Like the Subject title says, I'm going to attempt to turn my little 04 SXT into a small project. I'm by no means a rich man so, this will mostly be a budget minded thing. I don't want to spend more than five grand on this project.... that's hopefully. I'd like to think that I can include some form of body work or interior modifications as well but, for now, that will just remain stock. It's the engine that I'm mainly concerned with here. I've done a little bit of research on the 4G64 engine and Stratus' in general and, I have a few ideas as to where I'm going to take this. I don't want to have to upgrade the stock internals and, I don't want to push anymore than around 250 WHP. From all that I've seen this entirely feasible with moderately low levels of boost. Which is exactly what I want.

First off, the car is too heavy and needs to lose some weight. I imagine that will be one of the first steps I'll want to take. I figure I can replace the hood with a fiberglass one and the front seats with lighter buckets. What else can be done to the vehicle to lighten it up? It's a beast at just over three thousand pounds and ideally I'd like to lose at least 150 LBS. That would be ideal to me. I had toyed with the idea of removing the carpeting from the interior and trunk but, that will be a mess and look awful. Not what I'm going for... So my question to you other Stratusphiles out there is, how do I shed some pounds?


Okay, now once this is completed, I was planning on moving to the engine bay and starting the real meat and taters of the project. Originally, I wanted to see what I could do with keeping it NA and steer clear of any FI setups. My hopes are to be able to get up to "ABOUT" 250WHP and I have yet to see that done with an NA setup for the 4G64. So while I'd love to be able to keep it engine only and have a nice one off Stratus, it's just not going to happen. I've seen the SDS systems by ripp mods and the turbo setup from tearstone and I am definitely leaning towards the tearstone turbo setup. I'm not impressed with the gains or the price on the SDS for the 4G64 where as with the Tearstone turbo kit, I can run 6-8 PSI of boost and be right where I would like to be ( I think...) as far as both price and performance go. Any arguments or ideas there I would LOVE to hear. This is where a good deal of the money will be spent. About two thirds of the allotted five grand budget will go to the turbo setup and install. Traditionally, I've been a big fan of large displacement engines that are easy to keep NA though so, once again I ask for any advice and opinions you other Status owners might have. The tearstone Basic kit w/ intercooler is what I've decided on for the turbo system(3200$). Again, any ideas or opinions on other setups are VERY welcome as this whole project will not be happening until I get back to the states in a couple of months.


Now I'm moving on to the fuel system which will inevitably have to be upgraded. This is where things begin to get sketchy for me as I REALLY have limited knowledge on how the whole upgrade process works here. There's a lot of fuel mapping and tuning that I'm just not familiar with. So far I know that I'll be needing new injectors and fuel pump, obviously. Secondly I know that I'm going to want to start thinking about getting some new gauges/gauge clusters (500$??? just a guess so far) installed to help keep an eye on all the new toys. My ideas so far have come out to a walboro 255 LPH fuel pump (90$) and some 440CC injectors (275$) also offered up by tearstone. I'm curious if this isn't a bit of overkill and would like some input as to if there are any cheaper alternatives to the walboro 255LPH and the 440CC injectors. I've got in mind to use the E-manage ultimate w/harness (675$) that is also available through Tearstone online. Are we seeing a trend yet? I want to go to as few places as possible and Tearstone seems to have comparable prices and products to any other place I've looked in to.


After the fuel system is in place and I've got it all tuned up(God only KNOWS what that'll cost me.... ), I'll throw in a torque/stall converter (250-300$) and, that should just about do er' eh? This is really just a preliminary drawing out of the things that I'd like done and products I'd like it done with. I'm still trying to do more research on the whole FI process and the products that go along with it so, this is subject to change. As I said, the project still has a couple months before it will be put it in to play so, I'm looking for thoughts and ideas on how to make it run as smoothly as possible now. The budget is fluid and can go either way. Ideally, I'd like to spend less than what I've put on paper. In reality, I'll probably end up spending over that. The trick is, I have ten grand to spend but, I want the other five to go towards goodies for my Ram. I can't neglect her now, can I? If anybody DOES take the time to read this through and offer some help, I sincerely appreciate it. If not, well... I'll still do it anyhow and even though I'll make mistakes along the way, I'll learn from them and pass my knowledge on to others. The Stratus isn't a fast car and it never will be but, it CAN be made a whole heck of a lot more fun.

 

Personally, this is just me...but I wouldnt waste the time/money on the 2.4L Stratus coupe.....it's already not really worth the money to even mod the R/T Stratus.....

Why not look at maybe just trading in the Stratus on something better performance wise....maybe spend a lil of that money towards a down payment....and spend the rest modding your Ram?

 

there is a guy at mitsu forum who took a 2002 eclipse GS (same 4g64 as the stratus coupe) and basically built an evo engine around the 4g64 block, and it is very fast, but thats not cheap.

 

I'm beginning to see how this could not be worth it... All of this hassle is the reason why I didn't want to go with an FI setup in the first place! Going with a kit is damn expensive and trying tp piece your own together, while slightly cheaper, is a GIANT pain in the ***. I will do it though. I'm going to have to adjust my horsepower hopes but, 200+ is still not bad. It'll move about as well as my old 93' Mercury Sable! By the way, the reason I don't just get a new vehicle is because it's paid off and I don't need anymore bills. I'll spend what I've got on the vehicles I have, even if it's just something to keep me busy.

 

Better yet.

Spend 2 grand on a used RX-7, Toss another 2 grand into it, and it will blow away ANYTHING you can possibly do with a Strat for handling.

Or

Spend 2 grand buying a Rear wheel drive, drop a $3000 crate motor in it and blow away ANYTHING you will achieve with a Strat in the quarter mile.

I've watched far too many young folks throw money and great ideas at the wrong platform, only to realize later how little return on your dollar you got. (I've also been there and learned the lesson myself.)

The Strat is a great car, and a good performer for every day driving. She even dresses up to look hotter than hell, but its FWD design, excessive weight, very poor weight distribution, and limited aftermarket support are a ball and chain that not even the deepest pockets and enthusiasm can overcome.

I recommend you re-think your starting platform to one better suited for your end goals. The Strat will never be a competitive car in ANY circle except in the show category (excluding other Strat owners) without a serious labor of love, cash, and more. It will still be heart wrenching to see the cheap little guy in a near stock ride eat you alive, and laughing at you on the finish line.


My 2 cents
Vince

 

I would just like to point out that some of us who do some mods to the 2.4 liter stratus arn't just doing it to race other cars, or to get good time at the tracks, because thats dam near impossible. I own a 04 stratus sxt and im doing a couple of things performance wise just to give the car that I like a little more pep. Everyone always says don't waste your money, or that your car will never be fast. I understand that it won't be fast, but im not wasting my money. Its my daily driver, and I love the way it looks. Giving it a little more pep isn't a bad thing. Im not out to beat cars in the quarter mile, cause if I was, I wouldn't have bought a stratus. Im just out there to have fun driving my car. Is that so bad?

 

Giving the Stratus a little more pep isn't a bad thing, but if you Stratus is your daily driver, do not put a turbo or SC system in it. I know enough guys who have the same kits on their Eclipse and they hardly ever get it running the correct way. Most claim that the car is broke down more than it runs after installing the kits.