Hello guys, i need some advice on a 2000 Dodge Neon ES heres the deal. This Neon was bought first by my mother in 2000 brand new, when i started drivin in 2005 she gave it to me, drove it until 2008 and sold it to my stepdad. Yesterday he got the brilliant idea of tryin to drive across around 2 1/2 ft of water, which obviously didnt work then even more brilliance in tryin 2 restart it in that water. Now its been filled full of water shocker right?? (not the most car intelligent person)

So when i get in from work today and find out what hes done and go out to start lookin it over. First things first changed the oil n plugs. (he drained battery tryin 2 start it) put some jumpers on it and tryed to start it, starter must of grounded out due to water cause instant smoke from starter couldnt even get it to pump some of water out. there was no water in the air box but when pulled the intake hose off it was filled full of water. Looked under it and it was leakin oil, put hand on oil pan and a piece fell off guessing cracked it on a rock in the mud/water he was swiming in i mean driving...

Everything i know is telling me to run the other way on this car. I can get the car for 100 bucks thou.. So what im thinkin of doing is puttin the neon in my garage and turnin it into my winter project 1 of 2 dif routes.. first off iv heard of people putting the SRT4 motor n the 2000 neon.. other is putting a oil pan/starter on this car and gettin it runnin again.. throwin a few mods onto it motor wise.. then full body kit new paint new rims/tires sound system.. just bringin it back to life and drivin it back n forth to college for my last yr then maybe doin something major to it when i get out.. have a jeep wrangler so the snow doesnt effect me can just drive it n bad weather..

What i need to know is from someone with no attachment to this car.. should i revive it from the dead (he has no mech skills whatsoever so cant do it himself) or should i run the other way?? even thou it was my first car.. Also (sry for the newbness but i nvr dreamed of moding my neon before) what kinda HP/torque numbers is possible outta the stock engine? or the SRT4?? or im open to ideas if anyone else has an idea of motor.. I had plans on buyin a 09 Subaru WRX if i dont buy this.. Althought i could do all work myself to it and not really be in a big hurry do it right and turn it into a nice neon.. Suggestions????? (sry for newbness again just need a opinion)

 

Just my nismo knowledge.. The engine is hydralocked? Which I know you smarty pantsers will want to tell me that when a hydralock occurs its not always because of water.. but this is just my completely uneducated guess. If I am right, you needs a new engine..

 

Agreed, you need a new motor.

Srt swap isn't ou of the question. Although 2000 neons so I hear are the most complicated of the 2nd gens to swap the motor into. Still very do-able, just some holes and such have to be drilled. For an Srt swap be prepared to dish out at least 5k for the car and some parts that may be needed.

 

Yeah motor is shot it is sometimes possible to save them but this one was passed saving.. So now lookin to put the SRT4 in it.. if anyone knows of any good build threads on this or sites let me know.. not had much luck finding one atm..

 

not that i want to stray members from this site, but df isn't exactly the best neon informational site.

Try 2gn.org