I'm thinking about buying an '01 Caravan with a bad 3.3 engine.

Will a 3.8 engine interchange? Is there a specific range of years that will swap easily? How involved is this swap?

What is the motor #s? I know the earlier ones were the 6g72. Lmk and I'll get back to ya'

It will set a check engine light if you use a different motor. The code will be too rich or lean, it wont work without changing computer.

It will run fine with the 3.3 computer. Been there done that. I have done it with 5.2 and 5.9s also and every time it works just fine. When you do swap the computer later on it makes more power but the computer needs to be programed with the VIN and miles on the vehicle or there will be codes for it. The computer can change fuel trim up to 25% before a code comes on for rich or lean and a 3.8 does not use 25% more fuel, according to the EPA there is like 1 mpg different between the two.

Are you just thinking it would be cool to have a few more HP? A gear swap in the 604 tranny is pretty easy too

If you need any assistance give me a PM, I am just at the other end of the lake

Cass ...I would stay-away from an 2001 uNless you were going to convert it to a RWD mid-engined 440 like i am going to do ...

There are SEVERE transmission issues with the 3rd GEN Caravans uNtil the 2003 model year.

I would like to make a work van out of it. Because I constantly overload the vehicle, the extra torque may be beneficial.

I haven't had a chance to look at the van, so I don't know the VIN yet.

I assume an '01-'07 3.8" engine will bolt in place. Will a '90s 3.8" swap? I would definitely have another transmission built at the time.

torques convertors as well as final drive ratios in the trans are different between the 2

engines will vary with years of manufacturer

Yo have to be aware of changes from a SBEC controlled engine and a NGC controlled engine. They used different flexplates and camshaft tone rings.

The one I switched used the same year engine, just got the bigger one so I don't know about what years fit what. I would just try to find the same year motor and drop it in.

A salvage yard would be able to tell you what year 3.8 can swap with an 01 3.8 van and I would feel safe buying one within that year range.

Just made a call for you, any 3.8 from 01-03 would be a direct swap.

Thanks for the infomation.