Roadripper,
The biggest issue with the mini van motor is that it sits sideways in the frame. By the time you got the motor turned the right way, and then found a trans that might work, I think you would have as much time and energy in it as you would have in using a better option. If you want a V6, A Dakota V6 would be a much better option, then you could hijack the, trans, frame, and nearly everything else you might need. Gene