'04 Neon SXT

[NG]

Hello all,

I just bought another Neon SXT (have an '03 automatic already) and I'm
looking for detailed information about the car right down to the
transmission model number. Allpar is pretty good, but I'm finding that a lot
of the sites out there tend to lean toward the 1st generation Neons without
much detail about the newer Neons except for the SRT-4. It's understandable,
and I wouldn't mind an SRT-4 if it weren't for family and gas prices. So if
anybody has any detailed info such as the gearbox info or maybe any slight
changes to the 2.0 engine over the years, please send it along.

Thanks!

NG

[Bill 2]

"NG" > wrote in message
...
> Hello all,
>
> I just bought another Neon SXT (have an '03 automatic already) and I'm
> looking for detailed information about the car right down to the
> transmission model number. Allpar is pretty good, but I'm finding that a
lot
> of the sites out there tend to lean toward the 1st generation Neons
without
> much detail about the newer Neons except for the SRT-4. It's
understandable,
> and I wouldn't mind an SRT-4 if it weren't for family and gas prices. So
if
> anybody has any detailed info such as the gearbox info or maybe any slight
> changes to the 2.0 engine over the years, please send it along.

Buy the Factory service manual. Loads of information in there.

Since you asked:

The engine.
In about 98-99 Chrysler replaced the head gasket they were putting in since
there was a 99.99% failure rate. From then on they tended to be pretty good.

In 2000 they changed the motor mounts in hopes of making for a quieter ride,
"Refinement" the car rags call it.
In 2003 they changed motor mounts once again.

Transmission:
1994.5-2001, the automatic was a 3 speed hydraulic lock up torque converter
31TH (A-413) Transmission. Well used Transmission--1981 Omnis and K-cars
used the same transmission (without lock up converter). Some sources say
first generation Neons have transmission reliability problems. I haven't had
any problems with any of the 4 cars I've had with this transmission (2
Neons).

In 2002 they replaced it with a 4 speed 40TE that had a separate computer
from the main PCM. Never really shifted right from what I'm told.
In 2003 they integrated the trans computer with the PCM and it started
shifting right.

Manual trans:
People find 5th gear was either to tall or two short. Balance between
economy and power. Some complain that the gearbox isn't refined enough.
Seemed to work for me.

Also, if your family fits in a Neon, they will fit in an SRT-4, and the fuel
economy doesn't take too much of a hit. R/T is a good compromise as well.

[Bill 2]

"NG" > wrote in message
...
> Hello all,
>
> I just bought another Neon SXT (have an '03 automatic already) and I'm
> looking for detailed information about the car right down to the
> transmission model number. Allpar is pretty good, but I'm finding that a
lot
> of the sites out there tend to lean toward the 1st generation Neons
without
> much detail about the newer Neons except for the SRT-4. It's
understandable,
> and I wouldn't mind an SRT-4 if it weren't for family and gas prices. So
if
> anybody has any detailed info such as the gearbox info or maybe any slight
> changes to the 2.0 engine over the years, please send it along.

Buy the Factory service manual. Loads of information in there.

Since you asked:

The engine.
In about 98-99 Chrysler replaced the head gasket they were putting in since
there was a 99.99% failure rate. From then on they tended to be pretty good.

In 2000 they changed the motor mounts in hopes of making for a quieter ride,
"Refinement" the car rags call it.
In 2003 they changed motor mounts once again.

Transmission:
1994.5-2001, the automatic was a 3 speed hydraulic lock up torque converter
31TH (A-413) Transmission. Well used Transmission--1981 Omnis and K-cars
used the same transmission (without lock up converter). Some sources say
first generation Neons have transmission reliability problems. I haven't had
any problems with any of the 4 cars I've had with this transmission (2
Neons).

In 2002 they replaced it with a 4 speed 40TE that had a separate computer
from the main PCM. Never really shifted right from what I'm told.
In 2003 they integrated the trans computer with the PCM and it started
shifting right.

Manual trans:
People find 5th gear was either to tall or two short. Balance between
economy and power. Some complain that the gearbox isn't refined enough.
Seemed to work for me.

Also, if your family fits in a Neon, they will fit in an SRT-4, and the fuel
economy doesn't take too much of a hit. R/T is a good compromise as well.