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250 bones worth it?
Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 11:43 pm
by gtxtreme19
Today I looked at an 02 Stratus dohc 2.4 with front passenger side damage.
Dude at the salvage yard wants $250 for it. The timing belt, gears, and cover all look kosher but would be getting replaced anyway.(maintenance )
The car turned over when it came to the yard but didn't start.
Opinions?
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:52 pm
by Fuzzyneon
i mean without seeing it i cant really say but yeah just junkyard pick body parts and have a daily or somthing
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 2:37 pm
by mopar04
What exactly are you wanting with the stratus? Is it going to be a common driver, swap, or just for parts?
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 3:00 pm
by FAC3L3SS
Probably just drop the engine in the Neon so he can drive it while he builds the motor he's got out.
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 3:11 pm
by gtxtreme19
Adam mostly got it the $250 is for just the firewall foreward looking to swap the 2.4 dohc in to my currently hydrolocked 2000
They are also kkeping the tranny for a Stratus the owner has
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 3:33 pm
by Marcel
I say go for it.

If it turns over nicely and the engine compartiment didn't suffer (too much) damage, you're bound to get it up and running fairly easy.
What are the specs of a stratus 2.4l DOHC anyway?
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 3:47 pm
by mopar04
Would the tranny you have now match up to the 2.4 engine? If so I would go for it if it didn't have TOO much damage to it like dude above me said.
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 3:54 pm
by gtxtreme19
Yes the 3speed bolts right up according to the forum searches I've done.
I've decided to try it, if I like the way the motor runs out I may just slap srt parts on it and build it.
Win win
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:04 pm
by mopar04
Ha ha yeah sounds like it would be. Compared to the SRT4, what additional parts would you have to add to the Stratus 2.4 engine besides the turbo?
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:09 pm
by gtxtreme19
You haven't really looked into it at all, have you? Ill pretty much need everything and if I want to keep from blowing it up srt internals too. Idk thou that's down the road I just want a car that I can drive and not just look at
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:20 pm
by Marcel
I say go for this engine, but not build this one up to an SRT. Too much effort while there's bound to be ready-for-swap SRT-4 engines out there. IMO a better choice when you're ready to upgrade.
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:26 pm
by heydockyle
Srt internals drop right in 2.4. 2.4 is going to be alot faster then 2.0.
How many miles on the 2.4? All neon transmissions will bolt up to the 2.4.
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:26 pm
by mopar04
No I haven't really looked into the stratus 2.4 compared to others. If you have to end up switching basically everything out or adding too many things, (depending on price differences) IMO I don't think it would be worth it to try and throw SRT4 parts on.
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:42 pm
by gtxtreme19
Thanks Kyle. Roughly 53k and I got looking today the damage is rough but it looks like everything stopped short of the motor the plastic timing cover is intact with nothing touching it. It does look like the engine cradle got a little twisted tho
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:45 pm
by Haganracing
mopar04,
You are awesome! Finally a newbie that is cool

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 6:16 pm
by heydockyle
mopar04 wrote: IMO I don't think it would be worth it to try and throw SRT4 parts on.
Why though? You are going to have a grand in an srt motor with however many miles on it.
He gets this 2.4, puts srt internals in it for another 400. He's looking at like 650. While not everything is SRT spec, he has a fresh motor for less money, with a bottom end (except crank, idk what it's good for) that is good for 400hp.. Not to mention SRT motors are harder to find. And you don't have to swap the wiring harness if he does it this way. Run MS and he's golden.
And the 2.4 is an all around better motor then the 2.0 IMO. Non-Interference being the best thing ever.
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 6:27 pm
by gtxtreme19
My thoughts exactly. I have Ms installed already anyway. And im looking for srt internals right now too
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 6:32 pm
by heydockyle
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 6:39 pm
by gtxtreme19
Meh... later. I just want a motor that runs for now
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 11:43 pm
by FAC3L3SS
That 2.4 is a "bolt-on" to everything you've already got. SRT internals and even the turbo parts and you're 2.4L Turbo. Not as powerful as the SRT, but you've got MS and a pretty wide knowledge base. You may not even bother with the 2.0 if you beef this up a little.
Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 12:05 am
by gtxtreme19
So I called around to get some prices and most local salvage yards are getting 450-550 for these motors. I'd say 250 is a steal. Im going to borrow a truck and pick this up tomorrow.
Also found some srt pistons and rods on the. Org for pretty cheap I will prolly pick those up and install them before the motor is in might get the srt oil pan too.
Adam ill probably get rid of all my 2.0 stuff after this. I have a friend with a 3" stainless turboback for an srt for 350 for sale that might be later on down the road, I had no idea all the options with a 2.4 and megasquirt.
The engine gods are happy now
Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 12:06 am
by FAC3L3SS
Damn straight. Let the Peon liiiiiiive!
Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:25 am
by heydockyle
I paid $350 for a 98 motor with 80k. Yep, $250 is a steal.
And if you put SRT internals on it don't plan on racing till it's boosted. Because it's going to be slow with no compression lol.
Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:44 am
by gtxtreme19
No racing here. The only reason I would do it is because I know how easy it is to get the srt parts to Turbo it. Off to the junkyard be back soon