Hello everyone.
Here's the story, Dodge guy all my life, looking to retire next year. Considering doing a little drag racing. Just bought an '18 Challenger SXT+ (6cyl) with 4k on it. It's really nice, but don't want to beat up on it too much (more show than go) so I'm looking for a cheaper alternative.
Found an '04 Crossfire automatic with 152K asking $4k. Did a little online research, they say about 15 sec @ about 90 mph 1/4 mile.
I like it, it's different than all the Camaros and Mustangs.
Questions;
1: I assume it should get a timing belt about now?
2: Are there any speed parts to make it faster? Cams? Turbo? Higher stall converter? (they say it bogs off the line)
3: If that little 3.2 pops, what other motors will bolt to the trans? Maybe it would be better to just get a complete 3.6 motor/trans to put in? I bet that would put it over 100mph!
4: Any problem areas I need to look at?
Thanks all, I'll keep researching, but your responses will help direct me.

 

I suggest you research the SRT-6 and Tunes.

 

You might want to at least pop the hood before asking those questions. The engine is a Mercedes M112 - that alone answers your first three questions.

1) What belt?
2) No, other than intake, a tune, maybe injectors. You could turbo it but you better have someone who can tune that ECU so it understands what you did. You will blow the engine up pretty quickly but I get the idea you don't care.
3) The M113 V8 goes in nicely, but again, you have a lot of work to do to get it to run, since the ECU must be replaced and the new ECU must learn to talk to the BCM, ABS and TCU. Guys have done it but again, if you are not set up for that work you are going to PAY someone for the effort. Its all a budget question. Can you spend enough to do this? Based on your questions, I assume you don't have the programming experience or equipment to to this yourself. Many have paid to have it done and been very happy with the results, if you go to someone who will do it right.

 

Just to be clear, we CAN hook you up with such experts!

 

Hmmm, that Chrysler 3.2L I saw on Allpar must've been a different motor. https://www.allpar.com/threads/the-o...ngines.229886/
OK, that answers those questions.
That's the problem with all this newfangled electronicals!!! I can do wrench work, welding and fabricating, but when it comes to making electrons go where they're supposed to and telling other electrons what to do, I'm Fred Flintstone!
How is the M112 for longevity, especially pushing it at WOT for a 1/4 mile at a time?
I may be better off just finding a carburetored motor and play with that.
Or just keep my '81 D150 that I put a Cummins 4BTA in, and run that.

 

These cars about 80% Mercedes especially the engine that’s 100% Merc.

 

I guess if I want a Mercedes, I'll just buy a Mercedes. Plenty of them for sale.
Oh well, thanks everyone.

 

I dont know if you can destroy it just doing that, if you let the rev limiter do it's job (which some tuners disable or alter, gotta watch that).

One of our members, who does not post much anymore, had one SRT he just did 1/4 mile runs with for a LONG time, even after all the mods (where he was operating the engine past its published design limits), he never blew that engine up. Of course, that's the supercharged version and it's more robust. On the OTHER hand, I pushed my limited to the rev limiter a lot and what killed that car was a T-bone accident.

Anyway:
His name here and on Youtube is chuck_138

 

Cool video.
On the one hand, I like being a little "different", on the other hand I need something with parts availability. I found a Pontiac Fiero for about the same money, haven't bought it yet either, but it's older which means not so much electronicals, and TONS of that kind of drivetrain. Guys are turboing them and making them really fast.
The Crossfire would be a cool daily driver.
I'm in no hurry, plenty of time to research and plan.

 

Veddy interesting!
I just checked this 'site Full performance review of 2004 Chrysler Crossfire Coupe automatic (aut. 5) (model for Europe ) (automobile-catalog.com)
It shows the Crossfire and my Challenger almost identical in 1/4 mile times!
Full performance review of 2018 Dodge Challenger SXT (aut. 8) (model until July 2018 for North America U.S.) (automobile-catalog.com)
14.9 @ 96 Challenger, VS 15 @ 93 for the Crossfire.
The Fiero is a dismal 16.2 @ 86.

 

The Crossfire SRT-6 is "SUPERCHARGED" and has 100+ more horsepower than the standard Crossfire right from the factory. It also has other performance upgrades. Just sayin

 

That would be nice, but I'm trying to stay low budget. There are 3 of those near me, cheapest is $16k, other 2 are $22k.

 

You get what you pay for. The SRT-6 can be a daily driver and weekend racer.

 

Just doing a little thinking, I could get the '04 I was looking at, and I've found a couple complete SRT-6 motors, and just swap one in. Or the M113 motor.
So many options!
I really do like modding cars.

 

By the time you’ve completed you’re swap, you could have purchased an SRT-6 for less money. Better yet, I should have done what others have done. Acquire an inexpensive NA V8. Lots of power and probably less $$$

 

I'm still doing research, and looking at other possible cars.