Project SRT-4: Part V

The shifter is bolted to the floorpan with four bolts. Remove those and the shift-cable ends and it comes out.

The shifter is bolted to the floorpan with four bolts. Remove those and the shift-cable en

MOPAR SHORT SHIFTER
The boxes just keep showing up from Mopar. And the latest one contained Mopar's short-throw shifter for the SRT-4. This self-contained piece is a direct replacement for the stock shifter. Getting the old shifter out requires removing the center console. It's held in place with four screws in the bottom of the armrest container and one more in each cupholder. Then it's a wrestling match to get it out over the emergency brake lever.

The shifter housing is held to the floorpan with four bolts. The cables are removed with a serious tug and are held in place by interference-fit bushings. The Mopar shifter looks virtually identical to the stock shifter with one exception. Its pivot point is relocated an inch or so higher on the housing, dramatically changing the length and effort of each shift throw. You'll need a new shift knob, as the stock knob is designed for one-time use. Once it's been removed, the metal clip that holds it in place is permanently bent. It will go back on, but the next time you try to rip second gear, it'll fly off and smack your rear-seat passenger in the head hard enough to leave a lump. Expect about 30 minutes to install the shifter if you've ever previously run a wrench.

The shifter does exactly as Mopar claims-shift throws are significantly shorter. But you rarely get something for nothing. With the shorter throws comes a serious increase in effort. Thanks to this side effect, we don't think the shifter will actually speed up your shifts. And it takes some getting used to, but we find ourselves enjoying the shorter throws and spending less and less time worrying about how hard it is to move the lever. Besides, our spindly editor arms can always use the workout.

We have found it slightly easier to downshift to second gear. With the stock shifter, we found ourselves struggling to find second gear occasionally. So our verdict is positive. The Mopar short shifter is different, better and reasonably priced at about $100.

We've always thought strut braces are as much eye candy as they are function. DC Sports' CS-2 strut brace is a terrific-looking powder-coated steel piece. Plus, it fits with our car's Ground Control camber plates.

We've always thought strut braces are as much eye candy as they are function. DC Sports' C

DC SPORTS STRUT TOWER BAR
The Neon chassis is flexible. Don't pretend it's not. As Project SRT-4 gets stiffer and more responsive every month, the shortcomings of DaimlerChrysler's small-car platform become more and more obvious. In its current configuration (Mopar Stage 3 coil-overs, Prothane bushings, 17-inch wheels and tires), the platform feels about as stiff as Bob Dole before Viagra.

If there were a billet floorpan brace available for the SRT-4, we would install it-this chassis needs all the help it can get. But there's not. So we have to settle for something almost as good. DC Sports' CS-2 steel strut tower brace for the SRT-4 is designed to reduce lateral chassis flex under hard cornering loads. It bolts to the strut tower using the upper strut mount bolts. Our car has Ground Control camber/caster plates in the strut mounts. We found that the Ground Control bolts are long enough to safely secure the brace to the chassis.

We can't feel a huge difference on the road, but we figure bracing a known weak area can't hurt. Plus, at a relatively lightweight 7.5 pounds and a retail price of $115, what can it hurt??