i was thinking about adding a turbo or a supercharger to my 2000 neon. i had a couple questions though; first, which one would be a better pick if i am going for more horsepower and more speed. second, would my auto tranny and engine be able to handle the power increase? what other modifications would have to be made to my engine if any. and finally how much should i expect to spend on these modifications? any information would be greatly appreciated, and advice would be also. thank you, kevo1123

 

There is only a turbo. Your auto should be able to handle it. There are parts out there to upgrade your auto. There are kits out there starting around 2200 dollars without an intercooler. Check these sites out.
www.modernperformance.com
www.howellautomotive.com

Modern Performance's turbo setup is cheaper than howell.

 

A turbo will yield more gains, but will suffer low end lag. A superchsrger will have no lag, but will not give you the bigger power gains.

 

true. A turbo suffers a lag created by the turbo spooling up.

 

how essential is an intercooler with a turbo? I make long highway trips about once a month, but i want the turbo for the weekends. would i still be able to make the highway trips without worrying? Thanks guys

 

A turbocharger uses the exhuast gases of your engine, and in a sense recycles the energy coming out of the engine and uses it to be the extra force that is being pushed back into the engine......The turbo spools up, and in doing so cools, the gases and re-introduces those gases into the engine in the form of compressed air.......that is the simplest I can but it for you.

It is a bit more technical, but i hope you get the idea.

The intercooler is very essential baced off the use of the turbo.
You, will need one. Your turbo WON'T be put under that much stress on long highway trips (however still being used for long period of time). PLUS, turbos are put under more work and stress in urban and city streets......and when you wanna use it for "the weekends".

Basicly, I'd advise you to get one. Most turbo kits do come with an intercooler. If not, you need to buy the intercooler based off the size of the turbo you buy.


Oh...and I know you guys don't see this much in these engines (heck, I don't even anyone has done this to a Neon) but if you used a Twin-Turbo (2 turbos) setup CORRECTLY...you can kill the Turbo Lag. Essentally just programing each turbo to spool when the other isn't and to release it's power when the other lags.

It's really cool.

 

If you go for a custom SRT turbo setup, your looking at $2,500...you really dont "need" any other mods to your engine, but if you want to run more boost, you will need the bottom end performance kit from either MP or Howell...

There is no production S/C kit on the market, but there is one in R&D at the moment, but i dont have any specifics on it as of yet...so your only option is turbo.

 

or unless you wanna spend extra and more modifying to make a high-RPM N/A engine