How easy to turbo a 'regular' PT?

[ShelGame]

How easy would it be to turbo a 'regular' PT Cruiser? The employee lease plan here at work is taking a turn for the worse and I think I'd rather buy a PT Turbo when my current lease is up. But, PT Turbos are harder to find - especially in black (which is what I want). But, I can find regular black PT's all day long for really decent prices. So, how hard would it be to add the turbo down the road? About the same as turboing an '01+ Neon? Any websites for guys who've done it?

Oh, and I'd keep the 4-speed auto...

[mario03SRT]

Shel,

I've been looking at GT Cruisers and PT Cruisers with the 2.4 turbo. As they are Mopar cars they have no resale and can be bought very reasonably. Be sure to get the High Output FMIC model.

Having said all of that, IMO to turbo an NA PT would be very expensive and labor intensive only to have still some glitches in the tune. Especially if you expect it to haul ---.

I have seen post around on the conversion but no single source that I can recall.

Exhaust, fuel pump, injectors, turbofold, IC, ecu/standalone/diablo, intake, SRT4 internals, on and on..............like you said just like doing a base model Neon.

FYI,
Marion

[Vigo]

i can see being picky about the color, but PT GT are cheaper than used srt-4 and generally in much better shape.. id buy a factory one!

[SoCalCSX]

Hahn Racecraft used to sell a kit but not anymore, might see one pop up on ebay or the PT forums every once in a while. That would be the easiest way. Next would be a swap from a wrecked PT turbo but you would need pretty much everything from the firewall forward under the hood. Depending on what year you get the trans and engine ECU's are two seperate units.

I would hold out for a PTGT IMO, they can be had for cheap if you are patient. I picked mine up for $6k with 70k miles. Now if you hold out for a PTGT and want to mod it the 04-05 is the best because just like the SRT-4's, those years came with the Stage 1 injectors already in them.

Oh, ALL turbo PT's came intercooled. Even the 180hp turbo lite's. The difference is the tune allowing them to run on low octane gas.

[ShelGame]

From what I've seen, PT GT's around here are still going for $8-10k. Only slightly less than the SRT4's. But, I have to assume they are not beat on as much as the SRT's. I'd like to find one with 50k on it or less as I drive about 15k/year and don't want it to be all worn out in just 2 years.

I would definitely use the factory parts. But, it won't stay stock for long. That's one of the reasons I was thinking of building it up from an NA PT. Also, I had thought about maybe using the 420a head and mexican Stratus manifold to put the turbo up front.

NA Pt's seem to be going for 3-4k less than the GT's. I'm guessing I can do the conversion for less than 3k. But then, the GT's come with a lot of nice features. Oh well, I have several months to figure out what I want to do.

Oh yeah, did any of the special editions (Dream Cruiser, etc.)come in GT form? I also really like the Copper color dream cruiser...

[SoCalCSX]

From what I've seen, PT GT's around here are still going for $8-10k. Only slightly less than the SRT4's. But, I have to assume they are not beat on as much as the SRT's. I'd like to find one with 50k on it or less as I drive about 15k/year and don't want it to be all worn out in just 2 years.

I would definitely use the factory parts. But, it won't stay stock for long. That's one of the reasons I was thinking of building it up from an NA PT. Also, I had thought about maybe using the 420a head and mexican Stratus manifold to put the turbo up front.

NA Pt's seem to be going for 3-4k less than the GT's. I'm guessing I can do the conversion for less than 3k. But then, the GT's come with a lot of nice features. Oh well, I have several months to figure out what I want to do.

Oh yeah, did any of the special editions (Dream Cruiser, etc.)come in GT form? I also really like the Copper color dream cruiser...

There are turbo Dream Cruisers, I just don't know which years. My best guess would be '03+ like the regular turbo PT's.

[turbovanman²]

Did the auto's come with a turbo???

I haven't worked on one so just talking out loud but I can't see it costing that much or it being that hard to turbo one, like turboing a Neon. Find the turbo manifold, fab up your own IC and pipes, use a tuner to download the turbo cal, etc. He could probably find the parts on Ebay or ? for under a grand.

I honestly can't see it being that hard!!!!

[BadAssPerformance]

From what I've seen, PT GT's around here are still going for $8-10k. ....

Not around here... some can be had for $5k-$6k

[mario03SRT]

Hahn Racecraft used to sell a kit but not anymore, might see one pop up on ebay or the PT forums every once in a while. That would be the easiest way. Next would be a swap from a wrecked PT turbo but you would need pretty much everything from the firewall forward under the hood. Depending on what year you get the trans and engine ECU's are two seperate units.

I would hold out for a PTGT IMO, they can be had for cheap if you are patient. I picked mine up for $6k with 70k miles. Now if you hold out for a PTGT and want to mod it the 04-05 is the best because just like the SRT-4's, those years came with the Stage 1 injectors already in them.

Oh, ALL turbo PT's came intercooled. Even the 180hp turbo lite's. The difference is the tune allowing them to run on low octane gas.

Are you certain about the fmic? I'm almost the certain one does and one does not. 180 hp and 225 hp models. I've looked them over myself.

Marion

[ShelGame]

Ahh, here's the one I want. Too bad my current lease isn't up for 8 months...

Tangerine Dream Cruiser

[turbovanman²]

Ahh, here's the one I want. Too bad my current lease isn't up for 8 months...

Tangerine Dream Cruiser

I like those colours,

[SoCalCSX]

Did the auto's come with a turbo???

I haven't worked on one so just talking out loud but I can't see it costing that much or it being that hard to turbo one, like turboing a Neon. Find the turbo manifold, fab up your own IC and pipes, use a tuner to download the turbo cal, etc. He could probably find the parts on Ebay or ? for under a grand.

I honestly can't see it being that hard!!!!

Yes, the turbo models came with autos. Mine is a turbo/auto with the autostick feature.

Are you certain about the fmic? I'm almost the certain one does and one does not. 180 hp and 225 hp models. I've looked them over myself.

Marion

Yup 180hp versions got the FMIC. Cool thing is if you put a stage 1 in the 180hp version or a GT you can't tell the difference because it bumps them both to the same power output. I think Dodge should have offered the 180hp version in Neons too.....

[Aries_Turbo]

do it like SebringLX did it. using the SCT flash stuff so the ecu is still OBD-2 compliant and fully turbo ready. that takes alot of the annoyance out of it. the 4-speed is still controlled by the ecu too.

youd need a 03+ vehicle though.

brian

[turboz523]

I had an 03 pt gt automatic w/ full 3" catless exhaust, K&N cone filter, and mopar stage 1 computer/injectors. It had tons of power, biggest problem was the computer control of the transmission. Even with the car in 1st gear w/ autostick and the traction control turned off it wouldn't let the motor rev higher than 5900 rpm, if the wheels spun, which they did in first every time, it would shift early, usually between 4500-5000 rpm. Eventually I got frustrated with it, put it back to stock, and sold it. If I would have had a stick shift I'd prolly still have it, cause other than the trans. I loved the car.

[neongary]

I should think that the trans is stronger/different in the turbo version, so it's not just a matter of thinking about turbo-ing the n/a engine, it's the rest of the drivetrain too.

[ShelGame]

Well, the 4-speed would get fully built if I did the turbo conversion...

[Aries_Turbo]

Well, the 4-speed would get fully built if I did the turbo conversion...

it still wouldnt shift all that firmly with the factory programming but i think you know that.

Brian

[glhs0426]

I should think that the trans is stronger/different in the turbo version, so it's not just a matter of thinking about turbo-ing the n/a engine, it's the rest of the drivetrain too.

Same transmission. Just checked p/n's.

[neongary]

Same transmission. Just checked p/n's.

I'm really surprised. Guess the N/A isn't going to hurt them anytime soon! I know for sure that the 5 spd versions were different.

[J&H Ryan]

Look me up when you;re ready to get something. I can get N/As all day long and I've spotted a few GTs from the local dealer auctions.