Q: Can I swap a DOHC head onto my SOHC block?
A: Yes you can, the blocks are identical. You will need the following:

Used Parts you can get are: (from a DOHC of course)
*Head with cams and valvetrain
*Intake manifold
*Exhaust manifold (or DOHC header)
*Intake assembly (why not go with an Iceman or 3.0L intake?)
*EGR valve tube
*Pistons (you can use SOHC pistons, but you will lose compression)
*Fuel rail and injectors
*Passenger side motor mount bracket
*Valve cover
*Cam gears
*PCM for your year of car, 95, 96, or 97-99 (why not get a Mopar PCM?)
*Power bulge hood or cut the bracing out of your current SOHC hood.
*You can opt for the dual radiator fans, but I don't think you need them even if you have A/C

New parts you should get will be:
*DOHC Headgasket kit
*Timing belt/timing belt covers (if you want them)
*Timing belt idler pulley
*Plastic thermostat housing
*Upper radiator hose
*Camshaft position sensor
*Spark plug wires
*Head bolts
*New gaskets where you will need them.
*I'd also suggest changing the water pump while you are at it, along with the new timing belt and tensioner pulley

You will also need to extend the 3 CTS (coolant temp sensor) wires so that they reach it's new location.

 

Hey DAS

I had to swap over to the Piston for DOHC - it has notches for the valves.

I could not use the SOHC Pistons - unless maybe I put down two head gaskets to get enough clarence for the Valves.

I don't know all of the History on my heads - but I don't think they have been machined that much.

Just a side note from experiences of using SOHC engines and makeing the DOHC.

Thanks

 

you should have been able to use the sohc pistons...just would have had lower compression...and if you are turboing you can use more boost than(not much but slightly more)

 

If you put down two headgaskets, youll also lose compression.

 

How Much Compression would you loose? I know it would increase your Volume for the Cylinder - wouldn't that give you more horsepower by having more Volume?

 

I'm a new neon owner. I just got it a few days ago. Its got a SOHC in it, and i wanted to put a DOHC block in it. Then my friend siad something about saving some cash and and just putting the DOHC head on my block instead. From what I was reading it seems like it would be alot easier just to put the DOHC block in my neon. I want to know what you think would be cheaper and easier to do. I'm working with a very limited budget for my new project car.

 

no, doing the head would be easier. you wont have to pull the engine out, u just gotta swap cylinder heads, but ull lose compression (bad for n/a...better for turbo)it all depends on where you go to get your stuff for how much it would cost...but if you are wanting to go dohc.....do the whole engine, not just the block...i dont know if a dohc block with a sohc head would run right...never heard of anyone doing that before....probably would raise compression...[&:]

 

I have the sohc block not the dohc block. I was asking about putting the dohc head on a sohc block. I want to go turbo eventually.

 

i have the same car you do. Its just a different color and a 5 speed.

 

oh ok, well the dohc head on a sohc block will lower your compression...its better if you want to turbo your car cause the lower the compression, the better, but im not sure of just doing the swap and leaving it all motor and turboing it later down the road.....your car will run alot slower with lower compression/no turbo...my advice is if you plan on doing this, wait til u get the turbo..im in the process of doing the same.