new guy number eleventy-billion says hello

Darkness · Post by **Darkness** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 1:19 pm

Hey all,

I found out about this site from Wikipedia yesterday, and its been a great resource. Although I don't have a Neon myself, my girlfriend does and I'm learning what to do with her car. She has a 2001 ES, stick, absolutely stock. I bought the complete suspension, brakes, steering, and K member off a 2005 SRT4, and I'll be doing that conversion soon.

Next up: motor mods. If anyone can point me to the good 2.0L mods I'd appreciate it. I'm figuring a cam, that Magnum manifold I've seen mentioned elsewhere on the forum, and a CNC head port with better valves. I'm open to advice and I get all my parts near WD cost so don't be afraid to throw mod ideas at me.

About myself... I currently own a 2006 GTO, and a 550hp 1999 Dakota R/T. Previous rides include several BMW M3's. I do all my own wrenching.

So how far have people taken the 2.0L ES and still had a nice daily driver? I'd prefer NA mods.

OB · Post by OB » Sun Jul 29, 2007 1:39 pm

Welcome to 2gn! Your best bet for the 2.0 is a magnum head/intake/exhaust manifold swap from an rt or acr neon. After that, a cam, valvetrain, exhaust system, and bottom end build are the way to go. Engine management is also a must when you start taking things above the standard mag swap. High compression is the only real way to make big HP on the 2.0, but if you just want a comfy daily driver that gets up and goes, the mag setup along with complimentary intake and exhaust mods should do the trick. I have a thread around here called "NA build" that has some good info in it and a long discussion about ways to make power on the 2.0L sohc motor. Check it out and post any questions you might have.

Darkness · Post by **Darkness** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 2:02 pm

I understand the factory PCM takes a carp when you exceed normal operating parameters. They're also completely non-editable, if they're anything like the Dakota PCM. Thats why I went with Accel DFI on my truck. I see people have used Megasquirt on the Neon. Anyone tried DFI yet? I ask because my business partner is a wholesale distributor for them. He's also got a new CNC plan for the SRT4 head so I'm going to see if he will do an SOHC head for me.

I may just pick up an extra SOHC motor and build it on the side for a proper swap.

OB · Post by OB » Sun Jul 29, 2007 2:21 pm

Thats a wise idea, I plan on doing the same thing. Not sure about DFI, but if you have connections then you should see what they can come up with! Us 2nd gen neon guys are always looking for EMS alternatives, so far MS being the best bang for the buck option. People want an easy plug and play, but it's just not in the cards. Our best bet is to at least find someone who has a base program for MS and get the car running, then leave it to a professional to tune it from there.

Darkness · Post by **Darkness** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 2:26 pm

Everyone seem so quick to throw on a turbo. I had a 94 Talon ES 16v that was one of the most fun cars I ever owned. I enjoyed it as much as my 944. I threw on a set of KYB's and a strut bar, and it was a pure blast of NA fun.

If you think there's really a market for NA stuff for these cars then maybe I should see what we can come up with. I'm finishing up a huge list of products for the Dakota now, but we've been talking about doing some SRT4 parts. Maybe the SOHC might be a better, untapped group?

OB · Post by OB » Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:26 pm

The SRT market is so saturated with parts and DIY fabriactors its sickening. The 2.0L market has a decent amount of support, but there is a lot of untapped potential in these motors that has yet to be realized by most. There are a few theories floating around, but the main reason no one is making good reliable power with the NA 2.0L is simply lack of experimentation/R&D. Very few have pushed the limits, and its unfortunate. The Neon crowd is a grassroots one, and being a budget group, a motor swap or turbo is the easier way to go. The few of us who want to try the harder route (NA) usually dont have the resources to do so nor the money to back up the build. I'm seriously considering a fairly detailed NA build though, just to say I tried and give it a shot. There's always the srt motor swap if I fail/change my mind/want more power.

OB · Post by OB » Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:27 pm

The SRT market is so saturated with parts and DIY fabriactors its sickening. The 2.0L market has a decent amount of support, but there is a lot of untapped potential in these motors that has yet to be realized by most. There are a few theories floating around, but the main reason no one is making good reliable power with the NA 2.0L is simply lack of experimentation/R&D. Very few have pushed the limits, and its unfortunate. The Neon crowd is a grassroots one, and being a budget group, a motor swap or turbo is the easier way to go. The few of us who want to try the harder route (NA) usually dont have the resources to do so nor the money to back up the build. I'm seriously considering a fairly detailed NA build though, just to say I tried and give it a shot. There's always the srt motor swap if I fail/change my mind/want more power.

Darkness · Post by **Darkness** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:33 pm

Well I was just talking about how much Brad spent on his NA build and my buddy said he must have been retailed to death, because for less money he could have built him a complete forged motor.

I need to look into this more. What kind of stuff are you talking about doing?

OB · Post by OB » Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:36 pm

Yeah thats what I was thinking too, seemed a bit over the top.

Here's that thread I told you about, these are my basic plans. I have a lot of ideas but these are pretty much the staples

http://forum.2gn.org/viewtopic.php?t=23123&highlight=

biggrobb1995 · Post by **biggrobb1995** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 6:22 pm

Welcome to the site.

NeonBluSXT · Post by **NeonBluSXT** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:40 am

Welcome to the site!