1997 Neon 4 door Stocker

[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..

[Mike Carr]

The 4 door sedan breaks at 18.49, making it a natural CF/S, if it's the 132 horsepower factory rated version. It can also run in BF/S and DF/S (sticks and automatics run together in FWD in NHRA, with the stick cars carrying a 100 pound weight penalty. In IHRA, it's a natural DF/SA that can also run CF/SA and EF/SA.

As far as the tech questions, I will defer to someone more knowledgeable than I. If you want, send me an e-mail and I can help put you in touch with some people that can help you.

"Full stock dashboard, including instruments, fresh air ducts and controls must be retained. Heaters/air conditioners may be removed; controls must remain in dashboard. Tachometer, pressure gauges, etc optional", per the NHRA Rulebook .

dragrace1302@verizon.net

[JSLRacing]

Thanks for the help.. I couldn't find that info about where the car fits on the NHRA website.. and can't find my old NHRA rulebook... (it would be outdated anyways).

[Dennis P Chapman]

Nhra rule book is all on line now Nhra site. Good luck with the car.

[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

[John Dinkel]

Last time I knew Grand bend was IHRA

[JSLRacing]

sorry.. I meant that Grand Bend is IHRA.. fingers before brain...

I'm sure you can still get the side gears at Howell..

Where did you get your LSD Art?

Any suggestion on a computer?

I'll go digging on the NHRA site for the rulebook now...

[art leong]

Originally Posted by JSLRacing

sorry.. I meant that Grand Bend is IHRA.. fingers before brain...

I'm sure you can still get the side gears at Howell..

Where did you get your LSD Art?

Any suggestion on a computer?

I'll go digging on the NHRA site for the rulebook now...

Don't bet on the side gears from Howell. See them before you buy them.
I use a spool Tim Kish had them made. I think he still has some.
I use a ViPec standalone. The Mopar performance is a lot cheaper, but it isn't going to help much

[JSLRacing]

Are you running the V44 or the V88...

What type of cost will the computer run me?... Will the tranny be computer controlled anymore?

[Tim Kish]

There are definitely thinks you can so with the trans and converter, you'll need as much as you can get.

PM me with questions or if you are coming to Indy stop by and chat.