1998 Neon Coupe Project USHUDNT

I decided to find a fwd Mopar I could build and commute it. I plan to turbo this 1st Gen 98 Neon. It's a pretty clean base SOHC 5spd Neon. It was an unmolested lil old lady car...was

It was straight and "clean" but needed a serious detailing. I already replaced the headlights and have some parts accumulating already and am seeking engine parts too

Good commuter cars, I ran the wheels off mine.

I blew the head gasket in my 96 but it was fine otherwise...

I bought a white 2dr 97 stick Neon new and it was a good car. I trial fit this Stratus tire/rim combo on both the front and rear of the Neon. I photo-shopped the 2 pics of it mounted to see what it might look like.

I'm considering painting the rims white to match the car? It's "just" a Neon but you can find parts everywhere, they can be made fast without breaking the bank and are fun. I look at them like today's 340 A body. I'm enjoying being able to actually build something fun reasonably STAY TUNED.

Score thanks to a buddy's tip Viper seats, and SRT wheel/airbag direct bolt in, I've seen these seats in this same type first gen interior an it's a nice fit. Driver seat needs work (hidden in shot) I have more plans for tomorrow........

I have a complete SRT4, 4 wheel disc set up now... dirt cheap. I don't think you could buy brake pads for what I paid for all of it.

Last night it had very new drilled and slotted rotors (I saw them and agreed to come back and remove them tonight) he let me drive all the way out there before calling to tell me the good news.... someone swapped the rotors out. Anyway he cut me a huge deal because I expressed my discontent with the bait and switch. He's actually a real nice guy and the place where the car is stashed is his buddy who owns an.....SRT4. All ended well and for $50 I have the master cylinder, all hubs, calipers w/brake lines, park brake cables, stock rotors etc.

I think I'll need a 15" spare rim spare now

Well something happened with the clutch cable. I already have a set of "Booger Bushings" that should arrive any day but the cable must be stretched or another piece broke making effectly shortening the actuation/throw of the clutch cable

Car also acted up at idle but would clear up just off idle last night for a few minutes. I haven't hooked my scan tool up yet but suspect the IAC, of even fuel pressure

I have the new clutch cable, I removed the old one. I think that maybe the self adjuster gave out when I decided to try and drop a gear. The booger bushings arrived. I need a break tonight so I'll mess with the Neon tomorrow. I'm letting a neighbor come do his axles so I'll do it then. (the SRT front bumper cover is trading foder <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbs.gif" alt="" /> )

...it just wouldn't be right without this. I also have a few engine parts on the way (ARP bolts etc).

Cool build. Did you get an elephant for the dash yet?

Awesome build! I never gave the neons much credit until I bought my neighbors 97 sport 4 door for a work car. 125k on it with a rusted brake line and kickdown was frozen with the shifter {auto trans}. Fixed the brake line and lubed up the kickdown and been driving the wheels off it, got 160k on it now. Fun little car to drive, I gave him $375 almost 2 years ago and replaced tie rods, one wheel bearing and couple tires since.

Thanks fellas, I have been busy every night. I hope to get over 4hrs sleep tonight.

They are cheap to build and there is an undercurrent here, find the Neon crowd, join the groups, meet some locals, and parts are everywhere.

I blasted the rusty surfaces on the SRT4 rotors, then I "turned" them and I painted the non braking surfaces...they look new again

Get this....... I bought this car today. It had an SRT4 swap. Engine was gone but turbo/manifold, 3" exhaust either plated or stainless, intercooler and piping, it has allot of useful parts to include the rods and JE forged pistons. Wide band and fuel management gauges/systems, Mopar shifter .... I cant recall it all. It was on PASSTIME THE BLUE CAR

Thanks for reminder Brent, I just paid for one....on the way. The RAM doesnt have an Elephant it's has a little monkey I tucked in the tiny cubby from the same daughter. So what do you think of the plate USHUDNT?

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbs.gif" alt="" />

MP shifter

Tach cluster and a cluster surround gauge pod (it came in the parts car along with a few gauges <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Time to relax on buying and sell off my excess. My youngests Neon is on loan to my wifes sister and I guess they want to buy it... if so it's gone. I have folks wanting my former commuter but since my project is waiting on a clutch cable and I'm down 2 Neons, I cant sell the commuter and parts Neon

Reading what you wrote reminds me of how A bodies used to be, cheap and fun.

Exactly you can drive them everyday, find parts, hop them up, and replace one if gets wrecked

George is here and we're drinking beer and painting stuff. The rims are painted PW7 white to match the car, and I dusted the calipers again to get em shiny.

Rears are ready

One front ready

My cousin built a 98 coupe like this one. I have an ad for it in the modern mopar for sale (but he decided to keep it now). But on the for sale ad I left up all his mods that he did. PM if you want his info to ask questions about his build.

It needed a clutch and was leaking oil so..... photo by George he stopped by to drop off a gift...more on that later

Thanks for the reminder Brent, my newest little luck charm Hemi III

Since I was down there and had the trans out to replace the broken clutch assy, I cleaned everything (it was BAD, look behind the axle to see a sample) I replaced the rear main, CVU axle seals, oil pan gasket and serviced the oil/filter, serviced the trans fluid (I used Mobil 1 High mileage 10-30W recommended by Modern Performance/ a Chrysler Technician) and replaced the broken motor mounts with soild rubber units that came from the parts car BONUS one of the many many parts I bought it for.... there's allot more

I have the SRT4 rear brakes ready and fully detailed. I have a set of 1st Gen Neon rear disc brakes and they appear the same except the knuckle has a speed sensor and the strut mount sticks further inboard which would the SRT to run wider tires so I'll run those.

For the front I have the SRT4 brakes but the bearing and splined hub require modifying the axle end to the 26 spline end, and the spindles strut mount has to be machined to down under an inch thick. The steering ratio is also slightly compromised lock to lock. So I detailed my stock front brakes for now at least, and heres how they look with the planned rims.

I also replaced a "self adjuster" on the clutch cable so I can beat the snot out of it, it's a super slick part. I also have a bobble strut rod from the same parts car. The MP shifter from the parts car is in and I installed the polyurethane "booger bushings" on the shifter cable ends. Here is the adjuster

SRT4 front brakes for comparison (I'll shelf these for now)

I did a little research and scored some flat, metal, Mopar center caps

These are on the way....

This is a shot of SOME of the parts stash from the Blue parts car. Theres still a trans, fuel system, turbo/manifold and exhaust down pipe to name a few that are not shown

It was a $700 purchase (and another $100 in gas and expenses to go get it) and provided more than that money would have bought. I sold the body and wheels for $500 and still have some items I can sell.

Thanks George, this will be a nice touch.... this is the gift I mentioned earlier inthe thread

A DOHC head scored with the parts car (I think I have a better idea) and some roller rockers and lifters and gaskets etc

Paint for the smooth "non-dimple" road lamp bumpers

Since it's a commuter comfort and appearance are being slid forward while I gather parts. The 1st Generation (95-99) console and P brake handle differ from the 2cnd Gen.

The brake handle is mounted off center and allowed for a cup holder. The stock fwd console cup holders were limited cup size wise (obstructed by the dash above)

The 2cnd Gen brake handle also ratchets and self adjusts

The boot is different and a grommet resizes the handle end, spinning it backward seems to center it, the fwd mounts seem to be off by an inch.....small issue

Gonna be a fun, sneaky fast ride!

The SRT driver seat is at the upholstery shop, I can skin one but I cant sew. I bought a couple of special axles (both are drivers side but ones for a friends car) these have the SRT sized outboard splines

Sweet project!
I've always had a soft spot for the first gen Neon coupe.

A couple of years ago I almost pulled the trigger on an R/T coupe in black with silver stripes - I would have loved to have it, but I can't justify a comfy highway cruiser with surprising handling like my 2004 300M Special and a Neon at the same time.

Thanks, it's actually closer to the answer to what was missing in our hobby for so long. It's a modern car with ease of used parts availability $$, if it gets wrecked a replacement wouldn't be too hard to find.

I actually have my eye on a Black RT, allot of the Neon crowd have multiple cars (I just had 3 of them already myself). I work with a guy who built one, and a WRX was shocked last week when the Neon put it on him pretty bad, that same guys girlfriends Neon put down 685hp on the dyno and she's not the strongest one here.

I'm hoping the upholstery shop may have the seat ready.

As previously eluded to I detailed the front brakes (for now)

We were going to scuff and clear the wheels but due to what seemed like poor adhesion in an area we hand stripped the wheels again (yes Brent that's your A body 4spd drive shaft)

I picked up my 205 50 16's This neon makes a bad truck (the other 2 are in the trunk)

I also installed this bobble strut with new bushings (not shown), it takes the place of the rear most center lower shock dampening strut/engine mount

Neon SRT-4 seat "before" as I dropped it off for repair

Seat after

The front end is tight, but I suspect a clunk is an axle (note what appears to be a Dodge P/N tag). I have the high performance axle for the SRT brake upgrade, but I need to fix that noise long before I get to that point. I grabbed an axle and spent a few minutes replacing it just now. Also shown is the factory strut mount

I bought these and they are on the way. I always liked these caps and can relive the late 90's

The hub caps arrived, the wheels are repainted, the blue 1st Gen parts car neon sold weeks ago, then the 4dr 2cnd Gen Neon sold so I needed a car for my youngest..... so I bought this this morning. George and I will drag it to my FIL's garage tonight before the fight

Oops I did it again. My wife sold the 2cnd Gen Neon to a coworker so my youngest needed a new ride. I already have a perfect color match fender, a buldge hood in the right color but the paints burnt. I have the divers wheel and airbag coming off my car during an upgrade and I bought the passenger airbag. I buffed the take off headlights from my Neon, I bought a radiator and the entire radiator core support section new today. I'll be fixing this one ASAP. I need one fan and a condenser and a section of dash.

Removed the old core support, the new ones just placed on for a photo

I went to the junkyard this weekend. The bumper wasn't actually that bad but since it was tweaked slightly I went to grab another. I found a grille (surprisingly all are removed at the yard) and I grabbed an entire spare sunroof because you don't see them

I also scored some NOS hubcaps for my daughters car, and NOS rear splash Shields possibly for my car, and headlight gaskets for her car

Wheels are repainted (Thanks to the Goat for the help)

Well, this is a really cool build. I like those Neon coups too.,

EDIT a previous edit I had tried to type....

Oh thanks, I had a 97 coupe new and kind of grew to really like that car.

Today I decided to start my long weekend early, and took some vacation. Since work is not far from the salvage yards I rolled by to talk to a man who works in that area that had seen my car and offered to sell me a 2dr Neon cheap. So after that I did a little hunting and turned up a bulge hood and I've dealt with the guys at that yard before and he said he'd sell me a buldge hood he had for $25 (but I was in my Neon, so it had to wait). I then stopped by a buddy's body shop on the way back. They said they could heat cure the paint on my rims for me

I drove my Neon home and loaded the painted wheels into my `Cuda (because I've been having withdrawls) I dropped the wheels off and headed tward my wife's work since she was driving my Ram. I swapped cars (you should have seen her face since i was leaving the Cuda) I then went and grabbed the hood and went back and swapped vehicles again.

I then went and picked up the wheels.....it's a great day PICS TO FOLLOW TONIGHT

Cool looking wheels. Is the bulge hood for your Neon? Why not an SRT4 hood?

This buldge hood is for my white car, I already have one for my daughter car.

I had discount mount and balance my tires, I installed them and then put my 14's on my daughters car......


EDIT because the second Generation 4dr SRT4 is about 800lbs heavier and when its time to go fast all the stock parts are upgraded anyway

I think a drop in now in order...

BTW: We need to get a group shot of your red, white and blue Mopars.

Dig the Scat Pack Bee in the 1/4 windows! Very clean looking Neon.

I didn't realize we had hills that steep here in Albuquerque. Tint looks good and ditto what Brent said about the Bee!

Thanks, I wanted the Scat Pack Bee's and George got them for me since he was ordering decals

I made headway on the wrecked Neon today. The pass dash section is light grey, I've looked and have not found a good dark grey one yet.

Scored a new Hahn 16G Turbo at a great price ((I had been contemplating adjusting plans to 350hp thinking it would make for a more fun daily driver, and I saw this).

Also pictured is an SRT4 Turbo I got with the parts car.

I am still open to upgrading (I can always easily resell this one) and a 20G might be gathering dust close by as I type. I'll build it strong enough for possible future upgrades.

Drive-able now

Nice work, udidit!

Time for a few updates
I'm not sure anyone cares about Neon's but I see them as we saw a Dart back in the early 80's. They are cheap cars that can be fun and actually fast if you want to put in a little work.

The Pewter car has been on the road, my 16 year old uses it (no freeway driving)

I also had an RT in AZ I had been after for 6 months. The car was in AZ and the owner was active duty Navy so coordinating took months. He called me and told me his sister was going to rent the house it was stored at.... then it happened faster than I was ready for.

Looks familiar huh?

The newest addition (probably Artie the R/T, because my girls called one of the other neons Leon the Neon LOL), I dubbed it the faR/T (pronounced Far-tee). It runs good. It has about 5 year old gas in it and you can smell it it's leaking at the accumulator line. I'm curiuous how it will run after fixing the leak and new high test fuel. It gets it now for a neon. It has the MP computer.I have looked for onther upgrades but that and down stream exhaust are all I found so far.

Cool! Congrats on that score!

I went and looked at a 98 R/T Sedan the other day - would have been my first stick shift car.
Alas, it turned out to be cheap because it was totally roached - the body was rotted at the rockers beyond belief.

After being all into it, I practically ran from the guy's house.

No I'm not buying it... no I'm not buying it.... no I'm not buying it. You couldnt make up the way todays events unfolded. 2 Neons had issues, I dianosed and fixed both of them and then spotted this, I speak with the guy nearest to the car and he see's I'm a mechanic as well and next thing you know I'm diagnosing a PT cruiser that has been stumping him for 6 days. I had eveything to check the PT out in my trunk.... even a fuel pump. I figured that car out too...... sothey want $1K for this bought at an auction beater RT..... and NO I'M NOT BUYING THIS... I dont think soanyway LOL

First off nobody was hurt.

I know this project hasn't taken off in a performance direction yet, lifes turns have taken time and funds. Some of which I've shown here because it was closely related.

The Black RT was meant to be my $500 full coverage insureance policy on my car (and 2 other non full coverage vehicles) Since this was not my fault fixing it should be easy, but we both have USAA. i don't know if that hurts more than it helps.

Ouch!! sorry to see your car was hit but glad no one was hurt.
Good luck with the insurance and repair!
Pat

Thanks, it's at a friends body shop, since I trust them. If I didnt have to wait on an adjuster I'd already be rolling. I dont want to trust the cast lower arm (and my new ball joint) so I'll buy a complete dorman unit with new balljoint and bushings.

The money I save repairing this myself is going to start the next phase.....

The RT already got new poly shift bushings (the Neon crowd knows "booger" bushings). I replaced the painted radio bezel, installed the proper OE style CD player and replaced the broken dash.

She's ok. She hit a curb and a light pole, she said when someone aproaching fast changed lanes. She should have waited, and I hope she will be more careful. She's ok and it's already driveable. Rim, tire, spindle, strut, lower control arm....so far

I was set to get my Neon rolling again today, but I had to get my daughters car moved. So I went to work on it immediately. I put a driver side spindle on it in the street and carefully got it into the garage.

Here is my car at my friends body shop. I thought most would take note of the Duster. His nephew was sitting at a light and stuck from behind by a drunk driver at a high rate of speed. He is now suffers blackouts and is scared to drive. I think I might look for fullsize cars for my daughters.


The fender looks better in this shot only because the wheel pushed it back out... the spindle is broken and bad things happen

I already have this cars suspension removed and the new lower arm installed. I should have it driving tomorrow afternoon. The Ins co.still has not settled but my buy back is only $130. The tires and seats are worth allot more than that

Just a quick temp fix, and I was paid nearly twice book

I called them ASAP and asked that they not total it if there was no real structural damage because I could esily fix it. I said issue a check a dollar below book (my buddy had a frame machine too)

The adjusters get a list of cars to access and are paid @ 250 or so per car, it's easier to total these things since a reapair estimate can't be wrong if there isn't one. The more cars he does the more he makes. The ins company's tkae that loss and we end up with higher premiums. In many years of driving this is only the second time I've had to get paid (first was a minor bumper issue)