http://www.sportscarrevolution.com/R.../Neon_SRT4.htm

What’s left to say about the Neon SRT-4? It seems like we are pretty late in the game to give you our thoughts on this pocket rocket, but there is a distinct reason why we’re doing it; so that you will constantly be reminded that the Neon SRT-4 will shape the way Domestic OEM’s structure their cars for the next 15 years.

When OEM’s make bold statements about their vehicles, its usually gobbled up by the press, torn apart, and spit back into the OEM’s face. The SRT-4 first became accessible in late 2003, when Dodge let only the best car mags, like Road & Track and Car & Driver rip them around. Horsepower claims from Dodge were around the 220 – 230 mark; however everyone that drove the SRT-4 quoted much higher numbers. This was a first; especially since magazines like Sport Compact Car and Super Street started dynoing stock rides, deriving at numbers in some cases 60hp less than the OEM had earlier stated. Now, with the mags reporting sub 6 second 0-60 times, the public’s interest has been piqued and the hype around the car spread like wild fire.

And this hype was completely well deserved. This has been the first time since the Shelby GLH-S that a Domestic car has had nearly way too much power for its size. Clearly, Dodge means business with the SRT-4, providing the 2.4 liter inline 4 with an Mitsubishi TD04 16G non ball bearing type turbocharger, blasting nearly 15 pounds of boost on high octane fuel. The SRT powerplant has been reworked with larger 392cc injectors, a free-er flowing head and a 2.25" diameter exhaust from the turbine back. A massive 7 row high flow front mounted intercooler with 62.5mm mandrel bent piping tops off the redesigned front end, and is hidden beautifully behind a gunmetal mesh. But really, who at Dodge saw the Neon as a good platform for racing modifications?

We really don’t know. It was quite hard to get an interview with the car’s designers, so we were left to guess how this beast came about. The Neon has always rivaled other compacts like the Civic and the Sentra. Honda USA started to do some research in 2001 regarding how their cars still faired after nearly 10 years of success, and they were pleasantly surprised. This research showed Civics to be at the top of their game, with some tuners spending hundreds of thousands to make them unique. The following year, Alpine came out with perhaps the most ridiculous Civic of all time. With nearly $200,000 in modifications, this center drive masterpiece reaffirmed Honda’s expectations, and the idea of a Civic Nation became the center of Honda’s ad campaign for 2003. It seems as though both Dodge and Nissan did the same sort of research. Nissan came out with the pitiful Sentra Spec V, and Dodge spent millions on their SRT program which is finally taking shape now, with the Crossfire SRT-6 and 300 SRT-8. So the Neon was really the test mule for the SRT program, as it was not that expensive to modify.

But again, why the Neon? Well, SRT did some research and determined that for every ten modified Civics there was at least one modded Neon, however this presence did very little for Dodge’s image. Tuners were concerned more with looks rather than performance, and anything that did perform, really looked like a hack job. Superchargers didn’t fit properly, Turbo’s were top mounted because of spacing issues, and few people had a spare $10,000 to dump into engine mods when the performance numbers they got were quite less than ideal. In stock form, the SX 2.0 would literally need a complete redesign; from motor to drive train, to sustain good power and that was just way too expensive. Dodge saw this opportunity as a way to tackle the performance market strong; with a car that comes ‘tuned’ (- their claim) already from the factory. And that is directly how SRT approached it.

They tuned the car as if they were an adolescent street tuner, equipping the Neon with street parts like a Quaife differential and a massive front mounted intercooler. The boost gauge is a separate 2 1/16 th’s Autometer unit mounted seamlessly around the gauge cluster, and it is capable of reading up to 20 psi. The seats have been inspired by the Viper, offering awesome side bolstering support, and leaving enough space through the headrest for a racing harness. The Neon is also equipped with Tockico shocks and roll bars, the car is lowered by 1.25 inches, the calipers are painted red, and for the first time ever, a car under $20,000 has optional 17’s.

But all this was revealed to the public at the same time its performance numbers were, so really, the SRT-4 was more of a surprise to the public than the Ferrari Enzo, which debuted in the same year. But how did it drive? Simply put, the SRT-4 drives superbly. Of course all of the usual techno babble plays here; however there are some amazing points to note. One is the engine pitch. When the turbo fully spools at around 3000rpm, it really whines throughout the rev range. The internal wastegate sounds external as it pops off the excess air, making you feel like a true driving champion. The shifting is quite precise and leaves very little room for error; however the overall feel of the shifter is wasted on large gates that allow the stick to whip from side to side on launch. Boost actually does hit 15 psi on 94 octane, however, perhaps to gain traction, the boost creeps off the higher the revs get. In fact, at redline, it seems as though the SRT is only boosting at 10 psi, which is a huge drop off from its spooling pressure. This comes as quite a surprise given the massive intercooler; clearly there should be enough reserved air to keep boosting pressures high. Perhaps this is also an emissions regulation, as their would be much more pollution at fully spooled revs. Either way, it is an area that begs for some improvement. It would not surprise me at all, though if the SRT team did not fix this problem on purpose, leaving it to the consumer to modify. This begs for an actual boost controller that could intercept the wastegate line and force it to stay at a desired boost level, but that would definitely require some larger tires as the Neon can easily smoke through 3rd if you ask it too.

But all in all, who can complain about anything in this car? I always praise the Japanese manufacturers for being so involved with the tuner market, but with the SRT program, these types of modifications will perhaps be the norm. If the SRT-4 was rear wheel drive, I would buy one in an instant. If it was all wheel drive, I would sell my Silvia for it.

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dude i dont give a shit im alwasy hearing "yeah but its a neon"

man that car is fucking superb. its nuumber 2 on my list of new cars to buy if i were to buy new #1=SI civic hatch EP3

and the whole SRT line is just amazing, i was watching this thing on speed the other day where the documented the whole lin-up except the SRT-4 but it they took the CHarger SRT-8 out on a road caourse and the thing did fucking amazing for beeing a big ass beffy family car. then they tested the truck, again really great car (they failed to mention the 8 miles to the gallon though)

then they went to le-mans and drove the SRT-10, pretty much a street tuned race car. the dude gave the car hell and it was awesome.

all in all though i think mny fav is the 300 SRT-8 those things are fucking pimp, and VEILSIDE has a kit for it that is fucking schweet!

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yah dude, and if dodge made the srt4 in awd, honestly, that would totally just annialate anything in its path. its like what 22k for a brand new one? and you can under factory warranty, upgrade it to stage 2 i believe? jesus. yes it still has the looks of the neon, but that can be overlooked in my book. the only thing that bugs me about it is the crappy interior. i know a car enthusiast isnt supposed to really care about the interior, and thats probably why its so cheap, but make it a little nicer, and im sure that would add to the already impressive lineup

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They already stopped making it. THe Caliber SRT-4 better be good too

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I almost bought a srt-4 but opted for awd and i have to say i think my suby is a little faster than the srt-4. Theres a kid here in town that has the srt-4 thats prowlin me and in due time he'll has his chance at fame. For a second or 2 wont take me long to prove my piont.

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yeah the srt4 is a cool car I used to hate it when people would knock it on sueprhonda because they said it was a domestic. I mean come on people it doesnt matter if a car is bad ass Ill give it props who cares what make it is. The srt 4 is a cool car and it can make some good power

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Training Routine

it depends on the driver when I go to the track the stock ones can run anywhere from 14s to 15s depending on the driver. Also depends what year you are talking about I forget what the updates were but the newer ones were faster then the originals. I like the old bug eyes and they make some good power but id feel more comfortable if I was going for big power with the neon. On the other hand if I wanted more then just a go fast car Id probably pick the suby awd just seems so fun and apealing.

I cant wait till the solstice comes out so I can see what that can do

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Training Routine

i was looking into to getting one i like them alot. There fast, and look nice

yah too bad their resale value is not great at all, well good if you are looking to buy one. you can prolly find a used 04 maybe even 05 for like 14-16 thousand.

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I never judge cars until I drive them and get a feel of how they work. Drove the car, was impressed instantly, very well rounded solid cars. With that said, would I buy one? Never. When it comes to cars I like a few things. All out agility, them being nimble, and RWD.

Hell my 03 suby only cost 12,900 and it already had a ton of shit done to it. And you cant beat awd.

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Yes you can, RWD>AWD

Ive driven a few AWD cars.. not fun at all to easy.

Its still a handful can get sideways quite easily if your to hard on the throttle.

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I'd rock one... maybe

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It's not uncommon for me to see them for 10 grand from private sellers. I can find for 12 grand all day long.

I remember I did research on there resale value and the depreciation rate was around the same as the civic si hatch the weaksauce one

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Training Routine

meh...i love me honda.

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then what's this?

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her too.

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cheater

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