RobsProjectSOHC Build (strut assembly help)

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 11:59 pm

I have beaten the crap out of this car (a neon) for 6 years and it still last. I love it, so much I want to build a reliable daily driver for life. Not looking for crazy speed (yet)...for now I just want to build a new car that will last me for another 6+ years with no probs.(obv had a few here and there...but not as bad as what ive done to it). -{RIP My Purple 01 12/16/12}

Heres my new project car: Bought January 27th, 2012.

Cars:
The Car: 03 Neon SE 5Spd (The DD Project)
01 ATX (Junked - 6 years RIP)[/color]
00 MTX (Sold to a friend)

Plans: (Edited 4/17/12)
-Top End (4/15/12 - Miles 136k)
+Bottom End
+Turbo
+Exterior/Interior When ever I can in between.
+Paint Job
=2012-2013 Dodge Neon?

Plans: (Edited 1/1/13)
-Top End
-Bottom End (Replaced with stock parts, had to & 1500$ down the drain)
-Exhaust
+Engine Dress Up
+Struts / Wheels
+Interior Overhaulin
+Paint Job
+Pay it off this year
=Done

Always down for tough criticism and advice.-Please
(x- means I have the item. Items in Green are installed.)

Edit-Parts Collecting for Rebuild:
Engine / Bay
x-SOHC Head P&P with Magnum valves and springs
x-Magnum Intake Manifold (PnP Setup)
x-Crane #12
x-AEM Adjustable Cam Gear
x-Water pump & Timing Belt Kit
x-U.D.P // ODP
-Mishimoto Radiator /w Fan
x-Cold Air Intake [/url]
x-Granatelli Coil pack & Spark Plugs
x-R.R.F.P.R.
x-Oil Catch Can /w SS Lines
-Gates Radiator Hose Kit
x-Motor Mount Inserts
x-Grounding Kit 8 Gauge
x-SAFC 2

Transmission
x-Booger Shifting and Cradle Bushings
x-Ragetek Clutch Pivot Arm
x-Trans Mount Inserts
x-PT Clutch

Suspension / Chassis / W&R
x-Eibach Sportlines
x-SRT Struts
x-Prothane Bushings Kit
x-Strut Bar (Front & Rear)
x-Rage A5 16" Rims
x-Hankook Ventus V4 ES H105 Tires
-Sway Bars Maybe?

Exhaust
x-Magnaflow Catalytic Converter(Direct fit #23268)
x-2.5" Catback Exhaust System
x-Oxygen Sensor (Downstream - #SG1853

Interior
-Aftermarket Bucket Seats
-New Interior Design
-LED Dome Light
x-LED Backlit Cluster /w No CEL!!!
x-Triple Gauge pod Pillar
x-AEM A/F WideBand Gauge
x-Vacuum Gauge
x-Volt Meter
-Oil Pressure Gauge
-Cruise Control!!!!!<---miss everything about it

Exterior
-Headlights
x-Tail Lights
x-Shorty Antenna
x-Rainy Gaurds
-Front Bumper /w Fog
-Rear Bumper /w Cut Outs
-Paint Job

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:42 am

Parts I have now:
-Booger Shift Linkage Bushings

-Rage-Tek Clutch Pivot Arm
-Prothane Motor Mount Inserts

-Polybushings Transmission Mount Inserts

-Solid Shifter Cradle Bushings. Order'd from Frank. Great communication and seller. +1

Just order'd:
MSD Tach Adapter (None of my cars have tachs, lol. plus need it for=)
01 RT Intake Manifold

Edit: Tried cleaning up the post, my bad

Received my MSD Tach Driver from BlackRoseRacing. Great shipping time...I was in no rush but I believe the day I bought it I received a tracking number the same day or the next, but pretty sure the same. lol....too much overtime.

Anywho - Package was wrapped up great with tape, thanks..lol

A+ +1

Saved 28+$ Thanks again =]

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 3:54 pm

Parts on order:
Mag Intake Manifold
SOHC Head P&P with magnum springs and valves.
Will soon be ordering crane 12 for it. =D

Pics very soon.

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 7:52 pm

Parts Order'd -

Ploished Mag Intake Manifold from soul_sword34
Received, Click here to View

SOHC Ported and Polished Nemo Head w/magnum springs (no cam) from das2123 (neons.org)
RECEIVED, CLICK HERE TO VIEW

-Next up is Crane 12, Pistons, and Connecting rods.
-Then rebuild parts (gaskets, timing belt, water pump, etc etc)
-Interior Clean for the 340958 time to finalize it, with the after effects of mods.
-Exterior after winter
-Then engine rebuild after winter or near the end. +mods posted.
-Suspension.

Edit: Had some extra money left over in paypal. Bought wiggys shifties for giggles...winter is coming, lol.

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 12:10 am

Did alot of searching for parts and finally wrote down parts that i want*....now i just want to make sure im not forgetting anything that should be repaired or replace. I know some stuff isnt engine wise, but will help breathe with the engine and etc.

Random order:
-SOHC P&P Head with mag springs/valve stems
-Crane 12
-Cam Gear
-Pistons (need help deciding)
-Connecting rods (need help deciding)
-Mag Intake Manifold
-Water pump & Timing Belt
-U.D.P & O.D.P.
-Mishimoto Radiator /w Fan
-Cold Air Intake
-Granatelli Coil pack & Spark Plugs
-Longtube Headers and Electric Cutout
-Gasket Set (Full gasket set, Ring Set, Main & Rod bearing set)
-Motor and Trans Mount Inserts
-Oil Catch Can
-Gates Radiator Hose Kit )

Now i've been debating on getting Howell ECU. I read its not that beneficial, but then it is....anyone running them today for daily driving? good gas mileage?

EDIT: All these views and no opinions. i was hoping by posting this people would either say "be a nice set up"...or "eh, had problems with".......................................nothing?

akirony · Post by **akirony** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 8:25 am

IIve read alot of people rag on howell, and they'd say just get megasquirt anyway

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 1:57 pm

I would only get megasquirt if i was to turbo my car. Dyno's are far away, where im from. Just trying to get little something better out of the ecu, any ideas?

I've been looking for fuel rail upgrades and only found boomba, but made for srt4's. So ill take it that our fuel system as is, is pretty good?

XxWhiteNeonxX · Post by **XxWhiteNeonxX** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 2:09 pm

RobsProjectSOHC wrote:I would only get megasquirt if i was to turbo my car. Dyno's are far away, where im from. Just trying to get little something better out of the ecu, any ideas?

I've been looking for fuel rail upgrades and only found boomba, but made for srt4's. So ill take it that our fuel system as is, is pretty good?

theres tons of fuel rails available. None of which are necessary.

Megasquirt is 100% the way to go. Its not all that hard to wire in, and you can tune whatever you want via your laptop.

Pretty much any ecu except ms is going to limit you. Especially rpm wise.

Im on stock internals running 10psi, shifting at 7600, and my cars loving every minute of it . Ms ftw!

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 2:15 pm

10psi as in turbo? would it benefit me n/a?

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 6:00 pm

yes ms is the way to go. it will help you na, and if later down the road you want to boost. then that is one less thing you need to do.

for mild upgrades stock fuel system is ok, we are however limited to a non return system. so for serious power you will need to upgrade that. but for the most part not on a na build.

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 6:14 pm

not first on my list...but might consider it if i see a good buy on for sale parts. but thanks for the tips. Since this thread isnt really poppin, im going to be doing some interior work soon.

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:21 pm

After switching tires from the mtx car to atx car....i realized that the mtx car has way too much rust to be taken seriously as a project. From was popping as i was lifting to remove tire...CrACK!!!

So, new plan is to rebuild the transmission over the winter...once winter is done, drive the MTX (silver car) as is and i'll rebuild the motor in the ATX. Once all is done, just do a trans swap ATX to MTX. Will take pics of 01 neon. My mission is to take 2 beaters and make 2013 Dodge Neon.

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 12:51 pm

Received my Nemo P&P Head today....so excited. Still havent heard anything from the guy i order'd the intake manifold off of. Soon i will be going for refund with paypal.

Ontop of that news, for a week straight we are getting crappy rain weather. Still racking up ideas and parts.

Nemo P&P Head with Mag springs and Valves by das2123 (from neons.org) Very well packaged

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 10:34 pm

So as you guys can tell, this build is gunna be slow....its more of a log of collecting parts and getting it ready for a build. But be fun to see how it started to something awesome - more of what im looking for. Next paycheck is gunna be dedicated to a new cell phone. Next paycheck will be a couple of goodies.

Parts received today:

Parts order'd:
2.0L High Output Cover.
Granatelli Coil Pack. Already have the wires.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 10:47 pm

Wow- lotsa parts!

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 10:36 am

so fresh and so clean.

Starting to get cold, winters around the corner. Need to do brakes and an oil change. Will im doing that ill put the motor mount inserts in with the new cover above. Hopefully by then ill have the Granatelli Coil Pack to throw on. I will take pics!

Lantern04rt · Post by **Lantern04rt** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:47 pm

glad to see you got the intake ok.

I was kinda wondering how solid that car was it looks like someone was angry with it lol.

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Sat Nov 12, 2011 7:17 pm

Well, its been awhile since ive updated or tried working on the car. Went and bought a new phone + some bills. But i should be getting back into it. Forgot to post these, but here are some parts i have.

-Granatelli Coil Pack (BTW, i put this on my car asap...love it. goes great with the granatelli wires. Idles more smoothly. A+

My friend just offered an a/f wideband for 75$, i dont think i can pass down that deal. Just need to get some more gauges and pillar now. What ya think?...good buy or would be useless to me without turbo build?

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 7:39 pm

Couple new toys. Crane 12 from neonrt_98. Great seller, never had a problem with this dude. Always fast on shipping.
Should go good with my nemo head with mag valves&springs.

And AEM A/F Wideband (The random purple blue splot is my webcam shine, lol)

Think im going to get pillar pod, 2 more gauges, and wire that up. then save up for MPx bottom engine rebuild kit, 10:5.1 compression. i see they have 12:1, but i see some issues, and this is a daily driver car. so i think this will do just fine. If i ever want to turbo, always have the possibility

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 9:44 pm

More goodies. Paying alot of money in bills/holiday...so i just got some low cost stuff to keep my spirits up.

Triple gauge pod pillar

Spec-D Tuning Tachometer

The other gauge is going to be a vacuum gauge.

So now that i got my tool set complete now, i can start doing some interior work for over winter. Going to do interior swap. Everytime i drive the car, all i can vision and think about is what im going to do the car. wish i could draw like chip foose to show ya guys, lol. Ill take pics tomorrow, if im right its suppose to be sunny out.

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 9:44 pm

So, i didnt do that much today. Was disappointing, i opened up the MTX car and realized interior is junk junk junk. I used a couple things, dash and two toned it just so i look at something different, but i know i didnt do crap. I do say, triple gauge pod pillar looks good in it. So plans?...too many. lol

MTX Car is now only gunna be for driving while the ATX engine gets built and installed. Didnt wanna take pics after that happened. =[ soon, its a mystery. lol

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 10:02 pm

Been a long time since ive posted, but ive been parts collecting and keep forgetting to buy a camera....BUT I have purchased an 03 Neon SE 5Spd Blue.

Miles - 132,xxx
Engine: Runs pretty good, impressed consider'd mileage.
Tranny: Needs a new clutch (next in line)....not completely shot, but not my liking. Need to install the booger bushings.
Exterior - No rust......well, until my friend pointed out this little tiny tiny tiny tiny tiny thing near the trunk. file and touch up paint...you wont even know that small. -Also for miles, damn.
Interior - Seats were little worn out...put seat covers on today and gave it a new shift knob to match it. looks good to keep it clean. Other than that...everything else is very clean.

Now for me to shut up and show pics. Bad news, i dont have a camera....so this is off the dealer site i got it from. Ill take pics off my cell tomorrow for desperate measures.

More pics tomorrow + interior pics.

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:46 pm

I took out the air filter box today and replace a the elbow piece from my other neon for a half cold air intake...lol. Sounds good though.

Interior pics:(Seat has small tear, thats why i got the seat covers. Shift knob makes it lower handle for me...i like it. Later on STS)

And my pedals...need to fix them, crooked..test run.

Better pics tomorrow.[/img]

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 4:54 pm

Sooooooooooo, ambition to take pics today. all off the cellphone, so dont hate on quality, i already know.lol.

First pic, random as hell and idk why i took it.

The rest will make sense.

As you can see...Booger Bushings and JM Cradle Bushings.

Also later tonight ill take pics of dash (new l.e.d.s)
Soon, lowering springs should be in the mail.

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 5:23 pm

Later turned to now...lol.

Then when I turn the stock lights on it brightens up the blue to get a close match of the pedal color.

tell me what you think people....all these views and no replies

Marmelade Boy · Post by **Marmelade Boy** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:07 am

Looks pretty good. Im not a fan of light up pedals. but you should clean that engine bay! haha maybe a little paint on the valve cover.

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:35 am

I completely agree....i need to spend a day just cleaning that engine bay, ive been wanting to, just waiting for warmer weather. I'll even throw some wax on it, make it shine.

I bought some more toys.

Plug and play for mag intake.

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 11:20 am

Big plans coming up in April. Very excited. Waited till it was official before i could post and well now it is!!!!

Going to be meeting up with dtjackten to do a nemo head swap with the crane 12 and mag internals. ALSO!, Magnum intake manifold, UDP/ODP, with fresh water pump and timing belt. Time to get a bit of a change.....i feel like that im going to need a new clutch soon. lol

hmmm, gotta have this for the cam

been in the trunk for 3-4 years now

Imagined this bigger for some reason..lol

Just the beginning.

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 12:20 pm

i can not wait for this install. going to be a great weekend when it comes around.

should have my car up done by then tooo

good luck on collecting all the parts.

RobsProjectSOHC · Post by **RobsProjectSOHC** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 4:11 pm

Check List
x-SOHC Head P&P with Magnum valves and springs
x-Magnum Intake Manifold (PnP Setup)
x-Crane #12
x-Adjustable Cam Gear
x-U.D.P // ODP
x-Trans Mount Inserts
-Friend is going to bring camera
-Another pair of pants for the 400hp cruise

What ill be getting once I get there:
-Gasket Set
-Water Pump
-Timing tensioner with Gates Belt
-Hardware for head and mag intake

April 14ths not tomorrow, damn. Other than that, i'm not going to be doing much to the car but babying / cleaning it until the swap. Will take plenty of pics and vids on the ride back.