New to Mopar..

[OMNIproject]

Hey, just some questions on an engine swap from a 1990 Omni FI to an older turbo motor. Now how easy/hard would this be? I know i would run into some problems with wiring, computer/module, and others, but how bad do you think? Could i just take the turbo stuff off the swap motor and put it on my 90 2.2? Or is it more involved that i think? I have a chance to buy a turbo motor that came out of an Omni, owner claims it runs. I know my motor runs so i'd rather used it than the iffy one. Im not trying to have the fastes car on the planet and go dragging, just want some boost, it would be my first endevor with a turbo, i figure this would be a good place to start. All input welcome. Thanks

[turbomini]

if you can find it you can use a 86 threw 88 new yorker wirring harness in your car.. and it will work! and if you put boost to a N/A motor it wont last very long. differnt pistons and rods. plus you'd have to drill your block or oil pan for the oil return but i had a 90 omni and this is what i did. i used a 89 turbo mini van harness in it. the only things that didnt work were the wipres and speedo(didnt hook it up)

[OMNIproject]

Just the wiring harness? Or did you need the ECM as well ? The 2.2 minivan and new yorker? So what your saying i should used the whole motor swap rather than just the turbo swap? Makes sense if the rods and pistons can handle the extra jazz

[turbomini]

yea i used the 86 harness in my omni first the was bord so i tryed the 88 and it worked untill i shorted that out and found a turbo van harness and it worked fine. and yes i had to swap the computers also. and use the computer for the wirring you use if not it wont run...and defanitly swap the hole motor becuse it is surprizing how much differnt the rods and pistons are. plus the turbo motor has better piston rings and bearings.. but what color is your car? lol i know it has nothing to do with the wirring but i'm curious i had a blue base line model

[4Daytonas]

This site could REALLY use spell check!

[OMNIproject]

Hahah, its a maroon color, only 103,000 on it, pretty good shape, the tell-tale rust holes in the rockers, ya know.. thanks for the info! I have an automatic in it right now, do you suggest swapping that to prevent tranny failure from torquier motor?

[EvilcowRoland]

The automatics aren't necessarily weak outright, but your car will have a non-turbo transmission in it. It has a weaker clutch pack. You can use the non-turbo trans with a (stock power level) turbo engine, but no promises on how long it holds up.

Turbo swaps aren't hard, but they aren't for the faint of heart either, especially on an L-body car like the Omni. It is easiest to have an entire donor car, so you can take the harness, engine, computer, trans, relays, fuel pump, and exhaust downpipe.

If you had the parts sitting around and didn't need the car for a while, I'd say try it and see what happens. Diving into something like this is a good way to learn. If this is your daily driver though, I don't recommend trying it yet. Maybe find a cheap turbo car and play with it some first. In the meantime, go to Donovan's Dodge Garage and read up on these turbo cars and how they work. You'll see a link on the left side of that website that says "turbo database".

[OMNIproject]

Cool. Thats where i found this forum was from Donnovan's site. Lots of helpful information and stories on there for sure.

[turbomini]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvilcowRoland The automatics aren't necessarily weak outright, but your car will have a non-turbo transmission in it. It has a weaker clutch pack. You can use the non-turbo trans with a (stock power level) turbo engine, but no promises on how long it holds up. Turbo swaps aren't hard, but they aren't for the faint of heart either, especially on an L-body car like the Omni. It is easiest to have an entire donor car, so you can take the harness, engine, computer, trans, relays, fuel pump, and exhaust downpipe. If you had the parts sitting around and didn't need the car for a while, I'd say try it and see what happens. Diving into something like this is a good way to learn. If this is your daily driver though, I don't recommend trying it yet. Maybe find a cheap turbo car and play with it some first. In the meantime, go to Donovan's Dodge Garage and read up on these turbo cars and how they work. You'll see a link on the left side of that website that says "turbo database".

i forgot about the fuel pump. thanks..and i'm not going to try to tell you how to build your car but i'll give you tips on the parts that are easy to get that'll work...

[chilort]

I couldn't imagine working on an L body as my first project. I have a G body (Daytona) and it is so tight I can't stand it. I'm used to working on the older stuff ('60s and '70s) where there's plenty of room. And if this is your first '80s Mopar, you should enjoy the external oiling system.

[EvilcowRoland]

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbomini i forgot about the fuel pump. thanks..and i'm not going to try to tell you how to build your car but i'll give you tips on the parts that are easy to get that'll work...

Incidentally, I did a turbo swap on a TBI Daytona a few years back and I forgot the fuel pump then. That's why I make a point to mention it now.

Surprisingly, the TBI pump manage to put down about 45 PSI while the car was sitting at idle. Of course, it burned out after about 20 minutes of that.

[OMNIproject]

I got more information on the engine that i can buy and it is our of a Lebaron convertable, in the mid 80's, The guy isn't sure. Any input?

[turbomini]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvilcowRoland Incidentally, I did a turbo swap on a TBI Daytona a few years back and I forgot the fuel pump then. That's why I make a point to mention it now. Surprisingly, the TBI pump manage to put down about 45 PSI while the car was sitting at idle. Of course, it burned out after about 20 minutes of that.

HAHAHA i did the same thing but mine lasted about 2 days then i changed it!!! i still have that tank and pump out my omni....mine wouldnt go above 3000RPM!

but the motor sounds like it could be a 2.2 or 2.5! check the A/C bracket if the bolts at the top its a 2.5 if they are at teh bottom its a 2.2!

[Sittn86]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Daytonas This site could REALLY use spell check!

+8

[OMNIproject]

You all got pictures of your current omni's and/or past omni's?