This is my 1st post so be gentle! I had some random questions that hopefully some of you more enlightenned gents can help me out with. So here goes...

1) What are the gear ratios for the 5-speed MTX in the 1st gen neons and what was the final drive gear ratio?

2) Have any of you tried to fully gut a 2 or 4-dr to see what you could get the weight down to? And I mean GUTTED like one seat, a dash and the necessities. Handling should be increased dramatically if you drop the weight down as well as 1/4 mile times.

3) What is a good cam thats fairly mildand doesnt require any upgraded valvetrain? Ive read around and the comp 200??? sounded like a decent option. I most likely wouldnt do any head work because I dont want to spend much money. Just gut every stinking pound off the chassis and go racing. This car is practically free so its just a project.

4) Is there any real power gain with the ATX throttle body? Its 2mm bigger than the MTX version, correct? I havent seen what the inside looks like but if it has any bumps or ridges I would think some polishing could help but sinceI havent seen the inside of housing I dont know yet.

5) Lastly, what size rims are the different stock wheels in diameter and width? They look like 15x6" but not sure on that. A 6.5-7" would be killer because theres a lot more room for a thick tread for traction.

Im still a newb in training but if anyone can give me some pointers on that stuff I'd seriously appreciate because when I search I keep finding comflicting answers. Thanks in advance everyone!

 

Well, first of all welcome to the forums. Hope you enjoy it here. Now down to answering your questions.

1)There were 2 MTX's available on the 1st gen neon. The 3.55 (came on SOHC engines) and 3.94 (came on DOHC engines) tranny. Both have the same gearing except for the 5th gear and final drive. The gearing for the 3.55 is: 1st - 3.54, 2nd - 2.13, 3rd - 1.36, 4th - 1.03, 5th - 0.72 , Final drive - 3.55. The 3.94 is the same, but the 5th gear is 0.72 and the final drive is 3.94. The MTX that came on the R/T, ACR, and 95 DOHC has a 0.81 5th gear and final drive of 3.94 also.

2)Not personally, but I think the lightest I have seen is about 2100 pounds with the driver in it.

3)The stock 95 cam is a good upgrade is supposed to be for about 4 HP over the stock 96-99 cam and doesn't need any additional upgrades. The 2nd gen R/T and ACR's have a SOHC Magnum engine that is rated at 150HP with a even more aggressive cam, but you would need to upgrade the springs with the magnum springs as well. I had one in my 97 and loved it.

4)There isn't a real HP gain from the ATX TB (52mm) as opposed to the MTX TB (49mm), but it allows you to rev a bit quicker.

5)14x6 for the 1st gen neon. The 2nd gen ES/LX/SXT wheels are 15x6 otherwise they are 15x5.5.

 

The best cam for the price that I've seen is crane cams. You can buy is at modern performance.com there about 250.00. They have a list for any upgrades you have to do if any.

 

Thanks for the replies gents! That really helped a lot with the gearing info, now I can plan what tire size to get. I wish I had that kind of gearing in my other toy, its got 4.10 and its just too high! Do both the DOHC and SOHC transaxles bothbolt up to the differentblocks? That would be smurfin cool if they did because its a nice choice of gearing to pick from.

Kinda off topic, but does anyone know roughly how wide of a tire we could squeeze onto a 6" wide rim? I would guess 225 would be the max but that might even be a little wide. Any help is appreciated.

 

on the rears i know a 195/70 is the biggest you can fit both ways. that size rubs on the front when im racing, but circle track that tends to happen no matter what.
ive got my car down to 1970 Lbs, with me in it , and thats with a cage, aluminum seat, and nothing but what it needs to run.
either transmission will bolt up, the blocks are the same for either engine. just the head and pistons are different (also timing componets obviously)
i think a 205 is about the widest that you can squeeze on. The rim isnt so much th problem, its fitting it in the car.
you sound like your tryin to build a race car,lol

 

I wonder if there's enough meat on the strut mount that you could grind down the part where the tire rubs. You dont havemodified/custom struts or anything do you? I would guess the rules for your bomber class or whatever they call it would make you run a pretty much stock car.

Itssucks that dodge only gave us that much room for skinny tires.A 195mm tire isnt very wide and if the time comes when much more power is added I dont think its going to get much traction being that light. Kinda stinks but theres not much choice unless you spend a small fortune and get coilovers or something. Even with a little tractiona 2000lb car with ~150hp should be a heck of a sleeper! It mise well be a gocart haha. Maybe I shouldbuild it intoa racecar and get it all dirty.

The transaxle part isgood news. Its nice for all kinds of racing because if the higher gear set breakes the tires loose to easy you can drop down to a 3.55, pretty cool! Im starting to wonder why more people dont play with these cars for how cheap they are to make quick.

 

i run 195/45/14 on the front and those even rub when the track is rough, were only allowed a 7" tire max and i know they rub the rear trailing arm when cornering. im thinkin you can get away with a little more on the front, or get some wheels that set it out a little more.

 

^^^Could you use the Offset Rear Suspension Tension Rods?