Question: 180HP turbo vs GT

[quicksilverdon]

Saw a used GT for sale, and have a question. The difference between the 180HP turbo and the GT is just the programming, right? What if I bought a 180 HP ECU and swapped it - I'd have a 180HP trubo on regular gas, right? Anyone have a feel for how much money? I could go back to GT by swapping & putting in premium.

[MichaelDay]

Don, you are correct, the GT and turbo lite have the same engine. The only difference engine wise between a 2004 or newer GT and a turbo lite (which came out in 2004) is the PCM (ECU). Change out the ECU of a 2004+ GT with one from a turbo lite and you would have a 180 HP engine designed to run on regular. If you have a 2003 GT your injectors are not compatible with the 2004+ turbo lite progamming so there would be a problem switching ECU's back and forth.

[2step]

I don't know if this can be done. When I ordered my stage 1, I had to give them my vin # and odometer milage so that the programing could be custom written for my PT. The PCM must control the odo read-out. Toinstall in another PT, even the exact same model, it would have to be sent away and custom written for the new PT. I don't think this is as simple as swapping parts.
Some others who have installed Stage 1 have talked about switching back to stage 0 to go to dealer for warranty work. Has anyone out there tried this?[:I]

[rszappa1]

I got nes for you all...The dealer will know that a switch has been done when they connect there chrysler computer to it....and then the questions begin...

[quicksilverdon]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelDay

If you have a 2003 GT your injectors are not compatible with the 2004+ turbo lite progamming so there would be a problem switching ECU's back and forth.

Damn. It's a 2003.
My thought was to have a less-stressed engine running on regular gas, and have the ability to go all-out if I chose to.[:I]

[Cal Cruzer]

quote:Originally posted by quicksilverdon

Damn. It's a 2003.
My thought was to have a less-stressed engine running on regular gas, and have the ability to go all-out if I chose to.[:I]

Even if you sapped out the injectors I don't believe that the PCM would let everything run right. Someone tried a 03 Stage 1 in an 04 before the S1 for 04 came out and the AC and other components did not work.

[SuGamer]

You can use regular gas. It'll adjust for it. You just will not have the extra power, especially when you punch it. The GT is meant to drive on all types of gas, but Chrysler recommends Premium. Plus premium is only a few cents per gallon more. Why not go for it?[:I]

[purple04]

Just to make sure, I did a quick search. The average is 20 cents more per gallon. That's almost 10% more. I'd say drive it like it's yours and put in regular. It will learn.

[Grouch]

quote:Originally posted by quicksilverdon

Saw a used GT for sale, and have a question. The difference between the 180HP turbo and the GT is just the programming, right? What if I bought a 180 HP ECU and swapped it - I'd have a 180HP trubo on regular gas, right? Anyone have a feel for how much money? I could go back to GT by swapping & putting in premium.

Don

The GT IS different than the 180 Hp engine. The GT has a MUCH stronger bottom end than the 180 Hp Turbo lite. The Turbo Lite is a stock PT engine with a turbo slapped on. Trying to twist more power out of it will result in a blown engine. The stock PT engine is just not strong enough to take much modding. Most of the people who are making big power have redone the whole engine.

[MichaelDay]

quote:Originally posted by Grouch
The GT IS different than the 180 Hp engine. The GT has a MUCH stronger bottom end than the 180 Hp Turbo lite. The Turbo Lite is a stock PT engine with a turbo slapped on. Trying to twist more power out of it will result in a blown engine. The stock PT engine is just not strong enough to take much modding. Most of the people who are making big power have redone the whole engine.

This flies in the face of everything I have seen, read or heard. What is the source of this information?