420a to a 420a swap

[capelady]

My 420a recently blew so to make it easier I just got another 420a engine. I have searched this site for this but i cant find any 420a to 420a engine swaps. So I was wondering what is the easiest way to go about this (without bringing it to a shop.) Like what do I need to look out for and are there any other major things i would need to do?

thanks in advance

 

[Doug99RS]

It's a simple motor swap and that's probably why there's not alot of talk about the subject. Most everyone is upgrading to a 2.4L, stroking the 2.0L out to 2.2 or 2.4L, or trying to put a 4g63 in it.

The entire job is considered to be "major" since you will have to do one of the following:
--Remove the transmission and engine as an assembly then seperate
--Remove the engine from the top using an A-Frame/cherry picker/engine hoist
or
--Lower the engine through the bottom which is a pain due to ground clearance.

If you have any large contraptions that are used to remove engines then you probably have 90-95% of the tools needed for the job. If you have all that then you've probably got the experience too and it won't be TOO bad.

Regardless of how you do it you will need more than the jack and tire iron that comes with the car.
Good luck.
Doug

 

[EclpzLvr97]

Wow, I'm glad I ran across this b/c I would like to do the same thing when I can afford so. Questions for you since I never did anything like this.

How much was the motor?
Did it come w/any needed gaskets, etc?
And did you just simply call your local Mitsu dealer to order it?

Thanks!

 

[dr1665]

You can remove the engine without pulling the tranny. You will just need to completely separate it from the flex plate and pull the crank pulley for some extra clearance on the passenger side wheel well.

Have fun. It's a blast imo.

 

[jadamc]

Originally posted by dr1665
You can remove the engine without pulling the tranny. You will just need to completely separate it from the flex plate and pull the crank pulley for some extra clearance on the passenger side wheel well.

Have fun. It's a blast imo.

Considering the clearance of the pullies and tensioners, it would probably be easier to just take the tranny out first then pull the engine.

 

[capelady]

Originally posted by EclpzLvr97
Wow, I'm glad I ran across this b/c I would like to do the same thing when I can afford so. Questions for you since I never did anything like this.

How much was the motor?
Did it come w/any needed gaskets, etc?
And did you just simply call your local Mitsu dealer to order it?

Thanks!

I got it off of ebay and it hasnt arrived yet It was $950

 

[dr1665]

Originally posted by jadamc
Considering the clearance of the pullies and tensioners, it would probably be easier to just take the tranny out first then pull the engine.

Trust me. I've pulled 5 of them in the past year. I only pulled the tranny with it twice. Now that I know how to get it out by itself, I will never pull a tranny unless there's something wrong with it.

And $950 for an engine? My goodness! I only paid $450 for an entire parts car with all that and more! Ouch!

 

[EclpzLvr97]

at least she didn't get it from Mitsu where they claim it's 4k for the shortblock!!! :thumbdown

 

[nevermore]

The 2.4l... is this the same 2.4L that is in the Plymouth Breeze?

If so I know a cheap engine and I'd swap it in, let me know thanks.
Does the 420a tranny fit the 2.4l?

 

[dr1665]

You can swap the 2.4L block into a 2GNT, but there is some fabrication required. If you really want to consider this, I would suggest you check out the search engine at 2GNT as there are several people pver there who have either completed this swap or are in the process thereof.

 

[capelady]

Originally posted by dr1665
Trust me. I've pulled 5 of them in the past year. I only pulled the tranny with it twice. Now that I know how to get it out by itself, I will never pull a tranny unless there's something wrong with it.

And $950 for an engine? My goodness! I only paid $450 for an entire parts car with all that and more! Ouch!

where are they only that much?

 

[dr1665]

Originally posted by capelady
where are they only that much?

Your best bet is to check the classifieds for them imo. I got lucky and a buddy of mine and I noticed a 95 ESI sitting in the back of a garage's lot for a couple months and we went in and talked him down from $500. I've got that block rebuilt in my car right now. Apparently, the previous owner thought he could bypass the ECU to pass emissions and totally fired the electrical system. Their loss, our gain.

For $450 we got (and sold):

block
head
auto tranny
2 front fenders
rear hach w/ wiper and thumbnail wing
one good tail light
lots of interior trim pieces
rear disk brake converson
ugly aftermarket 3 spoke wheels
a coffee can of random nuts and bolts (heaven!)

Just keep your eyes peeled. You can learn a lot abot your car when you don't have much to worry abou putting it back together again when you're done, and there are always people out there looking for this or that from a parts car. Ours has pretty much paid for itself now...