how can i tell if i have an acr?

 

from the factory - depends year.

no bodyside moldings and fog light holes (but no fog lights) are the easiest giveaways.

 

1996
wat does a acr have that others dont

 

most importanty - adjustable struts and stiffer springs. its mostly a handling and weight saving package.

 

it has a closer ratio 5 speed then a normal neon, and the steering is tighter

 

Well my neon fits all of those, but is not a acr. It just came like that. It also came with power mirros and locks. Its a 96. I just think the kid before me did it all, or maybe i really do have a acr. hmmm, i can only hope :-).

 

Run the vin # on car fax, even if you dont have a membership it should come up something like this: "97 DODGE NEON HIGHLINE PILLARD HARD TOP" etc.

 

well if you have a closer ratio steering than other neons you'v driven, i would say they probably didnt go to that much trouble and you do indeed have an acr. if you're car came with wheel covers, you're out. acr's have actual 15" wheels.

 

ACR's have 14" rims....
all 95-99 neons had 14" rims except some of the early 95's with the 4-lug 13's

call the dealership and give them your vin number.....they can also tell you if its an ACR

biggest difference, look for a rear sway bar and the adjustable struts

 

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