1997 Neon 4 door Stocker

[art leong]

Originally Posted by JSLRacing

I have been away from drag racing for about 5 years.. I was the 1997 Track Champion and Race of Champions winner in Div 3 at Indy in my rookie year. I ran a a hired gun for a few years and ran my own cars.. they stopped in 2005.

Now I think it's time to finish one of my "Bucket List" items.. to run a National Event. I only live an hour from Grand Bend Motorplex that holds an NHRA event every year.

What I have to run is my recently retired 1997 Neon 4 door Automatic. SOHC 2.0 litre

Looking at the NHRA site it shows the car has factored 18.22 lbs/hp. I'm not sure which class it would fit into.

I have a few questions.

- Can I run an aftermarket computer?
- Does anyone know if there is a "stocker" cam for the SOHC
- Can you get the stock converter loosened up for higher stall?
- Suggestions for increasing the gear ratio
- Can I got the dash as long as the factory instruments are in place to look stock?

I wish it was a stick... but this is what i have.. so this is what I'm gonna run..

You can run any computer.
You can run any cam, you are allowed .430 lift there are no cams built for the SOHC that big. Crane and Cam Dynamics both make cams for that engine.
Forward Motion in Delaware can get you a custom converter. But it will not be "streetable", or cheap.
Gear ratio you can get a set of 1.22 side gears. They go for $100 to $200 used They haven't been made for 10 years. Or you can spend a lot more than you could imagine for a set of custom gears..
Try Neons.org to see how to lighten it.
The main problem with the Neon in stock is you have to run the turbo dodges And there is no way you can beat the speed screw. Without a ton of money