Stage 1, Yes or No?

[MOPAR43]

Did you need to do injectors as well as the PCM swap for the Stage 1?

Noticed your hosted photo; car looks very sharp. Great body color/top color combo.

Those wheels don't look stock; if not, what are they?

MOPAR43

[Mean Green]

Originally Posted by MOPAR43

Did you need to do injectors as well as the PCM swap for the Stage 1?


MOPAR43

'03 was the only year you had to install larger injectors.

[AA PT]

I have a 2003 GT with an automatic transmission that I purchased 07/2002 (which was one of the first GT turbos produced). As soon as the stage one kit was released I installed it myself (with mine I had to change the fuel injectors).

Right now I have over 147,000 miles on it with zero problems. Other than brakes and tires (lots of front tires LOL) and a new timing belt at 100,000 miles (normal scheduled maintenance) this has been the most reliable car I've ever owned. I've even run it at Irwindale Raceway's 1/8th mile drag strip, so I can tell you I don't baby it.

Get the stage one. It makes a big difference in terms of range of power.

RG

[batlin]

Originally Posted by CREWZIN

Where did you hear about problems with the Stage 1? In the newer models it's just a matter of swapping out the computer. The older ones require a change of fuel injectors. If your not mechanically inclined, yes, have the dealer or an outside mechanic do it for you (probably cheaper). You need your VIN number to order the Stage 1 so it's made for your engine. There shouldn't be any problems.

When owners start adding, all the other items to squeeze out more hp, then problems might arise.

P.S. Actually, the VIN has nothing to do with having the Stage 1 made for your engine. Chrysler (or whoever owns it now) just want to keep a record of who has it. Heck, now that there is new owners, maybe you won't need to supply your VIN.

I was told the VIN was for the key chip security device our cars use. If it does not match the car will start but no fuel will flow and it will shut off quickly if the VIN does not match.

The price did go up late last year too. I bought mine from haynes speed shop:
HaynesSpeed Shop :: Chrysler PT Cruiser :: Turbo Upgrades :: PT Cruiser Stage 1 Turbo Upgrade Kit
I installed mine in about 20 minutes. It is a nice upgrade, but the price is kind of steep now @ $460 + shipping

[Dream4]

Originally Posted by batlin

I was told the VIN was for the key chip security device our cars use. If it does not match the car will start but no fuel will flow and it will shut off quickly if the VIN does not match.

The price did go up late last year too. I bought mine from haynes speed shop:
HaynesSpeed Shop :: Chrysler PT Cruiser :: Turbo Upgrades :: PT Cruiser Stage 1 Turbo Upgrade Kit
I installed mine in about 20 minutes. It is a nice upgrade, but the price is kind of steep now @ $460 + shipping

The VIN is used it id several things besides the SKIM code (Sentry Key Immobilizer Module} it also tells them if you have an Auto Stick or just a plain Auto trans as the trans controller is in the PCM after 2002, also differences in instrument cluster read outs for the Auto stick display, the 120 or 140 speedo, there are also a few sensor differences for all years between the 180, (220, & 230 hp engines for '05), and the Stage 1 is programed to make its power with the available parts for each year, also if you have factory cruise control and factory air conditioning, so the VIN is for a whole lot of different things, I had this same question when I bought mine and after a rather long conversation and several emails with a very nice lady at Flight Research (before they moved to thier new location), I learned a lot about the Stage 1 programming, I hope this helps some.

[JCsGTPT]

I am in the same boat as Mopar43. Interested in doing the Stage 1 upgrade on my 05 GT PT ragtop (autostick) but not clear to me if the kits are specific to the year of the vehicle....can't seem to find a Stage 1 kit that clearly indicates it's for an 05. Also they all seem to come with the fuel injectors.

Also if an 05 only requires the PCM, why couldn't I go the Jet route for $260? I saw a comment by someone else here that the Jet PCMs are no good. Any other's with experience?

Also, is the "tranny learn" something that there is instruction provided for with the kit if I wanted to self-install?

[KJ Bob]

Yes, the Stage 1 PCM is specific to each model year. No, only the '03 Stage 1 comes with injectors, '04 thru '06 Stage 1's are just the PCM only. It's not really a kit, per se, unless you consider the included Stage 1 badge the second part to make up "the kit". A very simple install. Yes, it comes with instructions for the tranny learn (only needed for autos). The Jet chip is NOT the same as Stage 1. I've done Stage 1 twice -- my '04 GT auto and my '06 GT manual. It's a dramatic difference in performance with no loss (actually a small gain) in gas mileage. I can imagine in a turbo lite it would be a startling difference! It's the best bang for the buck you will get performance-wise and the gateway to further modifications if you so desire. Order from Haynes, wait impatiently for delivery, take 30 minutes to install it and then you'll discover just how little front wheel traction you have...

[Dream4]

Originally Posted by JCsGTPT

I am in the same boat as Mopar43. Interested in doing the Stage 1 upgrade on my 05 GT PT ragtop (autostick) but not clear to me if the kits are specific to the year of the vehicle....can't seem to find a Stage 1 kit that clearly indicates it's for an 05. Also they all seem to come with the fuel injectors.

Also if an 05 only requires the PCM, why couldn't I go the Jet route for $260? I saw a comment by someone else here that the Jet PCMs are no good. Any other's with experience?

Also, is the "tranny learn" something that there is instruction provided for with the kit if I wanted to self-install?

The biggest difference between the JET (which is not a PCM it is just a inline module) and Mopar Stage 1 PCM, especially if you have the Auto trans is the reprogramming of the shifts and pressures, the Jet only plugs into the engine port on the PCM, where the Mopar Stage 1 is a whole new PCM not just a add on part and also controlls the auto transmission shift points, and is also calibrated for the Mopar blow off valve kit, all the performance PT owners that I know that have bought a Jet chip and have later upgraded to the Mopar Stage 1 have never regreted it and sold off the Jet and wished they had bought the Mopar Stage 1 first, I have the '05 230hp Dream Cruiser Series 4 with auto stick (a very fast PT right off the show room floor),and I still was really inpressed with the Stage 1 upgrade, for the increase in mid to upper end power (it already had enough low end power to smoke the tires anytime you punched it anywhere from a stop at a light or even rolling anywhere up to about 30 mph totaly stock), and the improvment in the Auto trans shifts. Also if you intend to go past Stage 1 levels then the MoparStage 1 is the building block for these other mods as it ignores over boost codes and recalibrates the inputs of some other sensors so that you can further improve on the performance of your PT. again the Jet cannot do these things.

Sorry for the run on, but I would hate for you to spend money for an upgrade and then have to spend again later for what you should have bought in the first place.

And yes the trans learn is very simple and fun, it took me about an hour and a half to install the PCM and do the road test trany learn, I actually wanted to keep going down the road it was so much fun.

[JCsGTPT]

By the way, I meant to say I am in the same boat as bados, the original poster. Sorry Mopar43 for any confusion.

Dream4 and KJ Bob thanks for the in-depth explanation. In my book more info is always better than less.

Could I face any warranty issues that you know of?

[JCsGTPT]

BTW Dream4, I lived in Harborgates on Bestgate Rd in Annapolis in 94-95 before moving to North Jersey. Annapolis is a great town!