Upgrade Suggestions?
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Upgrade Suggestions?
I have a 2003 SXT, and i'm thinking about doing a few mods to it. I'm only going for a mild street ride that still gets good mileage, but has some power and looks good too.
I already have 17" Motegi FF7 wheels on it, wrapped in 215/40R17 Hankook Ventus tires. Other than that the car is completely stock. I thought about a body kit, but that may be too much for a street ride. Maybe a lip kit would do?
Any suggestions?
I already have 17" Motegi FF7 wheels on it, wrapped in 215/40R17 Hankook Ventus tires. Other than that the car is completely stock. I thought about a body kit, but that may be too much for a street ride. Maybe a lip kit would do?
Any suggestions?
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When you say you are going for a mild street ride...what exactly do you mean? You say a body kit is too much for a street ride, are you talking about body work or engine work, or both?
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Sorry for the confusion. I mean both body AND engine (and possibly suspension?). Any suggestions?
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Me personally:
I think there are a couple of "acceptable" body kits for the Neon. I myself am going to go for a simple lip kit though, unless that proves either impossible or too expensive to achieve. An example of an unacceptable body kit, to me, for any car, is the EVO body kit. I just think they look horrible and think the VERY large fog lights, which most of the time are bigger than the actual headlights on the cars, look absolutely ridiculous.
Stock 2.0L engine? I don't think there's really a whole lot you can do. On manuals, you have a few more options for simple mods to help this or that a bit, but the only real gain would be through an aftermarket computer system and bigger upgrades to go with it. The NGC systems don't allow you to really mess with anything worthwhile without it going into complete chaos.
Suspension can be worked on fairly easily with good results. Aftermarket struts with lowering springs and strut bars are a good start. Front sway bar, and a rear if you fab up the mounts. Polyurethane bushings would be good too.
I think there are a couple of "acceptable" body kits for the Neon. I myself am going to go for a simple lip kit though, unless that proves either impossible or too expensive to achieve. An example of an unacceptable body kit, to me, for any car, is the EVO body kit. I just think they look horrible and think the VERY large fog lights, which most of the time are bigger than the actual headlights on the cars, look absolutely ridiculous.
Stock 2.0L engine? I don't think there's really a whole lot you can do. On manuals, you have a few more options for simple mods to help this or that a bit, but the only real gain would be through an aftermarket computer system and bigger upgrades to go with it. The NGC systems don't allow you to really mess with anything worthwhile without it going into complete chaos.
Suspension can be worked on fairly easily with good results. Aftermarket struts with lowering springs and strut bars are a good start. Front sway bar, and a rear if you fab up the mounts. Polyurethane bushings would be good too.
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From: SL,UT
Turn the center consel into a mini fridge. (I have everything to do it 
)
depending on what your into and think is cool you could always do the basics:
HID's Fogs, projector headlights, angel eyes, smoke tail lights, tint windows, cold air intake, exaust, add interior lights, find an 2.4L,
) depending on what your into and think is cool you could always do the basics:
HID's Fogs, projector headlights, angel eyes, smoke tail lights, tint windows, cold air intake, exaust, add interior lights, find an 2.4L,
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Turn the center consel into a mini fridge. (I have everything to do it )
depending on what your into and think is cool you could always do the basics:
HID's Fogs, projector headlights, angel eyes, smoke tail lights, tint windows, cold air intake, exaust, add interior lights, find an 2.4L,
) depending on what your into and think is cool you could always do the basics:
HID's Fogs, projector headlights, angel eyes, smoke tail lights, tint windows, cold air intake, exaust, add interior lights, find an 2.4L,
Anyone else have any ideas?
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Me personally:
I think there are a couple of "acceptable" body kits for the Neon. I myself am going to go for a simple lip kit though, unless that proves either impossible or too expensive to achieve. An example of an unacceptable body kit, to me, for any car, is the EVO body kit. I just think they look horrible and think the VERY large fog lights, which most of the time are bigger than the actual headlights on the cars, look absolutely ridiculous.
Stock 2.0L engine? I don't think there's really a whole lot you can do. On manuals, you have a few more options for simple mods to help this or that a bit, but the only real gain would be through an aftermarket computer system and bigger upgrades to go with it. The NGC systems don't allow you to really mess with anything worthwhile without it going into complete chaos.
Suspension can be worked on fairly easily with good results. Aftermarket struts with lowering springs and strut bars are a good start. Front sway bar, and a rear if you fab up the mounts. Polyurethane bushings would be good too.
I think there are a couple of "acceptable" body kits for the Neon. I myself am going to go for a simple lip kit though, unless that proves either impossible or too expensive to achieve. An example of an unacceptable body kit, to me, for any car, is the EVO body kit. I just think they look horrible and think the VERY large fog lights, which most of the time are bigger than the actual headlights on the cars, look absolutely ridiculous.
Stock 2.0L engine? I don't think there's really a whole lot you can do. On manuals, you have a few more options for simple mods to help this or that a bit, but the only real gain would be through an aftermarket computer system and bigger upgrades to go with it. The NGC systems don't allow you to really mess with anything worthwhile without it going into complete chaos.
Suspension can be worked on fairly easily with good results. Aftermarket struts with lowering springs and strut bars are a good start. Front sway bar, and a rear if you fab up the mounts. Polyurethane bushings would be good too.
I'll agree that there isn't much one can do with the engine...I've been shoppin around, and there's a crap-ton for the SRT-4, but just enough for the lower trim levels to keep most owners from complaining =/ And did Dodge MAKE a manual for the lower trim levels?? I can't recall one being made...
As for suspension, what brand would you recommend??
Last edited by xmodnsx; Nov 24, 2009 at 01:09 PM. Reason: inaccurate info on lip kit price & post pics
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There are other lip kits, but they are far and few in between. However, for that price for a lip kit, no way. Too bulky and bit odd looking for my tastes on top of that. It's all personal preference though, otherwise everyone's cars would look the same.
When you say manual...do you mean transmission wise? If so, then the answer is yes. They are just generally harder to find because I believe less were made, and those that have them tend to keep them.
Suspension wise there are only a few options for struts. Basically, the two popular ones are the Tokico and KYB. From there, you just have to search around for the springs you want. There's too many to list. Some simply use 1gn springs too. With your size tires, you will also have to be a bit more careful in choosing a setup that won't interfere with them due to their width. For strut braces, you have two common options. The Vibrant brand and all of it's knock offs, or the more expensive DCS ones.
When you say manual...do you mean transmission wise? If so, then the answer is yes. They are just generally harder to find because I believe less were made, and those that have them tend to keep them.
Suspension wise there are only a few options for struts. Basically, the two popular ones are the Tokico and KYB. From there, you just have to search around for the springs you want. There's too many to list. Some simply use 1gn springs too. With your size tires, you will also have to be a bit more careful in choosing a setup that won't interfere with them due to their width. For strut braces, you have two common options. The Vibrant brand and all of it's knock offs, or the more expensive DCS ones.
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There are other lip kits, but they are far and few in between. However, for that price for a lip kit, no way. Too bulky and bit odd looking for my tastes on top of that. It's all personal preference though, otherwise everyone's cars would look the same.
When you say manual...do you mean transmission wise? If so, then the answer is yes. They are just generally harder to find because I believe less were made, and those that have them tend to keep them.
Suspension wise there are only a few options for struts. Basically, the two popular ones are the Tokico and KYB. From there, you just have to search around for the springs you want. There's too many to list. Some simply use 1gn springs too. With your size tires, you will also have to be a bit more careful in choosing a setup that won't interfere with them due to their width. For strut braces, you have two common options. The Vibrant brand and all of it's knock offs, or the more expensive DCS ones.
When you say manual...do you mean transmission wise? If so, then the answer is yes. They are just generally harder to find because I believe less were made, and those that have them tend to keep them.
Suspension wise there are only a few options for struts. Basically, the two popular ones are the Tokico and KYB. From there, you just have to search around for the springs you want. There's too many to list. Some simply use 1gn springs too. With your size tires, you will also have to be a bit more careful in choosing a setup that won't interfere with them due to their width. For strut braces, you have two common options. The Vibrant brand and all of it's knock offs, or the more expensive DCS ones.
Yes i did mean manual transmission lol. I had no idea that Dodge still made a manual trans for those cars past '99 (except for the SRT-4 of course). It would be a rare find indeed.
Thanks for the heads up on the wider tires. I had a feeling they would affect my range of setups a little, but then again, i'm not looking for a crazy-aggressive drop either. I was thinkin about 1 1/2" at the VERY most, because i live out in the sticks, and the bad roads that come with it xD
Thanks for all the help, and if you have any more ideas lemme know.
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I would just do intake/exhaust/suspension and then just drive it. I wanted to turbo mine at one point and just realized I was wasting my money so I dumped that. Then I also wanted to put a cam in it and realized I would probably want a R/T head ported which is mega-bucks and dropped that idea as well. I have a complete OEM lip kit for my 04 which I haven't installed yet. Not sure if I'm going to install it because I am lowered and I too live in the sticks, PLUS I live in the snow belt. So basically what I'm saying is that I plow snow with my front bumper. If I choose to sell it I'll post it up here and see if anyone wants it.