Dodge 600
After the reorganization of Chrysler under Lee Iacocca into the New Chrysler, most all of the 8 cylinder RWD cars were abandoned for FWD 4 and 6 cylinder cars. The first two were the Plymouth Reliant and the Dodge Aries, which were bases cars. The 600 was a step up in status over the Aries -- and replaced the J-Body Mirada.
Contents
Model Predecessor
- Mirada in class for 2-door model
- Diplomat in intermediate class for 4-door model
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Model Successor
- Dodge did not offer a replacement for the K-body based 2-door models.
- The 600 sedan was replaced by the new Dynasty, which also replaced the Diplomat after 1989
Competition
Competition as in which makes and models would have competed for sales against the 600
- Buick Century
- Chevrolet Celebrity
- Ford LTD/Taurus
- Honda Accord
- Mercury Marquis/Sable
- Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera
- Pontiac 6000
- Toyota Camry
- Volkswagen Quantum
- Plymouth Caravelle
- Chrysler E-Class
Body Styles
- 2 door sedan (sold as 400 in 1982-83)
- 4 door sedan
- 2 door convertible (sold as 400 in 1983)
- 4 door wagon
Technical:
This was the first of a long wonderful line of Mopar electronics. From the 84 turbo cars on all of the cars to date don't require a scanner to get fault codes. Just turn the key on and off 3 times and leave it on the third. If there is a leaky hose, bad connection or a bad sensor the blinks out the code on the power loss light or the check engine light. A true Mopar plus.
Class
The car is a mid size class car
Platform
- K Platform (K-Car) for 2-door models
- E Platform for 4-door models
Engines
the below information is fine, but need a bullet list of engines available above it
146 HP turbo charged all American 2.2. The 2.2 was ready for production in the 70s. Problem was the 2.2 was to be built in the factory where the big block Mopars were built. So Chrysler subbed out a 1.6 with VW for the first couple years. Then when the big blocks were out the 2.2 started production in the US. The 2.2 was in production from 1981 till 2003. The T2 and 2.5 turbo engines are built heavy enough for 450 WHP. The 84-85 Turbo is good for 400 WHP. The weak engines are the 86-92 T1 2.2 turbos, they have weak rods and don't like past 250 WHP. With forged pistons the turbo Dodge people really don't know where they fail. Stock rods and crank are past 500 WHP with no problems.
Transmissions
- A413 3 speed Torqueflite. They need mods to hold up to big power and the posi for them is pricey. The 5 speed Getrag trans are near bullet proof, much better than the Neon trans that came later.
Specifications:
Length, width, height, wheelbase
- Length: 185.2"
- Width: 68"
- Height: 53.1"
- Wheelbase (2-door models) : 100.3"
- Wheelbase (4-door models) : 103.3"
- Weight: 2800-3100 lbs
Year by Year Changes, Production Numbers, and Cost:
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
The rarest is the Copo Military issue turbo Reliant K wagon. Built for a military contract there are only 40 made and they were not sold to the public. To get one you had to wait till the military finished with it and auctioned it. 3 are known to exist, they can be noticed by the turbo hood that looks like the GLH turbo hood with one side vent.
1987
In 1987 the K-body coupe and convertible models were dropped.
1988
Final year for E-body 4-door sedan models.
Wiki Topic References:
Interesting Facts
- They are popular to drag race because of low weight and dirt cheap turbo engines.
- In Mexico the car came intercooled and had an optional Recaro racing seat option.
- In Mexico this car was called the Magnum.
- All K cars are related, the L body and the mini vans are the only "different" platforms.
