Dodge Neon SRT-4

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Dodge SRT-4
Overview
Manufacturer	Dodge
Production	2003-2005
Assembly	Belvidere, Illinois
Body and chassis
Class	Sport Compact
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Related	Dodge Neon
Powertrain
Engine	2.4 L turbocharged I4
Transmission	5-speed NVG T-850 manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Template:Auto in
Length	Template:Auto in
Width	Template:Auto in
Height	Template:Auto in
Chronology
Successor	Dodge Caliber SRT-4

See also the Dodge Caliber SRT-4.

The Dodge SRT-4 is a turbocharged car introduced by DaimlerChrysler's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) in-house tuner group (originally known as PVO for Performance Vehicle Operations) in 2003 and sold under the Dodge marque. SRT stands for "Street and Racing Technology", and the "4" in the SRT-4's name denotes the number of cylinders of the engine. ACR and Commemorative Edition models were later introduced as well. The SRT-4 was marketed towards the racing and muscle car crowd, as well as designed to attract younger buyers who had previously only considered owning Japanese sport compacts. Dodge Press Release

Dodge, through its aftermarket parts distributor Mopar, also offers many performance enhancements for the SRT-4, from suspension kits to turbocharger-upgrade kits.

During its three years of production, the SRT-4 was the leading vehicle in its class, producing performance numbers equal or better than sports cars costing 2-to-3 times as much. The car was also a sales and marketing success for Dodge, with sales of over 25,000 units in less than three years of production. DaimlerChrysler expected to produce no more than 10,000 SRT-4s. [1]

Built in Belvidere, Illinois with 84% US content, the SRT-4 differed from the Neon, the model on which it was based, in many ways. From the outside, the SRT-4's unique front fascia was immediately noticeable. It also featured a large rear wing, unique rear fascia, side skirts, unique hood featuring a functional hood scoop, and special 17x6 inch wheels (16x7 BBS racing wheels on ACR model). Beyond aesthetics, the car's entire powertrain, suspension, braking system, exhaust, and much of the interior differed from the Neon.

Under the hood was a turbocharged 2.4-liter straight-4 gasoline engine. This engine debuted in the United States alongside the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT, but had been used in the Mexican-market Dodge Stratus and Chrysler Cirrus LXi sedan for a few years before this. The SRT-4 used a New Venture Gear T-850 five-speed manual transmission (based on the unit from the European turbodiesel minivans), equal-length half shafts, and a high-capacity Sachs performance clutch. The suspension used stiffer springs, special Tokico struts, larger sway bars front and rear, firmer bushings, an upgraded steering rack from the PT Cruiser GT, upgraded knuckles, and a unique K-member. 11.0 inch (279 mm) vented disc brakes (with extra-thick rotors to prevent warping) were used in front, with 10.6 in (270 mm) non-vented discs in the rear.

Inside, the front seats featured enhanced lumbar and lateral support for performance driving, and a faux carbon fiber steering wheel shiftboot cover and satin silver "cue ball" shift knob were used. The gauges had special SRT faces and silver rings matching those on the climate controls. An Auto-Meter brand boost gauge was used as well.

The 2004 model was updated with more power and torque, a torque-sensing Quaife limited-slip differential, larger fuel injectors, BF Goodrich KDW2 three-season ultra-high performance tires, and paint and trim changes. 2005 also featured new colors and the return of the American Club Racer (ACR) edition. The ACR package included wider BBS RX lightweight racing wheels with wider tires, 5-way adjustable Tokico Illumina shock absorbers, a stiffened suspension featuring a thicker rear sway bar, seats with pass-through slots for racing harnesses, officially allowed camber adjustment, and ACR logos on the exterior and embroidered on the front seats. A limited edition and numbered 2005 SRT-4 Commemorative Edition appearance package (in white with blue "Viper stripes") was also offered, but not with the ACR package.

• Power: SAE 215 hp (2003 model), 230hp (2004-2005 models) The '03 models did not have the updated injectors that come with the mopar stage 1 upgrade.
• Torque: 245 ft·lbf @ 2400-4400 rpm (2003 model), 250 ft·lbf @ 2400-4400 rpm (2004-2005 models)
• 0-60 time: 5.3 seconds (Car & Driver)
• Rev Limiter/Redline: 6250/6000
• 1/4 mile time: 13.8-14.2 seconds (various magazine reviews)
• 1/4 mile speed: 98-103 mph (various magazine reviews)
• Top speed: Manufacturer claims a top speed drag limited to 156mph.

Although most SRT-4s were rated at 230 hp, it was revealed that Dodge underrated the car's power production. Dodge intentionally tested the SRT-4 prototypes on the dyno with a fairly hot intercooler, which negatively affected performance.^[1] Most production SRT-4s in fact rate right around 230-235whp stock, with crank horsepower estimated at 265-275 hp. This makes them competitive with much more expensive production sports cars in real world, "roll-on" situations as well as open-road racing.

In real world use, SRT-4's have run high 13s to low 14s at 100 to 105 mph in the quarter mile with a capable driver. The fastest documented stock quarter mile time for a 2003 SRT-4 is 13.75 seconds @ 101.68 mph, with a fastest trap-speed of 103.16 mph ^[2], while the fastest quarter mile times with documentation for more powerful 2004 to 2005 models include several 13.6s @ 104-105 mph. Those stock times included the use of the original, factory-equipped tires.

In 2004, Dodge engineers built a special SRT-4 for Sport Compact Car magazine using only factory performance upgrade ^[3] parts from Mopar in conjunction with lightweight, carbon fiber body pieces for weight reduction. On drag slicks, it ran an 11.83-second pass at 123 mph in 70-degree weather.^[4]

The SRT-4 used an identical block as the naturally aspirated Chrysler 2.4L block used in the PT Cruiser and mid-size cars such as the four-door Stratus. Both naturally aspirated and turbo engines used the same cylinder head with the exception of the Iconel exhaust valves. The PT Cruiser engine package differs from the SRT-4 by means of the intake manifold, turbocharger plumbing and intercooler are different. The SRT4 intercooler was a front-mounted cast aluminum 8-row unit produced by Valeo. The turbocharger was a reverse rotation Mitsubishi TD04LR-16Gk with a 6 cm² turbine inlet. Tight packaging forced some creative thinking on the turbocharger. The TD04 compressor has a compressor bypass valve built right into the compressor housing. The exhaust manifold and turbine housing were cast in one piece by Mitsubishi from high-nickel Ni-Resist steel. The one-piece design improved flow, reduced size and reduced thermal mass for quicker cat light-off. The turbine discharge was also part of the manifold/turbine housing casting, and it looped back around and hit the manifold again on its way to the catalytic converter. Where they met, there was a wastegate valve; keeping the wastegate valve away from the turbine housing improved flow where it mattered most. Maximum boost in stock form was around 14 lbf/in² (97 kPa). The stock turbine forces a rev limiter setting of 6240 RPM, although actual engine redline occurs at 6500 RPM.

Exhaust fumes exited through a catalytic converter, two resonators and a stainless steel mandrel bent 2.25 inch exhaust piping system, which split into two at the rear with no mufflers, for a distinct throaty snarl. Specifications Block Height: 9.375" Displacement 2.4L or 148.2ci Stroke 3.976" (101mm) Bore: 3.445" (87.5mm) Rod length: 5.944" (151.0mm) Main Journal Diameter: 2.36" Deck Clearance: .200" Combustion Chamber volume: 50.0cc Head Gasket thickness: .040" Compression Ratio: 8.1:1

Paired with the SRT-4's turbocharged engine are a New Venture Gear T-850 high-performance 5-speed manual transmission, equal-length half shafts and a Sachs high-capacity performance clutch and pressure plate.

A high level of performance in engineering and development was made possible by the interaction between the Dodge SRT-4 development team and Dodge's performance operation engineers who cut their teeth in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) racing. Suspension was rounded up with 170 lb (front) and 125 lb (rear) springs, specially valved Tokico struts, 24 mm front and 17 mm rear sway bars, firmer bushings, quicker ratio steering rack from the PT Cruiser GT, upgraded knuckles and a unique K-member.

Braking consists of an ABS system with 11.0 in (279 mm) F vented/ 10.6 in (270 mm) R discs and single piston calipers (57 mm front/36 mm rear).

17 inch (45 mm offset) cast aluminum wheels coupled with 205/50/17 Michelin Pilot Sport tires helped put the power to the ground on 2003 models, with 2004 and 2005 models getting BF Goodrich KDW2 tires. Even wider 225/45/16 BF Goodrich KDW2 tires on lightweight BBS racing wheels (40 mm offset) were offered on the ACR model in 2005. The standard 17 inch wheels were purposely designed to look like aftermarket wheels, and the unique spoke pattern allowed for better airflow to the brakes. The design showed much similarity to the TSW VX1 wheels found on the 2001 concept supercharged Neon S-R/T.

Of note aesthetically, when Dodge was redesigning the SRT-4 pre-production car in late 2002 prior to its release, they added two vents (Nostrils) on the front fascia to help with the upgraded cooling system, a revised boost gauge face, and standard pedals instead of the aluminum ones that would be used on later SRT-4s.

The taller, basket-handle type spoiler also improved vehicle handling by generating downforce and providing a stabilizing effect at high speeds.

Inside the cabin, the SRT-4 front seats had enhanced lumbar and lateral sections for better support during racing-type maneuvers, modeled after the Dodge Viper SRT-10's seats. The agate-colored cloth on the body of the seats was textured for better grip through the corners. The side bolsters of the front seats were trimmed in vinyl and curved to stabilize occupants, further enhancing the performance racing feel of the vehicle. The car's rear seats also featured the textured fabric. Another seating option available was side-impact air bag equipped seats with an identical fabric and vinyl design with less pronounced side bolsters.

Carbon-fiber-look leather wrapped the top of the SRT-4's steering wheel for greater control. A satin silver cue ball shift knob topped a shifter that was surrounded by a boot made of the same textured carbon-fiber-look leather as the steering wheel. The steering wheel's unique three-spoke design also provided a better view of the instrument cluster gauges.

Unique gauge designs in the SRT-4 (which were exclusive to the SRT lineup) featured special silver faces with satin silver ring accents. The same satin metal trim was also featured on the instrument panel center stack, climate control knobs and on the door handles. A silver Auto-Meter brand turbo boost/vacuum gauge was to the right of the instrument cluster.

Along those lines, the SRT-4's boost/vacuum gauge was located to the right of the instrument cluster. Unlike aftermarket gauges, the SRT-4 turbo gauge was incorporated as a design element of the dashboard.

The SRT-4's roots came from SCCA racing. Dodge intended a package of performance, styling and quality at a low cost, and has shown what the SRT-4 is capable of in motorsports, campaigning the SRT-4 in Rally, SCCA and drag racing circuits, with much success.

This factory competition version included:

• Wider, light-weight 16x7 inch BBS RX racing wheels with 40 mm offset
• Wider 225/45/16 BFG KDW2 tires
• Lowered ride height by almost 2 inches (1" through lower spring perches on strut and another .75" to 1" through smaller wheel/tire combo)
• 5-way adjustable performance Tokicko Illumina dampers (gas shocks)
• Thicker rear sway bar (19mm)
• Stronger bushings in the rear tension struts
• ACR embroidered, Viper-styled, racing seats with pass-throughs for a racing harness
• ACR decals on the bottoms of the front doors
• Light-weight spare tire

Available for 2005 was the SRT-4 Commemorative Edition. This model (along with the Viper SRT-10 and Ram SRT-10) was created to celebrate the SRT vehicles. The limited, numbered edition SRT-4 included "Electric Blue" stripes over the white-colored body, blue stitching on the floor mats, shifter boot, seats and steering wheel, stainless steel door sill plates and a numbered plaque. No performance extras were added on the Commemorative Edition. A total of 200 Commemorative Edition SRT-4 vehicles were made.

• Car and Driver magazine's 2004 John Lingenfelter Memorial Trophy
• Won a Top Ten Car award from Sport Compact Car magazine (SCC) in 2003, 2004, and 2005 - all three years the SRT-4 was produced.
• Named the 2003 Car of the Year by SCC. [2]
• Won numerous comparisons in several U.S. automotive magazines from 2003 to 2005, including:
  • 1st place - ^[5], Car and Driver magazine, November 2005. The SRT-4 competed against 14 other performance vehicles.
  • 1st place - ^[6], Serial Thrillers comparison test, Car and Driver magazine, May 2004.
  • 1st place - ^[7], Automobile magazine, March 2004.
  • 1st place - ^[8], Sport Sedans Comparison, Edmunds, August 2003
  • 1st place - ^[9], Sport Compact Car Shootout, January 2003. The SRT-4's performance dwarfed that of every competitor in nearly every category of the test.

In 2005, Jeff Lepper drove the SRT-4 to its first ever national road racing win in the NASA US Touring Car Championship at California Speedway in Fontana.^[10]

In SCCA ProRally racing, the SRT-4 (and more recently the ACR version) has dominated the Group 5 (2WD) class since 2003. ^[11] In just its first year competing, the Dodge ended the stranglehold that the FWD DSM's and Volkswagen's had on the class. With three entries competing the following year, the SRT-4 won every 2004 series race and end-of-season award. ^[12] The SRT-4 has won every Group 5 and 2-Wheel-Drive class championship in US ProRally and Sno Drift since 2003, and its unprecedented dominance in 2004 helped Dodge earn its first US ProRally Manufacturers Championship in 28 years. ^[13]

In 2006, the Dodge SRT-4 officially become the world's fastest production 4-cylinder car, averaging 221 mph (356 km/h) at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah in a car built by Dave Harris and Phil Hurst for Racedeck Racing.^[14] When the SRT-4's power plant was put on the engine dyno, it had surpassed well over 1,000 horsepower (1087hp) without the aid of nitrous oxide (n2o) The car used the stock body, basket wing, transmission, engine block, and even crankshaft while running in excess of 235mph during the run.

Multiple SRT-4s are currently raced in the SCCA SPEED World Challenge - Touring Car Series^[15], and in just their second year of competition in 2006 have already become one of the more successful platforms in the series. Robb Holland, of 3R Racing, became the first Pro driver to put the SRT-4 on the podium with his 3rd place finish at Road America in August of 2006. This was Dodge's first podium and first manufacturer's points in World Challenge Touring Car competition. Holland would finish the season with 3 top 10 finishes and two top 5 qualifying efforts in the SRT-4. ^{[16] [17] [18]}

• 2003 SRT-4 Road Test by Sport Compact Car magazine, January 2003
• 2004 SRT-4 Road Test by Car and Driver magazine, April 2004
• Allpar

• Dodge SRT-4 at the Open Directory Project