So darn near everyone here knows about the Mitsu 2.6L. You know, that carb-only, auto-only sohc 8-valve inline 4-cylinder Chrysler used to put in cars and vans before they came up with the 2.5L?
Here's a list of k-car apps:
1981-1985 Dodge Aries/Plymouth Reliant
1982-1985 Chrysler LeBaron
1982-1985 Chrysler Town and Country
1982-1983 Dodge 400
1983-1984 Chrysler E-Class
1983-1985 Chrysler New Yorker/Dodge 600
1984-1987 Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager
1985 Plymouth Caravelle
So what about putting the turbo into this mopar and giving it a real place at T-M?
For the turbo-mopar community audience, its got some obvious cons:
It didnt COME with a turbo (in this platform):
This may be a blow to egos here, but there are PLENTY of people in our community who will never get past that fact, and in many cases its because their limited knowledge/ambition means that they CANT get past it.
There is NO SUPPORT at all from vendors who cater to this community. That means real home-grown hot-rodding and cross-platform learning, another thing that turns away a good number of people. How many times have we heard people complaining 'I cant find any parts to buy for this/that!' So you want to be a Retail Lemming and you cant find anyone to profit off you? Buy a Honda..
Lack of support in the community. Im sure there are people who would like to ask questions about the motor but figure they'll get the standard 'ditch it and swap to 2.2/2.5 turbo' routine, and dont bother to ask. I've given the '2.2/2.5 swap' line to others, too.. but not because i think its always the BEST or most interesting path, just the most likely for most people to succeed at.
It has some maintenance issues.
People here like to take for granted that the 2.2s and 2.5s survived all the owners they had before us, and believe that motors that cant take equivalent levels of abuse and neglect and still run fine are somehow crap, while simultaneously telling all the newbies that the first thing they should do to their new turbo-mopar is maintenance/tune-up. Obviously, i think there's duplicity here.. But what are the specific maintenance issues? Something about a balance shaft snapping and failing to turn the oil pump, resulting in engine failure. And something about jet valves, right? Help me out.
Its Auto-only. Definitely a big drawback, but plenty of T-Mers are pimping the 3spds.
Lack of precedent. As many people as there are who will turn away from a job that isnt easy, there are others who would happily attempt even a difficult series of modifications.. if they knew someone else had done it. Since there aren't readily available cases of people sticking with the 2.6L in these platforms and making it perform, a lot of questions and thoughts about using the 2.6 probably die early.
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What about pros, though? Here's what im thinking up so far:
It DID come as a turbo in other platforms. To me, it doesnt seem like the turbo and non-turbo 2.6s are separated by any more than what seperates the carb and turbo 2.2s.. And a converted carb 2.2 car has been one of the biggest poster boys for this platform, and the accompanying online knowledge base is still one of our most-linked FAQs.
It has a strong bottom end.
How strong? I dont know. I have this vague impression that their pistons, crank and rods arent any less durable the the 2.2/2.5 in their respective carb/turbo versions.
It has a comparable top end.
How comparable? I dont know. I have this vague impression that the 2.6L cylinder head can support roughly similar airflow and rpm as our 8v top ends.
It uses basically the same 3spd as the factory turbo cars.
Which means it can be built to handle anything we can make a 2.6L dish out, and with common/cheap interchangeable parts.
It is potentially a more turbo-friendly layout.
You know, where the turbo is NOT hiding under the intake manifold?
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There's been some discussion about this motor and its turbo-potential in recent pages of this thread:
http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=41709
If we can move some of that productive info/discussion into a central, searchable location, not only can we hammer out some of the basics for those of us who are interested right now, but we can create something to refer people back to in the future.
Personally, im interested in building a turbo 2.6/auto k-car, and ive got a complete factory 2.6 car which could be a good start.. Im ready to hear what info anyone has to offer! And, ill be updating this original post with the BASIC headings of pros/cons we discuss so that eventually it may be comprehensive enough to refine into a good FAQ/Knowledge Center contribution.
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12.57@104 :O) 
Originally Posted by jckrieger
I don't see it being a cost effective way to make power.
