2004 SXT/SRT Just a little update.

chosenone2386 · Post by **chosenone2386** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:23 am

I've noticed a slight humming coming from the front end. Its getting a little louder everyday. I know this noise all to well. New wheel bearings/hubs on the way. I also ordered a 180 degree thermostat. Car runs too hot for my liking. Especially with the 90+ degree weather we've been experiencing in VA already.

RP was shipped out Tuesday. Hoping to get that pretty soon. Then I can finally put the inner fender plastic back on.

chosenone2386 · Post by **chosenone2386** » Sat May 02, 2009 8:55 pm

A+ for Royal Purple! While it did not solve the down shifting into 3rd issue. It did smooth out shifting and theres less noise. Im pretty impressed with this stuff.

I also remounted the front bumper and put on the inner fender plastic. It looks better but still not perfect.

The power steering pump is now making noise. I can move the pulley back and forth about an 1/8 inch. This thing is turning into a money pit! Its too bad it was neglected so bad.

Some also wanted a review on how the Sumitomo's are. Id have to say for the price you cant really beat them. I dont know how other tires in the same price range are. I think they are great though. Not too muc noise. They handle great. Ive only had them slip a little once under hard acceleration. Id recommend them to anyone looking for a good set of tires for just over $350 shipped to your door.

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Sat May 02, 2009 9:07 pm

Did you put the friction modifier in the transmission? They're supposed to have only ATF+4 in them with FM to prevent issues. This poor car has been through hell...though I give you ALOT of credit for fixing it.

chosenone2386 · Post by **chosenone2386** » Sun May 03, 2009 8:18 am

No I didnt. I heard it was recommended by the FSM but not required. It sure seems like its been through hell lol. Its going to take alot more to get it where I want it to be. I keep trying to look at it as I paid half of what a real srt4 cost. So by the time I get to what I would have paid, I should have a pretty nice car. I just wish stuff would stop going wrong. Then I could spend money where I want to. Like the body work and go fast goodies

Blivitt02 · Post by **Blivitt02** » Sun May 03, 2009 8:30 am

If you can wait until next weekend I have a ps pump at my parents place, it would need your reservoir and your pulley but the pump itself should be good. As far as the friction modifier goes, I have been running mine without friction modifier for as long as I have had the car with no bad results. I know a lot of other guys are running RP without it as well and have never had a problem. Back in the day someone over on the other forum contacted quaife about it and they said that it was not necessary, I am sure you can find the thread if you searched for it.

chosenone2386 · Post by **chosenone2386** » Sun May 03, 2009 8:40 am

I was going to wait as long as I possibly could to replace it lol. I was even considering putting a delete belt on for the time being. I'm more worried about getting the wheel bearings on there. That would be sweet though! How much do you want for it?

Hey, btw. I saw the pics your mom put up of the house. It looks like it will be a sweet place! I was disappointed to see no pictures of the garages though!

Blivitt02 · Post by **Blivitt02** » Sun May 03, 2009 11:32 am

chosenone2386 wrote:I was going to wait as long as I possibly could to replace it lol. I was even considering putting a delete belt on for the time being. I'm more worried about getting the wheel bearings on there. That would be sweet though! How much do you want for it?

Hey, btw. I saw the pics your mom put up of the house. It looks like it will be a sweet place! I was disappointed to see no pictures of the garages though!

If you pay for shipping its all yours, I don't want it or need it, it's just taking up shop space. Yeah we are stoked about the house, we are closing on June 16'th and it can't come soon enough! I have to replace the transmission in my saab, do a head gasket on my dads car, and I won't even get started on all the work I have to do on the neon

chosenone2386 · Post by **chosenone2386** » Sun May 03, 2009 1:31 pm

Id be really anxious too. I was just telling Kyle that I wish I could be around to help him out. It sounds like he's got a pretty good start on the car. I cant wait to see it run!

I just put up some stuff for sale over on neons.org ive got laying around. Need money for struts for the black beast. Let me know what you need to get for shipping and i'll paypal you the cashola. BTW I really appreciate it.

chosenone2386 · Post by **chosenone2386** » Mon May 11, 2009 7:10 pm

Just a lil update. Over the weekend I adjusted the clutch cable a little. Made a huge difference. It was adjusted to the point that if you barely lift the pedal the clutch was engaging.

I also put in the 180 degree thermostat. It feels soo much better having it run that much cooler.

I also put the extension back on the CAI to drop it back down in front of the wheel. I noticed you can hear the WG and turbo alot more under acceleration.

I havent had a chance to put on the new wheel bearings yet.

I did some pricing for parts I will need to repair the trans. Its looking to be pretty expensive. Performance Autowerks seems to be the best place to get parts. That I could find anyway. Does anyone else know of another place?

As always thanks for checking out my progress or not so progress. I appreciate everyones input!

chosenone2386 · Post by **chosenone2386** » Sun May 17, 2009 4:46 pm

So I was having some overheating issues shortly after the 180 install. Ended up having to take the thermostat housing back off and putting another 180 thermostat in. Somehow the gasket got chewed up on the first one.

The overheating didnt stop there though. At this point the fans arent kicking on. So we tested them to make sure they worked. Tested fine. Coolant flush? Nope. Bleed the system? Nope. Ended up being the coolant temp sensor.

I got the newer ps pump for blivitt02 and put that on while I was at it. The steering is alot more responsive now. The old fluid that came out was brown and kind of frothy. The FSM says to put ATF+4 in it. I just bought some synthetic ps fluid for it.

Been driving it around for a little while and things seems to be back to normal. For now anyways.

Just thought I would share and vent at the same time lol.

chosenone2386 · Post by **chosenone2386** » Tue May 26, 2009 7:21 pm

The car made its first long trip this past memorial day weekend. The wife and I took a trip to NY. The car drove great on the highway. I just tried to avoid third gear when I could. It was pretty exciting. Just thought I would share

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Tue May 26, 2009 8:00 pm

With the 180 did you use the factory gasket? You're supposed to since the gasket that comes with the 180s doesn't always work. Glad you fixed that issue though and got it running well enough to take a long trip.

And yes, ATF+4 is what should be used in the power steering system.

chosenone2386 · Post by **chosenone2386** » Sun May 31, 2009 1:15 pm

LSP, I didnt use the stock gasket. Now that you say something I probably should have. Sucks but everything still seems to be running just fine.

I finally picked up a new cold side pipe. I found a JMB with no bov flange on srtforums. Came with new tbolt clamps.

Old and shitty next to new and pretty. Okay so its not new but better then what I had.

Yours truely putting in the JMB.

Installed!

Now theres a few things I still need to do. Still need to fix tranny. It really sucks not being able to use 3rd much. I need a new wastegate. Id also like to pick up a stage 1 computer here one of these days.

Things are getting done one by one and when I have extra cash. Got a baby on the way so I have to prepare for his/her arrival

measy27 · Post by **measy27** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:29 am

Nice..JMB makes great stuff...

chosenone2386 · Post by **chosenone2386** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 2:40 pm

Its been awhile since i've updated this. After dealing with a control arm bushing clunk for way to long, i finally got around to changing them. Ive had some prothanes sitting around for a few weeks. I was in NY last week so I figured I would do them this weekend.

I had done the bushing kit on my 95 and it wasnt that bad. Of coarse I had all the right tools for the job. My parking lot, craftsman 150 tool set and a propane torch makes for one long day! Took 8.5 hours to do the bushings and front struts. Which I got a fantastic deal on! Thanks Mike! My front end looks like a 4x4 lol. It drives fantastic though. You can notice a HUGE difference.

I also still have yet to get the wheel bearings done. I was going to do them also but I'm not really set up to remove the axle nut. I have the right size socket but no impact.

Next weekend I have a new window motor to put on. The passenger side window has not worked since I got the car. I checked all the fuses and changed the switch and still nothing. Well Im beat. Just thought I would give you guys an update! Peace!

chosenone2386 · Post by **chosenone2386** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 6:57 am

Been awhile since I've updated this. Biggest update is my daughter arrived November 18th. Its been very exciting and exhausting at the same time.

I did get the passenger side power window motor in. Old motor was dead I guess.

I finally got around to doing the wheel bearings. While I was in there I did the sway bar bushings with prothanes. I also changed the ball joints. Front end feels nice and tight.

I havent had a chance to do much else. I think im going to leave it just how it is for now. When I get my taxes back it will be time to tear into the tranny. I cant wait to be able to downshift into third!

A little review/update on the Sumitomos. I love these tires. They are great in rain. The wear has been pretty minimal since I dont drive very hard. All in all i'm happy with them.

*Edit* Ive been pulled over three times now for the exhaust. Im looking for ideas on where and what kind of muffler to add. Something free flowing and that will take the noise down significantly.

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:44 am

Congrats on the birth of your daughter

chosenone2386 · Post by **chosenone2386** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 1:50 pm

Thanks LSP!

neonslg09 · Post by **neonslg09** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:36 pm

It's not your exhaust. It's Viriginia.

chosenone2386 · Post by **chosenone2386** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 1:07 pm

Lol..I know. I just hate getting pulled over for it all the time. I plan on moving back to NY early next year.