Registered: 10/09/02
Posts: 6364
Loc: Milwaukee, WI
The thing about TD's imo, was that for their time, they really did make for great engines. What they lacked against their competitors, was simply low-end torque. Otherwise, they fairly handedly outperformed most of the like-priced econo-compact-midsized cars out and about from about 84-90...
From 91 on things were even, but the turbo motors were beginning to feel like they had overstayed their welcome. While the 2.5 turbo was a good engine, even I was looking forward to v6's to come along and replace them. I can recall, before buying my Daytona, looking at both V6 plymouth (sundance) dusters and shopping them against 2.5 turbo shadows...and liking the instant throttle response of the v6 so much that I was leaning toward it.
The 2.5 turbo was a good bit healthier at the track than the v6's...the closest most direct comparison I saw was a motor trend of the year test for 89 iirc, that had the plymouth acclaim pitted against the spirit ES turbo. The turbo was ~ 1 second faster in both 0-60 and 1/4, 5 speed turbo against auto v6. It's amazing how well those cars were recieved at the time...statements like "best performance sedan" was bandied about the spirit ES. Unlike today, there was NO wink-wink when they said "best american sedan" back then, lol. Motor Trend really loved the 2.5 turbo in the mid-sized sedan, noting it's flexibility over the older 2.2.
The 2.5 TI did have something that the 2.2TI didn't have when paired with an auto, and that was pretty quick spool up/torque production. It WAS a car that you could just plant your foot down and spin the tires...while the 2.2 just went to the stall speed of the T/C, and then pulled away in a sled like manner (slow-then *furiously* adding speed, lol).
As an option in the caravan, it was interesting. It was rated for more torque an power than the 3.0. I knew someone that cross-shopped the two, wanting to get the turbo...instead opting for the 3.0 because it had a decent tow-rating, whereas towing wasn't recommended for the turbo.
When the Spirit R/T and Daytona R/T came out, it felt like the engine might stick around awhile longer...the 224hp engine really breathed new life into the platforms. It felt like FINALLY, something to compete against the top mustang/camaro offerings, even though it still wasn't as fast. While the spirit R/T became a 150+ mph car despite it's poor aerodynamics...I'd have LOVED to see a top speed test on a Daytona. Alas, it's quality problems (Heads) ensured a short life, and ensured that there wouldn't soon be another Turbo dodge for some time; too bad really as I'd have loved to seen a turbo gen 1 neon offered from the factory.
Performance of those (R/T spirit/Daytona) vehicles new were anywhere from low 15's to mid 14's...fairly stout for the time.
Edited by UglyValiant (07/28/0806:25 PM) Edit Reason: left out a crucial "NO"
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1979 Dodge Lil' Red Express Truck 1989 Shelby CSX (#500/500) The most powerful production minivan money can buy.
I wanted to build this, but lost my reliant wagon. Used to own a 86 Daytona Z that got infected with electrical gremlins. Loved the 1G body style, but i'll get another wagon for hauling things around.
I wanted to build this, but lost my reliant wagon. Used to own a 86 Daytona Z that got infected with electrical gremlins. Loved the 1G body style, but i'll get another wagon for hauling things around.
Best vid evar:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twkIdxgS0lo&feature=related