Welcome to another installment of the CarDomain Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot, a regular feature which aims to expand the definition of what a muscle car is, and to find out if there is such a thing as four cylinder muscle while doing so. The Dodge division of Chrysler had a marketing coup during the early 1990’s because it sponsored a series of races called the International Race of Champions, or IROC. This series was promoted as the equivalent of the all star game for Major League Baseball, or the equivalent of the Masters Golf Tournament. In this series, drivers raced identically prepared stock cars, in an effort to make it a test based on just the drivers ability. The series started in 1974 with Porsche Carrera RSR’s, but quickly switched to Chevrolet Camaros the next season, and was the car of choice for the next 12 seasons. It was Dodge that provided major sponsorship for the 1991 IROC season, and the cars would assume the shape of the Dodge Daytona for the next three seasons. However, since the Daytona was really a FWD Sports Coupe, there was no relationship between race car and production car. But, let’s not dismiss the IROC Daytona R/T, because it was one very potent car.
Continue reading after the jump!
This was an entirely different approach to the Musclecar, with the mid year introduction of the 1992 Daytona IROC R/T. It came from Chrysler’s performance division, and fit in between the Dodge Stealth Sports Car (which was really a Mitsubishi Product), and the Dodge Spirit R/T Sports Sedan. The Daytona was refreshed in what was the last update for this model, sharing some of the design cues that would go on to become a Dodge signature. The suspension was thoroughly redesigned to improve handling, as well as improve the ride characteristics. It was said to be the most nimble FWD based car at that time.
At the heart of the IROC was a 2.2 Litre, 16 valve, double overhead cam, turbocharged four cylinder engine, that was developed over the course of a decade with the help of Lotus Engineering. This engine, with the help of an intercooler, and twin counter-rotating balance shafts, had the highest specific power output – 100 horsepower per litre – of any production engine ever developed by Chrysler Engineering. It produced 224 HP at 6,000 RPM, and 217 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 RPM. The engine would redline at 6,500 RPM. All the power was delivered to the front wheels through a Getrag 5 speed transmission.
So would this little number run with the big boys? In a word, yes. Zero to sixty times were in the 6 second range, with a top speed of over 150 MPH. Motor Trend Magazine clocked the quarter mile in only 14.8 seconds, competitive with the then new Ford Mustang Cobra. The secret to all of this performance is that the car only weighs a little over 3,100 pounds. Compare that figure with modern cars weighing at least 1,000 pounds more. But controlling that power through the front wheels is a handful, literally, as torque steer would raise it’s ugly head every time you wanted to use all that power.
CarDomain Members Rides
There are quite a few CarDomain Members who own a Daytona IROC R/T, so why not take a look at them? Here is Cory’s white hot IROC R/T, from Salt Lake City, Utah. He has performed quite a few modifications, and the machine looks great. Why not visit his ride page, and leave a comment while you’re there.
While we’re in Salt Lake City, why not take a look at Tyler’s Red Hot IROC R/T? It seems that both Tyler and Cory have built up their Turbo Daytonas to a very high standard, and they look it. Take a look for yourself.
Well, there you have it, a FWD, Turbocharged, Sports Coup with over 225 HP, and a 5 Speed Stick. Is this the first of the modern FWD muscle cars, or does it have to be RWD and a V-8 to ever be considered a true muscle car? Remember, this car could keep up with the Mustang Cobra of the day, and the shape proved to be enduring with a 2 door, fastback profile. But it’s your call. Is this an Obscure Muscle Car, and does it belong in the parking lot, or should it be placed with the FWD tuner crowd? This should be an interesting line of commentary.
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Dodge has made some interesting special editions over the years, including the 
