More HP for an '03 sxt

DuhNeon179 · Post by **DuhNeon179** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 12:25 pm

There is no way possible to get some more HP out of my stock '03 neon sxt? It's got about 91K miles on it already. Sadly.....it's an automatic.

I was thinking about putting in a CAI and running straight pipes. I'm not going to get any more HP out of this thing am I? Even if I was to put in a new cam/crankshaft change the pistons hell I don't even think that would be a good idea...opinions? Preferably not dick ones, for I'm new to all this performance shit.

NEON PARABOLA · Post by **NEON PARABOLA** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 12:33 pm

my sxt is slow as sh*T, but the basics will help a little bit, cai,throttle body...etc.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 12:54 pm

A UDP will free up some power, but whether or not it is noticeable is debatable. I doubt you will see too much gain from an exhaust. 60mm TB might get you a CEL.

Bumping the C.R. will help, but for the expense, you may as well boost it.

Hudson_Neon · Post by **Hudson_Neon** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 1:43 pm

yeah, you gotta dump a fair amount of money into it before you notice anything

akirony · Post by **akirony** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 4:14 pm

I thought it was because the autos ecu didnt take kindly to power adders. STICK-IT

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 5:50 pm

From what ive been reading in the past couple months. Only way to get true notice able power is turbo. More money into engine management systems and parts rather than buying srt4 engine or so. Too me, base neons are just good on gas and reliable.

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 6:44 pm

Throw nitrous at it. best bang for the buck power adder other than going turbo. Everything else like cams, MS, port/polish, exhaust, intake, weight redux will 'help', but it wont compare to boost or nitrous.

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 10:54 pm

I think i might add nitrous after fully built motor. nothing big though.

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 6:52 pm

A 65 shot on my old 98 lowered the 1/4 mile time from 14.6 to 13.5. It is the easiest and best bang for the but, however, it's not street legal.

a23dranger · Post by **a23dranger** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:05 pm

INVUJerry wrote:A 65 shot on my old 98 lowered the 1/4 mile time from 14.6 to 13.5. It is the easiest and best bang for the but, however, it's not street legal.

True but how is it on an ngc motor because of the ecu and its whole fuel/timing deal it does. Asking for my brothers 05 we are building up.

fattycrack · Post by **fattycrack** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:58 pm

i took my time on my 03 sxt and did a buget turbo set up by looking for deals and whatnot, i think that ur best bet is goin manual turbo it and go megasquirt for the tuning. i did all of that for a grand total of about 2000 dolla. just look for deals and steals it will take a while but itll be worth it.
(ps. megasquirt is not emissions friendly, but people have done things to make it work, how though is a different thing ive never looked into it cuz i never really cared cuz i dont need to emissions test.

cgneon · Post by **cgneon** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 12:10 pm

you could buy my r/t manifold setup in the F/S section, should help out a bit.

XxWhiteNeonxX · Post by **XxWhiteNeonxX** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:07 pm

fattycrack wrote:i took my time on my 03 sxt and did a buget turbo set up by looking for deals and whatnot, i think that ur best bet is goin manual turbo it and go megasquirt for the tuning. i did all of that for a grand total of about 2000 dolla. just look for deals and steals it will take a while but itll be worth it.
(ps. megasquirt is not emissions friendly, but people have done things to make it work, how though is a different thing ive never looked into it cuz i never really cared cuz i dont need to emissions test.

for ms to be emissions friendly, you get a 6 prong plug, Hook it to the injectors and coil, then you do the same on the stock harness you'll be tapping into. You then can switch back and forth between the two by simply unplugging one and plugging it into the other. You'll also have to switch back to stock injectors for the emissions test along with sticking the wastegate wide open so you dont make boost. Overall its like a 10 minute process to pass emissions, not too bad.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:14 pm

For this to work, without having to drive around attempting to get the monitors to set, the PCM will need to be powered as if it was running the car, and some resistors wired in to simulate the injectors and coil. It will need inputs from all sensors that will set a CEL when unplugged. Otherwise you risk having to wait for the monitors to be emissions ready. This has been known to be a PITA for some. Most times it just takes a day or so, but they can take up to a month when being stubborn. It would screw you if you swapped it 5 days before the E check was due.

Jerome Adams · Post by **Jerome Adams** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 11:03 am

save up and get the ASP turbo kit!

I have an 03 SXT manual with:

vibrant muffler
magnaflow high flow cat
OBX long tube headers
Port, polished, and slightly shaved mag head
port and somewhat polished mag intake with working butterflies
comp 400 cam
MPX UDP
AEM CAI

then I have other stuff (coilovers, rims, motor mounts, bushing kit, short throw shifter, etc) that doesn't increa power but makes it more fun to drive.

The car is fun now but still doesn't have the grunt I want. I will need to go with higher compression set up or boost it to get where I want.

With your car being an auto, turbo is the only way to go, as it will take quite a few mods just to get up to where a stock neon with the manual trans is. The other option would be to find a SRT4 and then sell you neon. They are catching a good price on the used market due to the good gas mileage.

Public Disturbance · Post by **Public Disturbance** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 7:43 pm

Add VTEC, you lose a little down low but man top end screams couple that with a Mag intake your crazy powerful, better get a shift kit lol. All kiddin aside I would stick it if you want a little extra grunt over a base neon with 5spd without really doing more work then you already are do a aluminum flywheel, upgraded clutch, and find a 3.94 tranny or do a PT tranny like I am that way you get the 3.94 performance 1-4 and good highway gas milage in 5

EDieter · Post by **EDieter** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 12:08 pm

I have an 02' SXT automatic. I put a stage 3 hahn racecraft turbo kit (turbo, injectors, rrfpr, fuel managment, intercooler, and by no means is the fuel managemtn that hahn racecraft provides good at all, wouldn't even really call it that) on it and it flys now. I'm not even boosting a lot, at the stock 8psi for now until I build my motor up to handle the extra psi. I also have a mopar catback exuhast no mufflers (1 resonator) and a high flow cat.