Neon Question

[JPK]

Does anyone know if the 1st gen ACR came with up rated motor mounts? The new one from Napa is unimpressive....

Thanks,
JPK

[ali]

are you talkin of solid mounts or inserts? the acr came with the same mounts as all the other neons. you can get inserts or solid mounts thru many vendors.
some of them include...
www.modernperformance.com
www.howellautomotive.com
any other questions let me know. i have a couple of these cars.
if you need help putting it in, im pretty proficient. after you have done it a few times its pretty easy.

[miata#37]

Ali's correct. They were the same as any other neon. There is an uprated Mopar version available through Chrysler/Dodge dealers also that costs about the same as the OEM part. The Mopar or other performance versions will bump you out of Stock if that's a concern.

Stock motor mounts were a weak spot on the 1st gen neons.

[phile]

Ali's correct. They were the same as any other neon. There is an uprated Mopar version available through Chrysler/Dodge dealers also that costs about the same as the OEM part. The Mopar or other performance versions will bump you out of Stock if that's a concern.

Stock motor mounts were a weak spot on the 1st gen neons.

Now if you can get Chrysler to admit that the parts were weak by making the upgaraded part the "standard replacement part" for all Neons, you can get the part legal for Stock.

Almost afraid to mention this for fear of starting a landslide of Porsche grumblings about timing-chain tensioners. ;)

[DCM]

Were you at Mowog 3 ?

Shoulda looked me up.

[washburn]

Now if you can get Chrysler to admit that the parts were weak by making the upgaraded part the "standard replacement part" for all Neons, you can get the part legal for Stock.


This road was many times travelled back in the Neon's heyday's of DS. Suck it up and live with it. I personally put 10 or 11 motor mounts in the Cow Car from 97 to 99. I did get a "volume" discount from my dealer though. ;)

[JPK]

That's good to know. I will keep an especially close watch on them. Any other consumable parts I should watch?

JPK

[ali]

A good source of info and usual banter is http://www.neons.org/forums/ if you havent checked it out.
http://www.neons.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=17


Weakest link I have experienced with my Neons would be axle shafts and transmissions (mainly the diff pin).
http://www.neons.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=11
The axles are very weak if you have any types of mods or are doing any type of launches. Trannies are next to go. If you can get past those, you should have some pretty clean seasons. I would however look into getting a baffled oil pan. I know Moroso makes one for the 2.0 1st gen Neon. Not too much money and it will sure save you in the long run. Also, I would suggest using the larger oil filter. Stock is a Fram number ph 3614, I would suggest a ph 16. I am in no way suggesting you get a Fram filter, however that is the number I know, as I worked at a parts supplier who had Fram. The application for said filter would be a 3.0 Voyager/Caravan or even a Viper. They fit right on, just larger filter = more filter material and volume. If you are running higher rpms, I would suggest titanium retainers for your valve springs. I would also suggest Crane springs and a good head gasket with the proper spray gasket maker (from the dealer) with new bolts. Both will help in the head area which is often problematic for older Neons. I am not sure if that it will change your stock class designation however, but it is something to consider to prevent future problems. Some cheap upgrades that are easy to install and prove most beneficial would be to purchase a set of Booger Bushings. If you would like a set of these, you can get them cheaper than going thru Modern or Howell, as Jeff who makes them, lives near by.
http://www.modernperformance.com/dcx/booger.shtml
http://www.howellautomotive.com/Howell/Store/catalog/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=948
I would look into doing a TTI mod to your shifter,it makes a big difference.


Info on the motor mounts:
5.2.5 Q:What is the deal with motor mount failures?

A: The front motor mount (FMM) on the Neon has a somewhat undeserved reputation for failure. The motor mount isolator (p/n ATX - 4668182, MTX - 4668183) is circular in shape with two vee-shaped slots (see image here) in it. A web of rubber joins the point of the vee with the bottom lip of the circle. This web may tear under normal use, giving the appearance that the mount has failed. Note that this web was placed to facilitate the manufacturing process only, and is not a structural part of the mount design. Tearing of the bottom web does NOT mean that the mount needs to be replaced. Unless one of the upper flanges of the vee is torn, the mount will function normally.

The OEM motor mount is somewhat soft, to control vibration. This allows the engine to move a noticeable amount, which aggravates the appearance of mount failure. The soft mount can allow wheel hop during hard launches. Performance drivers will benefit from installing inserts (Rex units, homemade inserts, or poured-urethane filling). See the question on stiff motor mounts for more information. [Motor mount image courtesy of Jeff Ball.]

http://neons.org/howtos/nemo-mount/

Sorry that got a little long. Im bored outta my mind at work.
Ali