SRT4...is it the real deal?

[4g63ownedu]

It seems like every weekend I see somebody else showing up with a new SRT4. Some of them I've seen at the track running low 13's and high 12's already. They seem to be strong motors, but I wonder if this is a short lived thing or will they be a car that will last. I hear the clutch is a weak point but that easily fixed. The turbos seem to put out good amounts of boost but are expensive to replace because they are a part of the manifold. Which means replacing the manifold when you upgrade the turbo. I'm told they handle well although I havn't seen any at autocross yet. I guess time will tell, they're still so new it's hard to say if they'll be reliable and if the motor has serious potential or not.
So do you guys think these cars will last?
One thing about them I don't like is the back of the car, looks like it needs to be dropped about 6 inches.

[Töuge-MR]

I think the car will become another, faster eclipse in my oppinion. It is nice to see american cars representing themselves a little bit.

[Accord Euro-R]

Even since they came out, I have been skeptical of the SRT-4's....however as of late I have seen their true potential. I have been going to the ASR meets back home here every week and it seems like every week there are more SRT's there, each one with some different kind of engine mods. Of all the guys Ive talked to, one claimed to work for Mopar (whether true or not i dunno) but his SRT-4 had an upgraded turbo kit and intercooler as well as a few internals. He said the block was capable of approx. 25-27psi b4 things get dangerous, but said hes seen SRT's at Mopar meets running only 20psi but still almost 700hp....so it seems like a good motor to me, the transmission though might be a different story. ill ask him next time he rolls up to ASR.

[Töuge-MR]

700hp, how easy.

*cough*bullshit.

[4g63ownedu]

lol, biggest advantage they have on me is displacement. They wouldn't be where they are though if they didn't own a big chunk of Mitsu and used a lot of their experience and technology. I am glad also to see an american company doing well especially in a category of cars dominated by imports.

[Accord Euro-R]

ya chris, i know that 700hp figure seems a lil far fetched, it does to me too.....but thats all i have to go on.....he had no dyno results to back it up or nething like that

[Töuge-MR]

700hp is quite possible on just about ANY motor. Its just extremely uncommon.

[4g63ownedu]

I know of 2 dsms in town pushing around 700hp. I know Mike C in Columbus DSM dynoed 605whp which puts him near or at 700hp. But it's by no small feat or small amount of money they acheived these numbers.

[Töuge-MR]

Exactly. There are about 5-6 MR2's (thats registered on MR2OC.COM at least) that are pushing 760hp or up. I just hate how people talk about it like its just so easy. People have no idea.

[sciongirl]

It is wasn't for my 2000 Neon, I would have gotten an SRT4 and not the Scion. I LOVE Mopars. And these SRT4's have really proven themself, on the road, and in your pocket. Can't beat it for the cost.

[4g63ownedu]

True, they only cost like $19,000 I think.

[raybaer]

yeah, but.... when the day is over, that car sitting in your garage is still a neon. a stupidly fast neon, but a neon none the less. Maybe if they could make it look like it wasn't a neon, that'd be cool. But it looks like a neon. It may be an "SRT-4" and the "SRT-4" community may not refer to it as a neon. but it's a fucking neon!

remember this: Hi!

[raybaer]

700hp might be good and all, but if you can't lay that power down to the pavement, it means NOTHING!

[4g63ownedu]

I remember those commercials where the car said "Hi" on the side

[Töuge-MR]

I actually think the SRT4 looks great. My only problem with them is they cant handle worth an ass.