TFB Mighty D50 2.4t

Figured I'd better start a build log
Hopefully it'll keep me motivated and a good place to store all the technical info I might need in the future

After having fun with the Omni for all those years, figured it was time for a 2.4t rwd project. Was planning a rwd charger at 1st
Had a really clean shell, (2) '99 2.4 Stratus motors and T56 Viper trans. But between starting and running a construction business, kids and other toys never got around to it. Sold off some of the stuff. Started thinking about a Dakota, but they're kind big and heavy.

Found a really nice Mitsubishi Mighty Max shortbed 2wd 4 cyl rwd.
Ok kinda ugly , stripped down , no show all go
Already kind of set up for what I want
I'm sold !!

Pick it , drag it home. Township is bitching about too many vehicles on the property. Friend lets me store it put back of his shop
2 months later HUGE tree falls on the truck .
Well CRAP !! That ain't gonna work
Back to square one.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4a897a45ac.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9d912d7f6e.jpg

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Little bit of a time went by, still had the vision of a 2.4t in a trucklet. Round this one nearby. It's a '92 (looks like 80s graphics lol). Non A/C long bed (liked the short bed better) but solid truck

Daughter Kayla likes the truck (not as much as the '78 F250)
Says she can't wait to help work on it
She had to wear her matching dress for the pics

Came with new front bumper, new radiator and starter. Guy took the engine apart to fix water pump and other parts, never put it back together and was buying a new house. Wanted it gonehttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...49c288ba61.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d014bb73bc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b9e6056f44.jpg

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1st big part I picked up was cylinder head from Steve Menegon. Got the works. Ported , 1mm oversized valves , titanium retainers, valve guides and exhaust studs.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...042ff3d4ad.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...8240810093.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...82fb8ddf6e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...8db75a242a.jpg

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Was trying to decide on how crazy I wanted to get on building the bottom end
I had (2) '99 Stratus motors I grabbed from the yard. Was gonna steal the Pauter Chromoly rods from the Omni motor.
Then I came across Anthony Apuzzo Jr. was parting out the Colt.
Bought his short block , header, ATI dampener and custom oil pan.

'99 2.4 Stratus block
Early strap kit, ARP mains/head studs, oil pan/perimeter bedplate and balancer delete studs.
Arias Pistons
Pauter Chromoly rods
DCR tensioner, windage screen

1st main hurdle was dealing with the machine shop. Needed crank work. Local guy is well known in the circle track world.
Took him the SRT4 crank that I was given with the motor needed a bunch of journals cut. Brought him (2) used cranks to check to use instead. Months later found out he has to send them out (not done in house) said screw it. Bought a NOS SRT4 crank. Dropped it off. He just needed to resize the rods, hone and check cylinder and balance. Long story short after he almost RTV'd my oil pump together and a big bunch of checking up on no progress and lying about ordering a new flexplate I finally got my engine back.

Got lucky on the ATI dampener
The bolts were broke off in the hub
Got it all set up in the drill press to drill them out and they unscrewed themselves right outhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f4f8f49e14.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...69c00c22ea.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...0d15b89054.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...cf30cd66a2.jpg

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After talking with Steve Menegon about doing a head similar to Brian Slowe's , I was talking to Brian about turbo options for my combo. He recently (then) reconfigured the BSX , swapping heads and switching to the V-band turbo and new header. So he made me a great deal on his old turbo.

Figured if it worked for him , we should be able to make this work on the truck

S300 Borg-Warner unit with a 72mm inducer.
He's a quick money shot of this beast .
More to comehttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2389c57c70.jpg

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Nice build up and cute daughter. She does match the truck. :)

Looking forward to seeing this project.
I'm interested in having some 2.4 RWD myself someday.

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Thanks guys
RWD 2.4 is the way of the future, Haha


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Started a MSII build waaaaay back in the day. Can't exactly remember where I left off. But sometimes procrastination is keep. Fast forward a bunch and Megasquirt has really stepped up their game. Enter the MS3Pro !!
Way more inputs/outputs and features then I'll need. Which is great because it'll give me room to grow. The stuff you can do with the modern electronics is mind blowing. Think it was 10/15% off over Black Friday too.

Also contacted James Hitch---- a.k.a. Squirrel from back in the day @ Hitch---- Autoworks . He also hooked me up with a Black Friday sale on FIC Injectors (he's a dealer for them) I was looking at the 1650s but if you run e85 I'd be right on the edge.
So 2150s it is !!

Gonna do this build right, no wondering if I left anything on the table like the omni.
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Awesome.
Looks like you are going to be another one I follow who will pave the way for my hopes and plans!
So you'll be targeting around 800hp I guess? Or more?
(I don't know how much Anthony was making with his combo.)

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Can't wait to follow your progress!

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Originally Posted by contraption22

Can't wait to follow your progress!

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Follow .... I've got alot of catching up to do
The Contraption was an inspiration for my omni and your 2.4build has lite a fire under my --- for the 2.4rwd

yes! what trans you going with.

This is going to be FUN!!

Go top fuel bender!!!

Looks like it'll be a fun little truck. Still going manual?

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Originally Posted by ohiorob

yes! what trans you going with.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by thedon809

Looks like it'll be a fun little truck. Still going manual?

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I bought a T56 Viper trans originally when I 1st thought about a 2.4t swap

But then through persistent bugging and the help of his wife, Cliff Sebring sold me the 1 of 6 904s with the 2.2 casted bellhousing. More on that to come https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...8d0ad18619.jpg

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These factory Mitsubishi motors are small
Out with old
Tons of room to play !!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...0055674ae8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ba16ef1dca.jpg

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Now onto the intake
When I was junkyard hunting , I brought home the (2) '99 Stratus motors
one with a long straight runner caravan intake (good for welding a box plenum on, also heard it'll clear a distributor on a 2.2/2.4 hybrid)
The other with a 2 piece intake
Good for ease of porting and again able to easily add a larger plenum
Since then I've grabbed a PT/GT , I I've got the option of a PT long runner aluminum intake.

2 piece mocked up on test motor in truck on 4x4s for motor mounts
Fits alright https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...948ba910be.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9dcb582de7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...78d790aa4f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b52bc285af.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6de44018e5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...13fcb1460e.jpg

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Ever since I 1st saw an Indy Intake on a DOHC, I was like that is nice bolt on piece begging to be used on a forces induction setup. Well searching around I found a good deal on one , listed as a SOHC (but it had the coolant flange) found out it was in Canada, but he gave me a good deal and somehow shipped it across the border and to my house in 3days for $30. Sometimes you get lucky.






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I bought it figuring I'd only be using the lower 1/2 and making a plenum. Lower looked great bolted to the motor.

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Well finally on a lucky streak not only is the plenum symmetrical but bolts on clears everything !!
It actually looks like it was meant to be there.

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Was so excited about the intake clearing
And I mounted up the header I got from Anthony (custom DCR piece he had made for the Colt). Looked great on there ! Slight warp on the flange and looks like some cracks on the tubes that'll need to be addressed.

Slapped on the turbo
Everything fits , everything clears
Even my Tial wastegate
No fender trimming needed, even clears the P/S bracket and reservoir (probably getting removed)

Crap the starter !!
Tested the other block up to the trans
The one tube hits along a good portion of the starter
Started spacing it out, figured I could double up a flange. Over 3/8" and it's still touching.
Swapped the 3 different style starters
All no luck , working on another trick up my sleeve shortly. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d6adedc371.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...56f9c34a07.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4a902ae72f.jpg

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Now for the money shots 😁https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ee4434487c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e58852a10e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b845b26d88.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...bbbd704d87.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e93d7b17ec.jpg

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For those following along and thinking of a rwd 2.4 swap, here's some things I found out about the motor mounts

Anthony gave me some brackets he slapped together. Wasn't opposed to using them but wanted to check some options

Knowing now that the 2.4 was available rwd in the 02-05 Jeep Liberty and 03-06 Jeep Wrangler I decided to order up some mounts.

Only one set of Wrangler brackets (bolts to block with rubber mount to frame) left from the dealer about $110/pair new. Available used on Ebay, none locally in junkyards
Part # 52059418AA & 52059420AA

Figured I'd order the Jeep Liberty mounts (bolts to block ,has a rubber spool mount on cast steel/iron mount) center bolt goes through to frame tabs. $120/pair Autozone
Duralast # 3009 & 3010

Jeep Liberty mounts are HUGE and HEAVY !
16lbs for the pair, I swear the engineer thought he was designing these for a Cummins LOL

So after getting these monsters I had a flash back to reading a post stating that there was a few different blocks. I was hoping my '99 was similar to the 2.2/2.5 fwd/rwd where the boss is the same just needs to be tapped. BUT NO !! Here's the link
https://www.enginebuildermag.com/201...dentification/

2 bolts line up on the 1 side, nothing on the other.
So if you're planning rwd and want to save some headaches '03 and up . Plus the SRT4 head will line up too. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6f02d301a5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...914d069e8d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4664174abf.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5e03610831.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4fe0dbb6e6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c4c6b73312.jpg

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by "Top Fuel" Bender

I bought a T56 Viper trans originally when I 1st thought about a 2.4t swap

But then through persistent bugging and the help of his wife, Cliff Sebring sold me the 1 of 6 904s with the 2.2 casted bellhousing. More on that to come https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...8d0ad18619.jpg

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Wait, what?! I didn't even know there were any!
That's cool!
Guess they never made any with the correct 2.4 bellhousing pattern?

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I will be interested in how the 2.2/2.5L transmission bolts to a 2.0/2.4L block. I am trying the reverse, a 2.0/2.4L 41TE to a 2.5L common block that will have a 2.0/2.4L DOHC head.

thinking , .. there might be a euro version of that trans .. and IF so it might just have the extra bolt location at the front of the bellhousing for the 2.4 to bolt up

because , my euro spec 588 trans also has the extra bolt hole for a 2.4
otherwise it's a std 523/568 case with no timing window

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wheming

Wait, what?! I didn't even know there were any!
That's cool!
Guess they never made any with the correct 2.4 bellhousing pattern?

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Yeap !
I've got a ton more pics and some info
Just trying to sort it all out and validate some of it, found some consistency. So don't want to post too much yet.

But supposedly there was 6 cast as an experiment to test with an auto Dakota 2.2 but early testing showed the carb N/A 2.2 wasn't a good candidate for an auto.

No 2.4 904 auto rwds that I know of

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by 85lebaront2

I will be interested in how the 2.2/2.5L transmission bolts to a 2.0/2.4L block. I am trying the reverse, a 2.0/2.4L 41TE to a 2.5L common block that will have a 2.0/2.4L DOHC head.

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2.2/2.5 trans on a 2.0/2.4 works
Bunch of the fwd guys have it working already

Issue your gonna have with 2.2/2.5 motor on a 2.0/2.4 trans is the block mount bolt ends up dead center of the starter and the front of the 2.2/2.5 buldges out not leaving room for the starter if the block wasn't in the way


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I had already discovered that by comparing the block plates. 3 of the 4 holes are exact matches, the problem is the front mount upper bolt and the lower 2.0/2.4 starter bolt. To compound the fun, the converter and flex plate to crank holes match, 41TE converter and flywheel are smaller and the 31TH (A413) one will not fit in the 41TE case, the gear teeth on the 41TE flex plate are larger than the 31TH along with the starter pinion.

From some preliminary fitting, the big issue on the 2.2/2.5L block is the oil pressure tap point, it is right where the 2.0/2.4L starter body would sit. I was really hoping to get the starter out from under the exhaust manifold and turbo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 85lebaront2

I will be interested in how the 2.2/2.5L transmission bolts to a 2.0/2.4L block. I am trying the reverse, a 2.0/2.4L 41TE to a 2.5L common block that will have a 2.0/2.4L DOHC head.

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I gotta ask.... at that point, why not just use the 2.4 block?

Because I have both a 1988 T2 engine with the 1987 two piece intake and a 1989 2.5L T1 common block and no 2.0/2.4L blocks. I would still have to fabricate things anyway to have it fit in a 1986 Lebaron konvertible.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 85lebaront2

Because I have both a 1988 T2 engine with the 1987 two piece intake and a 1989 2.5L T1 common block and no 2.0/2.4L blocks. I would still have to fabricate things anyway to have it fit in a 1986 Lebaron konvertible.

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Early 2.4's are dirt cheap in junk yards. You're going to need to buy pistons no matter what. You can keep your 2.5 rods and use those. Yeah, you're still going to need to do some fab.... but less than half of what you'd need if you cling to the 2.2/2.5 block. Just trying to save you some headaches.

Ok, I can probably get a 2.4 turbo block from my favorite junkyard (free probably), but that begs the other question, engine electronics. Can a TIII SBEC be used as I have one and that was one of the reasons I got it, to be able to run the DIS system on the 2.4L head so as to not have to deal with the distributor. I know the crank sensor and cam sensors will be needed. I will be honest, if it can't be done with a Chrysler computer, then I will end probably using a Ford EEC-V which I have the equipment and knowledge to reflash them with no problems and there are a number of Ford applications with DIS systems, including the 2.3L with dual coil packs, and most use an MAF sensor rather than a MAP sensor.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 85lebaront2

Ok, I can probably get a 2.4 turbo block from my favorite junkyard (free probably), but that begs the other question, engine electronics. Can a TIII SBEC be used as I have one and that was one of the reasons I got it, to be able to run the DIS system on the 2.4L head so as to not have to deal with the distributor. I know the crank sensor and cam sensors will be needed. I will be honest, if it can't be done with a Chrysler computer, then I will end probably using a Ford EEC-V which I have the equipment and knowledge to reflash them with no problems and there are a number of Ford applications with DIS systems, including the 2.3L with dual coil packs, and most use an MAF sensor rather than a MAP sensor.

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This probably would be good for it's own thread. You and I are hijacking Bruce's build post.

Out back I was gonna swap out the rear, factory ran a Mitsu 8" (3rd member stlye) and a 9" on V6 models. Then I found out they are very stout pieces. 4cyl Montero's/Raider's were available with a LSD on some models. With no luck finding one, and a quick call to the local yard ... I jumped on the 8.8 bandwagon.

'95-up Ford Explorer 8.8 rear
Comes factory with 3.73 (3.55/4.10 little more rare)
31 spline axles
Disc brakes
And a Posi
All for $200 w/ extra axle ! Happy it was super clean for this area and even had new brakes

If you grab one get a spare passenger side axle, they're 3" shorter. Cut the driver's side tube down to fit the passenger side axle. Boom you got a decent rear that'll fit.

Of course I need to move the axle perches too since the D50 is axle over

Ordered ARP wheel studs right away. Steeda offers a nice 2.5" length for the 8.8. Don't need the massive 3" long ones. I'm looking at diff covers and c-clip eliminators right away too. Now it's starting to get a little more expensive. Haha

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Now I've got 5x4.5" on the back and 6 lug upfront. Easy solution. So how in some strange world you can take '99 Toyota Tacoma front brake rotors,bearings and hubs and bolt then on a '92 D50 truck . Make (2) small spacers for the caliper bracket and you've got 5x144.3mm or 5x4.5" all the way around.

Since I went disc brakes out back and need to plumb in the line lock too, I ordered a Wilwood combination distribution block/ adjuster. Saw these years ago, such a clean compact design. Finally get to play with one.

Now I've got tons of wheel choices available
Not sure on offsets yet, so I grabbed a cheap set of 5 lug 6x16" Mitsubishi Outlander rims to roll the truck around and check fitment. Rear requires a small spacer or bore out the hub center, fronts go right on. 225/60r16 pretty tall and the truck sits up way too high.
Rolled a 245/50r16 under the truck, looks like plenty of room and looks mean toohttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...30c6a30efc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...01c64c2904.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...01446ce0f8.jpg

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by contraption22

This probably would be good for it's own thread. You and I are hijacking Bruce's build post.

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So can we get one of the admins to move it for us, or can you do it?

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Originally Posted by 85lebaront2

So can we get one of the admins to move it for us, or can you do it?

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I think I can do that. You might have to create a new thread in the 2.4 swap section, and then I think i can move the posts over there and then clean this up.

Ok, let me look there. Done sir!