and some bigger injectors. It took power from 215hp up to 240hp, and torque from 240lb-ft up to 260lb-ft. This was a minor release though, because only 2003 models were able to use it. All SRT-4s from 2004 on already had it stock.

Next was "Stage 2" released about a year ago or so. It came with a new ECU and injectors again. But, also had a different wastegate actuator and a 3 bar TIP sensor. And, it came with the "Turbo Toys" pack that mounted in the car on the bottom of the dash. That was where you would adjust the boost setting and use the intercooler sprayers that also come with "Stage 2" now. And you are able to select the "high octane" mode that was now available with the new ECU. Overall, the kit brings power up to either 265hp/280lb-ft or 280hp/300lb-ft depending on which mode your in, high octane or pump gas.

Now, with "Stage 3" Mopar is going all out. The new "Stage 3" takes it all up, and actually over the limit. It comes with a new fuel pump, larger fuel rail, big turbo, and a specific "Stage 3" ECU. It can be purchased either separate, or as an add-on for "Stage 2" cars. If you don't have "Stage 2" you also get it with the 3.0bar MAP and TIP sensors, the "Turbo Toys" and the bigger injectors. All in all though, they're saying the "Stage 3" kit will be like $4k. So, add that to the fact that a stock SRT-4 is only $22k, and you have a car thats a little ove $26k that has huge power. It makes either 310hp/325lb-ft in pump gas mode, or 355hp/365lb-ft in high octane mode.

The BIG problem with all this though?????? Stage 3 is not street legal because of emmissions reasons. So, you'll have to do it yourself, since they won't sell it to you on a new car. And, then you'll have the problem of getting checked for emmissions, if you do that. We don't have checks here in Omaha, so its no biggie around these parts, but lots of places have to get checked. Either way though, we're talking about a car with well over 300hp that cost a little over $26k. Thats sweet.

And about the other problems some of you have. From 2004 on, they all came with a Quaife LSD stock. So, even with a lot of power, it will put it down fairly well. I've ridden in a "Stage 2" car, and the torque steer was noticable, but very controlable. Obviously, lots of power going through the front wheels will be a lot to ask of the car. But, these kits aren't sold stock. You buy the standard SRT-4, and then add the kits later.

And also, the SRT-4 will do over 160 fairly easily. So, I guess if you're comparing it to a Vette of something, they might "top out too soon" so you say. But, anything that does over 140mph or so is good in my book.

Hilg

 

[TS1AWD]

I wouldn't doubt it to tell you the truth, a stage 3 turbo is rediculous.

Its not really all that crazy. The stage 3 turbo for the SRT-4's is just a Mitsubishi TD05-16G. JNasty4G63 and eV0 can both boast that this isn't all that crazy and is a common turbo to any street DSM. I love the SRT-4's to death and you see 30+ of them at Test n' Tune every Wednesday night. Only a handful of them hitting 12's on street tires. Traction has become a huge issue with these cars not being able to pull a sub 2 second 60 foot time without slicks. Personally I would love to see an AWD version pop out, than the EVO's and STi's will have to watch out, as well as the DSM's.

Having driven a FWD 16G powered Talon, the torque steer drove me nuts!

 

[JNasty4G63]

Totally. And, not to nit pick, but its actually a TD05HR-15GK2-10cm2 turbo on the S3. Which is really kind of average size wise. It will make a great street turbo though. You can go big, and you can go REAL big. This is just kinda big. But, it makes great power. And with the new lightweight turbine impeller wheel, it should spool pretty quick. The 16G is pretty much what every DSM'r starts with for upgrades. They make good street power, and don't really need much in the way of other mods.

I like the SRT-4. But, as TS1 said, with it being FWD it has its limitations. But, thats the tradeoff you get. Being just FWD and based heavilly on the standard Neon, the car is very affordable. Once you start trying to add AWD and other things like that to the car, the cost just shoots up. Supposedly, the new Neon chassis is going to be available with AWD. So, the chance of an AWD SRT-4 is getting better.

Hilg

 

[Blackbird.]

So basically the only flaw in this car is they failed to put AWD in it? Or atleast RWD?

 

[VIPFREAK]

So basically the only flaw in this car is they failed to put AWD in it? Or atleast RWD?

Not to mention it will rattle apart.

 

[Blackbird.]

What do you have against the SRT-4?

 

[VIPFREAK]

What do you have against the SRT-4?

Nothing... but I don't think it's worth it to buy one. Even if you can get over 300hp in it.

 

[Blackbird.]

I think it would be worth it to buy a "stock" SRT-4. And I think it would be worth it to buy a Stage 3 provided it had an AWD or RWD. But it doesn't so I wouldn't get the option.

 

[JNasty4G63]

I think its a great car. They never once have said that its a high quality piece. Its a Neon with a big ass engine, plain and simple. If you want speed on the cheap, this is it. Would it be nice if it had AWD??? Sure. But, like I said, that just adds weight and cost, ruining the purpose of the car. I think getting over 325hp is getting a bit excessive, but it sure as hell would be fun. And thats what the car is all about.

Hilg

 

[VIPFREAK]

Can someone tell me why the 🤬 they must have the ass of that car sticking up higher than a hummer?!

 

[Emohawk]

Less weight transfer to the rear wheels on acceleration?

 

[CodeRedR51]

I'm not really that impressed. I have a feeling it might not actually beat an EVO or WRX. Sorry Eric.

It might not have as much power as one of those cars, but it gains an advantage in the weight department. I've seen plenty of SRT-4s hang with STis and EVOs with just a few mods. That stage 3 SRT-4 would lay a whoopin on a stock SVT Cobra.

Edit: I estimate my car only has about 150 horsepower, (may have more...Intake, exhaust, timing advance) but I've picked on and beat V6 accords, maximas (late 90's) GT Probes, etc. Why? Because I weight less than them... 👍

 

[TsLeng]

It might not have as much power as one of those cars, but it gains an advantage in the weight department. I've seen plenty of SRT-4s hang with STis and EVOs with just a few mods. That stage 3 SRT-4 would lay a whoopin on a stock SVT Cobra.

Edit: I estimate my car only has about 150 horsepower, (may have more...Intake, exhaust, timing advance) but I've picked on and beat V6 accords, maximas (late 90's) GT Probes, etc. Why? Because I weight less than them... 👍

Maybe in higher speeds. At low speeds, the neon will simply spin its tires away.
Not enough traction 👎

 

[Duke]

Not to mention it will rattle apart.

Give me a freaking break. I've got 95,000 hard miles on my 10-year-old Neon, including autocross and track days at Road Atlanta. It's an ACR so it's sprung like your average dump truck and I keep the Konis set pretty stiff. It hasn't had a major mechanical failuer EVER and the only issue it has with rattles or any sort of similar problem are the frameless windows, which need to be adjusted.

I just love people that talk crap about things they know nothing about.

FWIW Chrysler PVO made sure that the SRT had equal-length half shafts when they designed the new transmission for it. This substantially reduces torque steer compared to the Talon or most other FWD cars.

 

[Delirious]

in plain english, can someone explain to me what torque steer is so i dont look like an idiot trying to read this and at the same time make a comment about something i dont know about like duke just stated?