Mopar Build - DF/S Neon

HR3128 · 04-03-2021, 10:35 AM

Some health problems in 2018 & 2019 put an end to racing for me. Things were looking better in 2020, so I started to look for a car to race. I stumbled across the “Not for Nuthin’—But Close” & the other race for cheap threads here & thought that this concept fits what I wanted to do. Thanks to Billy Nees & Mark Yacavone & all the others for posting their ideas. New Mopar project is started. Got it home a few days ago. Will be DF/S at 19.85 factor. 2003 Neon R/T, 122" 4cylinder, 150 HP, 5-speed manual. Engine & trans are good. Front K-frame is broken, rusted through on the passenger side. Body is ok but has some rust in the rear quarter, not to bad. It’s not drivable right now because of the broken K-frame & the passenger-side rear brake is locked up. Picking up the replacement K-frame parts on Monday.
Racing Stock Eliminator will be a new experience for me. Any advice is welcome.

Doug Hoven · 04-03-2021, 10:52 AM

Good luck on your build! If you are going the HP Tuners route, don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

farmco r/sa · 04-04-2021, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HR3128

Some health problems in 2018 & 2019 put an end to racing for me. Things were looking better in 2020, so I started to look for a car to race. I stumbled across the “Not for Nuthin’—But Close” & the other race for cheap threads here & thought that this concept fits what I wanted to do. Thanks to Billy Nees & Mark Yacavone & all the others for posting their ideas. New Mopar project is started. Got it home a few days ago. Will be DF/S at 19.85 factor. 2003 Neon R/T, 122" 4cylinder, 150 HP, 5-speed manual. Engine & trans are good. Front K-frame is broken, rusted through on the passenger side. Body is ok but has some rust in the rear quarter, not to bad. It’s not drivable right now because of the broken K-frame & the passenger-side rear brake is locked up. Picking up the replacement K-frame parts on Monday.
Racing Stock Eliminator will be a new experience for me. Any advice is welcome.

Your best asset would be Billy Nees.

Billy Nees · 04-05-2021, 04:47 PM

Not really, he's gonna have to kidnap his own kid!

lvd2340 · 04-12-2021, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Hoven

Good luck on your build! If you are going the HP Tuners route, don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Unfortunately it looks like HP Tuners only supports SRT4's

HR3128 · 04-13-2021, 10:44 AM

I've looked at some tuners for Neons but haven't got to the point of getting serious about getting something yet. I'm working on getting it drivible. Rear brakes have been fixed. Replacing the K-frame is in the works. Pics are what the current K-frame looks like.

FED 387 · 04-13-2021, 11:56 AM

yes that looks bad---surprised it didn't collapse when they put it on the lift

HR3128 · 07-03-2021, 09:20 PM

Just a quick update on my project – Badly rusted K-frame has been replaced. 20 year-old rusted bolts made this way more of a job than it should have been. But it’s done along with new axles, new front brake calipers, rotors, pads, struts & tie-rod ends. I did drive it around the sub a little today (no plates yet). All seems OK so far.
I have not been able to find any tuner software for this car. The 2003 Neon R/T is a one year only ECM. I have found a place that will sell a re-programmed ECM but not tuning software.
The next step is to take it out for some “test & tune” runs.

FED 387 · 07-03-2021, 10:30 PM

Look at SYKED ENGINEERING they offer a refreshed ECM for 229$

Bob Pagano · 07-04-2021, 01:17 PM

rust holy crap was it parked under water ? Have fun with your build !

04-03-2021, 10:35 AM	#1
HR3128 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 23 Likes: 0 Liked 54 Times in 8 Posts	Mopar Build - DF/S Neon Some health problems in 2018 & 2019 put an end to racing for me. Things were looking better in 2020, so I started to look for a car to race. I stumbled across the “Not for Nuthin’—But Close” & the other race for cheap threads here & thought that this concept fits what I wanted to do. Thanks to Billy Nees & Mark Yacavone & all the others for posting their ideas. New Mopar project is started. Got it home a few days ago. Will be DF/S at 19.85 factor. 2003 Neon R/T, 122" 4cylinder, 150 HP, 5-speed manual. Engine & trans are good. Front K-frame is broken, rusted through on the passenger side. Body is ok but has some rust in the rear quarter, not to bad. It’s not drivable right now because of the broken K-frame & the passenger-side rear brake is locked up. Picking up the replacement K-frame parts on Monday. Racing Stock Eliminator will be a new experience for me. Any advice is welcome.

04-03-2021, 10:52 AM	#2
Doug Hoven Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Jersey Posts: 212 Likes: 191 Liked 834 Times in 164 Posts	Re: Mopar Build - DF/S Neon Good luck on your build! If you are going the HP Tuners route, don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

04-05-2021, 04:47 PM	#4
Billy Nees VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On a hilltop in Pa. Posts: 4,488 Likes: 3,589 Liked 7,695 Times in 1,733 Posts	Re: Mopar Build - DF/S Neon Not really, he's gonna have to kidnap his own kid! __________________ Billy Nees 1188 STK, SS I'm not spending 100K to win 2K

04-13-2021, 10:44 AM	#6
HR3128 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 23 Likes: 0 Liked 54 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Mopar Build - DF/S Neon I've looked at some tuners for Neons but haven't got to the point of getting serious about getting something yet. I'm working on getting it drivible. Rear brakes have been fixed. Replacing the K-frame is in the works. Pics are what the current K-frame looks like. Attached Thumbnails

04-13-2021, 11:56 AM	#7
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,419 Likes: 524 Liked 332 Times in 180 Posts	Re: Mopar Build - DF/S Neon yes that looks bad---surprised it didn't collapse when they put it on the lift

07-03-2021, 09:20 PM	#8
HR3128 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 23 Likes: 0 Liked 54 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Mopar Build - DF/S Neon Just a quick update on my project – Badly rusted K-frame has been replaced. 20 year-old rusted bolts made this way more of a job than it should have been. But it’s done along with new axles, new front brake calipers, rotors, pads, struts & tie-rod ends. I did drive it around the sub a little today (no plates yet). All seems OK so far. I have not been able to find any tuner software for this car. The 2003 Neon R/T is a one year only ECM. I have found a place that will sell a re-programmed ECM but not tuning software. The next step is to take it out for some “test & tune” runs.

07-03-2021, 10:30 PM	#9
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,419 Likes: 524 Liked 332 Times in 180 Posts	Re: Mopar Build - DF/S Neon Look at SYKED ENGINEERING they offer a refreshed ECM for 229$

07-04-2021, 01:17 PM	#10
Bob Pagano VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Holland, PA Mooresville,NC Posts: 1,163 Likes: 240 Liked 16 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Mopar Build - DF/S Neon rust holy crap was it parked under water ? Have fun with your build ! __________________ Bob Pagano A/SA