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Re: Smallblock in a Caravan
[Re: Kern Dog]
#731329
06/22/10 04:33 PM
06/22/10 04:33 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida
scratchnfotraction
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida
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dont see hwy you cant do it I put a 350 chebby in an astro van before hardest thing was hacking the wire harness and that thing would fly with 3.73 gears 
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Re: Smallblock in a Caravan
[Re: RodStRace]
#731331
06/23/10 12:39 AM
06/23/10 12:39 AM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,065
Milwaukee, WI
In_The_Pink
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,065
Milwaukee, WI
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Quote:
Problem with that is the Astro is a RWD, the Caravan is not.....
And it already has a V6, so adding two more cylinders up front and switching to an electric fan is a piece of cake compared to a Caravan V8-RWD swap.
I would think a V8-RWD conversion setup for a FWD Daytona would be a good place to start. 
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Re: Smallblock in a Caravan
[Re: scratchnfotraction]
#731335
06/23/10 11:14 AM
06/23/10 11:14 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,533
Indiana
Fury Fan
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,533
Indiana
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In some ways I think the Caravan might be a little easier than the Astro. With the Astro, it mostly bolts in but you're constrained by the close-fit OEM structure, and to R&R the engine in a van ain't easy. But to put an engine in the middle of the cargo floor (probably have to put it right behind the front seats in order to get a driveshaft in there), in a wide-open area, thru the side door, sounds easier.  If there is an extended-wheelbase model that might be the best start to get good driveline angles. Yes, you'll have lots of engine-cradle and axle mounting fab to do, but it's a fairly blank slate without a lot of interference from existing structure. Run some 2x3 or 2x4 box tubing longitudinally and then tie front and rear framerails to it. A 4-link might be the way to go for rear suspension? A Ford Explorer 8.8 might be narrow enough. Radiator stays up front and plumbed with extension pipes, use elec fans to cool it. Fuel tank needs a re-lo? I presume it is currently forward of the rear axle? The existing steering and susp would be OK, just pull the halfshafts out. You could even leave the original engine/trans in there for ballast if needed, depending on how much the mid-engine settles out. If you need less ballast, remove the engine/trans, and you have a nice hole to locate suitable ballast. I’m thinkin’ a smallblock underneath a sturdy metal shroud, with some good insulation on top, some fake cargo covering it, would make a helluva sleeper. This is a neat idea!  And hey, if you plan it right, you might even still be able to drive it around some while you're working on it! 
Last edited by Fury Fan; 06/23/10 11:24 AM.
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Re: Smallblock in a Caravan
[Re: Jwilli500]
#731338
06/23/10 01:52 PM
06/23/10 01:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,077
Oklahoma City
Jwilli500
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,077
Oklahoma City
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I forgot what his handle was but I think it was Minivanman or something like that. I believe he used Diplomat K-frame or something similar. These things already have leaf springs out back to hang a 8 3/4 on. Nuther pic...
Last edited by Jwilli500; 06/23/10 01:54 PM.
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Re: Smallblock in a Caravan
[Re: Runnin74]
#731348
06/25/10 11:52 PM
06/25/10 11:52 PM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,319
Chicago Burbs
sthemi
master
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master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,319
Chicago Burbs
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Quote:
I don't know about the earlier model Caravans, But the 2001 and up models have no tranny tunnel - just flat floorboards. I suppose if one was going to the effort to put in a small block that wasn't a mid mount you could graft in a tunnel.
Start with an AWD minivan, they have a driveshaft, rear axle and flat floors..
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Re: Smallblock in a Caravan
[Re: Dakota_Don]
#731351
06/27/10 03:58 AM
06/27/10 03:58 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,142
Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...
5thAve
Doesn't care what this says anyway
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Doesn't care what this says anyway
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,142
Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...
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Quote:
somone here had a van wit a SB, if i remember right he used a dipy k frame, and the rear axel.
I guess you missed the other replies that mentioned that and the engine picture 
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Re: Smallblock in a Caravan
[Re: elmor]
#731353
06/27/10 11:53 AM
06/27/10 11:53 AM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
RodStRace
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
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Quote:
What type of rear axle did the AWD Caravans have in them? That does sound like an interesting concept. I would love to build a mid-engine rig, but I'm concerned with having enough room for a good pinion angle. If I set the engine/trans in back of the front seats, that doesn't leave much room for a driveshaft, if any. A 3 inch driveshaft doesn't make for very good angles or allow for rearend movement. 
Just thinking out loud here, but one way to deal with that is to run an IRS and have the center section solid to the unibody. It would not be a wheelie machine or a dragstrip terror, but you could make it handle. 
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Re: Smallblock in a Caravan
[Re: MarkZ]
#731355
06/27/10 12:02 PM
06/27/10 12:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,404
Michigan
MarkZ
Worthy
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Worthy
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,404
Michigan
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The sub-frame is for a 440 powered A100 wheelie stander. You could use this concept for a mid-engine mount in a Caravan.
1987 Fifth Avenue - 512/518/D60
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Re: Smallblock in a Caravan
[Re: MarkZ]
#731356
06/27/10 01:21 PM
06/27/10 01:21 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,680
Raleighwood
2Bad360sfromNC
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,680
Raleighwood
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Sounds like a whole lot of work when the 4 cylinder turbo Caravans can do this with a lot less work... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhcOBrsk0nc...but it would be kinda neat and sound better.
1968 Charger project. I don't have a fender tag or a buildsheet, so it's getting a 440. Help me decide on a color--most everything looks great! (NOT white. My Challenger is white. Need some variety :D)
1974 Challenger 360
2012 Challenger R/T
1991 Dakota 5.2
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Re: Smallblock in a Caravan
[Re: RodStRace]
#731358
06/27/10 02:16 PM
06/27/10 02:16 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,533
Indiana
Fury Fan
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,533
Indiana
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Quote:
Quote:
What type of rear axle did the AWD Caravans have in them? That does sound like an interesting concept. I would love to build a mid-engine rig, but I'm concerned with having enough room for a good pinion angle. If I set the engine/trans in back of the front seats, that doesn't leave much room for a driveshaft, if any. A 3 inch driveshaft doesn't make for very good angles or allow for rearend movement.
Just thinking out loud here, but one way to deal with that is to run an IRS and have the center section solid to the unibody. It would not be a wheelie machine or a dragstrip terror, but you could make it handle.
My suspicion would be that whatever rearend an AWD Caravan would have would be too weak. I'd stay with my recommendation of a Ford Explorer 8.8 - cheap, Locker can be prelim-identified on the door tag, and has disk brakes.
Midship mount does not leave much room for a driveshaft. I wondered if a motorhome 727 would help, but it's probably not much different than a 904.
My 'new idea' would be to install an 8.8 IRS from a Lincoln Mark 8. Solid mount it into a subframe as Rod St Race and Mark Mullins have mentioned.
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Re: Smallblock in a Caravan
[Re: RodStRace]
#731359
06/27/10 02:39 PM
06/27/10 02:39 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,168
Vancouver, WA
MoparMarq
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,168
Vancouver, WA
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Quote:
Just thinking out loud here, but one way to deal with that is to run an IRS and have the center section solid to the unibody. It would not be a wheelie machine or a dragstrip terror, but you could make it handle.
3rd Gen Supras ('86.5-'92) are IRS rears mounted on subframes which have the whole shebang - pumpkin, suspension, a-arms, springs, struts, the works. Might not be too difficult to adapt to the existing structure. And the rear end is quite stout. LSDs can be found and gears available are 3.73, 3.91, or 4.30. Some guys have run 600HP at the crank through that diff.
Probably wouldn't be too hard to find, since most of those cars are wrecked in the front.
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