Vehicle Owner

Member ID: apexanimal

Location: Princeton, NJ

Vehicle Info

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Bragging Rights

  • 1/4 Mile0 sec @ -1 mph
  • 0-600sec
  • Top Speed150mph
  • HP300
  • Weight3100lbs

Major Upgrades

  • turbo
  • nitrous
  • bore increase
  • port and polish
  • supercharger
  • extrude honed
  • stroke increase
  • engine swap

Modifications

Performance Parts

Interior

Exterior Styling

  • PIAA Lighting 
  • Custom Body Kit 
  • Yokohama Tires 
  • Rota Wheels 

Car Audio & Video

Ratings

    • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
    • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
    • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
    • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.

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Last updated: Oct 31, 2009

Hits: 16,234

Scott’s Chrysler PT Cruiser
“The GT”

  • Currently 3.46 /5 Stars.
47 guestbook comments

Interior/Audio

I intentionally haven't spent much time on the interior or the audio. First, better audio comes, typically, with more weight - something I'm trying to stay away from. Second, it's not my cup of tea.

apexanimal's 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

I FINALLY got my viper steering wheel put together. A fully functioning 3rd Gen Viper steering wheel, with a PTGT airbag installed, with a retrofitted PTGT cruise control stalk on it. I'm a badass.

apexanimal's 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

 

Since I entered the digital world of Macs and iPods, I wanted a radio that facilitated that without me needing to pay tons of attention to the radio to get what I wanted. So I purchased the Alpine IDA-x100 headunit - no cd player, but radio and the controls mimic the iPods. I enjoy it. 

 

Seeing as how I like going around corners quickly, I needed seats that held me, and my fiance, in place. Trying to keep it looking subtle, and cheap, I purchased the front seats from a SRT-4 and discovered that it is a direct bolt on. It does raise the seating position slightly, however, so keep that in mind. I have since shaved a bit off the bottom of the seat cushion so it lowered the position a bit. It holds far better than the PTGT stock seats - on to the pic (pre-passenger seat install)!

 

apexanimal's 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

 

I guess I'll stick the new gauges and pod in here. I bought a dual gauge pod from a friend who color matched it to the interior and an Autometer Gauge... so I put:

1. AEM Air/Fuel Ratio Gauge - so I can keep things safe
2. Mopar/Autometer 30/30 Boost gauge - very accurate, with peak recall, and a warning light
3. Aeroforce Scangauge - over 30 parameters can be monitored, 6 can be recorded, and I have the AEM wired into it so it may be recorded; timing advance and knock retard are most often displayed

apexanimal's 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

apexanimal's 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

 

While I didn't want to do much to the interior, improving driveability is key for me. I found that with certain shoes, or if wet, my foot would occasionally slip off the gas pedal when heel-and-toe downshifting. I settled on the Autovation Matte pedals because they bolt on (they aren't covers), the brake and clutch are very grippy, and the gas pedal is flaired for heel-and-toe.

 

apexanimal's 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

 

I put some PT/Chrysler logo stickers over the airbag stickers on the visors. They look better and don't bother me as much.

 

apexanimal's 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

 

I wanted to improve the sound in the car without spending too much - I had a lot to do performance wise! When I was looking at the options, I really wanted a woofer that would be out of the way and fairly hidden (and pretty light because PT's aren't light to begin with).

I settled on the Mopar Subwoofer when PT Boutique had a super sale on the 8" woofer. I installed it in a few hours and it sounds pretty good for a woofer that small! I also stuffed it with polyfill to make it sound tighter.

 

apexanimal's 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Page 1: Welcome/Introduction

Page 2: Engine/Transmission

Page 3: Suspension

Page 4: Exterior

Page 6: Mod Parties/Get-Togethers/Shows 

Page 7: Mod Lists

Guestbook

Displaying entries 1-5 of 47

bluebeast05  

Posted by: bluebeast05

11/15/2009 09:01PM

Okay... you're my hero... and I'm pretty sure you've done everything (AND MORE) that I've ever wanted to do to my PTGT.Everything from the crappy amber tail light solution, to the sweet SRT-4 seats. I've always wanted to know if they'd bolt up.Plus, I just saw how you don't actually have five stars... that's lame!!!! If I could, I've give ya TEN!Very very nice ride dude!

bennel  

Posted by: bennel

10/31/2009 10:52PM

brilliant ride !!! 5*****!!! all the way !! love the nose !!!check out my chevy ,drop a star and comment 2 , peace !!

sweetcalves024  

Posted by: sweetcalves024

08/02/2009 04:43PM

Love whats youve done! 5 stars for sure!

BassetMom  

Posted by: BassetMom

07/05/2009 01:25PM

Nice ride. St Augustine show in 2007 was my first, I didn't win either & I am a member of the First Coast PT Cruiser. I hope you can make it to Return to the Beach 10 in Oct. in Myrtle Beach. I went last year & had some glass etching done. Had a lot of fun. I plan on going again.

lowpt  

Posted by: lowpt

05/12/2009 03:53PM

I see you on ptcrew all the time but, this is the first time I have seen your car. VERY NICE!! You should make the trip down to Return to the Beach 10 this Oct. in Myrtle Beach, SC.

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Vehicle Owner

Member ID: apexanimal

Location: Princeton, NJ