Product Reviews

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Product Reviews

Last Updated: April 18, 2003

My opinions given below are based on my '98 Dodge Neon Sport DOHC MTX. Your results may vary. Letters next to the product show the grade I gave them based on my officially licensed "Butt-o-Meter". "A" being the best, "F" being the worst. Products are listed in the order I installed them. (i.e. At the time of installing the ATX TB the only mods to the car was the Iceman & MPx UDP)

ENGINE TRANSMISSION SUSPENSION INTERIOR EXTERIOR

ENGINE:

Iceman Cold Air Intake -- (B) This was my first mod to the car and didn't seem to really live up to what I heard on a stock engine. Later on, I may end up going with a 3.0 Intake setup. Acceleration was smooth and started to really make noticeable power after 4k rpms. The great thing about it is that almost all mods done later on usually do not require removing this intake, unlike the stock setup which seems to be in the way of everything. Installation was pretty easy and the sound it makes is awesome !!!
MPx Underdrive Pulley -- (B) This is the only mod on my car that I didn't install myself. After the dealer installed it ($50), the engine revved soo much faster. Still didn't seem like it gave a lot of power, but acceleration on the highway was MUCH easier.
ATX (52mm) Throttle Body -- (A+) Wow !! What a difference this made. I was finally able to chirp 3rd gear. Seat of the pants feel was incredible. Part of it I think was b/c I left the softer ATX spring on so the gas pedal is really touchy (hard to get used to on the highway if you don't have cruise control) But it was definately a mod I would do over again for the price. Install was really easy and can only imagine what a bigger TB (55mm or 60mm) would feel like.
Pacesetter Header (2nd Rev.) Ceramic Coated -- (B) If you live in a snowy climate or place where metal rusts easily I would definately NOT get any Pacesetter product. But since I don't live in such a place, I did get it. You'll need a better gasket than what it comes with and you'll want to open up its ports to see the real potential of this header. My car really started to pull after 4k rpms. Installation is a biatch to do on the DOHC, I've heard the SOHC is much easier since you don't have to move the altenator.
Pacesetter 2.5" Catback & 2.5" Catco Cat welded to a 2.5" Testpipe -- (A) All 3 items were installed at one time and boy did the car feel good. Seems like I lost some torque below 3k rpms though, but now the car starts to really pull after 3k. I could barely hear my (4) 8" subs @ 3k rpms, though, so I installed a glasspack next.
2.5" ID Glasspack -- (A) I installed this after the cat, inline with the rest of my exhaust setup. Seemed to give me a little more torque that I lost under 3k and smoother acceleration, but I gave it an "A" mainly b/c it quieted down my exhaust to where I wanted it, but kept the deep sound.
EGR Block-off Kit -- (A) Fairly easy to install and after 20k miles my intake still looks perfectly clean. Definately worth it in my book.
Mopar Performance PCM -- (B) This is my most recent mod and I honestly expected more from it. Acceleration is really smooth and the higher rev limiter are great, but it didn't *feel* like I gained a lot with the mods I already have.
Crane Firewire 8.5mm Spark Plug Wires -- (C) Well, it's about all I could ask for from spark plug wires. Smooth acceleration and didn't mess up my stereo system.

TRANSMISSION:

B&M Shifter -- (A) This shifter is really nice. Shifts are really short and after I cut 2.5" off, throws got even shorter. Installation was fairly easy.
Booger Shifter Bushings -- (B) I first installed these in all (4) locations: (2) at tranny end, (2) at shifter end. They really clean up the slop of the softer OEM shifter bushings.
Kyle's Solid Spherical Shifter Bushings -- (A+) Later on, I heard of Kyle's fix to broken shifter cables and replaced the Booger bushings at the shifter with his and kept the lil' boogers at the tranny end. Seems like some Neon owners have broken shifter cables with the B&M Shifter and stiffer shifter bushings. Kyle's Solid bushings make the cables "bullet-proof" to keep them from breaking. Install was a bit of a pain, but man is it worth it. Shifts are soooooo much easier and require little effort.

SUSPENSION:

Front Strut Tower Bar -- (A) Really stiffened up the front end of the car and may have added a little understeer. I can now take turns ~5-10 mph faster than before. Super easy install and looks nice in the engine bay.
All (3) Deyeme Firm Motor Mounts -- (A+) If your car is a daily driver than I definately recommend getting Deyeme's motor mounts. They come in Firm and Flex levels of hardness. They added no extra vibration and still keep the engine from moving around. Install was pretty easy and my wheel hop is gone!
Mopar Bobble Strut w/ Poly Bushings -- (A+) Installation is really easy. Next best thing to a solid bobble strut is putting (3) polyurethane bushings around the shaft to keep it from compressing during hard acceleration and hard shifts. Helps eliminate wheel hop.
KYB GR-2 Struts -- (C-) The "C-" is for below average. Comparing the new KYB's with my 90k mile non-leaking, semi-stiff Sport struts I noticed a few things: 1) The KYB compression is about 15-20% stiffer than my stock ones, BUT . . . 2) the rebound of the KYB's were about 15% *softer* than my stock struts. And with stiffer springs (like my 450/350 spring rates) you definately want a stiffer rebound valved strut to keep from getting a bouncy ride. The verdict is: The KYB's are the same if not worse (performance-wise) than the stock struts. I'll be looking into the price of some R/T struts in the future.
HP Slip-on Coilovers -- (B) They aren't *true* coilovers, but they are perfect for the daily driver who wants a stiffer, adjustable ride and not a lot of money. Spring rates are 450 for the front and 350 for the rear. Check out my How-To section for all I had to do to make them work. You don't feel every bump in the road, but speed bumps can't be taken more than 3 mph. Handling is phenominal. I can take turns now about 15-20 mph faster and feel safe doing it. Hard shifting doesn't make the car buck from weight transfer like it used to.
Mopar 22mm Rear Swaybar -- (A) I didn't have a rear sway bar before and the new one really stiffened up the car really well.

INTERIOR:

Rearview Mirror w/ Map Lights -- (A) Very nice piece. Adds plenty of light at night and is bigger than the stock mirror.
2nd Gen Console -- (A+) I love this piece! The 3rd cup holder really comes in handy and the 4th cup holder in the arm rest is perfect for the back seat passengers.

EXTERIOR:

Fuba Antenna -- (A) Excellent radio reception, sleek looks and not too difficult to install.
Dodge Ram Airdam -- (B) Aerodynamic front end piece that looks half way decent.

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