New Owner looking for advice

[InfernoPT]

I bought a new 2004 Inferno Red Touring Turbo. I see lots of discussions for the GT, but none for the Touring Turbo. I assume all the same parts work? I will let it break in nice and gentle, then I will start looking at some mods that will not void my warranty. Just wanted to say hello from someone that seems to be the odd man out.

John

[ptgtcb]

Nah, your not the odd man out. Just check out the GT turbo forums section, there are several turbo lites hanging out and they are making as much HP as the GT!

[InfernoPT]

Thanks. That is what I thought, but wanted to be sure.

[JPMS GT]

[8D]Welcome InfernoPT. I think you're a turbo lite (180 HP) compaired to a GT that is 220HP. A nominal $350 plus S&H (from TTHRIFT) will get you Stage I and 220HP in a flash! Some intake and exhaust mods will get you to, say 240-250 HP, and 15MPG But, it's worth it to see the heads turn[8)][|)]

Good to have you aboard and chime in anytime.

John (also)[8)]

[InfernoPT]

Ah, I see you have removed all the badging from the back of your Inferno also. I was looking at the stage 1 kit. I assume if I have it dealer installed that it will not void my warranty?

So how many in the Phoenix area, I am in AJ, go to the McDonalds at Indian Bend to show off their PT's? I am selling my trusty 1995 S-10 that I have had since new, and what a treat to drive something that corners. I think I am going to stage 1, Cat back, and Sway bar it. Anyone in the Phoenix area have factory 17" wheels they want to sell? I have 16" and I like the way the factory 17's looked.

Oh trust me, until I get up to speed (first boosted car) I will be chiming a lot. Thanks for the welcome

John

[TaylorMade]

Im from fountain hills. There are a couple big PT clubs in arizona that you can check out. I dont really know any links though

[Mike-in-Orange]

InfernoPT, welcome aboard! I too have an '04 Turbo Lite, but I've got Stage 1 already installed. Warranty issues can be touchy and really depend on your dealer. Installing S1 in an '04 is incredibly simple and nets you the same 235HP that a GT with S1 gets - sorry to correct you there JPMS GT.

Will your gas mileage suffer? Depends....I could easily get the 15mpg JPMS GT mentions (and be grinning from ear to ear all the while) but I also get about 25mpg doing a steady 80mph on the freeway. Not too shabby.

Hey, try this little experiment. Take your currently stock car out onto a nice little stretch of road, bring the speed up to about 15 - 20mph and hold it for a couple of seconds. Now jump on the go pedal. What happens? The car accelerates pretty well, right? Now go home, install Stage 1 (should take you about 30 minutes including putting away the 10mm wrench you used and doing the tranny quick learn) and try the same test again. What happens with S1? From a 15-20mph roll you'll feel about a half second of turbo lag and then front tires will break loose and just start screamin'! That smile is really hard to remove!

[Basset Hound]

I drove a stage I turbo at the 2003 PT Cruiser Block Party on the Pomona drag strip. What a kick!!! It does make a difference.[8)]

[InfernoPT]

So, if it only takes half an hour to install, can I just install it, and then if I need service, could I jsut remove it and reinstall the factory components? Someone mentioned the site TTHrift. What is that?

So, I want a car that rides well, that handles well, thinking about an Eibach setup but want to know how rough it makes it ride. I am convinced that a Stage 1 will be going in this beast. Is there a good Turbo for dummies book? I am thinking of doing the Mobil 1 7500 mile oil change thing. Good? Bad?

John

[Mike-in-Orange]

John, the Stage 1 upgrade for an '04 is nothing more than a reprogrammed PCM - that's it! tthrift is a member of this forum and the parts guy at a Chrysler/Jeep dealer in Richmond, VA. I got my S1 from him.

Installing it really is nothing more than unplugging 4 large electical plugs, then 4 or 5 10mm bolts that hold the PCM to the mounting bracket and another 4 or 5 10mm bolts that hold the mounting bracket to the firewall. You'll have to do the tranny quick learn, which is clearly detailed in the instructions that come with the PCM. It is CRITICAL that you not skip this step or you'll kill your trans. It is a very simple matter of a series of part throttle accelleration runs. Again, simple.

As for handling improvements, I installed the BTG strut tower brace and later a set of GoldLine springs that lowered my car 1.5" front and 2" rear. Got rid of the "butt in the air" look and improved the handling a bit. I did not like what it did to the ride quality as the stock shocks are not well mated to the lowering springs. The back of the car was really bouncy and I was bottoming when going over the speed bumps at a local shopping center. This bottoming occured when I hit the speed bumps totally square at slow speed, less than 5mph. The rear end would lift up and just "clunk" back down. A month after installing the GoldLines I had a set of Tokico shocks/struts installed and ALL of those problems went away immediately. I've spoken to others who experienced the same thing and even today had someone else actually thank me for recommending this to them. The GoldLines were my personal choice, as were the Tokicos. If you prefer Eibach, Koni, whatever, go for it. Just keep in mind, the stock shocks/struts are not made to handle the different spring rate of aftermarket lowering springs. After that, and my next handling mod, will be a set of front/rear anti-sway bars. I'm leaning Eibach on these.

Getting long winded again! C-Ya