Beginner

acast2003 · Post by **acast2003** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:22 pm

Hello,

I am looking to extend the performance of my '03 neon sxt. It runs great, only 66k miles. However, I am looking to get a bit more "kick" out of the car. So, I am new at modifying cars and would like to start somewhere. My question is: Where should i start in modifications, i am not looking to do an engine swap.

Thank you!
Adam.

eastwoodsn352 · Post by **eastwoodsn352** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:23 pm

intake/exhaust and call it a day

acast2003 · Post by **acast2003** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:28 pm

As for exhaust, I randomly installed a bullet muffler, sounds nicer. I will look into the intake. Any more suggestions?

know some good websites to look:
I look at modernperformance.com, but know any more?

eastwoodsn352 · Post by **eastwoodsn352** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:30 pm

check out the for sale forums here....i wanna say i saw someone selling an AEM intake for like $100.

EDIT: i take it back he wants $50 for the intake

viewtopic.php?t=49748

lilnicko11 · Post by **lilnicko11** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:47 pm

Cold Air Intake, New Exhaust, UDP, Magnum Intake Manifold, New suspension are all choices.

acast2003 · Post by **acast2003** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 12:08 am

Looking at the following:

Lowering Springs:
http://www.modernperformance.com/eibach ... -1676.html

UDP:
http://www.modernperformance.com/underd ... -1959.html

Headers:
http://www.modernperformance.com/pacese ... -1399.html

Tam · Post by **Tam** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 11:19 am

Is your car an automatic or manual?

acast2003 · Post by **acast2003** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 12:31 pm

She is an automatic

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 12:59 pm

Spending your money on all those "power adders" won't net you hardly any gains at all.
Won't get that much "kick" out of it unless you run some nitrous through it.

heydockyle · Post by **heydockyle** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 1:04 pm

Forced Induction. Nitrous. 5 Speed. Srt Swap

Other then that, performance wise. Don't waste your money.

Tam · Post by **Tam** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 1:28 pm

Lowering springs can be found for cheap on the For-Sale boards here.

You can buy a UDP from ebay for half the price on modernperformance. LINK

And here are some feedback on the ebay UDP. LINK

Here is a "How-To" for the install, and it isn't exactly easy. It's a huge pain to do. LINK

For the intake, you're better off getting an eBay intake and replacing the junk filter with a legit K&N filter, than spending 200+ on a brand name AEM. Gains are pretty much the same with both options.

And I agree with the above posts about doing a manual swap.

esfan · Post by **esfan** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 2:18 pm

I'll say there's nothing other than force induction that can give you a "kick". Intake, UDP, TB and performance exhaust modifications will make the throttle responses faster but not adding a lot of horsepower or torque. Lowering springs are the must to make the car looks nicer. CAI and some brand muffler is good in sound too.

acast2003 · Post by **acast2003** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 2:56 pm

Found an entire turbo kit online at ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0350506282

eastwoodsn352 · Post by **eastwoodsn352** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 3:04 pm

acast2003 wrote:Found an entire turbo kit online at ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0350506282

wont fit unless you get a SRT4

acast2003 · Post by **acast2003** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 3:08 pm

I know..but, don't even know where to begin to look. I went to a junk-yard and found NOTHING. Going to another next week. would be nice to find an srt4 engine.

Edit: I found this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/dodge-ne ... b7459#shId

However nebraska is a long drive from michigan..apparently if i do Buy Now, i get free shipping.

stdlystdmufn · Post by **stdlystdmufn** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 5:08 pm

esfan wrote:UDP, TB and performance exhaust modifications will make the throttle responses faster

i have a blue 60mm TB from Mpx that is for sale and an R/T header. that will wake it up a little bit, and the throttle response will be pretty noticeable

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 6:43 pm

acast2003 wrote:I know..but, don't even know where to begin to look. I went to a junk-yard and found NOTHING. Going to another next week. would be nice to find an srt4 engine.

Edit: I found this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/dodge-ne ... b7459#shId

However nebraska is a long drive from michigan..apparently if i do Buy Now, i get free shipping.

They wont do free shipping with that.

IMO, $2800 is crazy steep for just an engine. You'll want the entire drivetrain, wiring, etc... (I didn't read the ad, I'm just assuming it's the engine only, possibly stripped of turbo and accessories).

heydockyle · Post by **heydockyle** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 6:46 pm

I am selling complete set engine and trany for 2005 dodge neon srt-4 very low miles.

It will include a engine,trany intake monifold, turbo,ecu,wires,intercooler ac .compessor, power stearing pump.

For more info Emali me or call or text me at (402) 730-8672

Buyer is responcible for pick up.

Free shipping in USA with buy it now.

It would cost them so much to ship that thing...
The guy can't spell though..

doyle09 · Post by **doyle09** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 8:20 pm

theres a brand new srt motor on craigslist in madison right now. still in the crate for 1500. chances are if you look hard enough you could find a usable srt for the swap for around 3000

acast2003 · Post by **acast2003** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:10 pm

I was looking around and found this:
http://nmi.craigslist.org/cto/1794319375.html

Would that be worth it?

concerned that he does not have mileage listed..one can dream, right?

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Sat Jun 26, 2010 1:46 am

^^^

Thats a scammer. I made a post about that car in the offtopic. That car is everywhere.

As for that turbo kit you posted...that seriouslly made me laugh.

In your original post you said you didn't want to do an engine swap?

If I were in your shoes, I would just make it clean. Lowering, throw some nice wheels on, tint the windows and do other little apperance items. Performance mods aren't too fun to deal with.

Tam · Post by **Tam** » Sat Jun 26, 2010 5:53 am

Yep, that car is also at my local CL.

http://neworleans.craigslist.org/cto/1743264892.html

And don't buy any turbo kits from ebay. I'd say, research these mods on the forums for a while longer and get more knowledge and a better idea of what you want to do first. Don't start pouring money into it and regret it later.

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Sat Jun 26, 2010 10:04 am

heydockyle wrote:Forced Induction. Nitrous. 5 Speed. Srt Swap

Other then that, performance wise. Don't waste your money.

x2...

Fuzzyneon · Post by **Fuzzyneon** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 1:25 pm

do suspention and a cold air if you want a cool sound

i had a 05 5 speed with magnum intake(bigger intake bigger ports) aem cold air intake fast fab long tube header and i didnt feel that much difference to be honost for all the money i spent buying the stuff it wasnt worth it

save for a srt-4 swap or a turbo kit from ASP

acast2003 · Post by **acast2003** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:32 am

Well, for looks, i am going to probably get lowering springs and a body kit. I like the look of the srt4 body and would also like a srt4 hood...along with a new spoiler.

biggrobb1995 · Post by **biggrobb1995** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:30 pm

Work on your suspension. Also look into motor mount inserts. Cold air intake, header, and exhaust will give you little to no gain at all do to your car having NGC.

Fuzzyneon · Post by **Fuzzyneon** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:26 pm

honostly drop it on stock wheels and save for a turbo setup

dblsg · Post by **dblsg** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:41 pm

if you want turbo, go with ASP!

even though you have an auto, i'm sure a light tune wouldn't be to bad on the tranny.

Jerome Adams · Post by **Jerome Adams** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 2:32 pm

I agree with everybody else. You wont notice much difference with all the mods and you will be suprised at how much you will spend and how little you get....the $$$ adds up fast but the HP does NOT!

As much as I love my neon, if I had to do it all over again, I would have just taken all that money and saved it for a down payment on something else.

Fuzzyneon · Post by **Fuzzyneon** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 4:51 pm

well for starters youd notice a big difference with a 5 speed trans! then while you learn that and or have fun save up for boost!