They pulled him out of retirement for the V-10 projects. The 2.2 was introduced in 1981 as an all-new design, the first metric Chrysler engine. There are several different 2.2 blocks. The oil pump is mounted internally. High performance versions, such as the Shelby engines, have modifications such as .8 mm milled off the top of the deck surface.
Pistons are aluminum with steel struts, and rings are iron.
Mopar Performance sold a heavy duty oil pump for most of the 2.2's life, which can be handy in high performance situations. 2.2 liter engines are all noninterference designs, so they generally are not damaged when the timing belt breaks. Carbureted models used a staged two-barrel carbertor, a Holley Weber design. Some Canadian and Mexican cars used a Holley Model 5220, staged nonfeedback dual venturi carb. The 2.2 engine was brought out in 1981.