My brother and I have a 1987 Omni that's currently running a 2.4 PT cruiser turbo engine with an SRT4 PCM and an NA PT crusier T350 5 speed stick. Somehow we have some traction issues and our best run at the track is 14.02 at 105 MPH.
We desperately need an LSD (and a trans upgrade would be nice) so we are trying to decide between <1> finding an SRT4 (T850) trans with the factory limited slip and possibly changing our CV shafts and trans mount due to probable different dimensions or <2> Finding a PT cruiser turbo (T350 with extra ribs on the outside and larger input shaft) trans and installing a quality LSD like a Quaife. I'm currently leaning towards the SRT4 trans for ease of finding replacement parts if something breaks and they are pretty inexpensive.
It's a mostly street driven car that occasionally goes to the local dragstrip, not a racecar just meant to put a smile on your face if you're having a bad day.
The T850 is supposed to be stronger, from what I understand, and it would save you the effort of installing an LSD.
Putting an LSD into the T350 would allow you to refresh it and ensure that it is in good shape, but would be more effort and cost.
I totally forgot to add the T350 has a 3.92 final drive which is a bit much for the turbo engine, where the T850 has a 3.55 which should work better for our weight.
psychic_mechanic said:
I totally forgot to add the T350 has a 3.92 final drive which is a bit much for the turbo engine, where the T850 has a 3.55 which should work better for our weight.
You can find easily a t350 with a 3.55.
I would personally go t350, t850s are GIANT, shift like ground beef, and honestly need some loving to made to hold power.
You can also use. a520,a555,a523,a568
The only reason I'd go for a t850 over a t350 with lsd is if you can get a whole t850 setup with lsd already in it cheaper than you can get just the lsd for the t350.
I think they are long discontinued, but I have an OBX helical diff for a t350 in my older a523 trans in one of my turbo caravans. It took a little finessing on the front end as the machining was famously imprecise but it did work for the small amount of miles i put on it after install. I bought mine for $120 from someone who had it sitting in an open box in their carport for a long time so it had surface rust and was 'questionable'. I went through it and installed it with new belleville washers and bolts, had to hone at least one side of it after i pressed bearings onto it. In the end i was happy with my investment, lol.
Now to throw another contendor in the mix, apparently some PT turbos came with a getrag 288. If we are going to upgrade the transmission anyway is this a good path? at least it uses a convential clutch instead of a modular.
psychic_mechanic said:
Now to throw another contendor in the mix, apparently some PT turbos came with a getrag 288. If we are going to upgrade the transmission anyway is this a good path? at least it uses a convential clutch instead of a modular.
I'd rather eat glass than touch that trans. They are thin on the ground, hard to get sensors for and weak.
All turbo 5-speed PT Cruisers used the Getrag. I've heard they are hard to get parts for, and use a dual mass flywheel, solid clutch disk. Only NA PTs used the T350, all with 3.94 final drive; 01 has .81 5th, 02+ have .72 5th. There's a bunch of combinations of 5th gear and final drive ratio in Neons.
Thanks for the information and help, you guys rock! Definitely going to be looking for an LSD for my T350 and some 3.55 finals. If you know anyone with parts they are willing to part with, let me know. I'll go scour some neon forums to see if I can find a deal.
In reply to psychic_mechanic :
If ya want, I know some people with parts. Diff saver tabs and good fluid do a ton also btw
Sounds great, I really need these before I line up against the next Viper.
I am familiar with the diff saver tabs, it was one of the upgrades I did to my A604 for my woodgrain Grand Voyager.
