First post, turbo stratus questions.

[tpm989]

Been lurking on and off here for a bit and I have found that not many people mod the later model Stratus. I have an 04 X-VIN 2.4 ATX sedan with well over 170k miles on stock engine and trans. I take good care of it and it gets babied but I'm still anticipating engine and/or trans failures before 200k or so. I love this pickle wagon, oddly enough, and I'd like to keep it for the foreseeable future and that brings me to the meat of this post.

I have learned enough on my own to know that I can swap in the SRT4 or PT-turbo engine without much fuss. The 03+ 2.4's are largely identical. Obviously I would opt for the 5speed conversion while I am at it. Though a torture test on the factory 41te could be fun! I don't have a problem doing minor fab work for piping and whatnot but I am concerned that the neon Turbo and manifold will not clear the stratus' firewall. Is the PT Turbo setup any different (I realize they aren't exactly the same)? Which car would make for a better donor? I just need some realistic advice on this. Again, the later 2.4 sedan seems to be only cloud car that will accept the factory turbo engines as a nearly bolt in affair. Let me know what you know.

Thanks,
Tom

[tpm989]

Also, sorry if this is the wrong sub-forum. Wasn't sure where exactly this needed to go!

[tpm989]

Or! Would it be wise to buy a low miles PT engine and then buy aftermarket manifold and turbo for it. Basically do the big mods while I'm doing the swap. Along with the maintenance stuff that comes standard with a used engine. I understand that the factory turbos were pretty puny and may even contribute to high EGT's among other problems.

I'm just posting all my thoughts and concerns so feel free to drop your two cents.

[The Pope]

buy the PT turbo engine and a SRT 4 intake cheap

Buy Megasquirt from our local DIY vendor, plug and play

Yeah I'll move ya to the 2.4 section lol

[tpm989]

Thank you sir!

[The Pope]

Home Page | NeonSquirt.com and TurboDodge.info

[tpm989]

Not much input on this, eh? 181k miles now and I have a very intense valve tap developing. The time is nearing. I've decided to keep the 41TE and beef it up eventually. I like having an automatic.

[The Pope]

not a lot of people building the Stratus for speed, more a looks thing with body kits. A shame though. I really like the Avenger R/T too, looks a bit like a stealth. Wouldn't mind one with the SRT 4 type engine and the base Avenger shifter setup.

As much as a PITA the 2.7 is for people the Stratus R/T should have come 2.4 turbo in the first place like in Mexico..

[tpm989]

Yeah its sad that more people haven't done this stuff to the newer stratus. I feel like the only reason people try to make the older ones fast is because they can be bought for nearly nothing. I like my stratus though and I plan on keeping it for a long time so I'd like to make it more enjoyable to drive. With a few mods, 300hp in a factory looking stratus would make for a nasty sleeper.

[tpm989]

So from what I've gathered so far:

PT Cruiser GT long block.
SRT-4 intake manifold.
Beefed up A604 (41te).
Cast iron manifold and T3/T04E (50 trim, .63 a/r). I've actually heard this setup is pretty compact and I should have to do minimal massaging (if any) to my firewall.
MS standalone engine management and any supporting mods for the different turbocharger.
Upgraded fuel pump.
Aftermarket intercooler and piping.

Pretty sure this would get the engine into the car and running. Input?

[The Pope]

The TE trans requires computer control for shifting, megashift add on?

I would do the coil on plug ignition with megasquirt

consider removing balance shafts and using the dampener.

minimum 3" exhaust and 1000 CFM intercooler. Maybe a SRT 4 big front mount added?

[tpm989]

Megashift, definitely, I was reading about their 41te controller last night.

Also, FMIC is a must, whatever I can do on a budget based on my size limits with the stratus, even if not the SRT specific one.

I hadn't considered COP ignition but that would be ideal. Do those need to come off of any particular vehicle?

The balance shafts, can I simply remove the drive chain and/or remove the shafts? Do I need anything else there?

[The Pope]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpm989 Megashift, definitely, I was reading about their 41te controller last night. Also, FMIC is a must, whatever I can do on a budget based on my size limits with the stratus, even if not the SRT specific one. I hadn't considered COP ignition but that would be ideal. Do those need to come off of any particular vehicle? The balance shafts, can I simply remove the drive chain and/or remove the shafts? Do I need anything else there?

you cut the chain and remove them and add a windage tray. That is out there but not on TD though. You need to block the oil feed to the shafts and the new balancer deals with vibration without sucking power. That type actually adds power.

COP, Rich sells the plate and lists which coils.
DOHC 16V Conversion Products

[tpm989]

Awesome. Looks like I need to post this on the SRT forums too. I've been trolling there for awhile but the stratus turbo project doesn't really fit well into any forum, haha.

Thanks for the tips, btw.

[The Pope]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpm989 Awesome. Looks like I need to post this on the SRT forums too. I've been trolling there for awhile but the stratus turbo project doesn't really fit well into any forum, haha. Thanks for the tips, btw.

turbododge has a lot of hybrid engine swaps and combos done. But the engine it self there is more on a dedicated site. But as people in the US couldn't buy a Stratus turbo you get into the engine swap area, lot different than modding an engine / trans that came in the car.