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Previous Project: Mopar Lip Kit
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Ever since I first purchased my vehicle I have wanted to turn it into a great handling, decent WHP vehicle. I have wanted to do something unique, something most people give up on and never complete.
So?
Late August 2005, I purchase my FIRST car. A 2004 Flame Red Dodge Neon.
The OVERALL project I decided on was a decent output 2.0 SOHC Boosted Engine with great over-all handling. The main reason I decided on keeping the 2.0 is she is a daily driver. As well, the 2.4 gets ALL the glory, where the 2.0 SOHC is more-or-less dropped as a red-headed step child no one loves. Building an AMAZING 2.0 SOHC neon would show that it can and will be done.
I don’t see the point in a car that can go fast in just a straight line. However, I don’t see the point in a vehicle that can take turns like a champ but has the power to barely move its own wheels. Thus a conundrum...
My poor little Dodge Neon had the power of a comatose potato, and the handling of... well... pure dookie.
So my first, and still current goal, is focusing on getting somewhere close to my over-all speed goal.
Trying to balance Power with handling will be the hardest goal.
In the end, all that matters is that I am here with what I have. Thus, this project page and the project that follows below!
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Current Project: Turbo
Project Status: In Progress
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Summing up the past 3 years of work (2/08/08)
Between the random appearence perks (all done because of great deals), I have dedicated quite a bit of time and money in my neon's engine bay. Just looking at my modification lists, one can see where my main focus has been since day 1.
Performance:
-K&N CAI
-60mm Throttle Body
-Crane Cam #0012 + Crane Valve Springs
-AEM Adjustable Cam Gear
Suspension:
-DC Strut bars Front and Rear
-Prothane Race Motor Mounts
Everything else for my neon (the exhaust and header) all cheap because I didn't plan on keeping them long. Simple bolt ons to give me some oomph while I saved up for my turbo build.
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The Beginning of my Turbo Build (2/10/08)
A good friend of mine whom owns an SRT gave me a deal I could not refuse several months ago, which gave my turbo dreams a big nudge in the right direction.
For $250 he gave me:
-Stock SRT Turbo manifold + turbo
-Stock SRT wastegate
-Stock SRT FMIC
-Stock SRT 02 Housing
This set in motion my turbo project.
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More Turbo parts!! (3/11/08)
After waiting for a long while, an opportunity arose. A guy searching for interest in a custom turbo kit he had to sell caught my eye. After getting in contact with this gentleman, we have settled on a deal of 600 + shipping for everything in the kit. Updates coming soon!
In the kit, it includes:
Engine:
SRT-4 Exhaust Manifold (Mitsubishi)
SRT-4 TD04LR Turbo (Mitsubishi)
Mopar Blow Off Valve
SRT-4 Surge Valve
SRT-4 Wastegate
SRT-4 o2 Housing (Mitsubishi)
AOBE Map Clamp (NEW)
Custom Return Line (Fittings included)
OBX RRFPR (12:1)
Mattdog SOHC-> DOHC Adapter Plate(s)
NXS Manual Boost Controller
SRT-4 Hot-Side Pipe
SRT-4 Charge Pipe (Cut to fit around 2GN engine)
SRT-4 Cold-Side Pipe
Custom Hard Cold-Side Pipe
Custom Hard Bellows Tube
SRT-4 Turbo Airbox Hose (Good for a custom CAI)
SRT-4 Intercooler (SRT spray painted dead center in SRT font)
Interior:
eBay Short Shift Rod
SRT-4 Shift Knob
SRT-4 Boost Gauge (reads PERFECT, all materials included)
SRT-4 Gauge Pod
Essentially, this kit leaves me with very little left to buy.
At the bottom of this project log I have now included a Project Check List. Have fun following along with me!
Plans for the turbo project? I will describe and post pictures later once I receive these parts!!!
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Bought more parts: (3/28/08)
I made some arrangements with the guy who "sold" me these turbo parts. He hasn't responded in some time, however, close people tell me he is reliable. Still waiting on shipping status...
In OTHER news, I decided to go out and buy some new things. I went ahead and purchased a new oil cap, MPx Heat Shield (for when the TURBO IS ON!!!), and a few other goodies. Stay tuned for more information!
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PARTS ARRIVED!!: (3/31/08)
Turbo goodies arrived!
List has been updated promptly!
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Just a Taste: (4/8/08)
Just a taste of what I have been up to since the parts were purchased...
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New Parts Ordered: (4/18/08)
I just ordered me the rest of the mopar guages. I had some "GlowShift" gauges, but the quality compared to my SRT Boost gauge was really not there. So, good gauges, for a new turbo.
I also ordered myself some other misc. things...
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More Parts Ordered: (4/21/08)
Put in an order for a new fuel pump and turbo timer.
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Shipment came in: (4/23/08)
I can't tell you how much I love Modern Performance. They ship so freaking quick. Got my mopar gauges and some other stuff in. Eat your heart out ModernPerformance.com. You have a fan boy!
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Another Order Came in: (4/24/08)
Just got my Walbro high Flow Fuel Pump and turbo timer. List updated!
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Status update: 4/26/08 - 5:57 PM
So far, I have mounted a "mock up" exhaust manifold with the mattdog adapter plate to the engine head. I have tied into the exhaust. I got up underneath the car to see how my intercooler piping will run. I might need a few more bits of pipe but it looks set.
I just finished mounting the intercooler, having said that, I am taking a break to eat dinner and then to go pick up some new exhaust manfiold gaskets...
As well, tonight I am going to look to see where my oil/coolant lines are going to be going. I am in touch with "turbodudey" on the other 2gn and he is helping me out.
I have surprisingly more room than I thought I would (all the hype of no room and all...).
I am having some issues with figuring out how I am going to run my cold-side piping from the intercooler to the manifold (LACK OF ROOM... who thought?).
Thats my status. I could seriously have this thing done in a few days... (JINXX!!!)
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Some Project Updates and Pictures: 4/26/08
Cool, Tomorrow I am going to re-run my coolant overflow to somehwere else.. then I have no idea. Probably find some measurements, order some more intercooler piping, and read up...
TURBO BOOKS FTMFW!
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Where's Intercooler: (4/27/08)
haha, moment of truth.
I put the front end on to see if the intercooler was noticeable...
and, can you guys notice?
Incase you don't believe it is there...
I might put in a black grate infront of the intercooler to further hide it. who knows.
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Rotors are done!!: 4/4/08
I decided to go ahead and do this 2 hour job. Looks great! Updated pics later. This will have to do for now:
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- Tri Pillar Gauge Pod 9/14/08
Well, my friends and I met up and finished my gauge pillar. We hooked everything up except the oil pressure gauge (which has to wait till the turbo goes on ANYWAY!!).
Enjoy some pictures!
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Project Checklist!!
What I Currently Own:
-SRT-4 Stock Manifold + Turbo
-SRT-4 Stock FMIC
-SRT-4 Stock Wastegate
-Mopar Blow Off Valve
-SRT-4 Surge Valve
-SRT-4 o2 Housing
-AOBE Map Clamp
-Custom Return Line
-OBX RRFPR (12:1)
-Mattdog SOHC-> DOHC Adapter Plate(s)
-NXS Manual Boost Controller
-SRT-4 Hot-Side Pipe
-SRT-4 Charge Pipe
-SRT-4 Cold-Side Pipe
-Custom Hard Cold-Side Pipe
-Custom Hard Bellows Tube
-SRT-4 Turbo Airbox Hose
-SRT-4 Boost Gauge
-SRT-4 Gauge Pod
-Fluid Bottle Relocation Kit
-MPx Coil Pack Heat Shield
-Apexi Turbo Timer
-Mopar Air/Fuel Gauge
-Mopar Oil Pressure Gauge
-Walbro High Flow Fuel Pump 95-05 Neon/03-05 SRT4
-OEM 03 SRT-4 Injectors or similar Lbs Injectors
-Oil Catch Can
What I need to Buy:
-MegaSquirt ECU
-New Fuel Line
-Griffin/Koyo Performance Radiator
-New Radiator Tubing
-New Oil Pan Gasket
List is being updated constantly, so there is more to come!!!
P.S. Lets not forget all those dyno visits!
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P.1: Current Car Specs and Recent News
P.2: Current and Future Projects
P.3: Project SXT-T Owner Blog (work in progress)
P.4: Engine Block (from nothing to something)
P.5: Appearance and Misc. Modifications
P.6: Me, my car, the beginning <-- Being Deleted
P.7: Updated Pictures (more of what it looks like now)
P.8: Page dedicated to the passing of a dear friend.
P.9: Pictures from the bigger projects
P.10: Your on it...
