Dodge SRT-4: SportCompactCar of the year
- Thread starter Frustrated Palm
- 206 comments
- 21,682 views
Well, curiousity got the better of me, so I opened up the air box for a look see. Very interesting! I like the fact that the stock air filter isn't a tray, like most others. It's more cylindrical-shaped, so I took it out and made some measurements. I'm going to a local motorcycle store on Sat and see if they have something in a Uni dual-stage foam filter I can put in there (2 3/8" inlet diameter x 6 1/2" overall length x 5 5/8" overall diameter). Uni's website listed a dual-stage filter in 2 1/2" or 2 1/4" ID by 6" long, less than $20 retail.
While I was at it, I had a look to see where the air was coming into the air box. There's a small elbow piece that takes air in at the upper edge of the inner fender. I took that piece out, and looked at the hole, and saw the ground directly below. I stuck my head underneath, and there didn't appear to be any place I could route a hose to the front of the car for a forced cold air intake type of thing. I happened to have a piece of 3" aluminum flexible ducting in my spare parts box, and it fit into the elbow piece perfectly. I ran the hose thru the hole and put the airbox back together. Then I got underneath and pulled the hose down to the edge of the black inner fender guard. Punched a tiny hole in the ducting and ran a ziptie thru the hose and into a hole in the fender guard. It's got a slight forward angle to it, so I'm hoping when the car is in motion the air moving under the car will make it's way into this hose and up into the airbox.
Hopefully I'll be able to find a Uni filter, and since the cold air intake hose is already on, I should be able to get some impressions as to whether or not the hose/Uni filter combo makes any difference. I figure I'll only be out the cost of the Uni filter, so what the heck!
While I was at it, I had a look to see where the air was coming into the air box. There's a small elbow piece that takes air in at the upper edge of the inner fender. I took that piece out, and looked at the hole, and saw the ground directly below. I stuck my head underneath, and there didn't appear to be any place I could route a hose to the front of the car for a forced cold air intake type of thing. I happened to have a piece of 3" aluminum flexible ducting in my spare parts box, and it fit into the elbow piece perfectly. I ran the hose thru the hole and put the airbox back together. Then I got underneath and pulled the hose down to the edge of the black inner fender guard. Punched a tiny hole in the ducting and ran a ziptie thru the hose and into a hole in the fender guard. It's got a slight forward angle to it, so I'm hoping when the car is in motion the air moving under the car will make it's way into this hose and up into the airbox.
Hopefully I'll be able to find a Uni filter, and since the cold air intake hose is already on, I should be able to get some impressions as to whether or not the hose/Uni filter combo makes any difference. I figure I'll only be out the cost of the Uni filter, so what the heck!
Found a Uni filter at a motorcycle shop, part #NU-2295ST, $23 retail. It had a small hole in the top, which I fixed by plugging it with a small screw, fender washer, and black RTV. It's longer that the stock one, going right up to the inlet. It's not as big in diameter as stock, so there's the tradeoff. I took some "before and after" pics, so if anyone's interested, e-mail me at (RND5962@aol.com) and I'll send them to you (unless someone can post them here?).
After I installed the filter, I took the car on a test run thru some twisty roads around here. My initial impressions are very positive. The car has more of a "growl" under the hood, which balances nicely against the "growl" coming from the exhaust. The combination of the 3" cold air intake hose and this Uni filter made the car more responsive, at least according to my seat of the pants dyno. It pulls "fast and furious" all the way to redline, and is more responsive in the powerband. Another positive result is the car doesn't pop as much as before. I thought I was just getting used to it, but it's nice to not have it pop and fart as much as it used to.
The 3" aluminum flexible ducting is available at hardware stores and places like Home Depot. Don't remember the cost, but it's not much. The Uni filter is about half the price of a K&N, and to me it's just as effective, efficient, etc. I've used both Uni foam filters and K&N gauze filters on my motorcycles, and the one thing I can say for sure is the Unis seem to flow more air. I had to readjust the fuel/air and idle set screws on one of my bikes when I switched from Unis to K&Ns. The fact that the motorcycle shop had a Uni filter that could work was the deciding factor, and being half the price of a K&N is an added bonus!
Robert
After I installed the filter, I took the car on a test run thru some twisty roads around here. My initial impressions are very positive. The car has more of a "growl" under the hood, which balances nicely against the "growl" coming from the exhaust. The combination of the 3" cold air intake hose and this Uni filter made the car more responsive, at least according to my seat of the pants dyno. It pulls "fast and furious" all the way to redline, and is more responsive in the powerband. Another positive result is the car doesn't pop as much as before. I thought I was just getting used to it, but it's nice to not have it pop and fart as much as it used to.
The 3" aluminum flexible ducting is available at hardware stores and places like Home Depot. Don't remember the cost, but it's not much. The Uni filter is about half the price of a K&N, and to me it's just as effective, efficient, etc. I've used both Uni foam filters and K&N gauze filters on my motorcycles, and the one thing I can say for sure is the Unis seem to flow more air. I had to readjust the fuel/air and idle set screws on one of my bikes when I switched from Unis to K&Ns. The fact that the motorcycle shop had a Uni filter that could work was the deciding factor, and being half the price of a K&N is an added bonus!
Robert
- 4,473
Just got back from vacation. Was out racing at VIR with our car club. I was classed with a few civics (one was a new imported Type R which was nice) a few caveliers, a probe and 3 Proteges. Out of the 8 'just-for-fun' races the SRT competed in it won 7 of them. The one it lost was when my older brother decided to drive. He messed up on a "few" turns. Im really impressed with this cars racing abilities in its stock form. I will take in account the Uni's you are talking about socal, sounds good 
. First Im getting the filters, then the interior will get some work (or I might just go for performance, still havent decided)...
. First Im getting the filters, then the interior will get some work (or I might just go for performance, still havent decided)...Just remember the whole idea behind the SRT-4 is the "anti-rice". Don't make the mistake of using either of the "Fast and Furious" movies for any kind of inspiration for mods to your SRT: neon light kits, chrome this, billet that, powder-coated this, anodized that, GPS navigation, DVD TVs, absurd sound system, etc. Unless of course it's from a purely functional perspective! Don't get baited by trying to out F&F the ricer crowd with your SRT. Play it up for what it is, a performance sub-compact, not some rolling showpiece for all those aftermarket suppliers.
I'm starting to take a closer look at a lot of the F&F cars I see around here, and am starting to gauge them against a mental checklist: mismatched bodywork, wet-fart sounding exhaust, huge rear wing, bling blings, etc. = poser. Matching bodywork, deep exhaust, subdued rims, more functional wing/spoiler, etc. = more "go" than "show"? You get the idea.
I'm glad to hear the SRT-4 is more than holding its own in your club races. That's very encouraging. I was on my way out to the base the other day, and was stuck behind a slow-moving produce truck on a two-lane asphalt road. There was this copper-colored Eclipse behind me with its lights on, lowered, rims, s/s exhaust can, with two homies inside. The double-yellow line was finally going to a single dotted yellow, so I'm getting ready to go around this truck, when the Eclipse starts to pass me on the double-yellow. By the time he got around me, it was a single dotted yellow, no on-coming traffic, so I push the go pedal and pass the truck, then keep flying up to the Eclipse, noticing that I'm going about 120. I'm closing in fast on this guy, when he hits or taps his brakes, then I slow down and stay about 4-5 car lengths behind him. We both turn left on the next road, then he passes a row of cars and trucks over a double-yellow, barely making it back before on-coming traffic gets in the way. What an idiot I say to myself. I'm sure homie 1 and homie 2 are congratulating themselves on "smoking" my SRT-4...yeah, right...I'll pass on idiotic driving with on-coming traffic on busy surface streets any day.
Guess the F&F boys around here feel the need to prove themselves against the SRT-4!
I'm starting to take a closer look at a lot of the F&F cars I see around here, and am starting to gauge them against a mental checklist: mismatched bodywork, wet-fart sounding exhaust, huge rear wing, bling blings, etc. = poser. Matching bodywork, deep exhaust, subdued rims, more functional wing/spoiler, etc. = more "go" than "show"? You get the idea.
I'm glad to hear the SRT-4 is more than holding its own in your club races. That's very encouraging. I was on my way out to the base the other day, and was stuck behind a slow-moving produce truck on a two-lane asphalt road. There was this copper-colored Eclipse behind me with its lights on, lowered, rims, s/s exhaust can, with two homies inside. The double-yellow line was finally going to a single dotted yellow, so I'm getting ready to go around this truck, when the Eclipse starts to pass me on the double-yellow. By the time he got around me, it was a single dotted yellow, no on-coming traffic, so I push the go pedal and pass the truck, then keep flying up to the Eclipse, noticing that I'm going about 120. I'm closing in fast on this guy, when he hits or taps his brakes, then I slow down and stay about 4-5 car lengths behind him. We both turn left on the next road, then he passes a row of cars and trucks over a double-yellow, barely making it back before on-coming traffic gets in the way. What an idiot I say to myself. I'm sure homie 1 and homie 2 are congratulating themselves on "smoking" my SRT-4...yeah, right...I'll pass on idiotic driving with on-coming traffic on busy surface streets any day.
Guess the F&F boys around here feel the need to prove themselves against the SRT-4!
- 3,300
I loved the neon from the start........... It got a whole lot better!!!!!!!!! Turbocharged. Love it!!!
- 4,473
Yeah, but you have to remember its a little more than turbocharged now . Dodge developed an engine specially for the srt4.
socal: yeah I am staying away from the f&f scene. The car is fast as it is atm so I am just getting some interior parts for it for now. Im not going to add any body work or any graphics to it, as its fine just as it is. That guys imported Honda Civic Type R (I only know his first name,John) is pretty nice. Its not ricey or anything. He plans on entering the scca world challenge: touring cars with it (there is already an imported Type R in it). I think its imported from Europe or something as its left hand drive. Even though I beat him he is a much better driver than me and when he took my car out for a few laps he was a few seconds faster on average...
. Dodge developed an engine specially for the srt4.socal: yeah I am staying away from the f&f scene. The car is fast as it is atm so I am just getting some interior parts for it for now. Im not going to add any body work or any graphics to it, as its fine just as it is. That guys imported Honda Civic Type R (I only know his first name,John) is pretty nice. Its not ricey or anything. He plans on entering the scca world challenge: touring cars with it (there is already an imported Type R in it). I think its imported from Europe or something as its left hand drive. Even though I beat him he is a much better driver than me and when he took my car out for a few laps he was a few seconds faster on average...
- 4,473
Well I was up at Richmond Internation Speedway the day before yesterday with our car club. Its an Oval. The Nascar boys make it look easy, and I'll tell you, its hard (and we were only going up to 142ish MPH). What they didnt tell us is the faster qualifyers would start in the back (so I was pretty near the back). There was about 15 cars. Came in 5th (started in 12th). Geez, lots of hard work. I had to draft to move up, look and wait for a hole and take it, but if I took it, I might fall back. We only did 3 laps but it was great and alot of fun . How are you guys doing on your SRT4?...
. How are you guys doing on your SRT4?...Robert, or anyone with info. Has anyone cut out the area above the aitr intake box, on the air intake scoop compartment? If you look on the underside of the hood the soop intake chamber comes over right above the intake filter box (as well as goes to help cool the Turbo). I was told that it could be cut out with a matching hole in the air intake box top. Of course finding some thing to seal between the two when the hood is closed. And adding the K&N filter as well. This is supposed to be an instant 15 to 20 hp.
I am getting ready to do this probably next weekend. There is a pretty thick foam you can get at most automotive stores. To match-up my holes, I am going to cut the hole in the airbox first, apply the foam and mark the top of the foam with paint, then close the hood so that the wet paint marks the bottom of the hood.
I took out the plastic insert in the hood scoop to see if I should do anything to it. Be careful if you pull it out, the plastic screws break off real easy (yeah, I broke one... actually my buddy did, so I gave him grief about it for a day or so, but it's not really important). The plastic insert forces the air through 2 little holes about .375" tall and 3" wide. The hole in the hood where the plastic insert sits is about 2" tall and 12" wide... that's a mighty big waste of space!
Taking the plastic insert out altogether would provide a HUGE amount of air to the airbox, but look really bad. Not quite worth it. I plan to cut out the back half of the insert, which will still leave a big hole there, and will maintain the look of the car.
I'll let you know how it turns out.
Don't forget that AEM now makes the cold-air intake for the SRT-4. This means that you may not need to do the Ram-Air at all, but it's still a cheap and fun project that might slightly affect air intake with the AEM. I just want to do it because it's a novelty to do something like this to your car and explain how it works.
Great! If you have a digital camera maybe post some pics.
Hey I have been haveing a intermitten problem with my SRT; the throttle seems to raise to about 3000 rpm for a few seconds them returns to 900 rpms. It doesn't matter if the AC is on or outside temp. It happens after driving around for awhile. it continues for about 15 minutes them returns to normal. Go figure!
There is no SRT tech in my area. Any help would be appreciated.
Hey I have been haveing a intermitten problem with my SRT; the throttle seems to raise to about 3000 rpm for a few seconds them returns to 900 rpms. It doesn't matter if the AC is on or outside temp. It happens after driving around for awhile. it continues for about 15 minutes them returns to normal. Go figure!
There is no SRT tech in my area. Any help would be appreciated.
Attachments
- 4,473
That's a nice picture man . Wish I had a digital camera to take one of mine.
Do you have any mods on the car? If it isnt the AC/Heater I dont know. Maybe you had it in the wrong gear?
. Wish I had a digital camera to take one of mine.Do you have any mods on the car? If it isnt the AC/Heater I dont know. Maybe you had it in the wrong gear?
- 15,564
- South Carolina
I think he's talking about when the car is just at idle. My S2000 did it a few times while sitting at traffic lights. It would idle normal, then start bouncing up, and down, 1500-3000rpms. Never could figure out why it did that, but my friend Robert screwed around with some stuff on it one day, and it never did it after that. He said the things he adjusted shouldn't have had any affect on the weird idle so I don't know...
And, is it just my imagination, or are the ass ends on SRT-4's jacked up pretty high?
Super-Supra
(Banned)
- 4,111
SRT-4 Looks Beutiful. Nice Car!
Super-Supra
(Banned)
- 4,111
Originally posted by Josh
And, is it just my imagination, or are the ass ends on SRT-4's jacked up pretty high?
I think it's the angle.
Super-Supra
(Banned)
- 4,111
It's probably something to do with AeroDynamics.
- 4,473
Not really that much. I dont really care though, as long as Im having fun driving it ...
...- 50
Hello everybody. As I was reading throuh this thread I noticed there was no "dodge sucks neons suck" types around so I thought I'd join in. I took delivery of my SRT-4 a week ago and have put 1100 miles on it already. I love love it to death but it really needs a limited slip. Does anyone here know if one is available yet?
- 24,344
- Midlantic Area
- GTP_Duke
neons.org SRT board.
I will tell you, go for a real torque-sensing unit like the Quaife or Torsen. Don't be seduced by the cheap cost of the Phantom Grip. They stress the transmission in ways it was never designed to be. I know they are in use a lot, but for the extra $1000 why risk a $20,000 car? The real thing works better anyway.
Hope this helps and welcome to GTPlanet!
I will tell you, go for a real torque-sensing unit like the Quaife or Torsen. Don't be seduced by the cheap cost of the Phantom Grip. They stress the transmission in ways it was never designed to be. I know they are in use a lot, but for the extra $1000 why risk a $20,000 car? The real thing works better anyway.
Hope this helps and welcome to GTPlanet!
- 50
Thanks for the info. I have always been suspicious of the phantom grip, it can't be good to have two steel blocks binding against the spider gears. But I am getting awfully impatient waiting for the quaife unit. Do you you know when the rest of mopar's SRT-4 stuff is coming out? This stuff was all shown at SEMA awhile ago so I thought it should all be ready now, I want that TD05 now! Also I wonder if I could get all the stage III goodies with the catalytic converter intact to keep it street legal
- 50
Just got back from an extremely spirted session up in the mountains of Allegeny. And on the way back I hit 154 on a deserted expressway (it was 1200 midnight). Just one word, AMAZING!
- 4,473
Welcome to GTP SRT4 Rocket. Another lover of this car . I have an article in Car and Driver that has two Chrysler engineer's racing the SRT4 in the "One Lap of America" Challenge. It finished eighth overall after the season. I will write it up later. You can even build the car they raced as is used Mopar Parts...
. I have an article in Car and Driver that has two Chrysler engineer's racing the SRT4 in the "One Lap of America" Challenge. It finished eighth overall after the season. I will write it up later. You can even build the car they raced as is used Mopar Parts...- 50
Hey where the hell were you when I started that SRT-4 owners thread? J\K 
Hey you should go over to www.srtforums.com I'm going to join tonight. Also have you done anything to your car yet? I just went on a massive shopping spree and got some 17x7.5 Volk wheels along with some 225/45/17 pilot sports. I also preordered that LSD mopar is offering (its a Quaife) and a KW coilover kit (also available from mopar, or will be rather) So apart from some other small stuff I've got the handling dept. pretty much taken care of
Hey you should go over to www.srtforums.com I'm going to join tonight. Also have you done anything to your car yet? I just went on a massive shopping spree and got some 17x7.5 Volk wheels along with some 225/45/17 pilot sports. I also preordered that LSD mopar is offering (its a Quaife) and a KW coilover kit (also available from mopar, or will be rather) So apart from some other small stuff I've got the handling dept. pretty much taken care of
- 4,473
Well I'm planning to get the Stage 1 kit from Mopar. They say it raises the power to 240HP and the torque to 260 lb-feet. Right now I have a K&N in it, so I'm guessing Im around 220HP atm.
BTW, here is that article from car and driver from the "One Lap of America Challenge". I'll only post the parts about the SRT4.
And the Racing Bit (skipped to the SRT part)
Here are the results:
Top Ten
1. 2002 Cheverolet MTI Z07, SSGT1
Ronald Adee, John Myrick
2. 2001 Cheverolet Corvette Z06, SSGT1
John Boos, Ronald Marks
3. 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10, SSGT1
David Zelkowski, Brian Smith
4. 2001 Ruf RGT, SSGT1
Gary Church, Paul Gerrard
5. 2001 Porsche 911 Turbo, SSGT1
Mark DaVia, Chuck Veth
6. 1998 Toyota Supra Turbo, SSGT1
Andi Baritchi, CLint Pohler
7. 1991 Corvette ZR-1, SSGT1
Scott Ahlgrim, Steve Ahlgrim
8. 2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4, Mid-Price Sedan
Cory O'Brian, Erich Heuschele
9. 1996 Lamborghini Diablo, SSGT1
Karl H. Troy, Mike Appleby
10. 2000 Audi S4 Quattro, Luxury Sedan
Norman Babcock, Micheal Babcock
Class Winners
SSGT1
(Stock Sports/GT over $35,000)
2002 Cheverolet MTI Z07, SSGT1
Ronald Adee, John Myrick
SSGT2
(Stock Sports/GT under $35,000)
1996 Ford Probe GT
Greg Hagopain, Stacey Bertran
Vintage American
1981 Chevy Camaro Z28
Michael Hickman, Thomas Bertino
Luxury Sedan
2000 Audi S4 Quattro, Luxury Sedan
Norman Babcock, Micheal Babcock
Mid-Price Sedan
2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4, Mid-Price Sedan
Cory O'Brian, Erich Heuschele
Vintage Import
1979 Porche 911
Glen Clarke, Louis Frian III
Retro
2003 Mini Cooper S
Mark Gourghnour, Howard Solotroff
Economy Car
1997 Saturn SC1
Jamin Cummings, Dale Seeley
SUV/Pickup
2003 Porche Cayenne Turbo
Tony Swan, Mary Seelhorst
Alternative Fuel
2003 Honda Civic Hybrid
Edward Olkkola, Brian Healy
Credit: Car and Driver Magazine: August 2003
BTW, here is that article from car and driver from the "One Lap of America Challenge". I'll only post the parts about the SRT4.
And the Racing Bit (skipped to the SRT part)
Here are the results:
Top Ten
1. 2002 Cheverolet MTI Z07, SSGT1
Ronald Adee, John Myrick
2. 2001 Cheverolet Corvette Z06, SSGT1
John Boos, Ronald Marks
3. 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10, SSGT1
David Zelkowski, Brian Smith
4. 2001 Ruf RGT, SSGT1
Gary Church, Paul Gerrard
5. 2001 Porsche 911 Turbo, SSGT1
Mark DaVia, Chuck Veth
6. 1998 Toyota Supra Turbo, SSGT1
Andi Baritchi, CLint Pohler
7. 1991 Corvette ZR-1, SSGT1
Scott Ahlgrim, Steve Ahlgrim
8. 2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4, Mid-Price Sedan
Cory O'Brian, Erich Heuschele
9. 1996 Lamborghini Diablo, SSGT1
Karl H. Troy, Mike Appleby
10. 2000 Audi S4 Quattro, Luxury Sedan
Norman Babcock, Micheal Babcock
Class Winners
SSGT1
(Stock Sports/GT over $35,000)
2002 Cheverolet MTI Z07, SSGT1
Ronald Adee, John Myrick
SSGT2
(Stock Sports/GT under $35,000)
1996 Ford Probe GT
Greg Hagopain, Stacey Bertran
Vintage American
1981 Chevy Camaro Z28
Michael Hickman, Thomas Bertino
Luxury Sedan
2000 Audi S4 Quattro, Luxury Sedan
Norman Babcock, Micheal Babcock
Mid-Price Sedan
2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4, Mid-Price Sedan
Cory O'Brian, Erich Heuschele
Vintage Import
1979 Porche 911
Glen Clarke, Louis Frian III
Retro
2003 Mini Cooper S
Mark Gourghnour, Howard Solotroff
Economy Car
1997 Saturn SC1
Jamin Cummings, Dale Seeley
SUV/Pickup
2003 Porche Cayenne Turbo
Tony Swan, Mary Seelhorst
Alternative Fuel
2003 Honda Civic Hybrid
Edward Olkkola, Brian Healy
Credit: Car and Driver Magazine: August 2003
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