A few years ago, I saw a mid-80's Caravan with a smallblock/automatic in it. Anyone ever build one of these, and how much of a pain was it? I' sure I could figure out how to mount the engine, trans, and rear, but I'm concerned with front suspension.

A mid engine install may be easier, and the handling might actually be better than stock!

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

Problem with that is the Astro is a RWD, the Caravan is not.....

All you really need is a sawzall, a MIG welder and a tape measure, right? Men who blazed the trail back in the pioneer days are who made things happen. Are YOU that guy?

I've got a sawzall, and my buddy has a welding shop. The van I saw was a mid engine mount. I figure a slightly warm 360 ought to run it pretty strong. I don't think swapping in an 8 1/4 rear should be too hard. I'm concerned with transmission and driveshaft length. Need to do some measuring. Hey if I'm gonna go this far, why not a bigblock? I know where I can get a C-body 8 3/4 rear for nothing. But I digress.

I understand it is not a RWD van...I was just saying I think it could be done..

my worthless

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!

A member here used to have a 318 powered caravan. I don't have any pics or details but I'm pretty sure he used the F/M/J front suspension in it.

This one?

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...

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.

It would be way easier to add the v-8 to the astro, heck they even had quadrajets on them the first year, the trans will work, and will be tight up front at water pump area, but do-able.

Sure hope the caravan swapper joins in on this one, that looks neat!

Scarevandan left moparts a while back. Not exactly sure why, but I doubt he'll chime in.

He had a small website that I kept in my favorites but it looks like it has been taken down.
Edit:
If your serious about contacting him you might take a look at this...
http://www.moparts.org/moparts/carshow/2003/4/scarevandan.html

I'd sure like to see how he mounted the engine and trans, so I could duplicate it. As far as I recall, non of the mopar minivans had trans tunnels.

I say just cut-the-floor out and throw in some 2x3 lots-of tubing and the HANG the body onto that.

ALSO .. move the motor WAAAY back ...and enter the van from the rear slider doors ....

somone here had a van wit a SB, if i remember right he used a dipy k frame, and the rear axel.