A friend of mine has a 98 Neon with the DOHC motor, and has a new rebuilt head (port/polish, came off a turbo neon I guess, as he says it's a turbo head). Obviously because the exhaust/intake ports are backwards, I can't use the whole head.

However, he's got:
-Beefier cams (Not sure of brand, but I think they're designed for the SRT-4, although that might be the cam gears)
-Adjustable cam gears
-2.4L valvetrain
-brand new head gasket

Around 5000KM on everything, and that's probably being a bit generous.

He wants $700 for the whole thing (parting his car as he bought a truck).

Are the cams/cam gears compatible with the 420A head on our cars? I personally don't see any difference in the head other than intake/exhaust being reversed, so they should be fine, right?

Not sure what all else is in there, or if it's any good to re-use a head gasket.

I've driven the car and it hauls pretty good. He ran it as an N/A build, but decided to call it quits when he kept breaking axles launching on the drag strip.

Anyway, I'm just curious if this will be worth the money (not sure what he'd want on individual parts, as he went offline).

I want to eventually turbo this car (undecided on the 2.4L block though, may just leave it as-is).


Any input is appreciated. I've been lurking the boards lately, trying to get as much info as I can. I'm still learning and would like to continue to do so.

Thanks.

I know for sure that the camshafts will not work. They are the reason the exhaust flows in reverse on the neon.

cam gear will only work for a 2.4. cams wont work. no no to re-use a headgasket. cant use the head.

Yeah I figured re-using a head gasket was bad (mine is holding up fine anyway, so far).

What about valves, lifters, etc? Seems like it's not really worth the trouble of ripping the head apart. I'm sure he could just sell it complete for less hassle.

Why will the cam gear only work for the 2.4?

Valves, valve springs, lifters, rockers, etc... they are all the same between the Neon and DSM 420A motors, right?

because thats the way it was designed....just look at it.

The gear offset is different between the 2.0L and the 2.4L.

Originally posted by DarkOne
The gear offset is different between the 2.0L and the 2.4L.

Ok, thanks.

I was talking with him, and I dunno maybe I heard something wrong, but they're 2.0L cams, not 2.4L... it's a 420A head on his car, and bone stock block, so is it possible, given that updated info, that they will work?

Sorry if these are ridiculous questions, I'm trying to not waste money, and learn what I can.

Originally posted by Harashi

Originally posted by DarkOne The gear offset is different between the 2.0L and the 2.4L.

Ok, thanks. I was talking with him, and I dunno maybe I heard something wrong, but they're 2.0L cams, not 2.4L... it's a 420A head on his car, and bone stock block, so is it possible, given that updated info, that they will work? Sorry if these are ridiculous questions, I'm trying to not waste money, and learn what I can.

If the cams are from a rear-exhaust Neon head, they will not work.

Cam gears I meant. Sorry.