recommended coustomizations for '03 GT cruiser

[CFS]

I was wondering what is recommended by the PT cruiser owner population as "necessary" upgrades to their stock or "above average stock" GT Cruiser?

I myself was thinking of an intake(i just bought), a jet chip and exhaust.

Can i get some suggestions form anybody?

[Mean Green]

Originally Posted by CFS

I was wondering what is recommended by the PT cruiser owner population as "necessary" upgrades to their stock or "above average stock" GT Cruiser?

I myself was thinking of an intake(i just bought), a jet chip and exhaust.

Can i get some suggestions form anybody?

Unless you purchased an Airade or K&N Apollo intake your open air intake will be sucking hot engine air and costing you torque while gaining 2-3 hp. An open air intake isn't needed unless you go with a big turbo. With a stock turbo the factory airbox can be modded and a drop in K&N filter is best along with replacing the restricted turbo to airbox hose. The restricted turbo to airbox hose is also replaced with both the Airade and Apollo intakes, too.

The jet chip is garbage and a huge disappointment when compared to Mopar's Stage 1 upgrade. Mopar's Stage 1 upgrade will put a huge smile on your face. The best place to purchase it is here.

HaynesSpeed Shop :: Chrysler PT Cruiser :: Turbo Upgrades :: PT Cruiser Stage 1 Turbo Upgrade Kit

Are you talking a full turboback exhaust (TBE) or just a catback exhaust?

It really depends if you want to just do mild mods, something in between or go crazy with hp. My modified '03 GT was something in between running 280 hp and had no fear of most V8s.

[CFS]

Originally Posted by Mean Green

Unless you purchased an Airade or K&N Apollo intake your open air intake will be sucking hot engine air and costing you torque while gaining 2-3 hp. An open air intake isn't needed unless you go with a big turbo. With a stock turbo the factory airbox can be modded and a drop in K&N filter is best along with replacing the restricted turbo to airbox hose. The restricted turbo to airbox hose is also replaced with both the Airade and Apollo intakes, too.

The jet chip is garbage and a huge disappointment when compared to Mopar's Stage 1 upgrade. Mopar's Stage 1 upgrade will put a huge smile on your face. The best place to purchase it is here.

HaynesSpeed Shop :: Chrysler PT Cruiser :: Turbo Upgrades :: PT Cruiser Stage 1 Turbo Upgrade Kit

Are you talking a full turboback exhaust (TBE) or just a catback exhaust?

It really depends if you want to just do mild mods, something in between or go crazy with hp. My modified '03 GT was something in between running 280 hp and had no fear of most V8s.

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My intension was a mild modification to the point where the car is "Parcial stock." Meaning that there would be little exterior modifications and upgrades to the performance aspect of the vehicle.

The CAI portion of this discussion, I have not installed it just yet. I understand your explanation, after removing the stock air box I see that there is NO VENT TO THE OUTSIDE! this is a major disappointment and there should have been one adapted to the car's design.

Which is better the Apollo or Airraid CAI?
Could i use the K&n tube for the airbox?
Also, if CAI's are made with metal tubes, wont the metal get hot and make it a HAI (HOT AIR INTAKE)?

I will look into the mopar stage one upgrade. however, Why is JET chips garbage versus the MOPAR Upgrade?

Exaust. i was looking at the exaust on ptcruiserclubstore at these:

Trendsetters Functional Dual Side Exhaust for 01-Up PT Cruiser - PT Cruiser Accessories Store - PTCruiserClubStore.com

and found them to be interesting.

thanks for your help

[03electricbluegt]

The factory airbox pulls air from the fenderwell, which is fed indirectly by the vents in the front next to the foglights. So it is getting air from outside the engine compartment at least. Stage 1 is the way to go for a partially modded path. I can't emphasize enough the difference that Stage 1 makes in power and drivability! It ups the boost as well as changing the transmission shift schedules for the better (For the automatics). Stage 1 is your friend and should be the platform for all future modding. It is created by the engineers at Chrysler and is a well engineered solution for upgraded performance. The jet chip is an external addon that can only modify the signals coming from the MAP sensor, the o2 sensor etc. It has no access to the transmission control at all.

Stage 1 prices just went up by $100 a few months back so it's around $440 now new from Haynes. Still a good deal for the amount of gains you get. If you can, try to find Stage 1 used. You need to get it specifically for your car's year and transmission. You will have to get your VIN programmed in by flight systems (~$40) to get it to work in your car. I got mine from a wrecked GT for $250. It's probably gonna be a bit higher now though.


Also, save your money on the CAI and drop a K&N filter in the factory airbox and do the standard airbox mods. (Remove the white donut silencer and shorten the interior snorkel for better airflow) A newer turbo to air box (ttab) pipe may flow a bit better as well. I haven't heard anything about added heat with the TTAB pipes being a detriment. I'm sure they will add a small amount of heat but the air is travelling through the pipe pretty quickly, so it is probably minimal. I actually have a modded factory TTAB that I removed the internal silencer from. Haven't tested it out yet though.

That should get you started. The composite manifold would be a good next step as well. You didn't mention what year your car is. On the 03 cars, Stage 1 included larger flow fuel injectors which require removal of the intake anyway, so it would be a good time to do the manifold upgrade. The 05 and up cars had a composite intake manifold that evened out the flow from cylinder to cylinder and allowed a few more horses to be extracted from the car.

Brian

[CFS]

Originally Posted by 03electricbluegt

The factory airbox pulls air from the fenderwell, which is fed indirectly by the vents in the front next to the foglights. So it is getting air from outside the engine compartment at least. Stage 1 is the way to go for a partially modded path. I can't emphasize enough the difference that Stage 1 makes in power and drivability! It ups the boost as well as changing the transmission shift schedules for the better (For the automatics). Stage 1 is your friend and should be the platform for all future modding. It is created by the engineers at Chrysler and is a well engineered solution for upgraded performance. The jet chip is an external addon that can only modify the signals coming from the MAP sensor, the o2 sensor etc. It has no access to the transmission control at all.

Stage 1 prices just went up by $100 a few months back so it's around $440 now new from Haynes. Still a good deal for the amount of gains you get. If you can, try to find Stage 1 used. You need to get it specifically for your car's year and transmission. You will have to get your VIN programmed in by flight systems (~$40) to get it to work in your car. I got mine from a wrecked GT for $250. It's probably gonna be a bit higher now though.


Also, save your money on the CAI and drop a K&N filter in the factory airbox and do the standard airbox mods. (Remove the white donut silencer and shorten the interior snorkel for better airflow) A newer turbo to air box (ttab) pipe may flow a bit better as well. I haven't heard anything about added heat with the TTAB pipes being a detriment. I'm sure they will add a small amount of heat but the air is travelling through the pipe pretty quickly, so it is probably minimal. I actually have a modded factory TTAB that I removed the internal silencer from. Haven't tested it out yet though.

That should get you started. The composite manifold would be a good next step as well. You didn't mention what year your car is. On the 03 cars, Stage 1 included larger flow fuel injectors which require removal of the intake anyway, so it would be a good time to do the manifold upgrade. The 05 and up cars had a composite intake manifold that evened out the flow from cylinder to cylinder and allowed a few more horses to be extracted from the car.

Brian

Thank you for the Reply I greatly appricate the help i will return the K&N Typhoon CAI to Autozone and reinstall the factory airbox.

also, this tube you speak of, the one from the turbo to the airbox, where can i find one?

If i upgrade to stage one, will i run into diminished MPG problems?

[CFS]

I want to recap on what i did.

I purchased a Air Raid CAI that utilizes the lower half of the stock air box, and a Blow - Off Valve for the turbo. I will be installing them tomorrow and reaping the benefits!

Thanks a bunch GUYS!

[Mean Green]

This is how to get a hold of the guy, Jim, who makes the turbo to airbox pipe (AMX1397TTAB intake). He makes them well and everybody loves them.


amx1397@comcast.net

[CFS]

thanks alot for your help!

[Hooligan]

Asking others what their ideas on how to customize your car is funny to me. Each owner looks at thier own PT as a painter sees a blank canvas. They go to car shows, looks at other cars, talks to owners, gets ideas and then goes ahead and "do thier thing" on the PT.

I wish you the best of luck with your PT and the mods. This is a great forum with many great members.

[CFS]

You are absolutely right! it may sound funny, and sometimes a desprate attempt to look like a bigshot by asking others for their reccomendations, but if you have the resources, why not use them? at least as a helpful nudge in the proper direction.

I was always told "Go with your gut." thats what I'm dooing. lol