'87 Shelby Z, 2.4 swap

[Force Fed Mopar]

Okay, quick background, drove this car a couple years w/ a stock 2.2 TII on 18 psi. Broke a shift fork last fall, put it in the shop to fix the trans, and it turned into a built 2.4 swap Going w/ a Stratus block and crank w/ 2.5 turbo pistons and T2 rods, 1st Gen Neon intake and a header and probably a 50 trim turbo of some sort. Considering converting to hydraulic clutch, anybody ever done this?

Will have some pics later, for some reason attachments aren't working right now.

[Khajjathefang]

I'm pretty sure I've heard people talk of doing a hydraulic swap before. Any reason for it? Seems like it adds unnecessary complexity to a relatively simple system

[contraption22]

One benefit is that it would allow you to use a later 350 or 850 trans.

[moparman76_69]

T350 were cable shifted, at least the early ones were.

[contraption22]

T350 were cable shifted, at least the early ones were.

All of them were cable shifted, but we're talking about the clutch. But yes, previous to 2001, NT350's used clutch cables.

[roachjuice]

i like the cable system better than the hydro. its just simple and it works.

[turbovanman²]

Cool build,

Hydro lets you have a decent clutch without killing your leg,

[moparman76_69]

All of them were cable shifted, but we're talking about the clutch. But yes, previous to 2001, NT350's used clutch cables.

I meant the clutch lever not the shifter lol my bad. I was trying to say there is no need to go with a hydraulic clutch to use a T350.

[Force Fed Mopar]

Yeah I am planning on using a '01-ish T350-HD I have laying around, which uses a hydro clutch. I have 2 options with that: A) Use the cable bellhousing from a pre-01 T350 (which I have), or B) convert to a hydro setup. Cable would let me use the stock clutch pedal setup, hydro is easier on the leg w/ a stronger clutch and eliminates problems w/ cable stretch from said clutch.

Also, if I switch to hydro, I won't have to re-shim the diff on trans reassembly Have to take it apart and replace the shift lever bushings. Although if I go with an OBX posi, it'll probably have to get reset anyway.

Still have to sort out what axles I need, but I think it'll be either Neon or Stratus. Probably going to run 2g Stratus 4-dr accessory brackets, as that put the accessories in the same basic locations. Need to make engine mount brackets too. I am going to work with Shelgame (hopefully) and try to run the coilpack and cam/crank sensors on the stock electronics. Preliminary research says it will work Might flop in practice though lol.

Here's a few pics of the car.




The old engine

[Khajjathefang]

Shes sexxxy

[Force Fed Mopar]

Didn't Larry with the rwd Shadow have a hydro clutch? Wonder what he did...

[roachjuice]

Love it. 2.4 is gonna be bad --- in it.

[Force Fed Mopar]

So, I think part of the project is gonna be eliminating the stupid headlight module



Like seriously, it has been inside the shop since last year with no battery in it, how the hell did it melt?!?!

Anyway, 2.4/T350 mocked up:



Forged 2.5 pistons and T2 rods that I'm going to use in it, ready to go to the machine shop with the block once I get it out of the car:



Looking at it tonight, I think I'm gonna just stick with the cable clutch for now at least. There is just no easy to put a clutch master under the hood. Need to find a Neon clutch cable to try in it.

[Force Fed Mopar]

So I found this page:

http://pwp.att.net/p/s/community.dll...upid=45129&ck=

Looks like I need to do a good bit of milling to keep the compression up to at least 7.2-7.5:1. May mill the block and the head.

[Force Fed Mopar]

So I got the block back out of the car and ready to go to the machine shop. Some questions:

Milling the block .025 brings the compression up to 7.2 w/ the 2.5 pistons. Can I mill the head enough to bring it up to 7.5 from there? If I do, will I need a shorter timing belt, or is the enough movement in the 2.4 tensioning system to take up the slack?

I have a 50 trim from FWD-P, would that be enough turbo to support 30+ psi and 400-450 whp?

Are all 2.4 oil pumps just as good, or are some better than others?

[turbovanman²]

So I got the block back out of the car and ready to go to the machine shop. Some questions:

Milling the block .025 brings the compression up to 7.2 w/ the 2.5 pistons. Can I mill the head enough to bring it up to 7.5 from there? If I do, will I need a shorter timing belt, or is the enough movement in the 2.4 tensioning system to take up the slack?

I have a 50 trim from FWD-P, would that be enough turbo to support 30+ psi and 400-450 whp?

Are all 2.4 oil pumps just as good, or are some better than others?

Your going to need adjustable cam gears for sure as that's alot of material to remove. I don't think the adjuster can take out that much.

50 trim should get you close, I know Pat mentioned IIRC, something like 400 whp on a TIII maxed out but I could be wrong. I ran mine at 30+ psi and it worked awesome until I blew it up,

I think JT is using the DCR gears as the stockers are supposed to be brittle and shatter with detonation. He has had some trouble over the years with his gears. Check out his thread.

[Force Fed Mopar]

What about 4-bar maps? What are you guys using? Thinking of this one:

http://www.xenocron.com/4-bar-map-se...yle-p-494.html

Are 2.4 NA valve springs the same seat pressure as turbo valve springs? Gonna be running 30+ psi I think, don't want the valves getting pushed open. Will probably run 2.0 cams, unless someone has a better suggestion. Also looking at this header:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DODGE-NEON-S...sories&vxp=mtr

[moparman76_69]

I bought some crowers from Modern performance, they are cheaper than stock replacements and should be ok for later if I go with a mild cam.

[turbovanman²]

I like that 4 bar map.

Is 321 stainless any good? I don't like some headers as they like to crack, if these guys have a decent warranty, go for it.

[Force Fed Mopar]

Block, rods and pistons went to the machine shop yesterday

Got a question, are the SRT cranks different from the regular 2.4 crank? I would think they are but not sure. Not sure if the standard 2.4 crank is gonna hold up to 400+ hp.