Swapping an engine can be a daunting task for someone with little mechanical experience but for those more experienced shade tree mechanics who have worked their way through jobs like replacing external engine components, swapping from a single over head camshaft (SOHC) engine to a dual over head camshaft (DOHC) engine can pay big dividends when it comes to making more power. This can be a starting point for someone looking to build their Neon up further or it can simply be a good option to squeeze more power out of a previously broken SOHC Neon. However, even with a fair amount of experience, a Neon engine swap can provide some tricky situations that can prove to be a big challenge but our 1st generation Neon section has a Frequently Asked Question post detailing the task of swapping from SOHC to DOHC.
It should be noted that this is not a step by step DIY of how to swap an engine in and out of a Dodge Neon but instead, this week’s Tech Thread Spotlight looks at the differences between the two engines, the advantages of making the change and some of the fine details of the swap that Neon owners might run across when doing the work. The thread also has a couple pages of discussion about the different Neon engines, some applicable engine issues that could arise from the swap and a great many other answers to the tough questions on how to swap a 1g Neon engine.
Click here to head into the DodgeForum.com 1st gen Dodge Neon SOHC to DOHC for more information on the many ins and outs on the pros and cons of making this change – along with a look into the items and information needed to perform the swap on your own.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
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