Don't fear the Prowler.

**ZMagnum** · 02-17-2006, 01:09 AM

This unfriendly dude in an orange Prowler goes to work the same way I do. I've seen him several times. I always end up in front of him and pull away from him once we hit the highway.

I got to thinking about him. He has the same engine and stock hp as my stock SXT. I've read that his car weighs 2,700 lbs. Mine weighs 3,900 lbs. Prowler 1/4 mile time (Google search) is 15.2 mine is 15.8.

So what's wrong with this picture? Why isn't the stock Prowler in the low 14's? It's only a 2,700 lbs. car.

I also read that the Prowler is hard to drive which may explain why he ends up behind me lost in traffic or maybe he just has bad luck getting through rush hour? Not sure.

In any case, my fellow SXT owners, I'm here to say don't fear the stock Prowler.

**DawsonMagnum** · 02-17-2006, 01:16 AM

The Prowler has always been a puzzle to me. It has virtually the same stock HP and Torque as my old stock 2001 S4, it's lighter than an S4 and yet I could walk a Prowler all day long.

I finally decided it must be due to smushy transmission and/or bad gearing. I have no evidence to back that up, mind you. But precious little else remains after you rule out the other possibilities.

**ZMagnum** · 02-17-2006, 01:20 AM

You may be right about the transmission. It's certainly not due to the tires. The large rear tires give it lots of traction.

I've also noticed that when this guy shifts he belches out some smoke from his tailpipes. I think it's normal but it could be some kind of flaw in the engine setup.

Originally Posted by DawsonMagnum

The Prowler has always been a puzzle to me. It has virtually the same stock HP and Torque as my old stock 2001 S4, it's lighter than an S4 and yet I could walk a Prowler all day long.

I finally decided it must be due to smushy transmission and/or bad gearing. I have no evidence to back that up, mind you. But precious little else remains after you rule out the other possibilities.

**grinner** · 02-17-2006, 11:23 AM

it's a hame they made the prowler so slow. It's the hottest design to leave an assembly line in 50 years.

**elcapitan87** · 02-17-2006, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by DawsonMagnum

I finally decided it must be due to smushy transmission and/or bad gearing. I have no evidence to back that up, mind you. But precious little else remains after you rule out the other possibilities.

IIRC, final drive was a 3.89, which seems supported by a little interweb research:
2.842 1st, 1.573 2nd. 1.000 3rd. and 0.689 (overdrive) 4th.
Not awful, but I wouldn't be surprised if the gigantic wheels and tires (295/45/20!) on the rear end hurt effective gearing quite a bit.
Still, in a 3000lb car (w/ driver) with 253hp/255tq, you'd expect better times. Did any other Chrysler vehicle get that 4spd autostick trans? Same crazy slushbox as in a 300M, except driving the correct wheels?

**crazy_luck** · 02-17-2006, 12:17 PM

There are some fast prowlers out there. A friend of mine sells parts for them, his business is www.realrod.com and he has an anual get together with many of his customers. In the last few years, I have seen some fast Prowlers, but its mostly the drivers skill. They start with 230hp and the wrong gearing to move the car. Realrod has a gear kit for them that makes them move better and a lot more fun to drive.

I'm puzzled to why he can't keep up or stay ahead of you. If his car is bone stock, the two of you should be dead even. I know there were some cars that had problems with engines and transmissions, they'd blow gaskets every 10k miles and the one my friend has is getting a new engine this summer (keeps overheating even after replacing the entire cooling system) and it developed a rod knock last fall.