cops (and side mirrors)

[RH77]

Originally Posted by ATaylorRacing

I belong to SRT Forum and TONS of the younger drivers with SRT4s are targets because of the taller than normal spoiler. Lots are removing them completely or replacing them with the smaller non-SRT4 versions. Unlike my Horizon, ALL the decals on my SRT4 are on magnetic backing so when I drive on the street I am in stealth mode....also is neat when my plain jane car blows away those idiots with huge tires and even hood scoops, or the poor Mustang, Camaro, GTO, Vette, or even fellow SRT8 owner gets flat blown away by a 12 second Neon!

<Off Topic>

Chrysler made a huge mistake with getting rid of the Neon. It simply needed a refresh instead of big, wagon-like replacement. I was always amazed by the handling -- they would seriously tear-up the autocross track (especially the ACR). Then the SRT-4 redefined "pocket-rocket" and created a following in circles such as Drag and Rally racing. Then poof -- enter the Caliber. Performance went back to expensive V-8s or 10's and out of the compact genre and others moved in.

[Christ]

I personally wouldn't drive a Neon that wasn't an SRT-4. I'm not a big fan of the way they look, nor the way they feel while driving. It's a personal thing though.

I helped a friend build one with more nitrous than a dentist's office, and we both knew he would blow it, but the way it happened was rather amusing:

1st pass: 14.266 100-shot
2nd Pass: 12.550 250-shot, too much tire spin to call it a run.
3rd Pass: 52.571 back to 100-shot, rod through block, slow responding tow vehicle, noone stopped the timer until the car broke the photo-beam.

It was fun to show those time slips to the guys back at the shop, we all had a beer and started building again.

I would tend to agree that it was a mistake to get rid of the Neon though. I may consider buying a used one for my wife's next car.

[RH77]

Originally Posted by Christ

I personally wouldn't drive a Neon that wasn't an SRT-4. I'm not a big fan of the way they look, nor the way they feel while driving. It's a personal thing though.

I'll agree -- I likely wouldn't have bought one -- I went for a Mitsu turbo at the time (not really a Mopar guy).

But having rented the milquetoast, automatic varieties, I realized that the chassis was very solid and promoted a good balance in handling. Then, there are the head gasket issues on some years and auto-trans issues.

The point being, it was the manufacturer's smallest, most affordable and efficient offering -- even with an affordable, ground-breaking sport model in the same box. It hasn't sufficiently been replaced and left a gaping hole in the segment.

-Rick

[Christ]

Originally Posted by RH77

I'll agree -- I likely wouldn't have bought one -- I went for a Mitsu turbo at the time (not really a Mopar guy).

But having rented the milquetoast, automatic varieties, I realized that the chassis was very solid and promoted a good balance in handling. Then, there are the head gasket issues on some years and auto-trans issues.

The point being, it was the manufacturer's smallest, most affordable and efficient offering -- even with an affordable, ground-breaking sport model in the same box. It hasn't sufficiently been replaced and left a gaping hole in the segment.

-Rick

Gee.. no wonder they want a subsidy from the gov't... they keep getting rid of what we want, and replacing it with what they want us to want.

Legacy automobili.

If I were to get a Neon for my wife, or even for myself, I'd probably get a base model and swap in the Mitsu 4G61 or 4G15. (1.5 or 1.6 motors from x-gen Mirage. The 1.6 was also available in a Turbo option, making it more likely for someone like me to xfer.

Obviously, it's pretty easy to find a Neon w/a blown engine, making a perfect candidate for a swap.

[ATaylorRacing]

Originally Posted by RH77

<Off Topic>

Chrysler made a huge mistake with getting rid of the Neon. It simply needed a refresh instead of big, wagon-like replacement. I was always amazed by the handling -- they would seriously tear-up the autocross track (especially the ACR). Then the SRT-4 redefined "pocket-rocket" and created a following in circles such as Drag and Rally racing. Then poof -- enter the Caliber. Performance went back to expensive V-8s or 10's and out of the compact genre and others moved in.

They actually made a big mistake when they price the lowly Horizon/Omni out of existence in 1990. If they kept making them we could have seen their version of the VW Rabbit updated continually. You could get the Omni GLHS with 175 hp and with a few feet of vacuum line and a bleed off valve you could get over 200.

The caliber has a more refined, but heavier SRT4 model available with a whoping 285 hp from the new world 2.4!

[ATaylorRacing]

Originally Posted by Christ

I personally wouldn't drive a Neon that wasn't an SRT-4........

I helped a friend build one with more nitrous than a dentist's office, and we both knew he would blow it, but the way it happened was rather amusing:

1st pass: 14.266 100-shot
2nd Pass: 12.550 250-shot, too much tire spin to call it a run.
3rd Pass: 52.571 back to 100-shot, rod through block, slow responding tow vehicle, noone stopped the timer until the car broke the photo-beam.

It was fun to show those time slips to the guys back at the shop, we all had a beer and started building again.

Mine BONE stock ran 13.86-13.89 at 100+ 1st time out and now runs in the 12.7 range with a slightly modded Stage 2 set up.....and street tires.....because I am too lazy and cheap to use slicks...drive it there and drive it home. I have used NOS on cars since the late 80s and your figures show that your set up was not installed correctly. The stock short blocks on these cars can handle 500 hp so your 480 hp with the 250 shot was not over that amount. Chances are you were way too lean to run that poorly and end up hurting it.

About 90 hp shot should put that car on a 12.5 second pass when it is set up correctly.

I traded a 98 Neon with base motor for the SRT4 in Feb. The 98 ran 14.8 on a modded 2.0 SOHC and ripped of a 12.11 at 117 with a 125 hp shot. The wifes 99 Mazda Miata MX5 ran barely in the 15s on motor and a 100 shot got a 12.65 at 109 before I got kicked out for no roll bar. I used to have a 85 Omni GLH that ran 14.0 on motor and a kick ass 11.79 at 119 with 140 hp shot.

BTW, my 98 Neon would get 41 mpg all day long when kept under 63 mph!

[Christ]

Those times weren't using a SRT-4, they were using a (94-ish) Neon Expresso, with a stock motor (420A?).

Why would I say something about SRT-4's being the only Neon I'd drive, then laugh about how poor their performance was, even with nitrous installed?

I'm sure we were running lean, which is why the engine blew... there wasn't a straight rod in that motor when we got to it, and we had to clean off the track with a broom, because not just one, but 3 rods went out the side.

Apparently, when you're running really lean, at high RPM, with enough dynamic compression to liquefy your insides (In theory), the rods start to become squishy... whodathunkit??

We only did it for fun anyway, so he could put the SRT-4 apparatus in it. Never ended up doing it though.

[ATaylorRacing]

Originally Posted by Christ

Those times weren't using a SRT-4, they were using a (94-ish) Neon Expresso, with a stock motor (420A?).

I'm sure we were running lean, which is why the engine blew... there wasn't a straight rod in that motor when we got to it, and we had to clean off the track with a broom, because not just one, but 3 rods went out the side.

Apparently, when you're running really lean, at high RPM, with enough dynamic compression to liquefy your insides (In theory), the rods start to become squishy... whodathunkit??

We only did it for fun anyway, so he could put the SRT-4 apparatus in it. Never ended up doing it though.

Now you are clear. The Neon 2.0 motors could only take @ 300 hp on stock internals...I bet it was on the verge of blowing with the 250 hp shot, I am sure the damage already started.

The 420A is actually the tranny. Decently stout piece.

[Prizmism]

Originally Posted by RH77

The law's in your favor. If you have an interior, left-hand, rear-view mirror, prove that it complies with the rear road view of 200-feet and you're good.

Commenting on the original topic (mirrors), the law is not on anyone's side in this case. While the aforementioned Florida state law does not speak of outside mirrors directly, you have to remember that this is merely in addition to federal laws. Federal laws are very clear that outside mirrors are required for all vehicles (the number and locations of mirrors depends on the vehicle's visibility but a non-convex driver side external mirror is a must for everyone). Check this out for more clarification: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...html#post69331

[Christ]

Originally Posted by ATaylorRacing

Now you are clear. The Neon 2.0 motors could only take @ 300 hp on stock internals...I bet it was on the verge of blowing with the 250 hp shot, I am sure the damage already started.

The 420A is actually the tranny. Decently stout piece.

Sorry for the lack of clarity... What is the motor code that was in the neons? (Also, the 1.8 SOHC in the Eclipse, if different.)

PM it, so we don't keep going off topic on this..