PT Cruiser V-6 Conversion!

[2002Gold]

Here is a shot of the interior with everything re-installed. I wanted to keep the stock factory look. If you look good at the floor shifter, you will notice that I had already modified it from the Chrysler 3 speed shift configuration to the GM four speed shift configuration. Shortly after that is when I modified it further and installed the Lokar LED shift indicator and chrome ring and coin tray, shown in the lower picture. You will also notice in the lower picture that I split the floor shift console in two pieces. You can see the chrome strip running down the side of the center of the floor console. That is where I made the cut. I did this to make the removal and installation of the floor shift console much easier. If any of you ever tried removing it, you know what I'm talking about. Thank you, Tommy.

[twress]

Awesome looking project, cool to have the pictures to go along with the progress......Makes me want to come back to check out more progress as you go. Great job on keeping the interior looking the same as before with all the mods underneath!

[2002Gold]

Here is the gas tank that I designed. The two drawings shows how the gas tank is being fabricated. It is being made of regular steel. The cost to build the gas tank of aluminum or stainless steel is of the charts. It would be nice, but, simply not in my budget. I took the design from a 1965 Ford Mustang gas tank show in the picture below. The tank sits flush with the top of the floor. There will be a metal cover that will cover the top of the tank. As mentioned previously the tank will be relocated to the trunk area, just above where the spare tire is mounted. The spare tire will be relocated inside the car in the trunk area and covered with a custom made canvas. The existing stock gas filler tube hose will tie in nicely to the passenger side of the new gas tank to the 39 degree tubing which will be attached to the side of the gas tank. All I have to do is cut the existing gas filler hose to the desired length, and connect it to the tubing on the side of the tank. I will also be installing a structual frame aft of the gas tank, between the gas tank and bumber which will be made of 2" x 2" x 1/4" square tubing. This is for added protection in the event of a rear collision. There will also be support pieces from this structure, running forward on the driver and passenger sides which will strattle the gas tank and will tie into other support structures that will be installed to support the upper shock absorber mounting brackets. The more protection the better. I have a ton of pictures and will be sneaking them in here and there. The Candyman is well aware of all of the pictures I had posted on the PT Cruiser World Forum. Not sure what happened to that forum. It suddenly had numerous problems then seem to have gone dead. It was great posting pictures there, and I'm grateful for their support, as I'm also grateful for the support of this Forum. Thank you, Tommy.

[2002Gold]

I will be leaving for Vegas tomorrow. I'll be back on the 27th to catch up with any messages that my be posted! Aloha, Tommy.

[RustysTouring]

Hi, I'm RustyTouring and I'm Cruisin in an 05 Tuobo Lite Silver Conv. I drove off a now shuttered Chrysler dealer in Far Rockaway Beach, NYC on Black Friday '06. I've been fasinated with rwd coversions of all types since Detroit went FWD in the eighties. I've always really liked the Buick V6 since there is plenty of non turbo power to be had. My rwd ideas consist of a 3.5 Dakota motor of whatever year your PT is (say an 02 Dakota motor if you have an 02, like our friend in Jersey). Wouldn't the computer work be simpler since you would be using the same manufacturer and year. Paxton makes a super charger if one was so inclined. The front suspension is a real BIG problem, and I see that you are fabbing the gas tank and I can only imagine the oil pan fitting day. I'm also cosidering a Prowler transaxle set up that I would just take to a reputable Street Rod shop as most have been putting Jag IRS rears in every thing from Duece Coupe to Willys Gassers to Model T's
for decades. Do you have room for Shorty Headers? To go from planning to actual cutting and fitting is really an impressive accomplishment. I'm new to the forum but I must agree that photos are an absolute must for any project let alone one of this magnitude. Good Luck, but I suspect luck ain't gonna have nuttin' to do with it. I'd fly to Hawaii to see this project! Take care.

[Pteazer]

WOW!!! THATS AN AWESOME TRANSPLANT ,Hello Tommy I have to say your doing it right. there was a v6 in the mothers wax Pt panel truck and it went like hell. the rear wheel drive set up is going to be perfect and something that should have been done at the factory in my opinion.Good luck and keep us all posted on the progress,Its going to haul ass and handle what more can you ask for. well done .Ray from Pteazer.

[2002Gold]

Originally Posted by RustysTouring

Hi, I'm RustyTouring and I'm Cruisin in an 05 Tuobo Lite Silver Conv. I drove off a now shuttered Chrysler dealer in Far Rockaway Beach, NYC on Black Friday '06. I've been fasinated with rwd coversions of all types since Detroit went FWD in the eighties. I've always really liked the Buick V6 since there is plenty of non turbo power to be had. My rwd ideas consist of a 3.5 Dakota motor of whatever year your PT is (say an 02 Dakota motor if you have an 02, like our friend in Jersey). Wouldn't the computer work be simpler since you would be using the same manufacturer and year. Paxton makes a super charger if one was so inclined. The front suspension is a real BIG problem, and I see that you are fabbing the gas tank and I can only imagine the oil pan fitting day. I'm also cosidering a Prowler transaxle set up that I would just take to a reputable Street Rod shop as most have been putting Jag IRS rears in every thing from Duece Coupe to Willys Gassers to Model T's
for decades. Do you have room for Shorty Headers? To go from planning to actual cutting and fitting is really an impressive accomplishment. I'm new to the forum but I must agree that photos are an absolute must for any project let alone one of this magnitude. Good Luck, but I suspect luck ain't gonna have nuttin' to do with it. I'd fly to Hawaii to see this project! Take care.

Hi I'm back from Vegas. It was a very good trip! Yes, the Buick 3.8L, 231 cubic inch V-6 is a favorite engine of the V-6 family. It will be a good drivetrain conversion for me as well. I must admit that the Turbo PT, does hold it's own. I was amazed when I drove one for the first time. However, for me, I'm old school. When I pop the hood of a PT Cruiser, I much rather see a V-6 or V-8 RWD application staring me in the face. If you followed my thread from the start, you will note that I had installed a Chevy 3.8L V-6 engine from a 98 Camaro that did not turn out well due to numerous electrical problems. So, here I am now, installing a carbureted Buick 3.8 V-6 and a GM 200R4 RWD 4 speed automatic trans. Anyway, less wiring and no engine computer to deal with. Your Dakota 3.5 engine drivetrain sounds like a good idea. It does help if the drivetrain comes from the same manufacturer, however, one word of advice, do your homework to find out if the engine harness and computer that you chose to use are compatible. In other words, if you go with a computer from a 2002 Dakota, make sure you have the correct engine harness that is compatible with that computer. All though the years may be the same, the engine harness may be different. Some engine harnesses are built specifically for V-8 engine, some for V-6 engines, some with automatic transmissions, some for standard shift transmission, the list goes on and on. Just make sure you have the right part numbers that will support your ideal drivetrain conversion. For me, I'm using the stock PT Cruiser front suspension. I will provide pictures shortly explaining how I did that. The rear suspension will be a solid axle rear end housing from a 2002 Jeep Wrangler. I will be modifying it to a leaf spring suspension which requires less structual work. I will also provide pictures of my engine oil pan with the surrounding crossmember and other support structures. The engine oil pan will be able to drop straight down without removing anything else. That was one of my main concerns when I designed the engine and rack and pinion crossmember. I do have room for shorty style headers, however, they would have to be modified. The exhaust dump area, has to be up high and at the far rear side of the header to clear the top of the bell housing. There is no room for the exhaust to run under the bell housing. That is the reason why I'm currently using the exhaust manifold shown in the picture below. Later on, I will look for a set of shorty headers that can be modified to fit my application. Thanks for your comments and support. Aloha, Tommy.

[2002Gold]

Originally Posted by Pteazer

WOW!!! THATS AN AWESOME TRANSPLANT ,Hello Tommy I have to say your doing it right. there was a v6 in the mothers wax Pt panel truck and it went like hell. the rear wheel drive set up is going to be perfect and something that should have been done at the factory in my opinion.Good luck and keep us all posted on the progress,Its going to haul ass and handle what more can you ask for. well done .Ray from Pteazer.

Hi Ray, you and I, and many others think alike. The moment I laid my eyes on the engine compartment of the PT Cruiser, that's when the wheels started rolling for my comversion plans. Yes, I seen pictures of the Mothers Polish conversion. Very nice professional job. I could have gone with a V-8, but I wanted everything under the dash to remain stock, mainly the ac/heater box assembly, of which I will be running the stock ac compressor with. I can tell everyone who plans on installing a V-8 engine in your PT Cruiser that everything under your dash will have to go. The reason is, the heads from that V-8 will be sitting under your dash. To do that, your ac/heater box assembly, must be removed. I'll provide a picture of what I'm talking about shortly. Thanks Ray for your thoughts and support. I will keep everyone updated on my progress. Aloha, Tommy.

[Mean Green]

Oh, I don't know. There's something to be said for a turbo'd 2.4 L motor. My buddy has a '03 GT running over 400 hp and my '05 Neon SRT-4 (same turbo'd motor) is running 350 hp. Nothing like showing a Vette your taillights.

[CreepyPT]

Gold,
Looks like brilliant work to me! 61? Pfft. My grandfather, who am blessed to say is still kicking, is 84, and he'd be thrilled to be able to do anything to his car!
I'd love to stop by occasionally to help, but once I get to the west coast, I can't seem to find the bridge to get to the islands....
I have a fellow down the road with a late 50s Imperial he's working on, with the help of a second Imperial I'm assuming he's using for donor parts. I talked to him once at a stop light in my PT while he was in his very unusual Dodge Ram pickup. I'd love to offer to help him on his project to, but even asuming he remembers me, I'm not sure how to aproach his house and ask!

Anyway, now that I'm done rambling, keep us all updated on your progress, I'd love to see some video of your beast up and running!