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Owner Blog: Project SXT-T

- We all have different opinions of what is beautiful and what is important. Respecting those differences is what makes a great car that much better.

---- A Compilation of previous project logs and updates ----

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The Beginning:

I got my neon late in August 2005, more so as a mode of transportation than a tuner. That all changed when I started looking for upgrade parts. I found an almost endless supply of parts and pieces for it. That is what started my tuning fascination with this vehicle.

This is how the car originally looked. Boring I know… I had to fix it. It started slowly, and slowly gained momentum. Now I cannot stop THINKING about what’s next. So much can be done, and yet my pockets determine what I have to choose from.

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The First Modification: 9/18/05 – 9/24/05

- 9/15/05

When I first purchased the car, the rear end was just blank. Most SXT’s on the lot I drove mine off of came with spoilers. This one didn’t. I had very little choice in my car. Just showed up to the dealership with my parents, and drove off in a car. I figured, before I do anything with this project, the car needs to look a little presentable.

I looked into an SRT Spoiler and found they were pretty cheap. I Bought a primered one off of www.dodgeparts.com and I hope it comes in shortly!

- 9/20/05

It came in along with the PAINT TODAY!! Ya!! Will be painting this weekend! Hold on for pics!

- 9/25/05

The 24th began like this:

 

 

After Some daring work, The SRT-4 Spoiler was put on. I painted it with my father to avoid a ridiculous amount of money and to make sure it was the right paint. The day ended as follows:

Painted and installed: 9/24/05

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Tail lights: (9/30/05)

Spoiler complete, I just got my new tail lights in a few short days later. I happened to order the Mopar 3D Tuner Lights offered straight from a performance Mopar Dealer (I think i saved something like 80 bucks on them). Boy, what an easy and uplifting modification. 20 minutes and my rear end changed forever!

Installed on 9/28/05

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New Intake: (10/18/05 – 10/24/05)

- 10/18/05

Just ordered a new K&N Typhoon intake off of www.intakesandexhausts.com!! Should be in soon!! Keep posted!

- 10/22/05

Received the intake a little while ago. Putting on TOMORROW!!!

-10/24/05

INTAKE IS ON!!! Boy did it make a difference in sound. My butt dyno says good buy, but it doesn’t feel too much more powerful… It did help over 4,000 RPMS

Installed on 10/23/05

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Radar Detector Re-Wire: (12/28/05)

I bought a radar detector. I decided to keep my lighter free for my I-pod transmitter. So I re-wired my radar directly to my fuse box. Looks really good. I’m happy.

 

 

Rewired on 12/28/05

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Ignition Coil and Strut Bars: (1/02/06 – 2/01/06)

- 1/02/06

I purchased a new ignition coil and set of DC strut bars today! They should be in shortly. I figure for a cheap price, I can get a decent start on some of my modifications!

- 1/11/06

I got home today and found a small box at my doorstep. Turns out Howell shipped my 2 products separately. I quickly through on my new MSD Coil! Looks good!

Pictures will be updated when my strut bars come in soon.

The Ignition installed on 1/11/06

- 1/15/06

I received a call from Howell today. Apparently, they were out of stock on the DC Strut bars and I have to wait a few more days… More info on this as it developes!

- 1/25/06

IT SHIPPED! THE STRUT BARS SHIPPED! Yea! Should be here soon!

- 1/31/06

They are on! I still need to cut out the slots for the strut bar in the rear. Aside from that, looks good!

 

 

DC Sports Strut Bars Installed on 1/31/06

- 2/05/06

I cut out the rear strut bar slots! PIC!!!

 

 

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Exhaust: (4/15/06 – 4/27/06)

- 4/15/06

I know it has been a while since my last update. STILL 3 STARS?? You guys suck. Anyways, I just purchased a new exhaust muffler. My reasoning is I just want a cheap solution while I build up for a turbo build. I went ahead and purchased the Vibrant from Howell. I wanted to purchase it off of Modern, but I am not a “phone ordering” kind of guy. So, what ever, should be here soon!!

- 4/26/06

IT JUST ARRIVED!! I am gonna go and put this on tomorrow! Until then, the garage will have to do!!

 

 

She looks so shiny and new!

- 4/27/06

As I promised! It is ON!!!

 

 

It sounds really throaty and nice. I'm very happy with how it sounds (as with its performance). It took some serious muscle to get it off the dang original mounts, but after it was all off the installation went well.

Installed on 4/27/06

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Antenna X Shorty Antenna: (4/20/06 - 4/29/06)

- 4/20/06

I ordered an Antenna X Shorty Antenna today. I really need to get rid of this UGLY ANTENNA!! It looks HORRIBLE!!

 

 

- 4/26/06

Just got it in and installed! Looks pretty good for 10 bucks! Works well too! No problems receiving radio… even out here in BFN (Bum F**k No-where)

Installed 4/29/06
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Throttle Body (4/28/06 – 7/20/06)

- 4/28/06

Today I ordered a brand spank new Throttle Body off of Howell Automotive. Hehe!! Can’t WAIT!! I really need it! I live at 7500 feet and oxygen is something that is severely lacking! Hopefully this will work!

- 5/4/06

Welp. I had my new throttle body come in today. I was stoked because I had everything ready to just throw it on the car. I open up the box and find this.

I AM PISSED!! So. I have e-mailed and I AM calling the company I purchased this from (HowellAutomotive) and seeing if I can’t get a new one or if I am going to have to live with this and pound out the good sized dent in the seal??????????

- 5/8/06

Fed-Ex came and picked it up today. They re-imbersed me (so says my bank account) and are sending the package back to Howell. Howell agreed to send me a new Throttle Body but they are backed up on orders and said it might be a while before they have stock. Who knows when I get my next throttle body!?

- 6/20/06

After a few phone calls, Howell assures me the throttle body will be in next month. Who knows… This might be the last purchase I ever make from howell…

-7/18/06

THROTTLE BODY CAME IN TODAY!!! YEA!!!

- 7/20/06

IT’S ON!!! I had to fabricate a specific bracket so it wouldn’t bounce around every where. Notes on that on page 4!!

 

 

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Valve Cover: (8/15/06 – 9/1/06)

- 8/15/06

Well, It is almost my birthday and I figured I would order myself something amazing…. A NEW VALVE COVER!!!! Pics will be posted once it comes in!! My friend helped me find a site that had it one sale. Cost me 45 with shipping!

- 8/20/06

A few days before my Birthday, the VALVE COVER IS IN!!! I had to order a new gasket from autozone. They didn’t have any for a dodge neon (how.. I dunno).

 

 

- 8/26/06

YAY IM 19 AS OF YESTERDAY! I went to go pick up my new gasket for my valve cover today. Came home, and it was THE WRONG ONE!!! Returned it, got refunded, went to Santa Fe.

I came home from Santa Fe and it is the WRONG ONE AGAIN!!!! I am sick of running around today. More sometime when I care….!!

-8/31/06

I got a new gasket today THAT’S RIGHT!!! Throwing it all on tomorrow!

- 9/1/06

All on!! Here is a pic!!!

 

 

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Prothane Race Motor Mounts: (9/10/06 - 9/20/06)

- 9/10/06

After talking with a good friend with an SRT, he convinced me on a set of race motor mounts. It looked good, and he said he definitely felt some(not much) power back at higher speeds.

I went ahead and ordered some off of Howell. Seeing as I have had some problems with them in the past, we will see how this goes.

- 9/18/06

The motor mount inserts came in today! I am going to go ahead and install sometime this weekend went homework is NOT a factor!

PIC!!

 

 

-9/20/06

Haha, all done. took some time.. I am dirty from my college parking lot, but it is done. haha. I do feel a bit of a difference. It is really notice-able on the high-way!!

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Rear 6x9 Sony Xplode speakers: (10/16/06)

- 10/16/06

I got some new awesome rear speakers! ( i know they offer no performance... but they look and sound awesome) I will post pics when I can. I'm also trying to figure something out.

- 10/18/06

Pics!!

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PaceSetter Header, Crane Cam #0012, Crane Cam Valve springs, AEM adjustable cam gear: (9/14/06 - 3/18/07)

- 9/14/06

So, while waiting for my motor mounts I decided it would be a great idea to order a new header for my car. I didn't want to buy an expensive header. I have plans to turbo this thing, and the header is just going to go away... Should be interesting. I also ordered a new cam gear to help me tune the only thing I CAN (which is TIMING).

- 10/26/06

So, the status on the Header and cam gear from Howell........ Still Pending. Over a month now. So I decided to buy a turbo grind came and valve springs in the MEANTIME!! I went ahead and bought the crane cams #0012!! Can't wait to get all this stuff on!!

- 11/25/06

Still waiting on this stuff....

- 1/16/07

erm... welp my camsaft and valve springs are in my closet right now. Still waiting on my forsaken header and cam gear.

DOOOOOM TO FED EX and I will never order from Howell ever again.

this is going on 5 months!!

- 2/16/07

I NOW HAVE AT MY DISPOSAL...

 

 

- Camshaft
- Valve Springs
- Adjustable Cam Gear
- Header (heat treated)
- Header Bolts
- Gasket and flange
- Collector

and... the best part is... spring break is in 3 weeks.

To think... it only took 6-7 months >:X

AND I AM EVEN MORE UPSET! I ordered a red AEM cam gear... and this is what I wait 7 months for:

 

 

Screw sending it back in, I am not waiting another 7 months...

- 3/9/07

Ok, so day 1 of the ingenious camshaft install is as follows.

I got home, and I first started tinkering around the engine bay with my father.

We so far have disconnected the Intake manifold, taken off the throttle body, have the upper engine mount off, and are getting ready to lift the head of the engine off to access the camshaft.

I will have pictures tomorrow night ^_^

Welp... dems da news.

- 3/10/07

Yea... these poor cars were not designed with tuner love-ability. Heck... just tearing everything apart is a bit*h and a half.

OH PHOTO TIME (p.s. it is my lunch break.... mmm grilled cheese sandwhiches).

 

 

Ok, so the reason I want to take off the head is because of the SOHC's design. It is a crappy design but thankfully I won't need to dig into this blasted thing for quite a while ;D

I want to be able to install the cam and valve springs without breaking my back, and be able to cut and install the header with as much room as possible. A WIN WIN!!!

I am glad I did this sooner or it would have become a MAJOR pain (and my coolant looked bad when I had to drain it anyways).

We are so close to getting everything ready!! In about 2 hours we should have the camshaft pretty much installed.

-- UPDATE --

Welp, the situation as of tonight...

I took off my heat shield and header today.... but there was a problem that kept me from doing my camshaft.

I ran up into a snag. There is a belt cover (as I think pointed out to joey once... and you can see it in the picture) that is next to a big piece of metal that connects to my power steering reservoir. What is up is it is made so that you have to take out the motor to get at this stuff. Well, I am not ambitious enough to take out the motor, so we got caught in a bind of not having enough clearance to take out these almost foot long bolts. I got an ingenious plan to jack up the motor slightly on one side so as to get them out. It worked. So 4 hours after getting stuck I almost have the belt cover off. I am missing an 8mm open wrench which is the last piece connecting the belt cover on the thing. After that, it will all come out and the head will be off.

SOOOOO...

Day 3 should be nothing but blood pumping action

I might have my car up and running monday night. If that is the case expect a video link >:D

- 3/11/07

Further in:

- 3/12/07

Just finishing bolting everything up!!

- 3/16/06

HEHEHEHEHE!!!

Enjoy! Thats me letting my cam get ran in before I take her out on the street! SHE FEELS MEAN ALREADY!!!

- 3/18/07

All done, she feels GREAT on the road!

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Mopar Lip Kit: (5/8/07 - 6/30/07)

- 5/8/07

I was browsing my fav. forum EVER today (www.dodgeforum.com), and I found an amazing thread. Turns out, because the neon has been out of production for 2 years, that the mopar lip kits for them have been discounted to WAY below average! One site that has some of the lowest clearences is Moparsupercenter.com . You can bet your butt I bought my front lip, side skirts, and rear lip for 180 bucks SHIPPED! Tell you guys when it ships!

- 5/9/07

DANG those guys have great service!!! It already shipped! Sadly, they only sell 4 colors (black, yellow, blaze red, and primered). My car is FLAME red. So I ordered some more paint from paintworld! B00 ya!! Will keep you all posted!

- 5/25/07

I come home, and find 2 HUGE boxes in my room! HAHAHA!!! YEA!! look at this:

Just a quick mock-up!!

I was reading up on these, and it turns out these parts are made out of a certain meterial that doesn't take typical primer! So, what I plan to do is sand this stuff down the base layer of paint, and paint over that with the new, flame red paint! Hope it will look all good.

- 6/15/07

Got my PAINT IN!! YEA!! Will post updates when I get them...

- 6/30/07

Guess what I did today??

- 6/31/07

Just a quick photo-shoot today! More pics on page 9!!

 

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Power Slot Slotted Rotors (4/5/08 - 5/4/08)

- 4/5/08

I finally decided to go through with a minor suspension mod... BRAKES! YEA!!!  Post when I install them!

 

- 5/4/08

 

ALL DONE!  I set them in and they work GREAT!  Picture!

 

 

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P.1: Current Car Specs and Recent News
P.2: Currently Planned Modifications
P.3: Your on it.
P.4: Engine Block (from nothing to something)
P.5: Appearance and Misc. Modifications
P.6: Videos of the car (autocross/engine mods/Random)
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: Project: Turbo!; Current Project Blogs and Information regarding them.