the Wrangler Unlimited has similar wheel base as well...

 

well, i have been doing some research on this as well, you can accualy fit a 318,360 in a neon. as for the rwd part, you have to do as suggested above and build the whole floor cage and all, i am getting a 95 soon, after my turbo is built in my 02 i am going to start on that, a 318 was given to me, if you are looking for some info on how to convert a fwd to a rwd look into the ford focus, they are making a complex kit on droping a 302 in them, but to get them to work and funcion properly i hear is quite a chore, but that is your best bet, maybe join a ford forum just to see if there is anyone out there that has done one on a focus, i know it has been done. they are also keeping the same platform and not building like a drag car, but a street car. you have to suport the hell out of the car, when i do mine, i am going full role cage, and lots of suport under the hood, and chassis, you do not want to step on the gas on a 318 or what ever you go with and have the car twist, and have to crap it anyway.... good luck, and as for the rear end you can always shorten the rear end if need be....

 

Best bet i would say is get some backing from mopar...... That would be a real nice show car for them. The show car we use for Xtreme-autofest is a srt-4 that was backed by dodge. He Works with the people that started the show, talked to dodge and got a grip of money to build. Got a one of wide body kit that is now in production, Lamborghini paint from the factory, and a few other things, all with free money!!!

 

If you go with a solid rear axle just figure out your actual track width minus the frontspacing of the wheel your using and get the rear end made to your spec. Just go out on your neon measure hub face to hub face and you should be able to fine something similar....

As for the focus V8 RWD conversion Kugel makes and sells it.... no roll cage or chassis reinforcment.... Kugel