Turboing a N/A neon ?s

[dodgeomniglh]

Hi guys,

What is the best way to go about turboing a 1st gen DOHC neon?

a) Lower the compression, beef up the bottom end, new clutch, slap on a turbo kit, or

b) Swap in a SRT-4 motor and trans


Also, if anyone has experience with either setup, what are the headaches one will encounter with each?

Thanks a lot for any help,
Scott

[BittersweetSHO]

If you can get a SRT-4 drivetrain i'd say do that.

[contraption22]

If you are using aftermarket engine managment, you could go either route. If you want to use the existing 1st gen neon electronics, you have to stick with a pre-2003 engine block.

[Andre Parker]

Your gonna want to get new pistons and rods if you want to run enough boost to make it past the 250hp mark, even at that level, your playing with a rebuild on stock bottom end. I would not run more than 6psi with a stock neon motor. If you do, at least use a thicker cometic head gasket to get the compression into the 8's. All turbo dodges and even the SRT has it's compression 8.1 to 1. That being said, you'll have fun with a turbo 1st gen, even if you use stock internals and limit your boost to 6 psi. I have seen guys run it up to 8 with a good intercooler and tuning and not have engine problems, but I am anal retentive about overdoing it without making sure you have the proper engine set up.

[dodgeomniglh]

What are the limits of the stock engine/drivetrain components?

[contraption22]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodgeomniglh What are the limits of the stock engine/drivetrain components?

Of which vehicle?

[Andre Parker]

If it's SRT4, then it's at least what Stage lll can dish out. If it's stock 2.0, either dohc or sohc, I wouldn't push it past stock SRT4 levels. Your going to need the best pump gas you can get too if you leave the stock 2.0 compression. It is mid 9 to 1.

[dodgeomniglh]

Sorry, I meant the 2.0. Are there any parts that can handle more than SRT-4 level hp? I'm just trying to get an idea of what I need to upgrade for 300 hp, 350hp, or 400hp.

-Scott

[Andre Parker]

Pistons and Rods. If you have the sohc, you can get off the shelf pistons that will drop compression to about 8.4 to 1, then you can use a cometic head gasket. As for rods, I would not get the eagles. I would get crower if it were me. As for pistons, it will depend, I like Weisco personally. But turbo dodge guys have had good luck with JE and Venolia's. Not sure if the vendors carry them for neon, but you can give FWD a call and see if Cindy has a set or can order them. Your going to need a fuel return line too. They sell one from the dealer and I don't remember the part number off the top of my head, but I can get it in the next couple of days and get it to ya. If you have the sohc, either get a magnum head or get your existing one ported. A ported sohc if done right can match a stock magnum or slightly more. A ported magnum head on the other hand is a whole different animal. The intake ports on them are the same, but it's the exhaust port that is night and day different. As for cam on a sohc, use either the stock 95 cam if you can get it or the magnum cam. Both are better than the other stock sohc cams. A crane # 12 is supposed to be good too, but I have not used one, just the 95 and magnum cams. Also use the magnum springs.

[turbodave/neon]

The breaking point for a stock bottom end in a 2.0 (SOHC or DOHC) is @276whp. The closer you get to this point the more likely a catastrophic failure will occur. I have killed two so far

[matthew]

Can you use srt-4 rods and pistons in a older non turbo block? (2.4l)

[dodgeomniglh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbodave/neon The breaking point for a stock bottom end in a 2.0 (SOHC or DOHC) is @276whp. The closer you get to this point the more likely a catastrophic failure will occur. I have killed two so far

What did you break?

[89acclaim]

Yes the SRT4 rods and pistons will go in the older 2.4 block.
You might want to check out these pages.
http://www.bstockum.com/
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/commun...upid=45129&ck=
http://www.lowtech.net/nstenz/build/
Have fun.

Daniel Merrill

[ShelbyTurbo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodgeomniglh What did you break?

Probably the weak powder-metal rods if I had to guess.

[Andre Parker]

Turbodave, you have the highest number I have seen. I have seen almost every turbo 1st gen around my area die after trying to hit 220 or so at the wheels. I think 250 at the crank is about as far as you can go with any chance of any longevity.