posted 11-07-2003 07:20 AM         

Mopar Launches Performance Parts

5.7-Liter HEMI® Crate Engines: Modern, Drop-In Muscle
Dodge SRT-4 and Chrysler PT Cruiser Performance Upgrades
Viper and Ram SRT-10 Performance Parts Coming Soon

Las Vegas - Mopar®, Chrysler Group’s parts and accessories brand,
is launching an extensive line of performance upgrades for a wide
range of Chrysler Group vehicles – and the 5.7-liter HEMI® as a crate
engine for the ultimate muscle car enthusiast.

The new 5.7-liter HEMI will be offered in two versions – multi-port
injection (MPI; part number P4510593) and carbureted (P4510594) –
bringing modern technology to everything from classic 1960s- and
1970s-era Chrysler muscle cars to late model Dodge trucks.
Generating 360 hp and 360 lb.-ft. of torque and available early next
year, the 5.7-liter HEMI can be installed in a variety of vehicles,
thanks to an integrated “plug and play” engine controller.

At the same time, Mopar is unloading a barrage of performance
upgrades aimed directly at the hottest segment in the performance
industry, the compact/tuner enthusiasts. Specifically, Mopar is now
offering line a performance parts designed to make the ultra-quick and
ultra-popular Dodge SRT-4 – the hottest sports compact car on the
planet – even quicker.

“Whether your passion is the muscle car era, the street scene or the
racing crowd, Mopar has the right performance parts for your Chrysler,
Jeep® or Dodge vehicle,” said Chris Cortez, Senior Vice President –
Global Service and Parts. “We’re kicking off a new series of themed
parts and themed catalogs at this year’s Specialty Equipment Market
Association (SEMA) show. ‘Muscle,’ ‘Street’ and ‘Speed’ reflect our
core customer groups and describe the three key Mopar parts lines.”

According to SEMA, $26.8 billion was generated in aftermarket retail
sales in 2002. Of that, nearly $4.9 billion was from performance parts
and accessories. Additional research shows that the “tuner,” or
compact performance market, generated nearly $2.4 billion in retail
sales in 2002, and that the vast majority was spent by consumers 16
to 27 years old.

“It’s important to build relationships with this group of consumers now,
as they enter the vehicle purchasing cycle of their lives,” added
Cortez. “The compact/tuner performance segment is truly a
phenomenon, and we have to be part of this growing, popular culture.

"Mopar is starting to have an impact on the sport compact tuner
market. The best example is the new Stage 1 Turbo Upgrade Kit
offered for the Dodge SRT-4. In the first three months of availability,
we’ve sold the kit to more than 18 percent of 2003 SRT-4 owners.
That’s an amazing number – one that reinforces that the sport
compact tuner market is hot, and Dodge and Mopar are tuned in.”

Recognizing the hot new sport compact tuner market, Chrysler Group’
s Performance Vehicle Operations (PVO) engineers quickly received
the green light to develop Mopar Performance Parts that would make
the SRT-4 even quicker. PVO-designed upgrades include “go-faster”
items such as the Stage 1 turbo upgraded kit, as well as upgrades
suspension parts and transaxle modifications.

These and other Mopar Performance Parts are – or soon will be –
available at local Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealers.

Mopar Performance Stage 1 Turbo Upgrade Kit
Mopar Performance has introduced a whiplash-inducing Stage 1 turbo
upgrade kit. This kit pushes the power and performance of the 2.4-liter
turbocharged engine in the 2003 Dodge SRT-4 to 240 horsepower and
260 lb.-ft. of torque, and the 2003 Chrysler PT Turbo to 235
horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque.

The kit consists of four fuel injectors, which produce a 10 percent
greater flow rate than stock injectors, and one Mopar Performance
powertrain control module (PCM). The PCM has been calibrated for
increased wide-open throttle and part-throttle boost, more aggressive
exhaust note during deceleration, improved turbo response, enhanced
first-gear boost schedule for a higher performance launch and a
boost-hold feature during wide-open throttle shifts.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Stage 1 turbo
upgrade kit for the 2003 Dodge SRT-4 and Chrysler PT Turbo manual
(P5007862/P5007943) is $399. MSRP for the Stage 1 turbo upgrade
kit for the 2003 Chrysler PT Turbo automatic (P5007944) is $429.

Stage 1 turbo upgrade kits for the 2004 Dodge SRT-4 (P4510592;
$399), the 2004 PT Turbo manual (P4510606; $399) and 2004 PT
automatic (P4510597; $429) are also available. (Stage 1 kits for the
2004 models result in the same performance ratings as the 2003
models: 240 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque for the SRT-4 and
235 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque for the PT Turbo.)

Mopar Performance Turbo Blow-Off Valve Conversion Kit
The new Mopar Performance turbo blow-off valve kit reduces intake air
charge temperature by venting the hot compressed air to the
atmosphere and not re-circulating it into the intake system. The
blow-off valve kit is a must-have accessory that enhances the
distinctive turbo sound of the Dodge SRT-4 and Chrysler PT Turbo.
The kit (P4510548) is now available for the 2003 and 2004 Dodge
SRT-4 and Chrysler PT Turbo for a MSRP of $69.

Mopar Performance Limited-Slip Differential (LSD)
Mopar’s limited-slip differential is another high-quality component that
helps make the 2003 Dodge SRT-4 even quicker. The Quaife
automatic torque-biasing (ATB) differential is available exclusively from
Mopar. The unique design improves handling and steering, and
powers both drive wheels under nearly all conditions. It senses which
wheel has better grip and biases the power to that wheel. It does this
smoothly and continuously, and without ever completely removing
power from the other wheel.

Available later this year, MSRP for Mopar’s LSD (P5007923) is
$1,369. Note: This LSD is standard equipment on the 2004 Dodge
SRT-4. (An installation kit – P4510588 – is required when ordering
this part.)

Mopar Coilover Suspension Kits
The Mopar coilover suspension kits are a result of a relationship
between Mopar Performance and KW Suspensions. Utilizing
DaimlerChrysler specifications to ensure optimum performance, the
kits feature new stainless steel INOX technology exclusive to Mopar
Performance. The Mopar coilover kits’ thread design and aluminum
spring perches allow Dodge SRT-4 owners to easily adjust vehicle
height. Additionally, the special thread shape and specific properties
of the polished suspension struts ensure that virtually no corrosion
occurs – even after years of the strongest weather influences.

The basic Stage 1 suspension components include a set of higher
rate drop springs (P4510458) that utilize production Dodge SRT-4
dampers and an anti-sway bar kit (P4510454). Both components will
be available early next year.

The Stage 2 Mopar coilover suspension kit is an introductory coilover
system – height adjustable only. Its fixed-valve dampers are calibrated
to provide a balance between “comfortable” road feel and sporty
driving.

Stage 3 Mopar coilover suspension kits are height- and
rebound-adjustable, and include up to 50 percent more adjustability
than Stage 2 settings. This allows the driver to tune the SRT-4
suspension to even greater degrees, from a “comfortable” ride, to
sporty, to stiff — tailoring road handling to the driver’s specific needs.

MSRP for Stage 2 is $1,395 (P4510447), while Stage 3’s MSRP is
$1,625 (P4510586). Stage 2 and Stage 3 suspension kits for the 2003
and 2004 Dodge SRT-4 are now available. Coilover suspension kits for
the Chrysler PT Cruiser will be available early next year.

Mopar Cat-Back Exhaust System
Mopar Performance cat-back exhaust systems feature T304 stainless
steel construction (aircraft quality), with mandrel-bent tubing,
stainless band clamps and polished tips. These free-flow systems
provide horsepower and torque gains, improved fuel economy and a
deeper exhaust note. Mopar cat-back exhaust systems are available
for the Dodge SRT-4, Chrysler PT Turbo and 5.7-liter HEMI-powered
Dodge Ram 1500 and 2500.

MSRPs for the Mopar cat-back exhaust systems are as follows:

2003-2004 Dodge SRT-4 (P4510461) -- $385
2003-2004 Chrysler PT Turbo (P4510463) -- $485
2003-2004 HEMI Ram 1500 (P4510464/P4510648) -- $585
2003-2004 HEMI Ram 2500 (P4510465) -- $585

Mopar Performance Short-Throw Shifter
The Mopar Performance short-throw shifter is a direct, bolt-on,
self-contained unit. It offers a dramatic improvement in shifting
performance due in large part to reduced shifter travel or "shifter
throw." In performance driving scenarios, the additional seconds -- or
fractions of a second -- a factory-equipped shifter takes to go from one
gear to another may result in slower lap times. The Mopar short-throw
shifter gives the racer a competitive advantage. The Mopar
Performance short-throw shifter (P4510485) is available for a MSRP of
$119 (for both the 2003 and 2004 Dodge SRT-4 and the 2000-2004
Dodge Neon).

Mopar Performance Gauges and Pods
Mopar Performance has developed a full line of gauges to fit the needs
of the street-performance enthusiast. These gauges are available only
through Mopar and feature an aluminum bezel and four different face
styles. The styles include silver with the SRT logo, silver with the
Mopar logo, carbon fiber with the Mopar logo and white with the Mopar
logo. The types of gauges available are boost, nitrous, voltmeter,
exhaust gas temperature, oil pressure, fuel pressure, air-fuel ratio,
water temperature, a 2-inch tachometer and a 5-inch tachometer.
Mopar also offers single or dual gauge pods that mount on the driver's
side "A" pillar. MSRP for Mopar Performance gauges range from
$45.73 for a 2 1/16-inch voltmeter to $318.26 for a 5-inch tachometer.
Pods for the Dodge SRT-4 range from $29.50 for single pods to
$37.80 for dual pods (all pods are for 2 1/16-inch gauges).

Mopar Katzkin Leather Interior Program
Katzkin Leather Interiors, Inc., has transformed the interiors of more
than 500,000 vehicles since 1983. Katzkin’s leather interiors are
produced using the latest in high-tech computer aided design. Thanks
to Mopar’s unique relationship with Katzkin, Chrysler, Jeep and
Dodge dealers can create custom leather interiors to suit their
customers’ wants and needs.

More To Come From Mopar Performance Parts
In the months to come, Mopar will announce the release of a wide
variety of new performance parts for the Dodge SRT-4 and Chrysler PT
Turbo. Included are a Stage 2 turbo upgrade kit, a Stage 3 turbo
upgrade kit (for the SRT-4 only), and performance upgrade clutches,
designed for increased torque capacity and durability.

PVO engineers are also in the process of developing an extensive line
of Mopar Performance Parts for the Dodge Viper SRT-10 and the
Viper-powered Dodge Ram SRT-10, as well as a line of racing-specific
parts for the motorsports enthusiast.

Mopar Performance Parts are designed and tested by Chrysler Group
PVO engineers for Chrysler Group products, a claim no aftermarket
company can make. All of the testing is done in-house, making
Mopar Performance parts the preferred parts for serious street
enthusiasts and competitive racers.
Mopar is based in Center Line, Mich., and is the exclusive original
equipment supplier of parts for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles.

------------------