Various Topics on Dodge

.... ..ru..

In article <HSlwc.7143$321.920@nwrdny02.gnilink.net>, NG wrote:
> "driven" <blah@test.com> wrote in message
> news:10c0018bs3g6ud3@corp.supernews.com...
>
>> As for looks, in spite of your criticism of the SRT-4 (and I agree about
>> the wing, although I like the wheels and the nose) ... the SRT-4 is
>> *far* better looking than the Evo ... (IMHO)
>
> Agreed. And there will most definately a crowd interested in them years down
> the road as we've seen with the Shelby Dodges and the GLH cars. I know he's
> worried about the resale on that car too.

With Mitsubishi trolling SCCA Regional website for owner names who
are autocrossing and putting them under "warranty hold", while Mopar
supports One Lap efforts and provides outstanding after-sales support,
I think the SRT-4 will be the long-term resale winner.

With the Cobalt SS, Ion Red Line, and rumors of a turbo Focus RS out
there, this is like the early Seventies, viewed the wrong way through
the peephole!

.... ..ru..

In article <10c2rnic3j3d768@corp.supernews.com>, driven wrote:
> Dan C wrote:
>> While that may be true, they do all have one thing in common: lack of
>> purpose.
>
> Any car with a top speed of 140+ has the speed whereas a spoiler *could*
> actually affect performance. (I doubt that is the case on either of the
> two cars in question) but it's not unreasonable.

The SRT-4 could actually use a little *more* downforce in back. A lot
of us are experiencing ABS glide at the faster tracks. During trail
braking, one of the rear wheels locks because there isn't enough
weight on it. The ABS is not set up to recognize a 135-150-to-zero
lock like that on one wheel so it simply modulates *all the brakes*.

The idea that a FWD car doesn't need any wing on the back, even on
longer tracks, has no currency. For drag racing and street driving, it
may not be necessary, but come out to Nelson Ledges or Mid-Ohio and
see if you don't wish you had more aero. And a lot of these "toy cars"
will surprise you. Does anyone really think a 340 AAR 'Cuda would make
it around a road course faster than an SRT-4, given the
era-appropriate suspension and tires? The fact that some neighbor
kid's weed-whacker Civic with a homemade exhaust and park-bench rear
wing doesn't mean the SRT-4 is slow. Some of the Stage 2 cars are
already hitting mid-twelves on DOT drag radials.

..iv..

Ken Chicago A wrote:
> Ken <keneth_leung@fastmail.fm> wrote in message news:<DsAvc.64191$0b7.2680@newssvr29.news.prodigy. com>...
>
>>I don't hear a rattle either... I've got an '04 as well....
>>
>>Do you hear it constantly in a turn? Is this on any turn? or only on a
>>full (wheel locked in one direction) turn? Where (approximately) is the
>>sound coming from? The steering column? Under the hood?
>>
>>
>>
>>Ken Chicago A wrote:
>>
>>>I just purchased a 2004 SRT-4. Let me start off by saying this car
>>>truely flies. I had a 99 Mustang Cobra with Flowmaster exhausts and a
>>>S-Trim Vortech Supercharger. So I know fast and this little SRT-4 is
>>>FAST for a STOCK car.
>>>The only problem I am seeing is that on turns the cars seems to rattle
>>>a bit. Does anyone else notice this? Also, what can I do to make
>>>this car reall fly? Any Suggestions?
>
>
> Guy,
>
> Thanks for all the info. The rattle was the plastic guard they put on
> under the front of the car. I removed it and everything seems to be
> fine now.
>
> Driven... I agree with you on the mid life crisis thing. I felt the
> same way. This car's looks does take some getting used to, but you
> forget about the looks once you get in and hit the gas. This car
> flies.... Plus with the Mopar stage turbo upgrades it can really fly.
> I have checked into upgrades on the engine such as the Mopar 3 stage
> upgrades. They have a ton of stuff you can add to this car and it
> when finished yu will still be $5k under the WRX STi. I love it!!!
> Thanks for all you input.

Besides the looks, I'm getting used to the "sports car" feel of it. I
got too spoiled in my SHO where it's more like a luxury car inside.
(PLENTY of room.) In the SRT I squeeze in over the bolster and settle
in. Of course once you are in you feel like you are sitting in a Viper.
VERY nice. (It's like getting new shoes, you gotta get to the point
where they finally feel like yours while you hate to part with the old
ones ...) <-- Does that make any sense. :-)

I think I'm going to look at a stage 2 sometime later this year or early
next year. Engine power is like crack ... very addicting.

<SMILE>

..n

Ken Chicago A wrote:
> Ken <keneth_leung@fastmail.fm> wrote in message news:<DsAvc.64191$0b7.2680@newssvr29.news.prodigy. com>...
>
>>I don't hear a rattle either... I've got an '04 as well....
>>
>>Do you hear it constantly in a turn? Is this on any turn? or only on a
>>full (wheel locked in one direction) turn? Where (approximately) is the
>>sound coming from? The steering column? Under the hood?
>>
>>
>>
>>Ken Chicago A wrote:
>>
>>>I just purchased a 2004 SRT-4. Let me start off by saying this car
>>>truely flies. I had a 99 Mustang Cobra with Flowmaster exhausts and a
>>>S-Trim Vortech Supercharger. So I know fast and this little SRT-4 is
>>>FAST for a STOCK car.
>>>The only problem I am seeing is that on turns the cars seems to rattle
>>>a bit. Does anyone else notice this? Also, what can I do to make
>>>this car reall fly? Any Suggestions?
>
>
> Guy,
>
> Thanks for all the info. The rattle was the plastic guard they put on
> under the front of the car. I removed it and everything seems to be
> fine now.
>
> Driven... I agree with you on the mid life crisis thing. I felt the
> same way. This car's looks does take some getting used to, but you
> forget about the looks once you get in and hit the gas. This car
> flies.... Plus with the Mopar stage turbo upgrades it can really fly.
> I have checked into upgrades on the engine such as the Mopar 3 stage
> upgrades. They have a ton of stuff you can add to this car and it
> when finished yu will still be $5k under the WRX STi. I love it!!!
> Thanks for all you input.


The plastic gaurd? Are you referring to the black air-dam-like piece? If
so, you should probably put it back on... It comes from the factory with
it in the trunk. The dealer is supposed to install it. I guess your
dealer did a poor job. From what I understand, it's supposed to help
hold back air in front of the car, thus building high-pressure in front
of the car, and low pressure behind the grill. This forces more air
through the intercooler and radiator...

..n ..ica.. ..

Ken <keneth_leung@fastmail.fm> wrote in message news:<Bmyxc.7558$Oe3.1925@newssvr27.news.prodigy.c om>...
> Ken Chicago A wrote:
> > Ken <keneth_leung@fastmail.fm> wrote in message news:<DsAvc.64191$0b7.2680@newssvr29.news.prodigy. com>...
> >
> >>I don't hear a rattle either... I've got an '04 as well....
> >>
> >>Do you hear it constantly in a turn? Is this on any turn? or only on a
> >>full (wheel locked in one direction) turn? Where (approximately) is the
> >>sound coming from? The steering column? Under the hood?
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>Ken Chicago A wrote:
> >>
> >>>I just purchased a 2004 SRT-4. Let me start off by saying this car
> >>>truely flies. I had a 99 Mustang Cobra with Flowmaster exhausts and a
> >>>S-Trim Vortech Supercharger. So I know fast and this little SRT-4 is
> >>>FAST for a STOCK car.
> >>>The only problem I am seeing is that on turns the cars seems to rattle
> >>>a bit. Does anyone else notice this? Also, what can I do to make
> >>>this car reall fly? Any Suggestions?
> >
> >
> > Guy,
> >
> > Thanks for all the info. The rattle was the plastic guard they put on
> > under the front of the car. I removed it and everything seems to be
> > fine now.
> >
> > Driven... I agree with you on the mid life crisis thing. I felt the
> > same way. This car's looks does take some getting used to, but you
> > forget about the looks once you get in and hit the gas. This car
> > flies.... Plus with the Mopar stage turbo upgrades it can really fly.
> > I have checked into upgrades on the engine such as the Mopar 3 stage
> > upgrades. They have a ton of stuff you can add to this car and it
> > when finished yu will still be $5k under the WRX STi. I love it!!!
> > Thanks for all you input.
>
>
> The plastic gaurd? Are you referring to the black air-dam-like piece? If
> so, you should probably put it back on... It comes from the factory with
> it in the trunk. The dealer is supposed to install it. I guess your
> dealer did a poor job. From what I understand, it's supposed to help
> hold back air in front of the car, thus building high-pressure in front
> of the car, and low pressure behind the grill. This forces more air
> through the intercooler and radiator...


Yes, that is it. Well ****. I will have them put that on immediately.

I am very interested in the Mopar upgrades. Where can I find out more about them?

.... ..

"driven" <blah@test.com> wrote in message
news:10c4jpvcff8r815@corp.supernews.com...
> Bill 2 wrote:
>
> > Nothing like pushing down the back of a front wheel drive car when at
speed.
> >
> > Though I doubt the spoiler has any function in the SHO.
> >
> > I also wonder what the purpose of a spoiler is on so called "sport"
edition
> > minivans.
> >
> >
>
>
> With the light rear end of a FWD car it makes a TON Of sense to push the
> back end down. (Unless you want the back end to come around on you in
> a sharp turn.)
>
> The spoiler on the mini-van might be for two things:
> 1) Clean the back window from dirt-build up. (Depending on the angle)

I've seen such devices on school busses. It didn't seem particularly
effective. Plus vans tend to have rear wipers / washers.

> 2) Reduce drag somewhat. (Not that I can see how this would be overtly
> effective.)

You mean there is no chance it's there just for looks?

..n ..

On Wed, 09 Jun 2004 02:04:12 -0400, driven wrote:

> In the SRT I squeeze in over the bolster and settle
> in. Of course once you are in you feel like you are sitting in a Viper.

Until you crank it up, and hear the "roar" of that little 4-banger, of
course. LOL!

> Engine power is like crack ... very addicting.

Indeed it is! You should try it in a car with an engine!

--
If you're not on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
Linux Registered User #327951

..agonRid..

On Wed, 09 Jun 2004 14:39:24 -0500, Dan C
<youmustbejoking@invalid.org> wrote:

>On Wed, 09 Jun 2004 02:04:12 -0400, driven wrote:
>
>> In the SRT I squeeze in over the bolster and settle
>> in. Of course once you are in you feel like you are sitting in a Viper.

I drove an '00 Viper GTS from Lauderdale to Knoxville. I recently
sold SR4's and frankly, more or less the same seats (but with cloth)
though it never gave me the remote feeling of sitting in a Viper. I'd
have to lay them way back, stick a huge hood out front, dull the dash
down a bit with, say, a Dodge 400 ashtray (standard Viper fare), and
put a baseball sized gear shift ball on the tranny. I rather like the
Ferrari 308/328 sized aluminum one on the SR4-T a lot better. Even
dealer trading a few SR4's never gave me the remote feeling of being
in a Viper, but the seats are about the same.. <grin>

>Until you crank it up, and hear the "roar" of that little 4-banger, of
>course. LOL!

Given that the SR doesn't sound like a normal 4 at all and that it
actually DOES have a bit of a roar too it... hehe. Welcome to the
first US production car in a long time that doesn't have any mufflers.
It reminds me more of the paddoc at Sebring than it does of a stock
street car.

>> Engine power is like crack ... very addicting.
>Indeed it is! You should try it in a car with an engine!

Good point.. That GTS had no problem breaking the rear end out at over
85mph on the way back up here.. Poor Mustang Cobra thought his 390hp
was good.... Turns out it was only adequate.. <grin>

..n ..ica.. ..

fighter4life25@yahoo.com (Ken Chicago A) wrote in message news:<4ebcd729.0406090549.5228a78f@posting.google. com>...
> Ken <keneth_leung@fastmail.fm> wrote in message news:<Bmyxc.7558$Oe3.1925@newssvr27.news.prodigy.c om>...
> > Ken Chicago A wrote:
> > > Ken <keneth_leung@fastmail.fm> wrote in message news:<DsAvc.64191$0b7.2680@newssvr29.news.prodigy. com>...
> > >
> > >>I don't hear a rattle either... I've got an '04 as well....
> > >>
> > >>Do you hear it constantly in a turn? Is this on any turn? or only on a
> > >>full (wheel locked in one direction) turn? Where (approximately) is the
> > >>sound coming from? The steering column? Under the hood?
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>Ken Chicago A wrote:
> > >>
> > >>>I just purchased a 2004 SRT-4. Let me start off by saying this car
> > >>>truely flies. I had a 99 Mustang Cobra with Flowmaster exhausts and a
> > >>>S-Trim Vortech Supercharger. So I know fast and this little SRT-4 is
> > >>>FAST for a STOCK car.
> > >>>The only problem I am seeing is that on turns the cars seems to rattle
> > >>>a bit. Does anyone else notice this? Also, what can I do to make
> > >>>this car reall fly? Any Suggestions?
> > >
> > >
> > > Guy,
> > >
> > > Thanks for all the info. The rattle was the plastic guard they put on
> > > under the front of the car. I removed it and everything seems to be
> > > fine now.
> > >
> > > Driven... I agree with you on the mid life crisis thing. I felt the
> > > same way. This car's looks does take some getting used to, but you
> > > forget about the looks once you get in and hit the gas. This car
> > > flies.... Plus with the Mopar stage turbo upgrades it can really fly.
> > > I have checked into upgrades on the engine such as the Mopar 3 stage
> > > upgrades. They have a ton of stuff you can add to this car and it
> > > when finished yu will still be $5k under the WRX STi. I love it!!!
> > > Thanks for all you input.
> >
> >
> > The plastic gaurd? Are you referring to the black air-dam-like piece? If
> > so, you should probably put it back on... It comes from the factory with
> > it in the trunk. The dealer is supposed to install it. I guess your
> > dealer did a poor job. From what I understand, it's supposed to help
> > hold back air in front of the car, thus building high-pressure in front
> > of the car, and low pressure behind the grill. This forces more air
> > through the intercooler and radiator...
>
>
> Yes, that is it. Well ****. I will have them put that on immediately.
>
> I am very interested in the Mopar upgrades. Where can I find out more about them?


I went and had them put that part back on my car. No more rattle.
Thanks for the input. I also went a little crazy while I was there.
I bought the turbo upgrades to stage 2 including the turbo toys. I
also purchased the Cat-Back Exhaust. Does anyone have any info on the
blow off valve conversion kit?

.... ..ru..

In article <4ebcd729.0406110654.645fa159@posting.google.com >, Ken
Chicago A wrote:

> I bought the turbo upgrades to stage 2 including the turbo toys. I
> also purchased the Cat-Back Exhaust. Does anyone have any info on the
> blow off valve conversion kit?

We are still waiting on our Stage 2 kit, hasn't been delivered yet.
We have the Mopar BOV. It is *loud*.