I have a big problem. I have a 2001 neon r/t or should i say had! I was going to work last thursday and blew the motor up. Still not for sure what happened but when i popped the hood and cylinder number one spark plug was sitting on top the head i knew it wa not good. It blew the spark plug sleave clear out. I took the intake and my header off that i just installed about 3 months ago. I am just waiting until i find a new motor so i can just swap motors then remove the head on the old one. My conculsion is that i dropped one of the exhaust valves and then the piston slamed it up and shoved the spark plug out. So the main reason why i am writing this is to see if anyone can tell me if a mitsubishi eclipse motor will fit since that is basically what neons are is a mitsubishi motor. I am looking down that road for because i can not find a r/t motor and i found six eclipse motors and one turbo. I really don't want to put a regular neon motor in it. any help is better than none.
thanks
josh

 

That sux. The mitsubishi motor is the same, but the head is reversed, the exhuast is on the front and intake on the back. I think if you change the head you would be fine.

 

switch the head on the eclipse motor? and would i be able to use my original intake and header or are the bolt pattern different

 

I am not 100% sure, but you will need the head, intake and exhuast manifolds from your neon. The only thing thats the same is the block and I believe the pistons, crank and such. Again I am not 100% sure anout the internals, but the top end will bolt on.