Ive got a '94 Accord (ES I think, whatever the lowest end model is). Ive been toying with the idea of getting an srt4, or modding the hell out of a used car. One option is to take my current car and see what I can do with it.

I figure it would cost about $6k to get the dents hammered out, and a nice paint job, new air compressor, a tame and classy body kit, and new wheels/tires.

So how much would I have to spend on the performance mods?

My goal is to run low 13's (hopefully high 12's). If I was happy with a 13.9 then I would just get the srt4 w/warranty for $20k.

What performance mods do you guys suggest?

Obviously an engine swap a nice big turbo and installation - $4k ?

Suspension and stability? $?

Bolt ons? $?

Internals? $?

No NOS.

If I choose to go this route, as opposed to the srt4 then I would like to finish the project for under $7k in performance mods. Can I hit my target of low 13's ?

Im no car expert at the moment (so I dont know the specifics about what components I would need) but I have a close friend with a well equipped garage and years of experience to walk me through the modifications.

(Dont bother trashing the srt4. If you dont respect what dodge has done in making a fast affordable car, then I really dont care for your advice.)

 

Ok H22 engine swap with a turbo installed would be like 6k maybe? Maybe less, maybe more. That, with intake, exhaust, high flow cat, pullies (all bolt-ons)... would already put you at almost 300 whp. Your car would run very fast.

Suspension would be from 700-1200 dollars if you did it right.

I don't like Dodge, but that is just me... either way, have you ever thought about the WRX? The new WRX (non-STi) will only be a couple (1-3) thousand more than the SRT-4.

 

So yes, the performance mods could be done for at or under 7k IMO.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I have thought about the WRX, but that $3-4k more makes a big difference to me right now. If I buy the 2004 srt-4 (comes with LSD and upgraded transmission) I will be strapped for cash, as it is, and not able to do any modding til I graduate college. Thats why taking out a smaller loan and modding a used car is tempting.

Also, living in southern Texas I really dont have any use for AWD. The srt's are running 2.1 sec, 60 foots even without motor mounts or LSD, so thats not too bad.

 

AWD helps a ton in not burning out in a race as well...

I know you said you don't have the money, but have you thorougly researched the WRX? It is my favorite car, ever, so obviously I am biased... but it has many features over the SRT-4. STi ownz haha, too bad its over 30k.

BTW, the mods I listed above will make your car faster than the SRT-4.

 

Never take out a loan just to mod a car.

 

srt4 < $20k
wrx > $24k

 

I've been to both dealers... I found a WRX for 22.9 and a SRT-4 for 21.5.

 

I agree with AadosX,

except in my area SRT-4's are like $22.9 and upwards? A friend was drooling all over the SRT-4's for the same reason meddle specified. So I had to go with him to check it out. I laughed so hard when I saw the markup. I walked right across the street and found a nice blue WRX for the same price! lol.

Test driving both cars pretty much cleared any other doubts my friend had about the quality difference and such. All wheel drive system of the WRX is awesome. For now he has decided he will be getting the WRX.

Has anyone noticed the poor gas mileage people are getting from the SRT-4's? just an example in Car and Driver, it got them only 14MPG??

 

personally for the $$$ i'd get the non sti WRX cuz bolt on wise for 2-3 grand ur running 11's with ease w/o taking away the beauty of the car just to have a faster ride. the neon is still a neon in my eyes. the old neons trannies started to die at or around 65k they kinda fixed it with the next generation neons but htey still had problems.. so i'm still if'fy about the SRT-4. the price is about 20k not including the bells and whistles with it u might as well spend the extra grand and get the WRX. if u are really looking for speed power then upgrade to teh STI or the EVO both of which will be destroying cars on the road w/o mods g_d knows whats gonna happen when the JDM manufactors start releasing parts ova here for them. i've already seen m3's get their asses handed to them by the STI and the EVO