Im not too terribly positive on the exact numbers but they run SRT-4 times, ALL MOTOR.

 

I know some first gen turbo's that can beat SRT's

 

Just dont count imports out, the day you think your cars faster is the day you loose.

 

A 1st gen with a decently built turbo motor will own a stock srt-4 any day. By built I mean chill factory kit w/ intercooler, turbo pistons, crank and cam and a MBC. You will be running down any stock SRT-4 on the road and probally keep up with a stage 2, or close to it.

 

I don't count them out, but the neon is WAY underrated. I know one guy who just dynoed his turbo first gen at 607.4 hp and 474.6 Tq [sm=happy046.gif]

 

Those cars among Neons are too few and far between yes, but too many stupid Neon owners dont realize that there are so many other 4 cylander cars that will vastly out perform them.

 

but the first gen neon is a economy car, look at the price difference in a stock type r and a stock neon, big difference!!!! if you are talking dollar for dollar the neon rates at the top, of course there are cars faster than the neon but compared to the honda civic base model and other imports the neon is at the top of the list........

 

I would put a N/A 2.4l in the Neon. Keep the auto but change the Torque converter to the highest stall lock up converter you can get.
Install a shift kit or replace the valve body with a street/race unit. Install a trans cooler.
Get the 2.4 tuned, should get 175-180hp out of it. Now you can add NOS or turbo.
IF you add Turbo, you can take most of what you need from a wrecked PT Cruiser or SRT-4 (heads,manifolds,turbo,etc.).
If you used a PiggyBack controller to tune your 2.4, then you can re-configure it and use it for the Turbo Setup.
If you do go Turbo, you will probably need to have the trans replaced with a race-built unit.
Properly built, you should be able to run 300+ HP on the Auto without any problems.