ok so, i bought a 2005 neon sxt with the 2.0 sohc with 70,000 miles. i found a complete turbo kit for that engine. my question is, is how long will the engine last if i put the turbo kit on AND about what would be the max boost i could run? i was told i would be better off doin a srt swap, but from what i have read is that the 2.0 and the 2.4 are built basically the same. also doin a complete swap is alot more expensive. please give any info that might be helpful.

 

I'm not sure on long term reliability, but I'd think that would depend a lot on current internal engine condition and boost level. Max on a stock 2.0L is 8PSI, IIRC.

 

i read an article on the 2.0 n 2.4 and it said they both come with flat top pistions and im guessin the bearings would be basically the same. the engine is strong and according to the maintance book i have, its had the ruitine maintance done.

 

The 2.0 is not the same as the 2.4L Turbo engine. They might have the same style parts and maybe share some parts, but the parts that count aren't the same. Stock, the 2.4L engine has ~14PSI of boost. You can push that up to about 20PSI on the stock internals. 8PSI vs 20PSI is a bit of a difference; you can get SRTs up to near 500HP on the stock engine internals.

Doing the regular maintenance the entire life of the engine is indeed good, but the world is an imperfect place and things can happen that you don't know about, especially in engines. I'd say have a UOA (used oil analysis) done to get the facts about how the engine is wearing.

 

Like Darth said I don't think those 2 engines compare very well. It's all about the type of metal used in the internal engine components. Engines with turbos from the factory are generally built stronger than N/A engines.

 

The turbo engine has forged internals .... the stock n/a 2.0 isn't .... what looks like cheaper usually isn't in the long run.

 

As someone with experince in this matter, I'll add my two cents. Like others have said, its going to be harder then it sounds to get a reliable, boosted 2.0L. For starters, you always have the risk of throwing a rod (among other things), because the pistons in the NA engines are not forged. At best, like darth said, you could run 8psi...but even then, I would be worried every single day of the week. The other issue is you have a 2005 Neon, meaning you have an NGC PCM...which makes it almost impossible to make the adjustments your going to need to make (i.e. fuel maps, spark timing, etc). The standard 2.0L does have lower compression, which is helpful, but otherwise, your just opening a can of worms thats not worth opening. If you want a turbo Neon, find a used SRT-4.

 

I'll agree with above, either get a used SRT-4 or do an SRT swap...but keep the PT Cruiser GT in mind. It's the same as the SRT-4 and they're more low key. Knowing that will expand your swap options at junkywards/forums/swap meets/etc and usually used PT's are in better condition than used SRT's.

 

IIRC, if you do the turbo swap from a PT Cruiser, you'll still need to source several parts from an SRT to make it work in the Neon. Engine mounts and the intake manifold off the top of my head...

Used lower mile SRT-4's are pretty cheap these days though, I would still go that route.

 

The nice thing (for some) about doing a PT GT swap too is that they can use the PT auto trans.