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Non Gaming Discussions => Off-Topic => Topic started by: luckee on July 28, 2003, 12:45:07 PM

Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: luckee on July 28, 2003, 12:45:07 PM
Originally Posted by Car and Driver
But there were still some interesting Lap Puppies in the mix, including a small flock of Subaru Impreza WRXs, a couple of Mitsubishi Lancer Evos, and a Dodge SRT-4 driven by two-time Sports Car Club of America national champ Erich Heuschele.

Heuschele\'s Dodge (see sidebar, opposite) and the various all-wheel-drive Japanese new-age slingshots were contending in the Mid-Price Sedan class, the second most populous category in this year\'s field, with 18 entries. In addition to battling one another, the Middies (Mid-Price defined as a maximum initial purchase price of $35,000) had to deal with the Ted Lyons-Mike Hurst Thunderbird SC, whose supercharged V-8 reportedly delivers some 600 horsepower. Why a 1989 Thunderbird SC—that\'s C for coupe, as in two doors—is classed with these small sedans is known best to One Lap High Priest Brock Yates and his No. 1 acolyte, Brock Yates Jr. But the bad-*** bird has been the bane of the small-sedan set for three years now, a wolfhound among the Airedales. Still, even wolfhounds can have bad-hair days. As we shall see.

-----

But it was Heuschele who stole the show. The SRT-4 had already become a focal point after its performance at Watkins Glen. Even though Heuschele had never been at the Glen before, he posted the 11th-best time in the morning run, dusting a platoon of astonished SSGT1 campaigners. Pretty impressive for four cylinders and front-wheel drive.

But the SRT-4\'s Road America performance went way beyond impressive. Starting first in his group of five, Heuschele not only drove away from his pursuers but went on to lap two of them. In just four laps. On a four-mile track. A wet four-mile track.

His time was the day\'s third quickest, trailing only Gerrard and Adee, both in much more powerful cars. And with the dreaded T-Bird stuck in a gravel trap—a fate shared by 13 others at Road America—Heuschele\'s grip on the Mid-Price Sedan lead was all but unassailable.

Perhaps in response to a plea from a member of the Subie/Evo crowd—"Do you think you could slow it down just a little?"—

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Go SRT4!!!
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: Coredweller on July 28, 2003, 01:51:20 PM
Luckee:

Do you have a link to the full article?  I\'m a little lost.  :)
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: luckee on July 28, 2003, 02:14:05 PM
Nope, snatched it from another site.

Just go to car and driver and search for ONe lap..lots of stuff came up.
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: Halberto on July 28, 2003, 03:01:19 PM
So this car is supposed to be faster than the Evo?
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: luckee on July 28, 2003, 03:29:02 PM
Well, on the street in production trim....the EVO is faster.

Within an array of track and sanctioned events, apparently the SRT is faster.
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: Halberto on July 28, 2003, 05:30:48 PM
does the SRT4 have a 6 cylinder or 4
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: ##RaCeR## on July 28, 2003, 05:32:50 PM
Is the SRT just a blown Neon?
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: luckee on July 28, 2003, 05:40:36 PM
Yes and no....

The SRT4 really only shares a chassis and 90% of the body design of *regular neons*

Different motor..turbo..FMIC..fuel system, exhaust, tranny, suspension, tires, brakes..etc...etc..Viper seats..uhm..a few more things I cant think of right now.

Vivi, it\'s a turbo 4 banger. Dodge really underated these cars and claimed 215HP, they actually put more towards 225-230 to the ground.
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: Coredweller on July 28, 2003, 05:50:04 PM
Is the 215hp supposed to be WHEEL horsepower?  That\'s what I don\'t understand.  Why would Dodge quote whp, when every other US manufacturer measures it at the crank?  I know that contributes to underrating the car, for whatever purpose that serves, but I just think it\'s confusing for the normal idiot making comparisons.
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: luckee on July 28, 2003, 06:00:27 PM
The 215 they claimed was at the crank which is wayyy off. :)
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: SER on July 28, 2003, 06:43:56 PM
Any pics of riced out ones? :ghey:
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: THX on July 28, 2003, 09:25:49 PM
When the SRT-4 hits the salesfloor I\'d love to hear what SCC or Motor Trend have to say when they put it on the dyno.  An American 4-banger, even if turboed, putting 230 to the wheels seems too good to be true.

Is the SRT-4 AWD or FWD?
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: Halberto on July 28, 2003, 09:52:38 PM
Is that how far ahead the japanese are in technology in cars? The Evo is like 290 hp, and the japanese version is over 300.
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: Samwise on July 28, 2003, 11:44:09 PM
Quote
Originally posted by SER
Any pics of riced out ones? :ghey:


You use the smiley waaaay too much. I think it\'s symbolism.

You = :ghey:

// Sorry about being Off Topic //

Go SRT! ;)
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: luckee on July 29, 2003, 12:34:49 AM
Quote
Originally posted by THX
When the SRT-4 hits the salesfloor I\'d love to hear what SCC or Motor Trend have to say when they put it on the dyno.  An American 4-banger, even if turboed, putting 230 to the wheels seems too good to be true.

Is the SRT-4 AWD or FWD?


They have been forsale since march or so. It won SCC sport compact of the year. MOtor Trend gave it something as well I think. I know they certainly wrote a nice article, but I know theye are biased not by driving but by cash flow.

I have dyno plots of stock SRT\'s putting those numbers down. Those will be posted as soon as I can find them.

And finally, yup, its FWD.

BB soon. :)
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: THX on July 29, 2003, 01:45:32 AM
Ahh just read the article, SCC had it down for 223.  Very nice!  So any plans for you to trade in your neon for the SRT luckee? :)

Only $20k...  I hope more domestics follow.
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: SER on July 29, 2003, 02:04:16 AM
Sammy, how could you reveal our secret relationship?

(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F66.77.170.96%2Fpimp.gif&hash=37e9efb5b10b983feabe79e4168edebed548a25b) ;)
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: luckee on July 29, 2003, 06:09:42 AM
Quote
Originally posted by THX
Ahh just read the article, SCC had it down for 223.  Very nice!  So any plans for you to trade in your neon for the SRT luckee? :)

Only $20k...  I hope more domestics follow.


To be honest, if I get another car, I was thinking about a used IS300 to boost or a Acura TSX. I\'m just enjoying not paying car notes right now :D. Maybe now I can save more.
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: Bozco on July 29, 2003, 08:58:36 AM
Quote
Originally posted by ViVi
Is that how far ahead the japanese are in technology in cars? The Evo is like 290 hp, and the japanese version is over 300.


No, different regulations in each country allow for the differences in hp.
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: GmanJoe on July 29, 2003, 09:03:30 AM
Quote
Originally posted by luckee
To be honest, if I get another car, I was thinking about a used IS300 to boost or a Acura TSX. I\'m just enjoying not paying car notes right now :D. Maybe now I can save more.


Amen to the "fully paid and bigger savings" part. I think I\'ll just buy used cars in good condition from now on. No more of this 3 year payment plan that bleeds my account routine.
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: luckee on July 29, 2003, 10:29:14 AM
If I get that IS..it will be 3 year. But if it is a SRT4 or TSX, it will be 5 years.

I think the main reason I havent gotten an SRT is b/c I can just get a neon for 900...buy a 2.4 motor and build it. 3000-5000...boost it. $1200(i have spare stuff :) ) and bam..SRT4 killer.

PLus I want more creature comforts(im gettin older :( )
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: THX on July 29, 2003, 11:55:44 AM
I know how you mean.  To me the Neon has always been a highschooler\'s ride, turbo or not.  I\'m just gonna keep buying used Maximas/240sx\'s until I can afford a G35c.
Title: Dodge SRT-4 Cleans House in Lap of America
Post by: Kurt Angle on July 29, 2003, 12:01:22 PM
I have never heard of this car but it sounds like a beast. I still prefer the look of the Evo/Subaru over this one though.