Street Build My 2Gb Talon project

[DarkApollo]

Since buying a new house back in December and finally having a garage, the wife allowed me to pick up a project car. I found a 97 Talon NT for cheap with a blown engine. I have a 2.4 cloud car engine with 30k on it that I picked up from a junk yard, complete, about 10 years ago that was going to be put in my 86 daytona turbo, but that car is too full of body cancer to be road worthy any more.

I am not scared of fabrication. I have a MIG and I have done a lot of engine fabrication for my turbo dodges of the past, plus this is a project car, not a daily driver. Extended downtime for this car is not an issue.

I have the entire harness that I pulled along with the engine, as well as the computer.

I know the engine is larger than the 2.0, and it will need custom mounts made.
Anyway, I have read a lot about this swap, and I am confident that I can do it.

 

[psycho]

Good to see another person go with this swap!
The 2gnt harness will work fine and the only mount you need to fab is the passenger. The oil pan can be a pain, just make sure the mounting surface is checked for flatness after it's welded.

Have fun!

 

[DarkApollo]

Thanks
Its really a project to get my son into cars.
This is going to be, to the best of my ability, a full project. New paint, performance, handling, the whole thing.




Not too much done yesterday, just the fenders, bumper and lights.
Still have a long way to go.

 

[DarkApollo]

Finally got some time in the garage.
The idler for the timing belt exploded and I feared the worst.
I pulled the cyl head and ALL OF THE VALVES ARE CLOSED! There are no impact marks on the pistons and the valves look good.

THAT was a HUGE bullet to dodge.

Even though the other head is in good shape. Ive always been curious as to why the front intake head wont work.











So there are only two BIG problems.
The starter solenoid is in the way of the intake. That can be fixed with a different starter. Or it may clear it with the taller 2.4 block.
The exhaust has about 3" between the axle and cross member.
A bit of cutting for more clearance and some welding reinforcement and that should be clear, too.

 

[DarkApollo]

What a PITA. Ive never pulled JUST a FWD engine without the trans. Never again. I had to remove all of the accessories to have enough room to get the flex plate to clear the trans. I unbolted the flywheel/clutch from the flex plate, which was fun... I bought the crysler crank pully puller which made removing the pully so much easier.


Testing the fitment of the 2.4 block so I can see what needs worked on.



The 2.0 mount fits? I thought this was supposed to require a custom solution..



It fits.. And bolted in place...



Dropped the regular 2.4 front intake head on the block.



Testing clearance for the T3/T4 turbo.



Checking hood clearance. The valve cover hits the hood pad just as the hood is latched. I may need to get a bit creative with clearancing the hood braces, but the hood is latched in the photo.