150 hp Neon how-to
150 hp Neon how-to
(OP)
Hello again,
Traded my Miata in on a Neon about a week ago. Hey, don't laugh; they gave me a great trade, considering what the car was worth...
So this leaves me with a little extra money, and two of my friends just told me that they are opening a speed shop.
Gee. What's right about this picture?
So, I'm already thinking about the usual wheels-springs-intake-exhaust customizing routine, when I stumble across the fact that there is a version of the Neon that makes 150 horsepower from the factory. Well, hell, mine only makes 130!
I suppose I could call Daimler-Chrysler, but I thought I'd try Engineering Tips first, since I have a better chance of getting an answer in plain English here.
The questions are:
1) Can anybody tell me what is done to the 2.0 DOHC Dodge Neon engine to boost it's horsepower output from 130 to 150?
2) Will I have to open the block?
3) Can I buy the parts myself?
4) (tangentally) how can I find out what I can do to a Neon without voiding the warranty?
Thanks
EMc
Traded my Miata in on a Neon about a week ago. Hey, don't laugh; they gave me a great trade, considering what the car was worth...
So this leaves me with a little extra money, and two of my friends just told me that they are opening a speed shop.
Gee. What's right about this picture?
So, I'm already thinking about the usual wheels-springs-intake-exhaust customizing routine, when I stumble across the fact that there is a version of the Neon that makes 150 horsepower from the factory. Well, hell, mine only makes 130!
I suppose I could call Daimler-Chrysler, but I thought I'd try Engineering Tips first, since I have a better chance of getting an answer in plain English here.
The questions are:
1) Can anybody tell me what is done to the 2.0 DOHC Dodge Neon engine to boost it's horsepower output from 130 to 150?
2) Will I have to open the block?
3) Can I buy the parts myself?
4) (tangentally) how can I find out what I can do to a Neon without voiding the warranty?
Thanks
EMc





RE: 150 hp Neon how-to
Best bang for the buck is the Hah Racecraft turbo kit, but that'd void your warranty.
RE: 150 hp Neon how-to
Questions---
Answers---
1-Camshaft timing, combustion chamber shape, valves, compression ratio, ECM timing and fuel mapping, to start.
2-YES, plus the biggie, change to the DOHC engine.
3-YES
4-Pull up the SCCA site and find the email address to your local region and request the phone number or email for their Showroom Stock advisor. He/she will be a good source of performance info, too.
My recommendation for the street- go for suspension mods first and leave the engine alone for a while, it's pretty quick in the right hands as is. Handling is a LOT different than that Miata. It will take some time to get YOU up to speed.
Have fun---Rod
RE: 150 hp Neon how-to
Did want to make one thing clear, since it may not have been in my original post: it DOES have the 16v engine. This is an '02 Neon, but only the base model. Maybe not a big point, but accuracy does count in here...
And, yes, it does go pretty well, but only when pushed harder than I feel comfortable pushing; I like having that
cushion. The torque is not what I'm used to, though. Might be better off working on that and taking any commensurate gains in HP as an extra. Thoughts on that would be helpful.
As far as handling mods, I've alreaby been to Eibach's web site. Gotta go, now. Will be back with suspension questns later.
Thanks again!
EMc
RE: 150 hp Neon how-to
Just reading MoparMatt's questions about horsepower versus torque, and it brought me back here.
Thank you Nick, as well. You're sure the Racecraft will void my warranty? And while I'm at it, is that just a turbocharger or are there other goodies in the "kit"? How much does said kit sell for? Is there a website so I don't have to keep firing these amateur questions at you?
Has everybody gotten the clear idea by now that I'm not an engineer and know very little about cars? Just thought I'd ask.
ANYWAY... Reading through the HP vs LB/FT discussion, I realized that what I do indeed want here is more torque, not more horsepower. I'm sure that an increase in horsepower must bring some torque along with it, but man! These aftermarket parts are expensive! I'd like to be able to get the most for my money.
I have settled on an intake and an exhaust upgrade. There is an aftermarket muffler which is made specifically for the Neon, and brings immediate gains in power. Plus I don't think it has one of those obnoxious resonators in it. Also, I want to put on a cold air intake, but I'll have to make sure that removing the filter box (all two gallons and 3 to 5 pounds of it) won't make Daimler-Chrylser cry "foul!".
I know that an ECU chip would make a big difference, but is there a better mod for the money?
Thanks,
EMc
RE: 150 hp Neon how-to
torque at what RPM?
(does that little beastie have a tach?)
tough to get more torque at lower RPMs without more displacement or forced induction.
to get more kick at low RPM takes mechanical supercharging- turbocharging generally has less grunt at the bottom end than mechanical...
or, go for horsepower at whatever RPM, and just run it in a lower gear?
jay
RE: 150 hp Neon how-to
As for the differances between the neon engines, the dohc has 1.37/1.195 and a cr of 9.6 to 1
the sohc has 1.30/1.129 with a cr of 9.8 to 1 there is a company that maes a turbo kit for the neon. it puts out 297 peak HP if I recall right but it will cost you about 3k.
RE: 150 hp Neon how-to
RE: 150 hp Neon how-to
RE: 150 hp Neon how-to
RE: 150 hp Neon how-to
http://www.hrchahnracecraft.com/auto/neon/neon.htm
As far as warranty goes, there is the The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C))to protect you. I have not read the thing in it's entirety, but in a one sentence summary you can't be denied warranty service just because you have a modified vehicle. (e.g. if you have lowering springs on your car and your ECU goes out, they can't deny you service). Here's a good website to start with:
http://www.enjoythedrive.com/content/?id=8250
That being said, they will most certainly deny warranty service to a Neon with a forced induction kit. You will be making ~50% more hp than stock and any engine or transmission issues that you might have could be (easily?) traced to the FI kit.
In closing, I completely agree with Evelrod. I run a '97 Honda Prelude Base model with most of the available bolt on power adders (no FI) and extensive suspension work. I got *alot* more bang for the buck with the suspension work. My recommedation to new enthusiasts is to always start with the suspension.
Erik
RE: 150 hp Neon how-to
I own two sohc neons 98's
First things first, the engine is not a 42oa, in fact it is an in house desighn and not affiliated with mitsubishi at all
Secondly the sohc actually produces 147 crank hp
____- on mine, with a super trapp, underdrive pully, cool air induction, and 205/50 r 15 street tires puts out 152 @ the wheels and runs 15.2-15.4 quarter mile with no weigt redux
check out www.neons.org and read the F.A.Q. and look at the boards racing, and tech "we KNOW where the power is"
RE: 150 hp Neon how-to
RE: 150 hp Neon how-to