One of my favorite builds on GRM and pretty sure this is how I found the forum in 2013. Was looking to go from a Miata to an ACR.
One of my favorite builds on GRM and pretty sure this is how I found the forum in 2013. Was looking to go from a Miata to an ACR.
In reply to Scottah :
Pretty much what happened here. Went from miata to bmw to acr again .
Working on the logistics of the deal now. The two neons, multiple parts piles, owner, and myself are all hundreds of miles apart .brother Dustin is willing to help, nate is understanding, and my wife and daughter are supportive.
Gonna be a hell of a ride!
Sweet. Looking forward to a great build!
Tow dolly reserved, early release from work friday, an inlaws couch booked, paperwork in the truck.
This is gonna be nuts.
Sounds like a ton of fun!
So what does $1000 get you in the broken neon world?
A 1998 neon R/T. Southern car all its life. Purchased new as an autocross car, and was campaign around the Burlington/Raleigh area. So if anyone knows the car, please fill me in!
20190112_073807 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
20190112_073817 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
20190112_073904 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
so, upon first look: lowered. Depo headlights. Sunroof duct taped. Side strips removed. Baked paint. Stripes badly removed. R/T badges, fog lights, spoiler, and everything else reasonably intact and decent looking.
Get it home, and start looking more closely for photographic purposes.
Interior is somewhat scruffy. Seats are the blue squiggle seats, and door panels in good shape. Drivers side seat foam is garbage.
20190112_155125 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
power windows and mirrors! (never seen another neon with power mirrors)
20190112_155139 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
odometer is supposedly broken, along with the speedometer. Steering wheel is worn, but the perforated leather still appears solid.
20190112_155150 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
second gen console, mad dog short throw shifter, PT cruiser stick, and solid aluminum knob. Feels good in my hand. Looks kind of strange, but falls immediately to hand in a pleasing way. Supposedly has booger bushings throughout.
20190112_155133 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
map light mirror. Never seen one on a neon before.
20190112_155721 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
headliner is garbage
20190112_155714 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
whats this in the console?
20190112_155645 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
going into the trunk, things start to get interesting. There's a rear strut tower bar, and mounted fire extinguisher.
20190112_155227 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
aftermarket 6x9 in the rear deck
20190112_155234 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
legit export turn signals in the trunk along with the factory rear mudflaps
20190112_155221 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
and now it gets interesting.
Koni yellows at all 4 corners, with mopar extra high rate springs.
20190112_155242 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
20190112_155500 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
new brakes on all 4 corners (supposedly), PT cruiser clutch, new axles, solid bobble (no picture), filled lower motor mount and a ventilated oil pan (rod went hunting for daylight)
20190112_155453 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
thermal r&d exhaust and stainless header, high flow cat, iceman intake, granetelli wires, front strut tower bar, and adjustable cam gears. Theres suspicion that theres aftermarket cams inside, and possibly and underdrive pulley. Previous owner never had the valve cover off, and someone along the way powdercoated the valve cover, painted the oil pan, etc. seriously clean and well done car. Nate didnt do any of the engine work, just drove it until he broke it. He put the shifter/console and clutch in. and the new brakes.
20190112_155308 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
20190112_155323 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
20190112_155409 by Michael Crawford, on Flickr
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
I can honestly say I’m envious of your Neon. These were such fun cars to autox & it seems they’ve all but disappeared.
In reply to Pete Gossett :
When he first mentioned this car, i hoped it would be good enough to justify the time and added expense of getting it as a parts car. Now, im concerned that it's too nice NOT to save and put back on the road.
Dusterbd13-michael said:In reply to Pete Gossett :
When he first mentioned this car, i hoped it would be good enough to justify the time and added expense of getting it as a parts car. Now, im concerned that it's too nice NOT to save and put back on the road.
Stop. Use parts, sell as rust free roller to some neon nut like prof brap.
In reply to Patrick :
Not sure yet what im going to do.
The r/t is definitely a quicker project to get to driving. The acr is what i want to own long term. The r/t will still donate the good stuff to the acr. The acr will donate the less good stuff to the r/t or spares pile.
Its just a matter of getting my head wrapped around the situation and making a solid plan. And that has to wait until all parts are in hand.....
How is the r/t “broke”?
#3 rod came through the oil pan.
If i’m you, pull what you want and put functional junk in place and move it along as a project. Spend your time on the one you want to own. A guy named Michael Crawford once told me that
Dusterbd13-michael said:#3 rod came through the oil pan.
Yep. That’ll do it.
That item in the console looks like a socket key for tuner lugnuts.
The rest of the car car looks like an awesome project. :)
In reply to jfryjfry :
Theres also the koni knob and a full extra set of booger bushings.
Which is awesome .
My wife is NOT helpful. Sge suggested that the rt be Mary's first car...
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
Dearly beloved is your best enabler. Now you get to do everything twice. I know, my nickname is "Jimmy two times".
Just to help out...
https://greensboro.craigslist.org/pts/d/reidsville-96-neon-24-swap/6764266783.html
In reply to Dirtydog :
Just texted for a price. If it cheap enough im game.
If so, there you go! One of em will be up and running before you know it. Good luck.
In reply to Dirtydog :
Dude wants 800 bucks for the engine swap.
I'm probably not his huckleberry .
Yeah. That's kinda high. Half that for the whole car might be betterer. Hang on to his info, he may crackhead out on you, with the price.
My thought exactly.
Ill wait a couple weeks and lowball the hell out of him. Its been for sale for a few weeks already.
Side note.... My iris car has crank windows and power mirrors. But RT looks super solid, I be super into that for a replacement DD.
This thread is not helping my desire for another first gen neon.
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