So alot of neon guys as well as a few of us are running the SRT4 piston and rod combination for a few reasons such as cost, cost, and yea..they're pretty damn stout.

But I've come to learn that alot of neon guys are losing motors due to the SRT pistons not being very happy when revved past 6500rpms. Also the SRT rods are FORGED but the pistons are hype-something. So they are pretty strong too, but not the "F" word we were all hoping.

So what does this mean? Well I've read that all aftermarket SRT pistons will fit the stock SRT rods. So I'm thinking: snatch up the SRT rods and possibly go with a FORGED Wiseco piston in a small overbore (.020 or .040) which will result in a bottom endthat is strong, but cheap. This would give you a completely forged bottom end, an increase in displacement, a not soo dented wallet, and a warm feeling inside your tummy.

Discuss.

the pistons arent happy at 6500?....

its more to do with the rod length and rod ratio than the pistons. although piston speed with the stock srt rod ratio is pretty crazy at 6500 rpm's...you wont be able to mechanically redline higher if you have forged pistons.

a lot of the srt guys are pulling the motor to 7250 with no problems. this is no reason to go out and do it, just food for thought.

if i were you, id save up for longer rods and shorter pistons. that way you can fling that bitch to 10,000 rpm's if you want and know the bottom end isnt going to sling apart. besides, a few other benefits to longer rods like the ability to run less timing because the piston hangs at TDC longer. my motor ran great to 7250 and made awesome usable torque, i never had to worry about a redline problem and thats what i wanted.

also, another thing to consider is getting some higher compression ratio pistons. or do some chamber work and mill the head to bump it up from the srt's 8:1. my friend ran the srt pistons and rods in his talon and it was a DOG at low rpm's with mild headwork and crower 2's. this is the reason i opted for the slightly higher CR. less turbo lag, and you can run a lower boost and make the same amount of power.

you have a specific power goal?

I really dont have a set hp goal in mind. Although I will be running the 2.4 motor for a considerable amount of time NA until I get the turbo parts ready. (If not I'll just keep her on the stand until I get everything together....but thats really no fun.)I will probably get the head milled to bump the CR as close to 9:1 as I can get (not sure if I can or not yet...). I'm planning on porting the head the best I can to match what Stockum has on his website. Cam wise I might lean towards the crane 18s. Some neon guys are suggesting 22s, but that could get retarded. I'd really like to compare the camshafts in desktop dyno or something to see the real benefit.

Does dodge offer their stock SRT piston in an overbore? Depending on what kinda block I find I might want to start with a fresh bore.

At 9:1 the car should have enough power to drive around NA with some 24lb ford motorsports/accels.

The stock ECU should be able to handle the fuel with 24#s and no AFC, correct? I'm not sure how it would react with cams though.

Also, what is your take on 1mm oversized valves? Good, bad, etc?

I'm pretty sure the SRT valvetrain = the "upgraded pt" parts.

dont run it NT, it will be slow as balls and you'll hate it. my friend's talon was NT with the 8:1 and his car was pathetic slow.

Originally posted by turbo8u
dont run it NT, it will be slow as balls and you'll hate it. my friend's talon was NT with the 8:1 and his car was pathetic slow.

I'm bone stock now. It cant be too much worse. lol

Piston and rod combo has now been selected. Pretty sure I'm going a different route that most in regards to compression. }(

The ecu can run 24lb er's without an issue.

Originally posted by Blizare
The ecu can run 24lb er's without an issue.

I know. ;)

Would have been the fact that they are cast that turned me away. *shrug*

Originally posted by slowmitsu
Would have been the fact that they are cast that turned me away. *shrug*

Are you referring to the SRT rods? If so, are you sure...? ;)

Originally posted by greygoose

Originally posted by slowmitsu Would have been the fact that they are cast that turned me away. *shrug*

Are you referring to the SRT rods? If so, are you sure...? ;)

I'm refering to the slugs.

Aftermarket pistons for the SRT4 are msde to fit the stock rods. So buy a new set of SRT pistons/rods (-$200), sell the pistons (+$75 to $100) and you've got a nice set of forged rods for about $100. Then you can pick up a set of Wisecos and be content. I'll be driving my car NA until I figure out my turbo plans so the stock SRT pistons with 8:1CR would make me go nuts. I'm thinking somewhere in the 9.5-10.5:1 range.

Should be fun.

let me make sure I getting this right. I can but srt4 rods and pistons in my 2.0L have 8.0:1 comp ratio. and still have the 7200 redline. and run 15psi?

Originally posted by rst eclipse
let me make sure I getting this right. I can but srt4 rods and pistons in my 2.0L have 8.0:1 comp ratio. and still have the 7200 redline. and run 15psi?

where did you see 2.0L in that thread ....


Alain