USA FWD /// platform file
Dodge Neon SRT-4 (2003) build guide
2.4 turbo I4. What the stock hardware is estimated to support, where it breaks first, and the honest path to more.
The Dodge Neon SRT-4 (2003) is rated 215 hp (SAE (2003 rating) · US market) at 5,400 rpm and weighs 2,970 lb (US curb, estimated (2003 press kit)), or 13.8 lb/hp. On enthusiast estimates its stock internals are taken to about ~400 hp, the fuel system to around ~320 hp, and the stock turbo(s) are taken to about ~280–300 hp. Below: the sourced spec sheet, the limit sheet carbuildcheck analyzes against, and the platform's community-documented weak points.
Units
01 Spec sheet sourced
Engine2.4 turbo I4 · 2,429 cc · I4
Bore × strokenot sourced in this audit
Compression8.1:1
Inductionsingle turbo (Mitsubishi TD04 per community sources, not on the fetched page)
Fuel systemport
Rated power215 hp · SAE (2003 rating) · US market @ 5,400 rpm
Torque245 lb-ft @ 2,000–4,800 rpm
Redline6,752 rpm
Stock boostnot sourced in this audit
TransmissionNVG T850 5MT
DrivetrainFWD
Curb weight2,970 lb · US curb, estimated (2003 press kit) · 13.8 lb/hp
GenerationPL Neon; 2004–2005 cars were rated 230 hp / 250 lb-ft (no fetched source) · 2003 (215 bhp); 2004–2005 230 hp
Verified againstChrysler Group, 2003 Dodge SRT-4 press kit specifications (primary, read 2026-09-06); Chrysler Group, Mopar Performance stage kits for the SRT-4 (9 May 2004) (primary, read 2026-09-06) · The rated power and the mass each rest on one document.
02 What stock parts support enthusiast estimates
Engine internals~400 hp
rotating assembly ceiling · fails first: rods under boost spikes · 93 AKI · no named source: site planning estimate · site planning figure ~400 hp; AGP's 340–360 whp big-turbo kits run on stock internals in most builds, per the vendor
Induction ceiling~280–300 hp
stock turbo / supercharger ceiling · fails first: stock TD04 out of efficiency · 93 AKI · source: Chrysler Group, Mopar Performance stage kits for the SRT-4 (9 May 2004) · Mopar's stage 2 keeps the stock turbo at 280 hp and stage 3 fits a bigger compressor (t1); the site plans on ~280–300 hp
Fuel system~320 hp
stock fuel-system ceiling · fails first: injectors and pump (AGP requires fuel upgrades with its kits) · 93 AKI · source: AGP Turbo, SRT-4 Neon big-turbo kit · site plans on ~320 hp
Clutch (manual)~280 hp
stock clutch torque capacity · fails first: stock clutch slip · no named source: site planning estimate · site planning figure; no named source in this audit
Cooling (sustained)~330 hp
thermal ceiling for sustained load · fails first: charge-air heat soak · no named source: site planning estimate · site planning figure; no named source in this audit
Tuning limitsenthusiast estimates, crank hp on the stated fuel; sources: Chrysler Group, Mopar Performance stage kits for the SRT-4 (9 May 2004); AGP Turbo, SRT-4 Neon big-turbo kit; method: the analyzer plans on the lower bound of each range
Planning figures, conservative by design, never a manufacturer claim. How these are used in the score →
03 Where it breaks first community-documented
The stock turbo taps out around Mopar's stage-2 rating (280 hp); AGP reports 340–360 whp at 20 psi on its cast-wheel kit with fuel upgrades.
Twenty-year-old economy-car bones: mounts, bushings and boost-leak checks before chasing numbers.
04 The typical path
Stage 1 tune → intake → downpipe → intercooler → Stage 2 tune. Fueling before E85; the clutch before sticky tires.
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