In some ways, the 1990s and 2000s will be remembered as the decades that brought retro styling to the automotive world. Among the first brands to exploit the interest in cars with old-fashion shapes but modern hardware was Plymouth with its Prowler.
The aggressive looking hotrod with open wheels and an open cabin began its life in 1997 as a Plymouth and ended its career in 2002 as a Chrysler model, after the latter pulled the plug on the Plymouth brand in 2001.
Only 11,000 cars were built, each fitted with a 3.5-liter V6 initially delivering 214hp (217PS) and in 1999, with a more powerful version of the same engine rated for 253hp (257PS), in both cases coupled to a 4-speed automatic transmission turning the rear wheels.
Hot-rods and V6 engines don't really match up, so many owners of the Prowler turned to custom shops and dropped a V8 under its pointy hood.
The tuners at North Carolina's Performance Innovations did the same to a 1999 Plymouth Prowler replacing the stock V6 with the Chrysler Group's almighty 6.1-liter (370 c.i.) Hemi V8, which in standard guise, delivers a very healthy 425 horsepower (317kW) at 6,200rpm and 420 lb·ft (569Nm) at 4,800 rpm.
See the results in the videos after the break.
Photo Credits: Performance Innovations & Hemi Prowler
20 Comments:
The engine is the right way to go, but the styling needs help. I hope this will inspire more people to get this car done properly.
To be fair, the Plymouth Prowler was designed and developed with what became the 4.7 Magnum V8 Supercharged. It could have been a serious contender in the 1990s. They put it in the 1999 Dodge Charger R/T Concept. I don`t understand why these dumbass Corporate Executives sabotage their own products. The only one that understood the HALO car was Bob Lutz at the time.
Its ugly hands down, but I like the engine choice. The shaker hood is stupid and messes with the flow of the lines.
The biggest problem of the first and only factory hot (street) rod was its to weak engine, but this car is cult. They put a proper engine to this Prowler, but why, I ask why trash its look too (grille, scoop)?
Wow, I have to add, that surprisingly it isn't even loud - like factory SRT8 exhaust. My biggest concern is - does it have the V8 HEMI (W5A580) tranny too or the factory (42LE) - could it hold increased HP/Tq?
i agree the prowlers main problem was its weak engine, most people that wanted the car were turned off by its high price for the time and the fact it had an engine that didnt match its looks or price. If chrysler did a rerelease of the prowler with its new lineup of engines I think it would sell I personally have always loved the prowler but couldnt make sense out of buying a "hot rod" with a weak mini van engine in it.
the add on styling bits look terrible though
I saw a video of some guy who supercharged his Prowlers 3.5 up to 500 HP, and said he did not have to change the transmission. The car was intended for that 350HP 4.7 Magnum Supercharged.
Nice, the whole problem with the car was the built a open wheeled hot rod with a wimpy motor. They could have had a a nice hot rod but made more of a poser mobile.
Thanks all for the comments and feedback this is the owner, here is a few facts. Every single mod on this car has a functional purpose. The shaker- did you realize that even some stock prowlers with their small bays can overheat. Not sure if you took a hard look but the engine bay of the prowler is 40-50% smaller than the SRT challenger and charger the engine is designed for. Anyone can throw and engine in but every mod supports the build. Shaker, there is little room for a air box inside, the shaker made by autoform pulls cold air from outside of the car, directly to the engine which is 45% or more cooler than that in the bay. This supports the cooling challenge as well as increases performance. The vertical grill (purpose) in our testing increase airflow 35% over the stock design thus keeping temps under control. Side panels- diffuses side flowing air that is pulled from the fans now blowing across the engine and vents through the sides!! This is not all about looks its about engineering the best design possible since this is a drivers car not just one that will look pretty at car shows!! Also note this car weighs almost 1200 lbs lighter than the SRT charger and or challenger with the same engine. That means tons of tq and power. You have to see it in person to appreciate the looks. Its raw and over the top by design. If you spent over 14 months to build it, there is no desire in my mind not to let everyone know that there is a beast underneath!!
Good point. The tranny is the pinch point of the build so we do have to be careful!! it is the 42le trans. It is completely beefed up with 2 upgrade kits, extra clutches added in higher gears, upgraded tq convertor, completely rebuilt and all core parts were sent through a metal hardening process like race cars to make it as durable as possible. Honestly it cannot handle the tq as well as a bolt on trans like the base SRT. The 42le is small, in the back and driven through a drive train. Its also has all of the gears etc built in. You never slam it to the flow you ease into it. Also 4th gear is the lightest on the clutch front, so you power in 3rd cruise in 4th!
Ugly if you say so looks are at the eyes of the beholder. I can tell you for sure that we stop traffic everywhere we go, young and old. On a average day i get at least 20 thumbs up, people taking pictures from there cars. And it drawls crowds. We have also been on magazine covers!!! Something must be working right. But yes its over the top by design!! And all of that design is functional not just for looks
Sound is also by design!! There is alot of loud cars out there (screaming 4 bangers, or muffler deletes) but that doesn't mean performance. The engine is so big and you sit right on top of the muffler. As shared I drive this thing so purposely choose to go with magnaflow high flow (cat convertors) as well as the base magnaflow performance muffler (not the race one) to provide a lower sound. I will tell you what, take a drive in this 2 seater, top down, (with the hard top or not) and you will agree its more than loud enough as we pass by!!! Did you listen to those videos? this is far from a soft sounding car but appreciate you feedback!
Ugly car! Doesn't matter what engine it has because its ugly. Should have done a different car or something.
Oh, really? Well I respect your words. And If all fells, just have fun.
Yes, yes. But how does a car "drawl" a crowd? Maybe with a slow, deep south exhaust note?
Yes, You pointed that, what I was trying to say - on project like this somehow You automatically except loud pipes, but most tuned cars with very loud pipes don't bring more go than just show - some like that, others not really, so I was really surprised, that (Your?) Prowler sounds quite like a sleeper - I mean that most wouldn't recognize what was swapped under the hood (from far or rear) - I like sleeper cars, but probably this Prowler wasn't a left lane blocker even from factory.
Plymouth Prowler=Nostalgia Alert
I dont care what anybody says! I think its awesome. Isnt that what a hotrod is supossed to be and not like the rest of the cookie cutters. Bravo for a job well done. All the negative comments usually come from jealous people. I want one!
Thanks mt pockets its a awesome car come over to the facebook site for more and like. Search hemiprowler
This week we are going to the racetrack
Lime rock in CT
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