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|parent_company = [[DaimlerChrysler]]
|parent_company = [[DaimlerChrysler]]
|assembly = [[Belvidere, Illinois]], [[USA]]
|assembly = [[Belvidere, Illinois]], [[USA]]
|production = 2003-2005
|production = 2003-2008
|successor = [[Dodge Caliber#SRT-4|Dodge Caliber SRT-4]]
|successor = [[Dodge Caliber#SRT-4|Dodge Caliber SRT-4]]
|class = [[Sport Compact]]
|class = [[Sport Compact]]
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{{dablink|For the Dodge Caliber SRT-4, see [[Dodge Caliber#SRT-4|Dodge Caliber SRT-4]].}}
{{dablink|For the Dodge Caliber SRT-4, see [[Dodge Caliber#SRT-4|Dodge Caliber SRT-4]].}}


The '''Dodge SRT-4''' is a [[turbocharged]] variant of the [[Dodge Neon|Neon]]<ref>[http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/american_performance/dodge_neon_srt_4_road_test Dodge Neon SRT-4 - Road Test/American Performance/High Performance/Hot Lists/Reviews/Car and Driver - Car And Driver<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 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{{Fact|date=February 2008}}, as well as designed to attract younger buyers who had previously only considered owning [[Japan]]ese [[sport compact]]s. [http://dodge.off-road.com/dodge/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=365982 Dodge Press Release]
The '''Dodge SRT-4''' is a [[turbocharged]] variant of the [[Dodge Neon|Neon]]<ref>[http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/american_performance/dodge_neon_srt_4_road_test Dodge Neon SRT-4 - Road Test/American Performance/High Performance/Hot Lists/Reviews/Car and Driver - Car And Driver<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 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 "Streak and Rectum 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 [[Shitty car]] crowd{{Fact|date=February 2008}}, as well as designed to attract younger buyers who had previously only considered owning [[Japan]]ese [[sport compact]]s. [http://dodge.off-road.com/dodge/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=365982 Dodge Press Release]


Dodge, through its parts distribution network [[Mopar]], also offers many performance enhancements for the SRT-4, from suspension kits to engine performance upgrade kits.
Dodge, through its parts distribution network [[Mopar]], also offers many performance enhancements for the SRT-4, from suspension kits to engine performance upgrade kits.

Revision as of 19:14, 9 December 2008

Dodge SRT-4
Dodge SRT-4
Overview
ManufacturerDodge
Production2003-2008
AssemblyBelvidere, Illinois, USA
Body and chassis
ClassSport Compact
Body style4-door sedan
LayoutFF layout
RelatedDodge Neon
Powertrain
Engine2.4 L turbocharged DOHC I4
Transmission5-speed NVG T-850 manual
Dimensions
WheelbaseTemplate:Auto in
LengthTemplate:Auto in
WidthTemplate:Auto in
HeightTemplate:Auto in
Chronology
SuccessorDodge Caliber SRT-4
For the Dodge Caliber SRT-4, see Dodge Caliber SRT-4.

The Dodge SRT-4 is a turbocharged variant of the Neon[1] 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 "Streak and Rectum 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 Shitty car crowd[citation needed], as well as designed to attract younger buyers who had previously only considered owning Japanese sport compacts. Dodge Press Release

Dodge, through its parts distribution network Mopar, also offers many performance enhancements for the SRT-4, from suspension kits to engine performance upgrade kits.

History

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. The SRT-4's entire powertrain (engine and transmission), suspension, braking system, exhaust, wheels, tires, and a small portion of the interior were upgraded from the Neon. On the outside, the SRT-4's unique front fascia and hood featuring a functional hood scoop was distinctly different. The car also featured side skirts, a unique rear fascia, large rear wing, and model specific 17x6 inch wheels.

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 (as the A853 engine), but the SRT-4 version (A855 engine) had a unique intake manifold to package the engine in the neon engine bay. 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, SRT tuned Tokico struts, larger sway bars front and rear, a unique steering gear, PT Cruiser steering 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 front windows are power operated, while the rear windows are manual.

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, newer engine management hardware, 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 16"x7" BBS RX lightweight racing wheels with wider 225/45R16 B.F. Goodrich KDW2 tires, 5-position rebound adjustable Tokico Illumina shock absorbers, a thicker rear sway bar, front seats with pass-through slots for racing harnesses, increased allowable front camber adjustment, and ACR logos on the exterior and embroidered on the front seats. The struts on the ACR also used common spring seat height locations as a base Neon, which lowered the front 10 mm and the rear 23.5 mm from a base SRT-4. 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.

With the demise of the PL platform after model year 2005, the SRT-4 ceased production. The current replacement is the Caliber SRT-4.

Performance

Power: SAE 215 whp (2003 model),
230 whp (2004-2005 models)
The 2003 models did not have the updated injectors that come with the mopar stage 1 upgrade.
Torque: Template:Auto ft.lbf @ 2400-4400 rpm (2003 model),
Template:Auto ft.lbf @ 2400-4400 rpm (2004-2005 models)
0-60 mph (97 km/h) time: 5.3 seconds [2]
Rev Limiter/Redline: 6250/6000
¼ mile (400 m) time: 13.8-14.2 seconds (various magazine reviews)
¼ mile speed: 98–103 mph (158–166 km/h) (various magazine reviews)
Top speed: Car and Driver magazine achieved a maximum speed of 153 mph (246 km/h)[2].

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.

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.

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 (198 km/h) in 70 °F (21 °C) weather.[4]

Engine details

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 (PT Cruiser GT Turbo and SRT-4) used the same cylinder head with the exception of the Iconel exhaust valves. The PT Cruiser Turbo engine package differs from the SRT-4 because the intake manifold, turbocharger plumbing and intercooler are different. The SRT-4 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 (0.93 sq in) 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 psi (97 kPa). Piston velocities and valve-train components force a rev limit of 6240 rpm although MOPAR upped the ante with their Stage 2 and 3 kits which have a rev limit of 6500 rpm.

Exhaust fumes exited through a catalytic converter, two resonators and a stainless steel mandrel bent 2.25-inch (57.15 mm) exhaust piping system, which split into two at the rear without mufflers.

Specifications
Block height: 9.375 in (238.1 mm)
Displacement: Template:Auto cm3in3
Stroke: 3.976 in (101 mm)
Bore: 3.445 in (87.5 mm)
Rod length: 5.944 in (151.0 mm)
Main journal diameter: 2.36 in (60 mm)
Deck clearance: 0.200 in (5.1 mm)
Combustion chamber volume:  50.0 cc (3.05 cu in)
Head gasket thickness: 0.040 in (1.0 mm)
Compression ratio: 8.1:1

External key features

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.

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. 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.

ACR model

This factory competition version included:

  • Wider 16×7 inch (410×180 mm) BBS RX racing wheels with 40 mm offset
  • Wider 225/45/16 BFG KDW2 tires
  • Lowered ride height (Front: 10 mm from spring seat lowering, additional 22 mm through smaller diameter tire; Rear: 23.5 mm from spring seat lowering, additional 22 mm through smaller diameter tire)
  • 5 position rebound adjustable performance Tokico Illumina dampers
  • Thicker rear sway bar (19 mm)
  • 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
  • Full diameter P215/60R16 spare tire
  • Vehicle Speed Sensor gear changed from 20 tooth to 21 tooth to correct speedometer for different stock tire heights.
  • There were a total of 1,175 SRT-4 ACR’s produced for the public: 225 Flame Red (PR4), 211 Orange Blast (PVK), 306 Stone White (PW1), 433 Black (PX8).

2005 Commemorative Edition

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.

Awards

  • 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, finishing 1st in the front wheel drive division.
    • 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.

Racing

In 2003, Cory O'Brien and Erich Heuschele drove an SRT-4 to a 1st in class and 8th overall finish in the Tire Rack Cannonball One Lap of America.[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 DSMs and Volkswagens 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 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.[14]

In 2005, Dale Seeley, Kolin Aspergren, and Jamin Cummings drove an SRT-4 to a 1st in class and 8th overall finish in the Tire Rack Cannonball One Lap of America.[15]

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.[16] When the SRT-4's power plant was put on the engine dyno, it had surpassed well over 1,000 horsepower (1,087 hp (811 kW)*) without the aid of nitrous oxide (N2O) The car used the stock body, transmission, engine block, and even crankshaft while running in excess of 235 mph (378 km/h) during the run.

File:DSC01666.jpg
Robb Holland and Dan Aweida's SPEED World Challenge SRT-4's.

Multiple SRT-4s were raced in the SCCA SPEED World Challenge - Touring Car Series[17], and in 2006 - their second year of competition - had 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 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. [18] [19] [20]

In 2007, Doug Wind, Devin Clancy, and Ken Brewer drove an SRT-4 to a 1st in class and 5th overall finish in the Tire Rack Cannonball One Lap of America.[21]

In 2007, Curt Simmons won the U.S. Touring Car Championship in an SRT-4 [22] and Dodge won the season manufacturers points championship by 29 points over Honda behind the strength of several SRT-4's.[23]

In 2008, Curt Simmons attempts to defend his USTCC series championship, winning most recently June 29, 2008 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA.[24]

References

  1. ^ Dodge Neon SRT-4 - Road Test/American Performance/High Performance/Hot Lists/Reviews/Car and Driver - Car And Driver
  2. ^ a b http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/american_performance/dodge_srt_4_short_take_road_test
  3. ^ http://car-reviews.automobile.com/news/chrysler-groups-mopar-offers-performance-upgrades-for-dodge-srt-4/239/ Mopar performance parts
  4. ^ SRT-4 Extreme Lightweight - Sport Compact Car
  5. ^ http://web2.caranddriver.com/supercarchallenge/10165/superfour-challenge-page8.html SuperFour Super Car Challenge
  6. ^ http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/6569/the-featherweights-serial-thrillers.html Serial Thrillers Comparo
  7. ^ http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/sedans/0304_compact_sport_compared/index.html Compact Sports Cars test
  8. ^ http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/100452/page004.html Edmunds comparison test
  9. ^ http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/0301scc_honda_ford_nissan_comparison/ Tough Crowd comparison test
  10. ^ One Lap of America - the Official Webpage
  11. ^ Dodge Motorsports Media Guide
  12. ^ Motorsport.com: News channel
  13. ^ IGN: MOPAR at the X-Games
  14. ^ http://www.ustcc.com/results/fontana.html
  15. ^ One Lap of America - the Official Webpage
  16. ^ "Land Speed Record in a 4 Cylinder Dodge SRT-4 Production Car". Retrieved 2007-08-16.
  17. ^ SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge
  18. ^ Dodge Motorsports Media Guide
  19. ^ Mosport: Dodge SCCA Weekend Recap :: PaddockTalk :: F1, NASCAR, GP2, Champ Car, IndyCar, ALMS and More! If It Goes Fast...We're Talking About It!!
  20. ^ [1]http://www.trackbytes.com/news.php?id=2426
  21. ^ One Lap of America - the Official Webpage
  22. ^ Curt Simmons wins the 2007 USTCC championship
  23. ^ U.S. Touring Car Championship points
  24. ^ U.S. Touring Car Championship news
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