I am planning on buy a neon but I'm not sure what would be the better engine the sohc or dohc from the 95-99 models. If it was up to me the dohc sounds like it would be the better one. But just not sure this car will not be stock when finished so I need an engine that is going to be able to handle alot of performance mods.

Thanks
Don

I would get a 97-99 neon, that way you have alot of interchangeable engine parts between those years. The DOHC is rated at 150HP and the SOHC is rated at 132HP. The SOHC would be cheaper to mod, but the DOHC is capable of putting out more HP. If you want to make some real HP you can swap in a 2.4 engine from a stratus or PT cruiser or even an SRT engine.

If you plan an 2.4 engine swap, get the Dohc to start with.
If you get an Automatic :=( , get the Sohc, the Dohc doesn't work that well with the Auto.
There is an exception though, if you are for sure going to swap in a 2.4, the auto will work just fine. You may have to replace the shift governor in the auto to shift at a lower rpm. The Dohc setup it set for 6700 rpm shift, you would only want the turn the 2.4 to 6000-6200. The 2.4 auto will smoke the tires at the stop lights :=).

Thanks for the info. So now I'll be looking for a DOHC with a manual tranny.

Thanks again.

Thanks for the info. So now I'll be looking for a DOHC with a manual tranny.The first gen neons have two different trannies, the 3.55 and the 3.94. All dohc neons came with a 3.94 but the R/T and ACR neons have a different final drive and 5th gear. The 3.94 seems to be the best choice for the all motor or lower power cars because of the gearing. The 3.55 seems to be the best for the high power or turbo guys.

the dohc is easier to find after markets for though they are more costly (i know i cant find squat for a sohc)

and the turbos they made are mostly designed for the dohc(i cant seem to find a turbo for the single)

Thanks you guys rock! :smokin:

the dohc is easier to find after markets for though they are more costly (i know i cant find squat for a sohc)You are not looking in the right place then...
http://www.modernperformance.com/dcx/PL95_index.shtml

and the turbos they made are mostly designed for the dohc(i cant seem to find a turbo for the single)Hahn racecraft has a turbo for the SOHC neon...
http://www.modernperformance.com/dcx/hrcneon.shtml

if you are looking to put some hp out the srt4 is way to go lot of upgrades and lot of options.plus stock they kick butt. just my two cent.

if you are looking to put some hp out the srt4 is way to go lot of upgrades and lot of options.plus stock they kick butt. just my two cent.My insurance wants way to much money if I bought an SRT that's why I stay away. That and the fact that I love the first gen neon the best even with the SRT out there. I'm just not big on the body style, but I love whats under the hood :eek:

i can understand about the insurance.but what ever u go with sure there is up grades.good luck to you.

Not really that fast stock, but with some welfare mods you can make 300tq :licka: Which is pretty cool.

the dohc is easier to find after markets for though they are more costly (i know i cant find squat for a sohc)

and the turbos they made are mostly designed for the dohc(i cant seem to find a turbo for the single)

I have a SOHC and I can't complain about the performance parts I find. The only thing I have trouble finding is money!! :wink: