acr
#12
03-02-2008 | 03:32 PM
Professional
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 214
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From:
RE: acr
does anyone have any pics of the adjustable struts on the acr ..and better yet does anyone have any that theyd like to get rid off...im really interested in gettin my hands on some but i doubt any junk yards around here would have any ...neons are not really common around here ..i mean ya see a few of them but most of them are still on the roads and there are none in the junk yard.....thanks
#14
03-02-2008 | 09:51 PM
Professional
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 214
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From:
RE: acr
well ya see my delema is that the suspension nust remain stock ...and if i could get them off an acr ..technically they would be stock .....wat kind of adjust ment do u get with them... stiffness?? ride height??? travel??...this is the first time ive ever heard of this acr having adjustable struts
#15
03-04-2008 | 12:03 PM
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 391
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From: Atlanta, GA
#16
12-12-2011 | 12:41 PM
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Central Maryland
I've got a 1998 Expresso Coupe with the DOHC and 5-sp combo. I've been auto crossing it for three years now, have also run it at Summit Point on the Jefferson Circuit and took to the drags one Saturday afternoon.
I known the ACR's have beefer hubs (so the flange or the spline section 10MM vice 8MM?).
I keep wondering when one of my hubs will left go - I currently have 154,000 miles on the chassis.
Are all replacement front hubs for the first gen the beefier ACR types or do I need a specific part?
OBTW, when they fail - does the wheel come off or something else?
I known the ACR's have beefer hubs (so the flange or the spline section 10MM vice 8MM?).
I keep wondering when one of my hubs will left go - I currently have 154,000 miles on the chassis.
Are all replacement front hubs for the first gen the beefier ACR types or do I need a specific part?
OBTW, when they fail - does the wheel come off or something else?
When the Neon was introduced in 1994, Chrysler decided for some fortunate reason to make a splash in SCCA racing and autocross. The Neon ACR was developed as a race-ready (just add rollcage), low cost machine, using as few special parts as possible. So that the first production run would wind up on the track, not the street, buyers were required to hold an SCCA membership. This original '1994-1/2' batch consisted of 182 SOHC-powered ACR sedans. Chrysler also sweetened the pot with substantial contingency money for ACR racers.
The original ACR was built on the Base Sedan, and the only factory option was the rear defroster. A/C and radio were not available, nor were the rest of the luxury or convenience options. In keeping with its mission, the ACR has never been available with an automatic transmission or antilock brakes. After the initial production run, the ACR package (also known as the Competition Group) joined the regular lineup, so A/C and radio became options. Non-SCCA folks were allowed to join the fun, as well.
ACRs have several distinguishing features. Foremost is the SDK (Competition) suspension with front and rear swaybars and very stiff struts, to bring handling up to racetrack strength. The steering ratio is quicker than standard, and brakes are four-wheel disc. In early 1995, ACR construction changed to include hubs 10mm thick (compared to the stock 8mm) to accommodate road racing stresses. The manual transmission has both a lower final drive ratio and a lower fifth gear for better acceleration. All ACRs get the oversized radiator from the air conditioned car.
All ACR Sedans have the SOHC engine; all Coupes get the DOHC. These engine choices have never varied throughout the life of the ACR, to avoid reclassification for SCCA road racing use.
Most ACRs were built on the Base chassis, to take advantage of the weight savings of minimal insulation or luxury options. The ACR Coupe started production in the '95 m/y using the Highline chassis (see the Base model history), then changed to the Base Coupe for '96 and '97 m/ys. All '98 and the few '99 m/y ACRs (Sedan and Coupe) use the Highline chassis, since the Base car was discontinued. Outside, the ACR has the Sport front fascia with empty foglight holes. Side moldings were not available from the factory, but sometimes added at the dealer. The interior was originally Base or Highline style (depending on the chassis); in the '96 m/y, the ANC option added a leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel, as well as the Sport seats (with better lateral support) and Flash upholstery. ANC is now the standard interior since the Base car was discontinued in the '98 m/y.
The ACR designation has come to be known as "American Club Racing". However, it was originally just the sales code and has no actual significance. The same is true of the ANC interior, which is popularly held to mean "American National Champion".
Neon ACR Sedan
Year
1994 (95 m/y,
built on Base chassis)
1995
(on Base chassis)
1996
(on Base chassis)
1997
(on Base chassis)
1998/9
(on Highline chassis)
Engine
SOHC
SOHC
SOHC
SOHC
SOHC
Transmission
Perf. MTX 'A'
Perf. MTX 'A'
Perf. MTX 'A'
Perf. MTX 'A'
Perf. MTX 'A'
Suspension
SDK
SDK
SDK
SDK
SDK
Brakes
BRD
BRD
BRD
BRD
BRD
Seat Type
Base
Base
Base or ANC
Base or ANC
ANC
Tachometer
Standard
Standard
Standard
Standard
Standard
Hood
Flat
Flat
Flat
Flat
Flat
Fascia
Painted, w/ light holes
Painted, w/ light holes
Painted, w/ light holes
Painted, w/ light holes
Painted, w/ light holes
Wheels
14" 5-lug, alloy I
14" 5-lug, alloy I
14" 5-lug, alloy I
14" 5-lug, alloy II
14" 5-lug,
alloy II
Neon ACR Coupe
Year
1994 (95 m/y)
1995
(on Highline chassis)
1996
(on Base chassis)
1997
(on Base chassis)
1998/9
(on Highline chassis)
Engine
n/a
DOHC
DOHC
DOHC
DOHC
Transmission
n/a
Perf. MTX 'A'
Perf. MTX 'A'
Perf. MTX 'A'
Perf. MTX 'A'
Suspension
n/a
SDK
SDK
SDK
SDK
Brakes
n/a
BRD
BRD
BRD
BRD
Seat Type
n/a
Highline
Base or ANC
Base or ANC
ANC
Tachometer
n/a
Standard
Standard
Standard
Standard
Hood
n/a
Bulge
Bulge
Bulge
Bulge
Fascia
n/a
Painted, w/ light holes
Painted, w/ light holes
Painted, w/ light holes
Painted, w/ light holes
Wheels
n/a
14" 5-lug, alloy I
14" 5-lug, alloy I
14" 5-lug, alloy II
14" 5-lug,
alloy II
The original ACR was built on the Base Sedan, and the only factory option was the rear defroster. A/C and radio were not available, nor were the rest of the luxury or convenience options. In keeping with its mission, the ACR has never been available with an automatic transmission or antilock brakes. After the initial production run, the ACR package (also known as the Competition Group) joined the regular lineup, so A/C and radio became options. Non-SCCA folks were allowed to join the fun, as well.
ACRs have several distinguishing features. Foremost is the SDK (Competition) suspension with front and rear swaybars and very stiff struts, to bring handling up to racetrack strength. The steering ratio is quicker than standard, and brakes are four-wheel disc. In early 1995, ACR construction changed to include hubs 10mm thick (compared to the stock 8mm) to accommodate road racing stresses. The manual transmission has both a lower final drive ratio and a lower fifth gear for better acceleration. All ACRs get the oversized radiator from the air conditioned car.
All ACR Sedans have the SOHC engine; all Coupes get the DOHC. These engine choices have never varied throughout the life of the ACR, to avoid reclassification for SCCA road racing use.
Most ACRs were built on the Base chassis, to take advantage of the weight savings of minimal insulation or luxury options. The ACR Coupe started production in the '95 m/y using the Highline chassis (see the Base model history), then changed to the Base Coupe for '96 and '97 m/ys. All '98 and the few '99 m/y ACRs (Sedan and Coupe) use the Highline chassis, since the Base car was discontinued. Outside, the ACR has the Sport front fascia with empty foglight holes. Side moldings were not available from the factory, but sometimes added at the dealer. The interior was originally Base or Highline style (depending on the chassis); in the '96 m/y, the ANC option added a leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel, as well as the Sport seats (with better lateral support) and Flash upholstery. ANC is now the standard interior since the Base car was discontinued in the '98 m/y.
The ACR designation has come to be known as "American Club Racing". However, it was originally just the sales code and has no actual significance. The same is true of the ANC interior, which is popularly held to mean "American National Champion".
Neon ACR Sedan
Year
1994 (95 m/y,
built on Base chassis)
1995
(on Base chassis)
1996
(on Base chassis)
1997
(on Base chassis)
1998/9
(on Highline chassis)
Engine
SOHC
SOHC
SOHC
SOHC
SOHC
Transmission
Perf. MTX 'A'
Perf. MTX 'A'
Perf. MTX 'A'
Perf. MTX 'A'
Perf. MTX 'A'
Suspension
SDK
SDK
SDK
SDK
SDK
Brakes
BRD
BRD
BRD
BRD
BRD
Seat Type
Base
Base
Base or ANC
Base or ANC
ANC
Tachometer
Standard
Standard
Standard
Standard
Standard
Hood
Flat
Flat
Flat
Flat
Flat
Fascia
Painted, w/ light holes
Painted, w/ light holes
Painted, w/ light holes
Painted, w/ light holes
Painted, w/ light holes
Wheels
14" 5-lug, alloy I
14" 5-lug, alloy I
14" 5-lug, alloy I
14" 5-lug, alloy II
14" 5-lug,
alloy II
Neon ACR Coupe
Year
1994 (95 m/y)
1995
(on Highline chassis)
1996
(on Base chassis)
1997
(on Base chassis)
1998/9
(on Highline chassis)
Engine
n/a
DOHC
DOHC
DOHC
DOHC
Transmission
n/a
Perf. MTX 'A'
Perf. MTX 'A'
Perf. MTX 'A'
Perf. MTX 'A'
Suspension
n/a
SDK
SDK
SDK
SDK
Brakes
n/a
BRD
BRD
BRD
BRD
Seat Type
n/a
Highline
Base or ANC
Base or ANC
ANC
Tachometer
n/a
Standard
Standard
Standard
Standard
Hood
n/a
Bulge
Bulge
Bulge
Bulge
Fascia
n/a
Painted, w/ light holes
Painted, w/ light holes
Painted, w/ light holes
Painted, w/ light holes
Wheels
n/a
14" 5-lug, alloy I
14" 5-lug, alloy I
14" 5-lug, alloy II
14" 5-lug,
alloy II