weird that he would blow running that slow.......the only SRT I've heard about blowing up so far is the one with nearly 600hp on the stock block that just finally gave up during the "OneLap" race. The engine is bulletproof.

 

I think your slightly confused, I stated that the Evo would hardly pull from it, meaning they would run even from a roll. And I disagree about being more modded. The SRT-4 has just as much potential as the Evo from a horsepower standpoint, and on the SRT-4 is cheaper to mod and the dealer doesnt throw your warrenty away with Mopar kits....

 

ok...its not like i haven't raced one before... but i'll let them catch up while i run low 12's at 113+ mph

 

I dont understand you, at one point you comment how fast they are,t hen you take offense to me agreeing and state you will crush one....

 

the way i read the post, sounded to me like you thought i was under-estimating them. they are very fast cars uptop...NO doubt.

 

What he meant is that the STR-4 wont be a match for the evo once they are within the 400-500whp range. The FWD is its weakness, and even more so with the increase of power. Even from the roll, at 400whp, the SRT guy going to have trouble keeping traction up until 4th gear. None of these factors even mention about going fast safely yet. My point is that, as you apply more power, I think the EVO going to crush the SRT-4 even on a straight line race. THe AWD system on the EVO will be a great advantage from almost all racing scenarios. With the AWD system, the evo will not lose any second to lost of traction. In a short distance race, 2 seconds is alot, espcially when your talking about 400whp cars. While the EVO hooks and go, the SRT has to cleverly feather the pedal until he gets traction. Now, this is from a 20mph or 40mph roll; from a completely stop, it can be laughable for the SRT-4 to pitch against the EVO. Can somebody have more experience from FWD cars comment on my opinions. I dont mean to talk trash about any cars, especially the SRT-4. I have great respect for this car and many cars at its class.

 

No matter how much horsepower an SRT-4 can make, it will never be a match for the Evo, STi or even a WRX for that matter. Why? Because once you pass a certain point, FWD becomes a SERIOUS liability. Don't tell me about 9-sec FWD cars - I am taking about real street-driven "normal" cars. Put 600 hp in an SRT-4 and it will just spin the tires and torque-steer all day long. That is a serious consideration. Not to mention the fact that SRT-4s are absolute CRAP on a track (not a drag strip, a real track that goes left and right). To each his own - I respect them, but then if I race one it's a lose/lose situation for me. If I win, I was expected to win. If I lose, it's embarrassing. Evos are not the do-all end-all in the car world. They are just nice, relatively inexpensive high-performance machines that can do a lot of things very well. Enjoy the fact that we have so many options in performance cars...

 

i think being AWD would be a more stable option, as running 2 FWD Cars ( i boosted) after around 110mph it has an unstable feeling compared to the RWD or AWD Chassis.. I feel a lot more confident driving a RWD over that limit then my FWD..

Pete.

 

Prove it. Show me hardcore evidence of how uncapable a SRT-4 is on a race track other than a drag strip.

Here let me give you food for thought. Go to www.onelapofamerica.com and look at the results for this years event. What car do you see in 20th place out of 82 cars? Thats right. A 2004 SRT-4. Check last years results. What car do you see in 8th place? Guess who...a SRT-4.

Now go search at how the SRT-4 is doing in other forms of road racing and tell me what you find. Also do a search on Neon's and their history in SCCA.

Here is Lake Effect Racing's 04 SRT-4. They were able to still place 20th at One Lap of America despite their collision with a deer that mangled their front end.

 

First of all, this is the only point that I knock on the SRT-4, and I believe it's still valid. I'm not sure where the thread is, but someone on this forum posted the lap times for several different cars in that $20,000 range and the SRT-4 was by far the fastest on the strip, but came dead last on the road course.

As for your friend's One Lap car, I'd like to know how much $$$ was dumped into re-engineering the suspension to be competitive. If you really look at it, I'm not really knocking the SRT. It is a fast car, but in order to keep prices down, the majority of engineering money went into the engine. Not flames, but fact. Like I said, and you failed to mention, I don't think Evos are the greatest thing ever and we should just be glad we have so many performance car options.

 

In stock form the suspension is very competitive in it's "class" but most likely is something that is an upgrade must for the hardcore racer.

Quote from John Fernandez - director of Dodge Motorsports Operations:

"We wanted a car that had a nice, balanced feel through the corners without an overabundance of body roll," said Fernandez, who also worked on Shelby vehicles such as the legendary Omni GLHS. "With the SRT-4, we created a car with a high dose of power that is also highly controllable."

Quote from Marques McCammon - SRT-4 program manager

"We've gone a little firmer on the spring rates, especially in the rear, so that we can lessen the rear end dive," said McCammon. "That allows the car to remain level and even drop down a little in the front to get you off the line faster."

Blending power and control was made possible by the interaction between the Dodge SRT-4 development team and performance operation engineers who cut their teeth in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) racing. Some of these weekend racers worked closely with the small vehicle team to make sure that their SCCA engineering experience found its way into the Dodge SRT-4. "From the onset, employees from these two groups worked together to create a car that reflects our motorsports heritage, both from grassroots Neon ACR racing and the professional success of our Viper program," said Fernandez.

I disagree with your statement that engineering went more towards the motor to keep costs down. Most people fail to realize really how much effort went into this car to produce a balance of ALL around performance. It's just not some neon with a turbo and bodykit guys.

As for the One Lap cars suspension, a set of Mopar (KW) Stage 3 coilovers, a 26mm front sway bar and a 19mm rear sway bar is what the car resides on. Hardly re-engineered. I'd call it a very worthy chassis.

 

I don't get it.. I absolutely LOVE the SRT4, I agree the FWD is a liability when you start making enough power to overcome traction.. but from a roll, their damn quick cars, these little cars are badass and are easily able to keep up with a stock evo (and some modded) It is no surprise to see some victories from the SRT4. Give credit where its due. They built the "Classic Musclecar Combo" with the Neon.. they took an Economy Chassis, put in a impressive motor, tweaked the chassis, and gave it a little bit of aftermarket look. For some people it doesn't appeal to them.. But its the EXACT same combination our little economy lancer got to make it the Evo (Given the Evo gets a whole lot more, but we also paid quite a bit more too)

Don't minimize the potency of these cars on the tracks.. The neon has been turning up as a major force in SCCA even back when the car was first made available, they offered an SCCA legal suspension package and rollbar.

My evo is still quicker, but stock for stock, your still getting an amazingly good performer for a $20k car and if you put two stock cars together on the street, the SRT4 can get the win on occasion, and more often than not, surprised the daylights out of those who don't expect it.

 

If you still think the srt-4 is nothing but a dragstrip car check this out:

Dodge claimed a total of nine ProRally titles for 2003: one manufacturer’s and two driver’s championships among overall 2WD vehicles, as well as two manufacturer’s crowns and four driver’s titles among the Group 5 and Group 2 classes.

Summary of 2003 Dodge SCCA ProRally Titles

· 2WD Overall Manufacturer Championship
· Woodner Cup - 2WD Overall Driver (Doug Shepherd - No. 52 Dodge SRT-4)
· Woodner Cup - 2WD Overall Co-Driver (Pete Gladysz - No. 52 Dodge SRT-4)
· Group 5 Manufacturer Championship
· Group 5 Driver Championship (Doug Shepherd - No. 52 Dodge SRT-4)
· Group 5 Co-Driver Championship (Pete Gladysz - No. 52 Dodge SRT-4)
· Group 2 Manufacturer Championship
· Group 2 Driver Championship (Chris Whiteman - No. 143 Dodge Neon SXT)
· Group 2 Co-Driver Championship (Mike Paulin - No. 143 Dodge Neon SXT)




Don't forget about the T2 SRT-4's tearing it up.

 

I actually went to VIR (Virginia International Raceway) for the SCCA Regionals this weekend and there was an SRT-4 running in the one of the GT classes along with the Vette's, Vipers, and Porsche Cup cars........the SRT was racing at the same time but in a lower class and was going like a beast........it stayed in front of a 350z and a few Mustangs as well. We were camped out at turn #7 where the drivers come around and then get on full gas.....the SRT was composed and pulling hard from there down the back "snake" section every time.

 

Ok... I "raced" a modded SRT4 and that guy was fast. From a roll @ about 25mph, we took off and he was about 1/2 car behind, but right with me. We were lined up perfectly at a red light (this was all in a very abandoned location...) but he didn't launch - he said he wanted to see an AWD launch in action. He would surely smoke any WRX and any stock EVO or STi. Also last night, I was running alongside an STi and watched him pull from about 40mph. Holy sh!+ that thing can pull!

Point: There are some fast cars out there, and as much as I surprise people, I often get surprised myself...