1999 Dodge Avenger
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Joined: May 2006
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1999 Dodge Avenger
Hi guys! I just bought a 1999 Dodge Avenger I4 manual. It's stock...for now. In the future, I would like to try and get this car to around 300Hp. I'm going more of a turbo route with a header, exhaust, CAI, and some other stuff. If anyone could tell me some good modding info about these cars that would be great. I have a few questions though:
1. What are some good part sites for the avenger?
2. Anything known to go wrong with these cars?
3. If anyone got their car painted, how much was it for just a metallic color?
Thanks a lot! - Ken
1. What are some good part sites for the avenger?
2. Anything known to go wrong with these cars?
3. If anyone got their car painted, how much was it for just a metallic color?
Thanks a lot! - Ken
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: 1999 Dodge Avenger
Welcome to DF Ken
I have some sites listed in this post for the 420a and turbo'ing it. And yes, the Mitsubishi Eclipse 420a is the same exact motor and thus anything for that car relates to ours, also the front clip of the Eclipse is almost exact to ours with the exception of our hoods, fenders, fascia, radiator support, headlights, and probably more that I can't think of at this time but not much more. All the obvious can be seen on the external parts. Even the center console can be swapped.
You may think that the motor that you have in there is wimpy, maybe not, but rest assured that motor is covered as far as performance parts are concerned.
For known issues...there's a few, but nothing out of the ordinary. The lower ball joints are a pretty big concern in the Avenger/Sebring world..here's some info on it.
For the most part, everything else if maintained and checked periodically will be good to go. So inspect your car for the norms on the exterior...make sure you don't have any leaks, overheating, abnormal consumption from the motor or anything like that (the normal stuff). I would also suggest a rebuild on your motor since you're thinking about boosting it. 300hp is very obtainable for the 420a...just don't go too far past that unless you have aftermarket internals
For paint, prices vary from shop to shop. A good rule of thumb from what I've seen, read, experienced, is that any paint job below $3000 isn't worth the hassles later on down the road. By metallic I assume you mean the type with metal flakes in it....I'd say, save your money up and pay the price and have it done right the first time
...again, welcome to the club and the wonderful world of Avengers!!
I have some sites listed in this post for the 420a and turbo'ing it. And yes, the Mitsubishi Eclipse 420a is the same exact motor and thus anything for that car relates to ours, also the front clip of the Eclipse is almost exact to ours with the exception of our hoods, fenders, fascia, radiator support, headlights, and probably more that I can't think of at this time but not much more. All the obvious can be seen on the external parts. Even the center console can be swapped.
You may think that the motor that you have in there is wimpy, maybe not, but rest assured that motor is covered as far as performance parts are concerned.
For known issues...there's a few, but nothing out of the ordinary. The lower ball joints are a pretty big concern in the Avenger/Sebring world..here's some info on it.
Chrysler has put out a recall on all 95-00 Sebrings (coupes only) and Avengers for their ball joints and lower control arms.
If you haven't done so, GET THIS CHECKED OUT. In extreme cases, people have lost steering in their car or even lost a wheel while driving.
Facts:
1) The ball joint recall covers ALL YEARS of avengers and sebrings (coupe sebring, not convertible.)
2) The recall covers the ball joints and front lower control arms.
3) The recall covers the parts FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. Don't let the dealer pull the whole "the recall was already performed" crap. If the dealer tries this, call the Chrysler recall center (info below).
4) Some dealers will service the recall by 'repacking' the ball joints. Push them to replace the joint, as this 'repacking' WILL eventually fail.
5) If you need to, call the Chysler recall center (like I had to). Have your VIN number ready. They were very helpful & assured me that the recall was for the life of the vehicle (which the dealer told me was BS). They can also get on the dealer's *** if they refuse to do the work (which they did for me).
Here's contact info for the Recall center:
Contact Us by Telephone
1-800-853-1403
M-F 8:00AM - 8:00PM (EST)
Contact Us by Mail:
DaimlerChrysler
P.O. Box 610207
Port Huron, MI 48061-0207
Let me know if you have any questions :thumbsup:
Oh, and BTW, symptoms of a bad ball joint vary. I experienced a "creeeek" coming from my passenger side sometimes (no, not all the time). It almost sounded like someone sitting on an old mattress.
If you haven't done so, GET THIS CHECKED OUT. In extreme cases, people have lost steering in their car or even lost a wheel while driving.
Facts:
1) The ball joint recall covers ALL YEARS of avengers and sebrings (coupe sebring, not convertible.)
2) The recall covers the ball joints and front lower control arms.
3) The recall covers the parts FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. Don't let the dealer pull the whole "the recall was already performed" crap. If the dealer tries this, call the Chrysler recall center (info below).
4) Some dealers will service the recall by 'repacking' the ball joints. Push them to replace the joint, as this 'repacking' WILL eventually fail.
5) If you need to, call the Chysler recall center (like I had to). Have your VIN number ready. They were very helpful & assured me that the recall was for the life of the vehicle (which the dealer told me was BS). They can also get on the dealer's *** if they refuse to do the work (which they did for me).
Here's contact info for the Recall center:
Contact Us by Telephone
1-800-853-1403
M-F 8:00AM - 8:00PM (EST)
Contact Us by Mail:
DaimlerChrysler
P.O. Box 610207
Port Huron, MI 48061-0207
Let me know if you have any questions :thumbsup:
Oh, and BTW, symptoms of a bad ball joint vary. I experienced a "creeeek" coming from my passenger side sometimes (no, not all the time). It almost sounded like someone sitting on an old mattress.
For paint, prices vary from shop to shop. A good rule of thumb from what I've seen, read, experienced, is that any paint job below $3000 isn't worth the hassles later on down the road. By metallic I assume you mean the type with metal flakes in it....I'd say, save your money up and pay the price and have it done right the first time
...again, welcome to the club and the wonderful world of Avengers!!
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
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RE: 1999 Dodge Avenger
So if I get this Turbo Kit and some other things, I won't need to change the internals? And about how much is it to have the engine rebuilt? I'm kind of new at the internals of an engine so what do they actually do in an engine rebuild? Also, is it easy enough to do with my dad? (He's a mechanic)
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: 1999 Dodge Avenger
I would suggest making sure that what you have right now is sound, motor wise, and with a mechanic for a dad, I'm sure he has done that already.
Rebuilding a motor being easy enough is relative to what you and your dad can do, so I can't answer that one for you. Him being a mechanic, I would guess that it should be fairly easy for him as long as he isn't paradigmed in the V8 world especially when talking about boost (if he's anything like my mechanic brother-in-law), lol. That kit looks like the Hahn kit that was in that link I gave you also and since it stated, at most 275hp at the CRANK, you're good to go without upgrading the internals (your dad should know what that means). You need to worry when you start getting closer to 300chp (crank horsepower), which this configuration won't do until you start upgrading parts of it. I would take the info and upgrades a step at a time though so as not to get confused.
That kit is a good kit (sadly, I forgot about ERT) glad you didn't though. Steve "Sandman" Hernandez is a cool guy and has done a lot of R&D on the things that he sells.
.Rebuilding a motor being easy enough is relative to what you and your dad can do, so I can't answer that one for you. Him being a mechanic, I would guess that it should be fairly easy for him as long as he isn't paradigmed in the V8 world especially when talking about boost (if he's anything like my mechanic brother-in-law), lol. That kit looks like the Hahn kit that was in that link I gave you also and since it stated, at most 275hp at the CRANK, you're good to go without upgrading the internals (your dad should know what that means). You need to worry when you start getting closer to 300chp (crank horsepower), which this configuration won't do until you start upgrading parts of it. I would take the info and upgrades a step at a time though so as not to get confused.
That kit is a good kit (sadly, I forgot about ERT) glad you didn't though. Steve "Sandman" Hernandez is a cool guy and has done a lot of R&D on the things that he sells.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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RE: 1999 Dodge Avenger
Ken, welcome to DodgeForum!!!! The Avenger can be an awesome sleeper car as far as that motor getting tricked out. I'd take a really close listen to what silvercoupe is saying, as if you havent taken a peek at his car, he knows his stuff. He's one of our newest moderators to boot!
