Originally posted by Hydramatic:
Well, the typical SRT-4 buyer doesn't get it for handling, though the old Neons were pretty darn good at it from the get-go....




Really? You have data on all 25k SRT-4 owners? I don't, but I wouldn't speculate either. I'd be curious what percentage of SRT-4's (and PT Turbos) have any Mopar stage kits.

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So taking that into consideration, a stage upgrade kit that doesn't improve horsepower and torque isn't worth buying unless you take it to the track. OR just like really bad ride quality from your daily driver....




So, don't buy the upgrade kits. Most aftermarket performance companies are not stupid. They sell what people will pay money for and earn profits. If that is what MOPAR decides to sell, there will be buyers, just not you. They don't care to capture everyone.


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I do understand the power limitations, but that simply cannot be correct. The old Stage III kits put it WELL over 300 hp. On the OLD engine. If the Caliber SRT-4 can only make 300 hp safely, I'd be mighty, MIGHTY disappointed by Mopar.




So how much engine development experience do you have vs. Mopar to claim such a thing?

Current Stage 3 kit offers 310hp/325ft-lb with an upgraded turbo on premium fuel (I dunno if 91 r 93 required). Stage 2 with only injectors, wastegate, sensor and PCM is 265/280. Using 100 Octane fuel increases those numbers, but that is not readily available outside of race tracks.

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So I say the engine could probably max out a little shy of 400, but I would count on transmission upgrades for not much more power than what it makes stock.



It's easy to estimate, design, and test an engine rated for xxx power, but there are many more vehicle components that could limit the power. Tranny, chassis, diff, clutch, who knows. You don't know. Neither do I. Why are you speculating a year plus away? The stock Caliber SRT-4 isn't even available to drive yet so we have no idea how it will perform and we already want to bench race it and add fictitious aftermarket goodies to compensate for unknown performance deficiencies.

I quote a DCX insider, "It ain�t official until it's official."

For more rumors and insider info, check out caliberforums.com and allpar.com News and Rumors forum.