hey guys, i posted a while back about what i would need to do to put a turbo into my 2004 neon SXT, however I am now pretty sure that i will not have the money to do that, so instead i was going to convert my sxt into an r/t. Right now my sxt is completely stock, a single outlet cat-back exhaust, auto trans, and 2.0L engine. Besides the R/T and 2.0 Magnum badges and the dual exit R/T exhaust what else would i need? How much would it cost? Links would be great too.

 

Performance Difference:
1. Magnum Cam (equivalent to a Crane 12) w/ stronger valve springs. ($125-$150)
2. Aluminum Dual-Runner Intake Manifold with functioning butterfly actuators. ($300+)
3. 2.25" Dual Outlet Exhaust (MUCH more free flowing then the standard exhaust) ($100)
4. Magnum Exhaust Manifold (Same as the aftermarket Borla header). ($100)
5. Magnum Head (larger intake/exhaust ports, much better flowing). ($400+)
6. No top speed limiter...same rev limiter though.
7. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS (rear discs are the same as on SRT-4's). ($300)
8. Tokico Struts, stiffer spring rates, and front/rear sway bars. ($200)
9. Dynamic Suspensions Double Adjustable Inverted Struts (ACR ONLY).
10. "Firm Feel" Power Steering.
11. Different PCM programming...along with different fuel maps and better spark timing. ($1,000)
12. 9.8:1 Compression Ratio. ($200-$500)
13. 3.94 Final Drive Transmission ($600)

Body Difference:
1. Side skirts
2. Rear Bumper w/ Dual Outlet Exhaust Cutouts.
3. Different front seats
4. Leather steering wheel/shift ****/shift boot/optional leather seats.
5. 16" Aluminum Alloy Wheels


Those are the things that the R/T has that an SXT doesnt...so thats everything you'll need and i included "estimated" prices for things...

 

wow thats a lot of info, thanks a lot 03neonRT!
i am definetely going to go for the perfrormance items first, and then i will get the brake and suspension upgrades later probably. Could you provide any links that could help me too, or do you just know it all off the top of your head? [8D]lol, thanks

 

i think it would be easier to just turbo it and cheaper too

 

the complete turbo kit that i was looking at was $4, 200. Then i would need money to pay for labor.
I would need a better exhuast system ($300-$500) and then i would have to get it tuned. Possibly a chip too.

I only have about $2000 right now, so i think it may be better to go with the R/T conversion since i can get parts at different times and can get some immediately.

 

You could put together a complete SRT-4 turbo setup for $2,000...that wouldnt include labor though, and you would really have to shop around. As for the R/T parts, you can buy a bare Magnum head for around $350, then you'd have to get valves, valve springs, retainers, hydraulic roller rockers, and a cam for around $1,000-$1,200...

 

in your earlier post you listed the magnum cam as $125-$150 was that a typo or are you talking about something else?
I am probably going to go back to the deaer where i got my car and see if they can give me a quote on how much all this will cost.

Oh yeah, Becuase i am upgrading with dodge/mopar parts my warranty will be left intact right?

 

Sorry, I guess i should clarify...the prices in my first post would be everything used, the $1,000-$1,200 figure would be for a COMPLETE head with brand new components. An average price fo a complete used Magnum head would b around $400-$500...and just so you know the difference between the base SOHC head and the Magnum head, if you compared the two you would have to "race" port a standard head to make it flow as good as a Magnum head...that should give you an idea of how much potential a Magnum head has in it...

I should also mention that you wouldnt be ale to swap PCM's...so you would never have a "complete" R/T swap...but it would be pretty close.

 

ok thanks for clarifying, man. I am also thinking about seeing how much my car is worth if i sold it and then search for a used 04 r/t that i can just buy that has everything already. Just for comparisons sake, how much *estimated of course* would a used 04 r/t cost? I am paying off my sxt which is $9,700 so it is probably worth around $7,000 if i sell it to a dealer.

 

What year, how many miles, and what options do you have on your SXT?

An 04 R/T sold at a dealer would probably be around $10k (because of their unbelievable markups)...private party would be around $8k-$9k. On a trade-in for my 2003 R/T I would only get $7,400 for a trade-in so you would be getting around $6,500 for your SXT.