R/T engine swap

Dutch_Neon · Post by **Dutch_Neon** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:39 am

So I can get a pretty good deal on a R/T engine with like 25.000 miles on it. What do I need to mount it in my 2000 model Neon? Is it direct fit? I think tranny and everything is the same, it's just the basic engine that differs right?

refect · Post by **refect** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:49 pm

is the r/t motor from a 1st gen or a 2nd gen? sicne you said it has 25,000 miles im gonna go ahead and assume it was a 2nd gen sohc r/t motor....motor mounts should all match up and be same.

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:07 pm

and the computer

plus the r/t motor had the special intake manifold that you would need to wire up.

anomalous0 · Post by **anomalous0** » Sat May 19, 2007 6:04 am

are you sure it would be worth it to swap the whole motor? if you can get the motor for less than the price of the intake manifold, cam, exhaust manifold, and head (I'd say under $700) then I'd just swap those parts out, the only thing different other than those is the tranny (if you can get that, by all means) and the PCM, which apparently makes very little difference. The piston skirts are also coated, but who knows how much difference that makes, and anyways, while you have the head off you can swap in coated DOHC pistons for pretty cheap AND get a compression bump!

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Sat May 19, 2007 8:44 pm

Just make sure its not an 03 or 04!

OB · Post by OB » Sat May 19, 2007 9:11 pm

the tranny's are different, the rt comes with 3.94 gears (closer final drive). Get the pcm as well so it runs properly.

Post by **racer12306** » Sat May 19, 2007 10:31 pm

yeah the tran's are different but the 3.55 will bolt up to the block just fine.

Mazda787b · Post by **Mazda787b** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 6:26 pm

I am looking to do the exact same thing (00 Magnum).

There is an 02 Mag motor + Trans for sale on a local forum.

He has all wiring, etc (Do I really need it, or will a window switch/SAFC Neo be better than going with a Magnum PCM?).

I believe I will need a cable clutch/2gn bellhousing, correct?

What other parts would I need, the 2000 I will be purchasing is an ATX car.

TomZ · Post by **TomZ** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:22 pm

Mazda787b wrote:I am looking to do the exact same thing (00 Magnum).

There is an 02 Mag motor + Trans for sale on a local forum.

He has all wiring, etc (Do I really need it, or will a window switch/SAFC Neo be better than going with a Magnum PCM?).

I believe I will need a cable clutch/2gn bellhousing, correct?

What other parts would I need, the 2000 I will be purchasing is an ATX car.

The swap itself is plug and play. The Magnum PCM is a problem if it has the skim module. If your car doesn't have a skim and the donor Magnum PCM doesn't you're ok. Any other combination presents problems. I tried a skim sytle Magnum PCM on my Magnum swap into a non-skim car and it ran for only a few seconds. If you really want to utilize the potential of the magnum PCM-wise, look into MegaSquirt. The Magnum engine runs fine on the non-Magnum PCM. The 3.55 trans (non-Magnum) bolts up fine. The 3.94 (Magnum engine) transmission is a nice upgrade if available. 5th gear in the Magnum trans cruises at a higher RPM than the 3.55, incresasing engine wear and decreases MPG. The best transmission to use is from an '01 PT Cruiser; same 1-4 as a Neon 3.94 and a 5th that cruises at the same RPM as a 3.55, awesome combo. A PT Cruiser modular clutch is an excellent upgrade, it's good to 200 crank HP and has a lighter pedal feel than the stock Neon clutch. The '01 and up 3.94 transmisson uses a hydraulic clutch. The '00 Neon uses a cable clutch, as do 1 GN Neons. I'm not sure if all or some '00 's use the cable clutch or not. There are several parts you'll need to do a MTX swap, but it's already documented, try the search, it's too much to type out from memory.