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Dodge Daytona Iroc (red)

The Dodge Daytona and Chrysler Laser

1969-70 Dodge Charger Daytona | 2006+ Dodge Charger Daytona

daytona row

General Dodge Daytona history

dodge daytona salesThe Daytona first debuted from Dodge in 1984 along with the similar Chrysler Laser. It was largely based on the K-cars (Reliant and Aries), and retained their fuel efficient 2.2 liter 4 cylinder engine. The Daytona was mounted on an extended K-frame and had front wheel drive. The Dodge Daytona would become the first American-made front-drive sports car with a turbocharged engine, when the turbo 2.2 was developed.

The Dodge Daytona has always been a three-door (two plus hatch) four-seater, but the rear seats are small and it should be considered a two seater for all practical purposes, with its 97” wheel base. Daytonas and Lasers are known as G cars or G-bodies because their body style was designated G (later, AG).

Stock performance with the 2.2 was not up to the Daytona’s looks, but Dodge relied on the turbo versions and sporty looks to attract younger drivers; few automakers made a fast, affordable sporty car at the time. The Laser was aimed at older drivers who appreciated a plusher vehicle, and with luxury options. Regardless, the five-speed stick-shift provided a substantial speed and gas mileage boost.

Pre-production Daytonas circa 1985

These were also some of the first cars from any manufacturer to extensively use computer aided design technology (CAD) in their development.

Dodge DaytonaThe car first appeared as the prototype G-24 Super Sports Car in 1982-83.  It had remnants of the body styling from the 1969 Charger Daytona that swept NASCAR, and from which the Daytona got its name; most notably the front clip, with its aero-tilted covered headlights. The rear spoiler was only a few feet shorter than that of the Charger Daytona.

The original Daytona models had a length of 175 inches, a width of 69 inches, and a height of 50 inches.

In October 1982, Motor Trend wrote that the 1984 "Chrysler G-24" would have four bucket seats, be a hatchback, and stand on the K-car platform but share no body panels with any other Chrysler product. They noted the fuel-injected 2.2 as the base engine, saying there would be an optional turbo 2.2, but spent more time on the interior, "definitely sportier" than other Chrysler vehicles, with "restyled analog instruments and a few digital items." (Thanks, NDNRacer)

Dodge Daytona cars

Bob O’Neill noted that the side louvers were made of ABS plastic, while the rear deck louvers were powder-coated aluminum (his own 1986 Turbo Z with T-tops came with the rear louvers, but not the side louvers).

Michael Royce (of Lotus) wrote that, in 1985, Lotus Engineering was asked to create a 16-valve version of the 2.5 liter engine, and to set up a four wheel drive Daytona Turbo:

In the fall of 1986, the [naturally aspirated 16-valve] 2.5L Program was cancelled due to engineering budget constraints. The unusual combination of a long stroke (104 mm) with the 16 valve head fixed the 2.5L's breathing problems, and gave a nice smooth engine that would rev easily up to about 7500 rpm. It gave about the same performance in a vehicle as a Turbo I (~150 hp, also similar to the 3-liter V6).

The 4WD G-24 program was cancelled in November 1987, again due to budget constraints, just as we were getting the car to perform and handle as well as the Audi Quattro, the target vehicle. John Miles, from Lotus, was leading the chassis development.


Relevant Allpar links

Year by year Dodge Daytona history

1984
Daytona, Daytona Turbo, Daytona Turbo Z, Laser, Laser XE, Laser XT
Engines:  
1.  2.2 Liter 93hp 4cyl (Base Production Engine) 
2.  Turbocharged 2.2 Liter 142hp 4cyl (Turbo 1)

1984 dodge daytona turbo z

1985
Daytona, Daytona Turbo, Daytona Turbo Z, Laser, Laser XE, Laser XT
Engines:  
1.  2.2 Liter 93hp 4cyl (Base Production Engine) 
2.  Turbocharged 2.2 Liter 142hp 4cyl (Turbo 1)

1985 laser

1986
Daytona, Daytona Turbo Z (opt. C/S), Laser, Laser XE, Laser XT
Engines:  
1.  2.2 Liter 93hp 4cyl (Base Production Engine) 
2.  Turbocharged 2.2 Liter 146hp 4cyl (Turbo 1) 
3.  2.5 Liter 96hp 4 cyl
1987
Daytona, Daytona Shelby, Daytona Pacifica
Engines:  
1.  2.2 Liter 93hp 4cyl  
2.  Turbocharged 2.2 Liter 142hp 4cyl (Turbo 1) 
3.  2.5 Liter 96hp 4 cyl (Base Production Engine) 
4.  Turbocharged 2.2 Liter Intercooled 174hp 4cyl (Turbo II)
 
1988
Daytona, Daytona Shelby Z, Daytona Pacifica
Engines:  
1.  2.2 Liter 93hp 4cyl  
2.  Turbocharged 2.2 Liter 142hp 4cyl (Turbo 1) 
3.  2.5 Liter 96hp 4 cyl (Base Production Engine) 
4.  Turbocharged 2.2 Liter Intercooled 174hp 4cyl (Turbo II)
 
1989
Daytona, Daytona ES (w/wo Turbo), Daytona Shelby
Engines:  
1.  2.2 Liter 93hp 4cyl  
2.  Turbocharged 2.2 Liter 142hp 4cyl (Turbo 1) 
3.  2.5 Liter 100hp 4 cyl (Base Production Engine) 
4.  Turbocharged 2.2 Liter Intercooled 174hp 4cyl (Turbo II) 
5.  Turbocharged 2.5 Liter 150hp 4cyl (Turbo 1)

1989 dodge daytona

1990
Daytona, Daytona ES (w/wo Turbo), Daytona Shelby
Engines:  
1.  2.2 Liter 93hp 4cyl  
2.  Turbocharged 2.2 Liter 142hp 4cyl (Turbo 1) 
3.  2.5 Liter 100hp 4 cyl (Base Production Engine) 
4.  Turbocharged 2.2 Liter Intercooled 174hp 4cyl (Turbo II) 
5.  Turbocharged 2.5 Liter 152hp 4cyl (Turbo 1) 
6.  Turbocharged 2.2 Liter VNT 174hp 4cyl (Turbo IV) 
7.  3.0 Liter 141hp SOHC V6
 

1990 dodge daytona

1991
Daytona, Daytona ES, Daytona Shelby, Daytona IROC
Engines:  
1.  2.5 Liter 100hp 4 cyl (Base Production Engine) 
2.  Turbocharged 2.5 Liter 152hp 4cyl (Turbo 1) 
3.  3.0 Liter 141hp SOHC V6
 

1992
Daytona, Daytona ES, Daytona IROC, Daytona IROC R/T
Engines:  
1.  2.5 Liter 100hp 4 cyl (Base Production Engine) 
2.  Turbocharged 2.5 Liter 152hp 4cyl (Turbo 1) 
3.  3.0 Liter 141hp SOHC V6 
4.  Turbocharged 2.2 Liter 224hp 4cyl (Turbo III)
 

Dodge Daytona invoice

1993
Daytona, Daytona ES (w/wo Turbo), Daytona IROC, Daytona IROC R/T
Engines:  
1.  2.5 Liter 100hp 4 cyl (Base Production Engine) 
2.  Turbocharged 2.5 Liter 152hp 4cyl (Turbo 1) 
3.  3.0 Liter 141hp SOHC V6 
4.  Turbocharged 2.2 Liter 224hp 4cyl (Turbo III)
 


Dodge Daytona handling

Typical front wheel drive handling problems (torque steer, understeer) were countered with better than average success for the time. The stiffer suspension assemblies in the C/S and Shelby editions were a large improvement (at the expense of ride). If you can locate these as parts cars, they are a real find. [Added by webmaster] Bob O'Neil wrote: "Energy Suspensions offer urethane bushings for the Daytona as well as other cars. These are very low cost."

The rigid rear axle means that at higher speeds the rear end will tend to become light and hard to control (about 61/39 weight distribution depending on engine). The Dodge Daytona frame was never updated but owners can increase its rigidity. Steering is quite good, and the later version of the steering was used in the development of the Prowler.

Also see: Suspension changes for racing on road courses and circle tracks


Dodge Daytona maintenance

Turbo engines require more maintenance; the 2.2 blocks themselves were extremely solid. Good sources of info are:


Movies and TV

DOdge Daytona stock carTom Powell wrote: On the Hunter, DeeDee McCall drives several Dodge Daytonas. I have noticed a garnet red / radiant silver 1984 and 1985 Turbo Z (early shows have the 4 lug rims, later epsiodes have 5 lug). Later in the show she had a flash red Daytona Shelby Z with t-tops and black rims (not factory). There is also an odd car; it has the Shelby Z body, with the Turbo Z seats and door panels, as they were updated and changed on the Shelby Z...it was probably made by Chrysler before all the final changes to the two Daytonas. In later episodes, the car is correctly badged and optioned as a Shelby Z.

The Wraith featured Dodge Daytonas; the Blair Witch Project featured a Daytona; and Frank Sinatra passed a Corvette at over 120 mph using a Daytona or Laser in Cannonball Run.

Buying and Pricing

The V6 models typically command a higher price. The IROC R/T (with 2.2 Turbo III) and Turbo IV (VNT) models are both rare. The base IROC model is nothing but a sticker package, don't be fooled!


Dodge Daytona specifications

Model/SpecShelby Z T21990 ES V-6IROC R/T
Base Price:X$10,995$18,542
Bore x Stroke, in/mm:X3.59 x 2.99/ 91.1 x 763.44 x 3.62/ 87.5 x 92.0
Displacement ci/cc:X181/2972135/2213
Compression ratio:X8.9:18.1:1
Valve gear:SOHC, 2 per cylSOHC, 2 per cylDOHC, 4 per cyl
Fuel System:XM EFIM EFI, Turbo, Intercooled
HP SAE net:174 @ 4800141 @ 5000224 @ 6000
Torque lb/ft SAE net:200 @ 3200171 @ 2800217 @ 2800
Redline rpm: 60006000
Curb weight (lbs):2812 (typical)30293134
0-60 mph (secs):X8.96.3

Performance upgrades

Typical path to upgrading your front wheel Drive Mopar:

Dodge Daytona orange from back1. General Tune Up: Engine, Tranny, and Suspension. DO THIS BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE! Grab your owner's manual and look up what routine maintenance needs to be performed on your vehicle based on its mileage. Many people dump hundreds of dollars into 'performance' upgrades, and neglect the fact that the car has bald tires, the timing is off, and the struts are shot.

2. Increase Air flow: Your engine runs on air and gasoline. The general rule of thumb is if you can get more these into and out of the engine faster then you will get more performance (of course there are exceptions). High flow exhaust, intake, headers, carbs/throttle body, air cleaner, new/bigger turbo.

3. Increase Spark: Performance igniton/spark control, high flow plug wires, good plugs, new/clean distributor, inspect charging system.

4. Increase Fuel Intake: Performance fuel pump, carbs (jets), performance fuel injectors, high-flow fuel filter.

**All of these things can be done without tearing down the engine. Each one makes a good weekend project. After you have considered them all, then think about internal engine upgrades like cams, pistons, and a general overhaul.**

**Note:  Thinking Big Block?  Mopar Performance makes a rear wheel drive conversion kit (Part #P4529533) and 4.5" bolt circle steering knuckle kit (Part #P4529329).  Good Luck! **

See: Turbo Engine Rebuild/Upgrade

2.2 and 2.5 carbureted and fuel injected Engine Upgrades

Allpar has a page dedicated to the 2.2/2.5 TBI and another to 2.5 Specs.

Your number one source for performance engine upgrades should be Mopar Performance. Their catalog is available from most Dodge dealers for $5. They have an extensive inventory of 2.2 performance engine computers, heads, cams, turbos and accessories far too large to get into here. The also have a great book called "2.2/2.5 FWD Speed Secrets and Racing Modifications." If you have a 2.2 or 2.5, get the book, it's the bible on performance engine parts.

Your second source will probably be Forward Motion. They carry Mopar Performance parts as well as their own line of custom engine parts. A mail order catalog is available. LRE (Lambros Race Engineering) also has an outstanding selection of mail order engine, suspension, brake, fuel, and other high performance accesories.

Howell Automotive also carries a number of key components.

3.0 Engine Upgrades 

Allpar has a 3.0 Liter performance page (including instructions an building a Ram Air kit) and a page instructing you on how to go about fixing the leaky valve seals that plague many of these engines.

Make sure you sure you have a 52mm throttle body on your 3.0 Liter (only 1987's got it), others were reduced to 46mm.  If so, buy an aftermarket T.B. or visit the scrapyard for the larger 52mm.  It makes a big difference in throttle response.  You'll need a new gasket and will have to plug one port.

The only source I have found for any performance engine parts is Forward Motion. (see above). They offer an underdrive pulley that I have seen no where else.

Suspension Upgrades:

Go to Allpar's FWD handling modification page or try these suppliers: Mopar Performance, Forward Motion, Monroe, Eibach

Rear wheel drive / V8 kit

Perhaps this is the ultimate engine-performance kit: moving from a 135-cubic-inch four-cylinder to a 440-cubic-inch V8, driving the rear wheels. Thanks, Sgt. Jason E. Schrieffer, for sending in these photos.

rear wheel drive dodge daytona

“I have a 1989 Dodge Daytona that has been converted to rear wheel drive using the Mopar Performance kit, which is no longer available through Dodge. I did not build it, but it is strictly Mopar with a 440 and an 8 3/4 rear end.”

440 V8

V8 Daytona

Pictures and Graphics

Laser: 1985 Turbo 

1988 Dodge Daytona Pacifica 

ES/Sport Daytona: 1990 w/Sport Package 

IROC Daytona: 92 Iroc (Red) 

IROC R/T Daytona:91 Red Iroc R/T 

C/S, Shelby, Shelby Z, and Turbo Z Daytona: 

Engines: Iroc R/T 2.2 | 3.0L V6 

Wheels 

Chrysler Ads

Reference Material / Credits




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