Got whupped by a PT Cruiser

twin turbo a buick then laugh at them

 

The turbo 2.4 is pretty amazing. It'll run between 400 to 450HP before popping internals assuming you keep your fuel mixed properly. The PT is either running a Mopar Performance S3 kit for a SRT-4 (about 3 grand plus some supporting mods) or he's running a custom "big turbo" kit (about 2 grand plus supporting mods).

Someone above was saying 500 bucks or something like that... yes there are some super cheap mods but they don't get you low 12's reliably. You'd really want to invest about 5 grand to run low 12's/ high 11's with a SRT-4/PT. Still, any way you slice it these vehicles are fun and cheap and cheap to go quick.

My SRT-4 runs low 13's with nothing but a computer upgrade - stock exhaust/intake/everything. I did upgrade the suspension for auto-X but for me the rest of my speed money goes into fixing my classics. Just because I CAN make it quicker for relatively low dollars doesn't mean I SHOULD.

That's a lesson my buddy needs to learn as he's one of the quick Eclipse owners that replaces transmissions more often than he gets paid.

 

What you have is a case of an idiot owner... not an unreliable car. You didn't say what broke - maybe he didn't either - but he should have no issues. The fact that he's disconnecting the knock sensor shows how moronic he is... hmm yeah lets lean it way the Hell out and then disconnect the only safety measure in place protecting my engine from catastrophic failure.

Sigh... makes me ashamed to be a SRT-4 owner.

 

My son Tim has a 2005 SRT/4 with the Stage 1 option (the Stage 1 emblem on the SRT/4 is very similar to our Buick's Stage 1 emblem!). They turn high 13's at under 6 seconds zero to 60 stock. It's actually a hemi 4 cylinder, with a stock 7 quart oil pan( I wish I had that on my GS), about 275hp under rated, no mufflers,etc. The SRT/4's nick name is the Minnie Viper. They made about 8,000 of the Special Racing Team Four Neons for the last year 2005. The whole drive train is completely different then a regular Neon. At the time we bought it, we were told it was the quickest car under $30,000. His was on the low end at $22,000. So far this year he's beaten a newer GTO, GT Mustangs, Porche Turbo Carrea, newer Corvettes & many others.He's also lost a few(2 Buick 455's). He uses only Mopar parts and it looks like he's going to be sponsored by a local Mopar dealer. Recently he ran the SRT/4 at a local 1/8 mile track. He turned a 6.7 against a Z06 Corvette's 7.1! With his 3" exhaust still connected.Hmm...

 

Just to let everyone know I AM preparing for a rematch! I know that I can out sixty foot him. Just need to work on the top end. Will be working with Larry (Weekender) He thinks I should have an eleven second car. His 455 Regal runs low elevens and his setup is close to mine.

Here us my setup. Any suggestions will be appreciated. As much as I admire the little four it must go DOWN!

462 BBB
ten to one compression ratio
fully ported Stage one heads sorry no flow numbers
TA 413 installed at 106 degrees
Stock distributor with Crane optical trigger. Crane XR3000 box soon adding Crane HI-6 to it.
Timing intial 22 degrees 34 degrees total all in at 2500.
TA sp-1 stock home port match not sure how good that is
TA long headers, three inch x pipe to three inch mufflers, 2.5 in Hogan tailpipes.
Edelbrock foam air cleaner... having lots of trouble with hood clearance
Quick Fuel 950 hp jetted at 78 fronts, 82 rear with power valves
Mallory electric pusher with stage one mechanical pump
12 bolt 3:73 rear end carbon Eaton Posi
Currie lower arms, Edelbrock upper bars, Edelbrock rear brace
Air lift air bags, do not know what rear springs
Gabrial gas shocks, took off AFCO race shocks and seems to hook better
Nitto 555 275/60's consistant 1.75 sixty foots
Modified D5 converter 2800 stall, 200r4 transmission.
car weight is 3900 with me in it.

At this point I think it is all about tune. We are going to try Larry's B4B manifold and have 3 different Hollys to try out. A Baker 830, the QuickFuel 950 and an HP 850 that has run low elevens. Also going to put on an O2 sensor for a while.

 

Amen brother

 

I would rather talk to the guy with the 11 second import than the guy with the bone stock mustake/cramaro/chevelle running 13 or 14 seconds. at least the import guy turns a wrench and tries to make it fast..

 

To tell you the truth I have more fun talking about the PT Cruiser that beat me than the races I have won. Gives you some incentive too. And face it we all admire a good sleeper.