[THS_Cruiser03]

Originally Posted by pteezer129

Ok, I'm going to tear apart and rebuild the block, how about just boring it out a couple of cc's to say... a 2.5L. Can;t I just have the computer that I already have reprogramed?

Well sure you can but be careful with this. This stuff is not for folks who live in the "bolt on horsepower world". Plus if you bore it 0.030" over I think your displacement would be more than 2.5 (check the math on that-).

I'm not sure how much research you've done, but modding PT motors isn't like modding 350 Chevy's or 302's in Mustangs. Sure, some of the same "hot rodding" technology works to produce results, but they are only half as effective on Na PT's. This is partially because the PT motor is only half as big as those V8's, and because (as we've all learned) DC already built about as much reliable power as they could while balancing the fuel economy and life of the drive train parts. Rememeber the Car business is about making products that will meet the expecation of the owner for a price they are willing to pay.

DC could have made the PT Na 2.4 a much more powerful engine, but most folks wouldn't want to buy 93 octane fuel, get about 15 city & 20 MPG hwy, and be willing to pay the price increase for forged rods & cranks (and other higher performance related parts) in a sub $20K vehicle.

That said, I have modded my Na motor but it's a "mild" mod. Theres some history on my car and a guy on this forum who was my inspiration for the project here:

Porting na head


I did my car this way for a few reasons (not the least of which is this car is my daily driver!):

1. I had goals in mind before I started, then I researched how to get there. - What are your goals for your motor/Pt? This will determine how intense you will have to get on the mods, it will also give you a better indication of what it's going to cost you.

2. Now that you have some goals in mind, now you need to research them. Because believe me if you tear down your PT motor and rebuild it from the ground up, you only want to do it once, and you want to be happy with your results.

3. Expect that it will take time. I'm nearly a year since I did my mods and I'm not done yet - I still need some aftermarket intake/exhaust improvements and I need to get my car Dyno'ed and get my Piggy back ECU tuned in. That alone is going to cost me another $1,000 +. So don't think you'll be done when your motor is back together

Do some research over at PT crew and the SRT forums. Most of the talk surrounds Turbo 2.4's but there are some Na folks who are knowledgable and can help with questions. I also like turbododge.com - those guys run 2.2's and 2.5's from the 80's, but there are Neon and PT guys there too.

I'd be happy to share my experiences with you and answer any questions I can help with, but you have to decide what you want out of your PT first.

Good luck!

Tom