Are you sure KRN? That 2.4 sure looks like it has weiner in it's basic DNA. Why would Diamler-Chrysler go to an asian engineered engine?? I know that the jeep line has used some asian transmissions ..but the 2.4 is used throughout the DC line up.
Looks like I'm wrong too
..or maybe a few German engineers moved to Mexico
The 2.4 entered production in December 1994 for minivans and cloud cars with the four speed automatic transmission. In 2002, it was titled "PowerTech" in the Jeep Cherokee. It is due to be slowly replaced by the 2.4 liter World Engine.
The 2.4 liter turbo engine
(from "Mr. Source"): A turbo model was introduced to the world in 2002 for use in 2003 models. Designed and built in Mexico, refined by Americans (who changed some cooling, reduced boost, and adjusted the PCM), the 2.4 can be tweaked to increase power but was restricted in Mexican vehicles to lower insurance costs. the 2.4 Turbo engine, is Mexican, build in Mexico, engineered by Mexicans and refined by Americans and Germans. They changed some of the cooling, reduced boost, and a different set-up for the PCM. Making some "tweaks" you can gain easly about 10 or 15 % increase in HP. DC restricted it because of insurance. Many of the lessons learned with Super Touring Stratus (Racing Car), were applied to the engine.
The 2.4 turbo in the Neon SRT-4 (0-60 in 6 seconds, stock!) produces 215-235 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque. The same engine is used in the PT Cruiser GT. It was superceded by a 2.4-turbo World Engine with 300 hp.
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/24.html
Here's what they say about the 3.8
Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth 3.3, 3.5, 3.8 Liter V-6 Engines
by Michael A. Cole except where noted
3.5 liter V6Introduced in 1990, the 3.3L was the first Mopar designed and built V6 engine to see duty in front wheel drive Chrysler vehicles. [A 3.9 liter engine, based on the LA series V8s, was the first Chrysler made V6, but it only saw truck duty.] The 3.3 was even successful as a racing engine (as used in Shelby Can Am cars)
Joined by a 3.8L version the following year, the 3.3/3.8L series features a traditional cast-iron block, aluminum head, overhead-valve design while also incorporating newer technologies such as sequential, multiple-port fuel injection (SMPI) and an integrated electronic ignition system supplanting the mechanical distributor, rotor and coil systems of the past.
Also in the 3.3/3.8L series, a 3.5L aluminum-block version saw early duty in the LH platform series. It was later replaced by an all-aluminum 24-valve 3.2L V6 featuring a unique (at the time) coil-over-plug design which eliminated the need for secondary ignition cables. The 3.2 itself was dropped, leaving the 2.7 and 3.5.
With ample torque available early in the rpm range, the 3.3/3.8L series was well suited to its primary application as a source of power for Chrysler's award winning minivans. These engines were also used in the Dynasty, New Yorker, Fifth Avenue and Imperial models until those vehicles were later replaced by the LH platform series, which was eventually powered by the aforementioned all-aluminum 2.7/3.2L V6s.
