rampage build, need ideas

[sinfulrelations]

hello everyone, i've been toying with the idea of building my rampage, ive been leaning on going turbo, i basically want to buy a second engine, strip it down and build it to be fast and reliable, my major debate right now is where to start, i have the stock 4 speed and stock 2.2, id like to build a 2.4 or 2.5, which of those options would have the most potential, keeping in mind that when i swap the new motor in i also would be swapping in another transmission with cables instead of linkages.

[The Pope]

I would look at your skills a bit. Are you good and going through an engine restoring them? Or are you good at welding and some fab work?

A 2.2 is going to need to be restored, which can cost a few dollars. The 2.4 turbo you can buy with low miles from a junk yard and almost bolt in making engine mounts. The 2.4 is also going to make more power more easily. Doesn't mean you can't make the power with the 2.2 but they start out with a lot less.

I would also look at what organ donors are out there. Daytona or Shadow to feed the project. Just buying parts from a junk yard and piecing it together sucks.

[sinfulrelations]

I have a good range of skills, ive rebuilt many small block chevys and made alot of parts from scratch, also i have a good bit of selection on motors and transmissions, which one of those would have the best aftermarket support? im guessing the 2.4

[Steve in Va]

If you go 2.2 or 2.5 turbo on your 82-84 rampage, I suggest a 89 turbo mini harness. Its plug and go. But you first have to remove your dash and install a 88-90 L-body dash harness assuming your rampage is an 84. If the rampage is an 82 and 83 then I'd suggest you find a 84 and up dash, then put the 88-90 dash harness on it.

If you go 2.2 or 2.5 turbo motor, find the entire interior wire harness from a 86-87 shelby charger so the correct fuel pump plug is there

If you go 2.2 or 2.5 turbo motor and 5 speed, use 2 identical automatic only, drivers side only 88-90 Omni/Horizon axles for the 5 speed conversion, then find the a520/a555/a568 intermediate shaft.

If you go 2.2 or 2.5 turbo motor, find the lower core support bracket from a Shelby Charger and bolt that on too.

If you go 2.2 or 2.5 turbo motor, bolt in a new L-body turbo only gas tank and 88-90 L body fuel pump hanger assembly with a walbro 255lph pump

If your rampage is an 82 & 83, keep the drivers side transmission mount as you'll need it for the 5 speed swap or cut it out and weld in a 84 and up style perch mount so you can use the 84 and up style drivers motor mount

I cant comment on a 2.4 motor or electronics since I'm unfamiliar with them.

Good luck!!

[detobias]

certainly a 4v 2.4 (or 2.0) has more potential than an SOHC 2V 2.2/2.5

as Steve showed, you can do a 2.2/2.5 Turbo swap using all factory bits,
but it will take some time to source those parts and assemble

quicker and easier but more expensive would be a 2.4t from a PT cruiser or SRT4,
(or a N/A 2.0 or 2.4 converted to turbo) then run MS or other standalone ECM

actually a N/A 2.4 swap (with MS) would be a good start.. it would be plenty fast ..
and after you have mastered it then a turbo upgrade is straightforward.

[The Pope]

not going the organ donor method and getting a whole car for a 2.2 turbo, the 2.4 is easiest with megasquirt controling it. There is 8v megasquirt out there but it is more plug and play with a 2.4.

[sinfulrelations]

thanks guys, ive been interested in tinkering with megasquirt for awhile, im going with the 2.4 i found a full dohc motor for 200 bucks!! best part is its mechanically sound just needs a new home, has anyone on here done alot with the megasquirt? im planning on getting the ms3 but im curious to what all expansions im going to need

[The Pope]

UNA here has done the most with it, I would talk to our vendor though. I'm sure he has Neon files he can give you.

Look at getting the early NA aluminum engine bracket for the passenger side. Then buy the first gen Neon 2.4 adapter, then the polybushings passenger side mount. With a grade 8 bolt and spacer you can fit the 2.4 right in. When you use the 2.2 trans, you can use the mounts front, rear and side for the 2.2 trans modding the front mount to work with the block.

UNA I believe did the NA swap in about a week lol.

[sinfulrelations]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Pope UNA here has done the most with it, I would talk to our vendor though. I'm sure he has Neon files he can give you. Look at getting the early NA aluminum engine bracket for the passenger side. Then buy the first gen Neon 2.4 adapter, then the polybushings passenger side mount. With a grade 8 bolt and spacer you can fit the 2.4 right in. When you use the 2.2 trans, you can use the mounts front, rear and side for the 2.2 trans modding the front mount to work with the block. UNA I believe did the NA swap in about a week lol.

this sounds a lot easier than the last engine swap i did, btw if anyone ever asks for help putting a 350 in a feiro just walk away, lol. also will megasquirt work alongside an msd ignition system?

[The Pope]

I don't know that you need the MSD with megasquirt. If you want more ignition ask about the coil on plug option