T2K-CAR

[85lebaront2]

That ought to drive the motors quite well.

Well, I haven't really done much at all to the konvertible since the last post on the seat control change. Between someone out west sending storms this way and trying to finish scrapping a couple of old John Deere 110 tractors so I can move the car over to that side of the garage I haven't been able to do much, however today I did get another part of the long term plan implemented.

Several years ago, I bought what was advertised as an SRT4 head, turbo and intake along with the parts to install it on a 2.5L short block. Since the head is a DOHC 16 valve one, it requires different pistons, preferably forged. Everything I was even finding were hypereutectic not forged. Yesterday someone on Turbododge.com advertised a set of Venolia pistons for a 2.5L 16 valve conversion along with a set of full floating rods and there are rings, but he isn't sure they are the right ones for the pistons, cost $500 + shipping. Shipping was $23, so for $523 I now have the needed pistons.

Since the head appears to be from a 2001 Stratus or Cirrus 2.4L, probably non-turbo, I caught my favorite junkyard owner on FB this evening. Last time I was over there, he had a turbo PT Cruiser that had an underhood fire, probably minor as the intake manifold (plastic) looked ok. I asked about getting the top end off it and he said remind him tomorrow so he can check on it or another 2.4L turbo engine. If he ends up just dropping it out, I may just go pick up the whole powertrain.

[grumpin]

Well, I haven't really done much at all to the konvertible since the last post on the seat control change. Between someone out west sending storms this way and trying to finish scrapping a couple of old John Deere 110 tractors so I can move the car over to that side of the garage I haven't been able to do much, however today I did get another part of the long term plan implemented.

Several years ago, I bought what was advertised as an SRT4 head, turbo and intake along with the parts to install it on a 2.5L short block. Since the head is a DOHC 16 valve one, it requires different pistons, preferably forged. Everything I was even finding were hypereutectic not forged. Yesterday someone on Turbododge.com advertised a set of Venolia pistons for a 2.5L 16 valve conversion along with a set of full floating rods and there are rings, but he isn't sure they are the right ones for the pistons, cost $500 + shipping. Shipping was $23, so for $523 I now have the needed pistons.

Since the head appears to be from a 2001 Stratus or Cirrus 2.4L, probably non-turbo, I caught my favorite junkyard owner on FB this evening. Last time I was over there, he had a turbo PT Cruiser that had an underhood fire, probably minor as the intake manifold (plastic) looked ok. I asked about getting the top end off it and he said remind him tomorrow so he can check on it or another 2.4L turbo engine. If he ends up just dropping it out, I may just go pick up the whole powertrain.

Good find on the pistons! Seem spendy to me, but if you can’t find them, it’s good you did.

[Gary Lewis]

Well, I haven't really done much at all to the konvertible since the last post on the seat control change. Between someone out west sending storms this way and trying to finish scrapping a couple of old John Deere 110 tractors so I can move the car over to that side of the garage I haven't been able to do much, however today I did get another part of the long term plan implemented.

Several years ago, I bought what was advertised as an SRT4 head, turbo and intake along with the parts to install it on a 2.5L short block. Since the head is a DOHC 16 valve one, it requires different pistons, preferably forged. Everything I was even finding were hypereutectic not forged. Yesterday someone on Turbododge.com advertised a set of Venolia pistons for a 2.5L 16 valve conversion along with a set of full floating rods and there are rings, but he isn't sure they are the right ones for the pistons, cost $500 + shipping. Shipping was $23, so for $523 I now have the needed pistons.

Since the head appears to be from a 2001 Stratus or Cirrus 2.4L, probably non-turbo, I caught my favorite junkyard owner on FB this evening. Last time I was over there, he had a turbo PT Cruiser that had an underhood fire, probably minor as the intake manifold (plastic) looked ok. I asked about getting the top end off it and he said remind him tomorrow so he can check on it or another 2.4L turbo engine. If he ends up just dropping it out, I may just go pick up the whole powertrain.

Good find, Bill! And I hope your friend has what you need.

[85lebaront2]

Good find on the pistons! Seem spendy to me, but if you can’t find them, it’s good you did.

Venolia is out of business and I checked the vendors who carry pistons. No forged available or if they are not these as they were for a custom build. In the turbo Mopar world it is called a "hybrid 16V" as the 2.5L was never made with a DOHC head. The TC by Maserati had a Lotus built head and Chrysler's Turbo III had one, both were 2.2L engines. The 2.0 and 2.4L are later design engines that still have the same bolt pattern for the head as the older 2.2 and 2.5L engines.

It is similar to the old Ford trick of putting 351C heads on a 289/302 short block. They fit but need some special parts. Chrysler had several levels of turbo engines, TIs were a low boost, originally 7 psi, TIIs got higher boost levels (10psi) and intercoolers. TIII went to 14psi intercooled and DOHC all these were 2.2L and the TII and TIII had forged cranks, pistons with floating wrist pins and hefty rods. The 2.5L turbos were all TIs except some Mexican models that received a TII 2.5L.

What I will be building has the longer stroke which helps low end torque, still using my intercooler and the DOHC head for top end power. The TII 2.2L pushed my 85 konvertible to over 120 and still climbing when my son took it up to Northern VA and someone tried to cut him off at the "mixing bowl" interchange.

DC traffic is a bear, years ago I had a guy in an Olds Vista Cruiser try to screw with me in my 66 Shelby GT350. He had cut me off trying to change lanes with my signal on, a mile or so later I was able to return the favor. We were going West on US 50 coming into DC, I had to make a right turn to get to my aunt and uncle's house. I was in the right lane which ends right where I had to turn. Clown is on my back bumper not realizing I am driving an only slightly detuned road race car. Corner comes, I jab the brakes, downshift to 2nd from 4th (we are going 60-65 mph) and as I get to the corner, yank the wheel, slide into the uphill turn and nail the throttle. As I look back in my mirror I see Vista Cruiser plow head on into the concrete retaining wall. BTW there are numerous "Right lane ends at xxx street" signs and I am reasonably sure he probably knew that but his little bit of road rage cost him.

[85lebaront2]

Good find, Bill! And I hope your friend has what you need.

Gary, car is gone, he will do some checking for me. This is the guy who bought a 1987 Reliant sedan as a parts donor for mine.

[Gary Lewis]

Venolia is out of business and I checked the vendors who carry pistons. No forged available or if they are not these as they were for a custom build. In the turbo Mopar world it is called a "hybrid 16V" as the 2.5L was never made with a DOHC head. The TC by Maserati had a Lotus built head and Chrysler's Turbo III had one, both were 2.2L engines. The 2.0 and 2.4L are later design engines that still have the same bolt pattern for the head as the older 2.2 and 2.5L engines.

It is similar to the old Ford trick of putting 351C heads on a 289/302 short block. They fit but need some special parts. Chrysler had several levels of turbo engines, TIs were a low boost, originally 7 psi, TIIs got higher boost levels (10psi) and intercoolers. TIII went to 14psi intercooled and DOHC all these were 2.2L and the TII and TIII had forged cranks, pistons with floating wrist pins and hefty rods. The 2.5L turbos were all TIs except some Mexican models that received a TII 2.5L.

What I will be building has the longer stroke which helps low end torque, still using my intercooler and the DOHC head for top end power. The TII 2.2L pushed my 85 konvertible to over 120 and still climbing when my son took it up to Northern VA and someone tried to cut him off at the "mixing bowl" interchange.

DC traffic is a bear, years ago I had a guy in an Olds Vista Cruiser try to screw with me in my 66 Shelby GT350. He had cut me off trying to change lanes with my signal on, a mile or so later I was able to return the favor. We were going West on US 50 coming into DC, I had to make a right turn to get to my aunt and uncle's house. I was in the right lane which ends right where I had to turn. Clown is on my back bumper not realizing I am driving an only slightly detuned road race car. Corner comes, I jab the brakes, downshift to 2nd from 4th (we are going 60-65 mph) and as I get to the corner, yank the wheel, slide into the uphill turn and nail the throttle. As I look back in my mirror I see Vista Cruiser plow head on into the concrete retaining wall. BTW there are numerous "Right lane ends at xxx street" signs and I am reasonably sure he probably knew that but his little bit of road rage cost him.

Bummer on the car being gone. Maybe he can find something.

So your engine will be the 2.5, which is a stroked 2.2? But with the DOHC head. How much boost?

[85lebaront2]

Bummer on the car being gone. Maybe he can find something.

So your engine will be the 2.5, which is a stroked 2.2? But with the DOHC head. How much boost?

To quote my father on your question "yes". 15 psi is the max I can currently run, if I use a 3 bar MAP sensor I can go to 30 psi. My transaxle becomes the limiting factor currently.

[Gary Lewis]

To quote my father on your question "yes". 15 psi is the max I can currently run, if I use a 3 bar MAP sensor I can go to 30 psi. My transaxle becomes the limiting factor currently.

I think I'd stay at 15ish and save the driveline.

[85lebaront2]

I think I'd stay at 15ish and save the driveline.

Head problem is resolved, another member on Turbododge.com has a PT Cruiser turbo head with some bent valves, free for the shipping cost. I can use the valves from the head I have and since I have a complete set of seat refacing tools and a nice old Souix valve grinder I can recondition the head myself. He is even throwing in a set of Manganese Bronze guides (16). Those may be a fun job as I no longer have access to LN2 for chilling them nor do I have the tools for R&R of the guides.

[Gary Lewis]

Head problem is resolved, another member on Turbododge.com has a PT Cruiser turbo head with some bent valves, free for the shipping cost. I can use the valves from the head I have and since I have a complete set of seat refacing tools and a nice old Souix valve grinder I can recondition the head myself. He is even throwing in a set of Manganese Bronze guides (16). Those may be a fun job as I no longer have access to LN2 for chilling them nor do I have the tools for R&R of the guides.

That's great, Bill! Can you farm out replacing the guides and then resurface the seats concentric to the new guides?