2003 Doge Neon Question

Buckt3 · #1 03-01-2006, 08:28 AM

What is the best motor it swap in an 2003 Doge Neon SE. I have an automatic transmission. I was thinking the SRT4 motor but i have not found out anything about it.

BrodyP · #2 03-01-2006, 09:08 AM

Why?

Yea SRT best motor of course. Do some research this is costly.

neon_rt · #3 03-01-2006, 10:36 AM

If you are wanting a SRT motor, you will need a lot of dollars.
It would be cheaper for you $3500-$4500 to turbo (6-8psi) the 2.0 Sohc that you have and call it good. If you still think you need a SRT motor in your Neon, you would a donor car (totalled junk yard car) to do the project. Most vehicles after 2001 have the VIN# flashed into the memory of the ECM,BCM,Security Module and TCM. If any of the computers report a different VIN# the engine will not start until the problem is resolved. You would need to do the research ahead of time to find out if this would be a problem on your Neon when installing the SRT ECM.

I have heard that it is actually easier to put a SRT setup in a first Gen neon preferably '98-'99.
If I were doing a project like this, I would buy a first Gen neon and swap a 2.4l into it (from a PT Cruiser).
Then I would later Turbo it if I thought I needed more power. The 2.4l responds very well to Turbocharging, the 9.4:1 compression ratio works well with 7-9 PSI of boost. The 2.0l Sohc has 9.8:1 compression and is not a real good candidate for high boost pressures. In 2005 the compression in the 2.0 was reduced to 9.3:1 this is more ideal for boosting.

Neons have very little resale value so it is easy to put more dollars in mods into it than it is worth. Don't think that if you mod your Neon it will be worth more, modded Neons have almost $0 resale value.

das2123 · #4 03-01-2006, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckt3

What is the best motor it swap in an 2003 Doge Neon SE. I have an automatic transmission. I was thinking the SRT4 motor but i have not found out anything about it.

I agree with neon_rt on most points, the way to get around the PCM would be to get a new Stage I PCM that hasn't been installed on the SRT. If you want your neon to be quicker swap in a MTX and you will instantly get quicker then turbo the car. Maybe get a magnum intake on there and some other bolt-ons.

A motor swap gets costly and then you have to enter the world of fabrication also. I don't know anyone who has successfully pulled this off yet in the sec gen neon, but it has been done on the first gen numerous times.

neon_rt · #5 03-01-2006, 01:00 PM

Buckt3,
You have exactly the wrong Neon for going fast.
Any Neon with a MTX would be good.
A R/T or ACR with the Magnum 2.0 and MTX would be better.
A first Gen Neon with a Dohc and MTX would be better yet.
Sorry, any other Neon would be a better starting point than you have.
Even a 2001 Sohc with a 3-speed auto would be better b/c the 3-speed can have a high stall torque converter installed, a HD shift kit and take 50-75 shot NOS all day long. The 4-speed auto will be toast probably before the first bottle has been used up.

das2123 · #6 03-01-2006, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neon_rt

Buckt3,
You have exactly the wrong Neon for going fast.

Not neccessarily the wrong neon, just the wrong parts. He could swap in an MTX and put the magnum intake on his car and instantly get quicker.

neon_rt · #7 03-01-2006, 05:21 PM

Since the 4-speed auto trans is computer controlled and has a Transmission Control Module that is linked to the Engine Control Module, I would assume the CEL will come on as soon as the TCM can't connect to the Transmission. B/C it would indicate a trans problem, I would also assume that the engine would be put into "Torque Management" mode until the problem is resolved. :=(
In a 1st gen, there is no TCM, the ECM controls the TQ lockup. If you switch from ATX to MTX, you can change the ECM to a MTX model and be good to go. 2nd Gen's are more complicated. Adding a Turbo with a piggy back controller seems to be one of the easier mods for going fast in a 2nd Gen.

das2123 · #8 03-01-2006, 08:17 PM

So you couldn't just put in a ECU from a MTX and be good on the second gen neon?

neon_rt · #9 03-02-2006, 11:39 AM

Swapping a MTX ECU into the car brings on a set of problems in itself. The car will not start if the VIN# of the ECU, BCU,Security Module and potentially the TCU don't match. Removing the ATX will leave some connectors open (not connected) this may cause you some trouble too. You would have to try the swap, get a MTX computer have the VIN# flashed by the dealer (usually about $100),cross your fingers and be willing to put everything back the way it was. I would opt for "buy a different car" myself.

das2123 · #10 03-02-2006, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neon_rt

Swapping a MTX ECU into the car brings on a set of problems in itself. The car will not start if the VIN# of the ECU, BCU,Security Module and potentially the TCU don't match. Removing the ATX will leave some connectors open (not connected) this may cause you some trouble too. You would have to try the swap, get a MTX computer have the VIN# flashed by the dealer (usually about $100),cross your fingers and be willing to put everything back the way it was. I would opt for "buy a different car" myself.

Bah...thats why I stick to first gen neon!!!

People over on 2gn.org swap SRT motors and trannies, but I guess they know what they are doing.

neon_rt · #11 03-02-2006, 04:23 PM

When they swap in a SRT motor, they are bringing all of the relevent controllers over from a donor car. They are doing a "all or nothing" type swap, not just a trans or an engine. As long as you are willing to bring everything from a donor car you can do anything you want. A big part of this is removing all of the engine wiring from one car and transplanting it into another. I believe the thread was to discuss the possibilities relevent to the original posters question. Although I think we lost him after the first reply.

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