Head Swap
Head Swap
I've been thinking of doing the magnum head swap for awhile now, so I figured id do a bit of research. My main question is this: what kind of gains/performance should I expect if I swap in the head with no PCM modifications? Has anyone done this with their NGC neon? What was the result? How does the engine run?
-Derek
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silverneontuner
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- kc2005ptgt
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Re: Head Swap
Wellllllllll.... gains you know are different from car to car, but I know that quicksilvr did a head swap with some other mods likt lth and udp, tb and comp cam (200? or maybe crane 12) and his numbers were like 135 hp --- so I would sya that is pretty close to the rt/acr with similar mods, except maybe the lth would give more (like 3-5).... SO, I would say even w/o the computer, you will see decent results, just not as smooth or aggressive torque and hp curves. I recall his being sporadic and lower than mine. Sorry, I have no other experience in NGC carsOB wrote:I've been thinking of doing the magnum head swap for awhile now, so I figured id do a bit of research. My main question is this: what kind of gains/performance should I expect if I swap in the head with no PCM modifications? Has anyone done this with their NGC neon? What was the result? How does the engine run?
SOLD 5/13- 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT Convertible | 2.4L Turbo HO | Bright Silver Metallic
SOLD 7/09- 2002 Dodge Neon ACR | Flame Red
The Offical: Sold My Neon Even Though I Swore I Never Would Club | Member #777

SOLD 7/09- 2002 Dodge Neon ACR | Flame Red
The Offical: Sold My Neon Even Though I Swore I Never Would Club | Member #777

I've done a mag head swap on my 05 NGC. I have been running this setup since July. The head got a port/polish and I am running a comp 400 cam. I have got a video of me losing to my brother's tC in the street racing section if you wanted to see/hear how everything runs.
I will tell you that it was definitely a noticeable difference as it did wake the car up. It feels really quick when I am running solo, but when I went up against my brother....well I wasn't too happy. It could be a lot of things like my stock POS tires (when launching at 2k, traction feels like my friends SRT4 in first gear, as in there is none, boy do these stockers suck!), lack of tuning, gearing is not setup for acceleration like my bros tC, no long tube, or maybe I just don't know how to drive.
The engine runs like normal when warmed up. It has a nice "cammed" sound to it, but when I start it up cold, I have a loud ticking sound. I don't know if it's just because of the cam or maybe the rockers suck because with the stock head I never had ticking. When I put the mag head on I didn't use the stock rockers. I may swap the rockers out later to see if I lose the tick. It does go away after a couple of minutes and only ticks when the engine is cold.
So far no other problems, although the car does see the red on a normal basis. Let me know if you want me to answer anything specific.
I will tell you that it was definitely a noticeable difference as it did wake the car up. It feels really quick when I am running solo, but when I went up against my brother....well I wasn't too happy. It could be a lot of things like my stock POS tires (when launching at 2k, traction feels like my friends SRT4 in first gear, as in there is none, boy do these stockers suck!), lack of tuning, gearing is not setup for acceleration like my bros tC, no long tube, or maybe I just don't know how to drive.
The engine runs like normal when warmed up. It has a nice "cammed" sound to it, but when I start it up cold, I have a loud ticking sound. I don't know if it's just because of the cam or maybe the rockers suck because with the stock head I never had ticking. When I put the mag head on I didn't use the stock rockers. I may swap the rockers out later to see if I lose the tick. It does go away after a couple of minutes and only ticks when the engine is cold.
So far no other problems, although the car does see the red on a normal basis. Let me know if you want me to answer anything specific.
2005 Dodge Neon SXT 5spd
-"street" p/p mag head -comp 400 -mag intake mani -iceman CAI -magnaflow muffler w/ dual tips -mag header -mopar sts -boogers -prothane engine/trans race inserts -srt rear brakes
-"street" p/p mag head -comp 400 -mag intake mani -iceman CAI -magnaflow muffler w/ dual tips -mag header -mopar sts -boogers -prothane engine/trans race inserts -srt rear brakes
Thanks bigjosh, thats pretty much what I figured. I plan to build the head later on, but I wont be able to afford that so ive been contemplating whether or not I should take the time to install it beforehand and enjoy the minimal gains or just wait a year or so until I have it built.
-Derek
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DJ CptnCrnch
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ill let u know in a week...im putting in a mag head with a comp 400 and a LTH. then finishing up my exhaust
-Matt-
04 Black SXT
AEM intake, MPx underdrive pulley, MPx throttle body, Prothane Motor Mounts , Mopar short throw shifter Eibach lowing springs, Mag Intake Manifold, Mopar 3D Taillights, Mag head, Comp 400 cam, FF LTH. All this work and I'm still slow...time to find another car
BB PIN: 317CEE50
04 Black SXT
AEM intake, MPx underdrive pulley, MPx throttle body, Prothane Motor Mounts , Mopar short throw shifter Eibach lowing springs, Mag Intake Manifold, Mopar 3D Taillights, Mag head, Comp 400 cam, FF LTH. All this work and I'm still slow...time to find another car
BB PIN: 317CEE50
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DJ CptnCrnch
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well i ripped apart the car...and my gaskets never came from modern....they promised i would have them by this wed. When i called them yesterday they told me they didnt get them in yet....im hoping i can find gaskets at the local auto parts store. I went out to summit racing last night and they didnt have anything in stock....grrrrrrr
-Matt-
04 Black SXT
AEM intake, MPx underdrive pulley, MPx throttle body, Prothane Motor Mounts , Mopar short throw shifter Eibach lowing springs, Mag Intake Manifold, Mopar 3D Taillights, Mag head, Comp 400 cam, FF LTH. All this work and I'm still slow...time to find another car
BB PIN: 317CEE50
04 Black SXT
AEM intake, MPx underdrive pulley, MPx throttle body, Prothane Motor Mounts , Mopar short throw shifter Eibach lowing springs, Mag Intake Manifold, Mopar 3D Taillights, Mag head, Comp 400 cam, FF LTH. All this work and I'm still slow...time to find another car
BB PIN: 317CEE50
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silverneontuner
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DJ CptnCrnch
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yeah the gaskets look the same, but i wasnt using old gaskets...i wanted to get new ones....i finally found everything and got it back 2gether...the car def feels faster. I got a mag head, comp 400 cam, adj cam gear, and FF LTH. lol the underdrive pully i had got bent, so im back to the stock one for now...the car takes off quick now and i have more top end power, im happy with the install.
-Matt-
04 Black SXT
AEM intake, MPx underdrive pulley, MPx throttle body, Prothane Motor Mounts , Mopar short throw shifter Eibach lowing springs, Mag Intake Manifold, Mopar 3D Taillights, Mag head, Comp 400 cam, FF LTH. All this work and I'm still slow...time to find another car
BB PIN: 317CEE50
04 Black SXT
AEM intake, MPx underdrive pulley, MPx throttle body, Prothane Motor Mounts , Mopar short throw shifter Eibach lowing springs, Mag Intake Manifold, Mopar 3D Taillights, Mag head, Comp 400 cam, FF LTH. All this work and I'm still slow...time to find another car
BB PIN: 317CEE50
- kc2005ptgt
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yeah, doing all that at once deffinately will show a difference in the butt dyno!
now get something to tune it, and you are set!
SOLD 5/13- 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT Convertible | 2.4L Turbo HO | Bright Silver Metallic
SOLD 7/09- 2002 Dodge Neon ACR | Flame Red
The Offical: Sold My Neon Even Though I Swore I Never Would Club | Member #777

SOLD 7/09- 2002 Dodge Neon ACR | Flame Red
The Offical: Sold My Neon Even Though I Swore I Never Would Club | Member #777

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DJ CptnCrnch
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yeah im trying to find out as much info on MS as i can... i know someone on here might be making adapters for our cars, to make installation easier. IF those come out i will prob install MSkc2002acr wrote:yeah, doing all that at once deffinately will show a difference in the butt dyno!now get something to tune it, and you are set!
-Matt-
04 Black SXT
AEM intake, MPx underdrive pulley, MPx throttle body, Prothane Motor Mounts , Mopar short throw shifter Eibach lowing springs, Mag Intake Manifold, Mopar 3D Taillights, Mag head, Comp 400 cam, FF LTH. All this work and I'm still slow...time to find another car
BB PIN: 317CEE50
04 Black SXT
AEM intake, MPx underdrive pulley, MPx throttle body, Prothane Motor Mounts , Mopar short throw shifter Eibach lowing springs, Mag Intake Manifold, Mopar 3D Taillights, Mag head, Comp 400 cam, FF LTH. All this work and I'm still slow...time to find another car
BB PIN: 317CEE50