Auto Parts: Plymouth turismo, plymouth turismo, durable engine

Question
QUESTION: hi,
I have an 83 plymouth turismo and the engine is not in the best of shape. I was wondering if it was at all possible to replace the engine with a newer, more modern engine. I can not find the dimensions on the engine compartment on the car so i do not know what size engine i can fit in it. Any thing will help, even something to get me started looking in the right direction. thanks

ANSWER:      You don't say which engine you have, but I'll assume that it is the 2.2L four cylinder that was by far the most common engine in these cars.  You have two options for a better engine.  Try and find a turbo-charged, fuel-injected version of this engine (probably a 2.5L) from the mid to late eighties.  Shouldn't be too difficult and will give much more horsepower.  The other option is the kit which Mopar's performance division sells for installing a V8 in these chassis.  You will have to gin up a rear suspension and axle arrangement yourself, but you will have a seriously dangerous car when you are done.

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QUESTION: Thanks so much. Just wondering, since you were right that i have a 2.2L, if you knew of any specific engine types i could use? i'm definitely looking for more power but still want to keep it a 4 cylinder.

Answer
    Your only real options are the 2.5L Chrysler, which is almost identical to the 2.2, or the 2.6 Mitsubishi engine that was used in some FWD Chryslers (most notably the caravan).  The 2.6 used in RWD cars is an excellent and durable engine, but the modifications required to use it in FWD made it a half-assed engine and I cannot recommend it.  A turbo-charged and fuel-injected 2.5L is the ideal engine for what you want to do.