ok so I want to start saving for a new engine since my little 1.3 has a hard time getting my 3" lifted sami with 235/75r15s over 50mph on the highway. I want to drive it to idaho to visit my grandparents but I think it will take about 5-6 hours to get over the mountains instead of 3 hours it takes in my dodge neon. The engine I have just got rebuilt and has 767 miles, headers, cat and magnaflow muffler and still is wimpy as hell.

Can anyone please give me some ideas on what to swap in that wont cost an extreme amount? I would like one of the v6 vortech kits but since im in school and supporting my wife and son I wont be able to afford that until im all done with school in a few years if even then.  

Thank you, Brandon

try putting new gears in your axles.

change the ring &pinion  or you could do t-case gears  or a 16v  all good choises for more power
i have a 16vswap and 6.5 t-case gears and 32"s  stock axle gears I can do 80 in 5 gear  no problem

Check the timing, make sure it's right or even advanced a degree or 2

Is the exhaust stock? A bigger like 1.5 or 2" will help some, I see a header,
who did the rebuild? is the cam timed properly? could cause power loss too

Wild

the exhaust is stock size but aftermarket muffler on it with headers. I was told by the previous owner that A1 in saltlake city did the rebuild. I will see if I can get the cam checked and the timing since I dont have the tools to check that myself. Im hoping to that if I can find a new cheap cat with 2" outlet and inlet I will put it on and if I dont sell my aero turbine muffler soon I will throw that on too.

Ya, the stock size was way too small on the sidekicks too, exit pipe
was 1-3/8"  I just put on a 2" exhaust, stock manifold and a cam
and that made a noticeable difference for me.

Then there was the turbo mod, never enjoyed driving it as much
as I did with a turbo

Wild

Easiest engine swap is the 1.6 8V, you can even keep your existing headers.

I got a 1.3 with 4:16 t case gears and 235's and it runs good but with just a 1.3 it isn't going to run up steep grades. Average freeway grades it goes fine in 4th and I can keep up with the trucks. Hahahaha. I doubt that you'll ever keep up with the Neon unless you go 16v and then your milage will be less anyway. The Sammy is just never going to be aerodynamic.