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SXT05 · Post by **SXT05** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 2:52 am

Hey Folks, Brand new here.
Just came across this site and think this place is great!
I got my '05 SXT a few weeks ago and looking at doing a few mods. I am going to keep this as my daily driver and do not plan on doing any real racing, just want to "play" a little as this will be the first time I have ever worked on anything like this.

I was hoping I could get some tips.

I have been getting a lot of different info about the Ebay CAI's out there. Some good, some bad. When it comes to a CAI, am I getting what I pay for when it comes to performance? $200 for a name brand setup vs. maybe $50 from ebay seems like quite a difference. Also hear there may be issues with a CAI install and ABS. I got ABS so trying to get some details on that as well.

I am told I got a RT exhaust. It is a dual exhaust with chrome tips. I do not know much about this either. I think it looks pretty good. Anything I should be looking at changing for small performance gains here. I like the smoothe quiet sound. If this is going to be fine with a CAI and maybe new headers in the future, then I will just leave it as is.

Any help/advice is much appreciated.

Post by **Diablo0** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 3:56 am

For the CAI... the only thing you're really paying for is the name, slightly better fitment and a better filter if the eBay one doesn't come with a quality cotton filter element. As for the ABS question... it doesn't matter, the intake will fit fine reguardless of ABS or not. Just make sure when you get a CAI it's for the non-Magnum (non-R/T ACR) model b/c the Magnum (R/T ACR) is silightly different and won't alight correctly with your intake manifold.

Exhaust will work fine with the CAI. On a near stock neon, basic exhaust changes like larger diameter tubing and a higher flowing muffler don't give very big gains (only about 3-5whp) so your good with the R/T exhaust. Keep in mind, this is also considering that you said you wanted to keep that nice quiet sound. If you goto an aftermarket performance muffler you'll lose that. As for headers... if you're just looking to get a few extra whp and dont' want to mess with a long tube, I'd suggest looking into get a Magnum (R/T) or OBX exhaust manifold.

I hope some of that made sense... I'm getting quite tired and feel like i'm not thinking strait.

BTW... welcome to 2GN... enjoy your stay and don't be a stranger.

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 7:56 am

Sounds like the dealer put a dual conversion on it. When I bought my 03 SXT, the dealer installed a factory body kit,rear wing, and a stock R/T muffler with an adapter. It is a good adition to a stock model since it flows better than the restrictive OE SXT muffler.
Its also got a mellow growell to it to. Is your 05 an ATX or MTX? Hopefully not an ATX.Shift points suck, TCM learns your driving habits and adjusts shift points by that. Also the solenoid pack on the trani always leaks.

SXT05 · Post by **SXT05** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 2:11 pm

My '05 SXT is a stick. Saved me a lot of money not getting an automatic which I didn't want anyway.

I appreciate the responses. Trying to learn as much as I can.

I think I may just go with one of the EBay CAI then. My wife will be excited when I tell her how much I decided to spend since it will be much less then I was about to send out, Haha!

I assume I could always go down to my local auto store and pick up something like a K&N air filter that will hook up to it without too much trouble?

Maybe something like this would work fine?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... eName=WDVW[/url]

dawm · Post by **dawm** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 8:29 pm

make sure the intake you get is a fenderwell type, the ones that just replace the stock airbox with a filter are pointless.

the auction you pasted looks to be a fenderwell type, but images can be decieveing. good luck, and welcome to the neon family.

SXT05 · Post by **SXT05** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 11:16 pm

thanks for the tip.....and the welcome

SXT05 · Post by **SXT05** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 5:43 pm

http://www.modernperformance.com/dcx/ob ... ader.shtml

Would this be the OBX header that would be a good choice for me you spoke of?

SXT05 · Post by **SXT05** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 4:06 pm

Diablo0 wrote:... it doesn't matter, the intake will fit fine reguardless of ABS or not. Just make sure when you get a CAI it's for the non-Magnum (non-R/T ACR) model b/c the Magnum (R/T ACR) is silightly different and won't alight correctly with your intake manifold.

Just to help ease my thoughts to purchase one of these....why do they all say will not fit ABS??

Thanks.

unsuper man · Post by **unsuper man** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 8:51 pm

save all your money. buy a nitrous kit. spray a 25shot till your use to it. the 25shot will add more hp then most all bolt ons combined. then when u have the hang of nitrous, up the shot. 200whp is easily and safly doable on a stock 2.0 neon. a whp number youll NEVER reach with bolt ons....

SXT05 · Post by **SXT05** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:37 am

That may be an idea. I already ordered the Air intake, but nitrous is something I want to try in the future. I have talked to more then one person that has said the same thing you did here.

What kit are you using? or would reccomend?

unsuper man · Post by **unsuper man** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 1:52 pm

i USED NX. ive since sold my kit, gone turbo, and just recently bought another NX wet kit. i personily believe NX brand nitrous kits are the only way to go. and of coruse youll want to get a WET kit. just read up on it before buying or commiting to anything. theyres alot to learn about nitrous before you jump into. done properly you can easily and safly add up to 75hp with nitrous. people even do 80-100hp shots on stock motors, tho i would NOT recommend this to a begginer in nitrous. do some homework on it, read how it works, and the do's and donts, and if theyres anything you cant seem to figure out, feel free to ask me, ive installed my share of kits on cars, and im pretty knowledge on how it works....

Post by **Diablo0** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 7:31 pm

SXT05 wrote:
Diablo0 wrote:... it doesn't matter, the intake will fit fine reguardless of ABS or not. Just make sure when you get a CAI it's for the non-Magnum (non-R/T ACR) model b/c the Magnum (R/T ACR) is silightly different and won't alight correctly with your intake manifold.
Just to help ease my thoughts to purchase one of these....why do they all say will not fit ABS??

Thanks.

I think it came from the 1st Gens since the AEM intakes ran behind the engine and the ABS module is back there... on 2GN the intake doesn't run behind the engine, instead just to inside the fender.So I think its because their stilling thinking 1G neons and want to cover their ass... thats what I've read though, I could be wrong. But it'll fit, if in doubt just get a cheap eBay CAI and throw in.

SXT05 · Post by **SXT05** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 10:23 pm

Thanks for the responses.....I did end up with an Ebay CAI. I haven't got it yet, but I will be sure to let you know how it turns out. It was advertised as a "fenderwell cold air intake."

Can't wait for it to show up.

2GN.ORG

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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&

http://www.modernperformance.com/dcx/obx_2k_header.shtml