PT Cruiser questions

[MustangsRule]

Hey, Yeah to get one thing straight off the bat. I like mustangs, old ones are better in my opinion. I can't find an old one, and I don't have the cash to buy one or anything any better. So I'm getting stuck with an 02 PT Cruiser. Another things, I am a n00b. I know little to nothing about these things, but I really loe cars, just no one at my place appreciates them like I do. What can I do to the cruiser to give her a little more torque and horse power? What can I do to make her perform better? I wanted a fast car that I could take to the drags, but I doubt this cruiser will be that car. So I'm going to make her look good, and do what I can to make her as fast as I can. Any help is appreciated.

[1badPT]

dood there is so much you can do with PT Cruisers.

If you want power, you can do anything from a cheap (~$600) chip tune for about 20HP to Turbo charging from $3000 US to Supercharging from about $4000 US.

If you want looks there are plenty. Here are a few.
Rice:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/badblood/ptcruiser/04cal_010.jpg
Retro:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/badblood/ptcruiser/04cal_030.jpg
Slammed:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/badblood/ptcruiser/04cal_053.jpg
Pimp:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/badblood/ptcruiser/04cal_064.jpg
Here are some PT Forums:
http://www.ptcruiserclub.org/cgi-local/gforum/gforum.cgi
http://www.ptenthusiasts.org/PTForums/
http://www.ptforums.com/
http://www.ptcruiserlinks.com/forum/

[1badPT]

PS is it a 5 spd? If not, I'd make a tranny swap the first mod - ~500 bux since you can use any neon transmission

A turbo makes the auto transmission come alive on those cars, but without a turbo (which would not be stock in an 02) the auto transmission just takes too big of a bite out of the engines power.

PSPS - don't forget its a cruiser, not an accelerator ;) but the turbo gives you enough nuts to blow the doors off anyone who thinks their stock setup can knock a PT :D

[MustangsRule]

Well, I'm not sure what tranny it has. Turbo, are you talking PT Turbo? If you mean like the ones on that commercial, then no. As you can tell I have no real clue what I am doing. What are the differences in the trannys? I am considering lowering her down some, getting some flames or some custom job. Then getting some running lights and some strobes. Do you know of a good place for a subwoofer in her? I don't look to make her into a drag racer. (I say look, I would love to, but I don't have the cash it would take) I'm also looking into getting some nice spinners maybe. Lol the person I would go to the drags with would blow me off the track. Shes got a 67 Firebird. Since I doubt, atleast at this point in time, I can't make her a drag racer, I'm going to make sure that she isn't a little old ladys car in speed, and make sure that I turn heads when I drive by. You seem to know alot about the PT. Thanks for the help, and I appreciate anything else you can help me with.

[MustangsRule]

Oh BTW, know of a place where I could order some flame decals or something? Not sure if I want flames or something a little less used. Anyway thanks in advance

[1badPT]

PT Turbos are only offered from the 2003 model year and up. So your 02 will be n/a unless someone has done some work on it already.

Mopar themselves offer some pretty decent flame kits.

A search on google for:
PT cruiser flame decals
will give you more options than you can deal with.

for the 02 year there are 3 trannys:
5 spd
4 spd automatic
4 spd automatic with autostick (manumatic essentially)

you can also match it up to the '03 Turbo's Getrag transmission or the SRT-4's Hart transmission.

The rear left cargo pocket is a popular place to install a sub, and you can even get a mopar one if you want a completely stock look.

a 14 second pt cruiser drag car is definitely possible though
with a proper turbo, forged internals and some juice, it can be done. And slammed PT's look great - just be sure when you get your springs to find out if the kit is a "leveling" kit or a "raked" kit. The PT has a raked look as the stock setup (the nose appears to point down while the rear appears raised). Leveling sets get rid of the look, while the raked kits will eliminate the fender gap and still keep the car looking raked.

[MustangsRule]

Raked kit sounds cool to me. I like the look to it, but I would like it to be a little lower to the ground. Well, I either have the 5 speed or the 4 speed automatic. Not sure which. Really I think it would be pretty damn cool to make it a stick. I might look into that little chip you mentioned. Have to get some cash for it frst though. You said turbo charging and super turbo charging befoer as well. What exactly do those do? I'm also looking for a nice grill, and maybe a body kit. I really like the slammed look you showed me. Personal opinion, regular rims or spinners? I really can't decide. Spinners are nice though. Sucks that my PT doesn;t have a sun roof on it. Is it possible to have one fabricated? Any clue how much it would cost? Thanks for the help.

[MustangsRule]

Also you mentioned Mopar which is a name I am familiar with. I went to their site and I couldn't find any flame kits, or a woofer. Any clue where I could take a look at them?

[1badPT]

The chip advances the timing. When you do the chip mod, you'll have to switch to high octane fuel, and you'll have to be sure to keep your air filter changed regularly.

Turbos and Superchargers simply force feed air into the engine, which allows you to burn more fuel with each stroke, making more power. The turbos/superchargers alone will not shorten the lifespan of the engine, but you will have to switch to high octane when you do these mods.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question122.htm

Personally, I prefer a nice set of chromes for rims as opposed to spinners, but that's personal opinion ;)

The boyd coddingtons and the American Racing Aero Rims are my personal fav's from this page(these are the most popular rims for the car):
http://www.revelenterprises.com/pt_cruiser_wheels_tires_subcategory.htm

Yeah you could get a sunroof cut, but from what I hear of people who have the sunroof, they simply don't use it or don't appreciate it. If you want it bad enough though it can be done. No idea on the cost though :dunno:
But like I said, anything you want can be done if you want it bad enough. Check this roadster conversion out:
http://www.pteazer.com/roadstergallery.html

EDIT: Mopar can be found at the parts counter of any chrysler dealership.
One of the bigger dealerships has put their Mopar store online:
http://www.wyckoff-mopar-parts.com/ptcruiserstore.html

[Toms-Celica]

That 3rd one is awesome

[MustangsRule]

I found some rims I like.

http://www.centerlinewheels.com/images/wheels/excel_black_451x421.jpg

I think I'll get them in chrome. I have a midnight blue cruiser. I'm still looking for some flames that I like. I found some, but they are almost 700 bux. I want them, but not that badly. I think I'll get a body kit and a nice grill too. I already have an XM Radio in it, one of the new rodie models. Custom mounted in the dark and cold the other night lol. Its not the best but it gives me whatever I want to listen to and great sound. So I like it. :thumbsup:

[rice_eater]

get the turbo pt with the 2.4L turbo, same as in the SRT-4 :D

[1badPT]

Sweet - post some pics. Midnight Blue really suits the car :thumbsup:

There is a huge aftermarket for PTs so whether you want a horizontal grille or a vertical grille, stainless steel or aluminum billet, slats or mesh, or stamped stainless steel, it can be done, and you can get them as bolt-ons. PTeazer tends to be at the top end as far as pricing, E&G and Stull are sort of the mid range and APC and California Cruisers are at the bottom of the price range. If you check in at one of the PT cruiser forums, let me know your id :D

[MustangsRule]

Anyone used/heard/seen these?

http://www.mobiletoys.com/partners/infinity/v_details.asp?RECORD=8388&MAKE=10&MODEL=PT+CRUISER&YEAR=2002

I'm not a genious with audio systems either lol. I spent most of my time becoming a master of paintball. Wish I had used some of it on cars and audio too. Oh well guess I'm learning now.

[1badPT]

Infinity is the supplier of audio equipment for Chryslers. I would say if you don't consider yourself an expert, the Mopar/Infinity systems offer really easy installs since they are already customized. If you are having a system professionally installed, then you can really go with any brand you like.

[flash]

Im on my 2nd cruiser. I had the 1st yr with the auto. I installed a throtle body spacer and removed that airsilencers and installed a K&N. It seemed to help some. The car is built well and very heavy so it will never do much at the drag strip. Last yr I got the Gt Turbo which I thought was still a dog. I installed the stage 1 upgrade which is a New high performace computor and bigger injectors . Removed the sillencer, K&N filter, Straight threw stainless steel exhaust & boost gauge. The stage 1 ran the boost from 6 to 13psi. It hauls XXX & kicks but now. It is better to buy the turbo and fix it up than mess wth the regular one. You get a heavy duty 5 sp with the tubo and mostly completely diiffent beefed up engine. Differant head, crank, pistons, intake, oiling, bigger brakes, differant valves, and probably more I am not thinking about. My old one before with the mods I mentioned was getting me 27 mpg around here. When I first got it all I could do was about 20. The turbo is only getting me about 20mpg but I only have 3 k on it. Now the 04s have 2 turbos. 220 hp which is my o3 only bigger fuel injectors which I put in mine. I alsol put a blow off valve mod on it. I figure mine is about 250 hp now. It made all the diffeance in the world. It will set you back in the seat now. It was the differance between night and day. Now the car is fun to drive. Until I did all this I was unimpressed with the turbo. My regular one was not as bad as they say they are and still are nice cars. Rated right up with the rice burns for quality and dependibilty. Ps you get better wheels on the turbo. 17inch. It actually rides better than the 1st pt. I thought the 5o series tires would ride rougher. You could spend thousands of dollars on these cars with all they offer but you need the GT turbo to start wiith if you want something fast or it will just cost you alot of extra money for something that wont holdup and in the end would have been cheaper to just trade up to the GT. Good luck:)

[DEF]

MustangsRule,

You can get more ideas by looking through these picture albums: http://www.newjerseycruise.com/gscpictures.html




:D