Re: 3.3 or 3.8 guys
[Re: dOc !]
#871244
12/04/10 06:46 PM
12/04/10 06:46 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,384 Madison Wi
NTOLERANCE
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,384
Madison Wi
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Noticeably more power with the 3.8, both solid engines. Keep the oil clean (mine likes NAPA synthetic) and youre good to go.
My 01 Minvan has a 5 pinion planetary, earlier ones had 3 or 4 and failed. I assume an 03 would have a 5 as well.
Later 604s have the cross pin retiainers installed. The pin used to hold the cross shaf tin would brake and the cross shaft would come out. Game over, my 01 had the retainers. Again, I assume an 03 would as well.
There is a thurst bearing in the convertor that fails on some 604s. When it fails, the beairng pieces tear up the lock up clutch, and thos clutch peices plug up the lube circuit. Game over for the planetary. It tosses a code, so you get some warning.
I use valvoline ATF+4 in my 604s. Dont use dextron or any additives.
Dump the OEM trans cooler in the radiator, and go solely with an auxiliary cooler. Space the cooler away from the radiator if you can.
All in all, not a bad engine/trans package. I am currently puting a 3.8/604 into a 99 minivan that originally had a 3.0/403 trans. SHort wheel base van, only options were tinted windows,AC and Cruise. My 1 Town and Country will get 26/27 MPG on the highway - used to get 22-24 until I rebuilt the trans (lock up clutch and bearing failure) I used the better friction material and a hand built convertor (no bearing) and my MPG went way up. Hopefully the bigger engine in the light weight van will exceed my loaded town and country mileage. 3.0 would barely get 19 mpg with no passengers or cargo.
I used to care but....... things have changed
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Re: 3.3 or 3.8 guys
[Re: dOc !]
#871246
12/05/10 09:50 AM
12/05/10 09:50 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,083 Niles , Ohio
therocks
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
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oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,083
Niles , Ohio
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Doc I have a 3.3 in the 96 Concord.Never any problems.I bought it new and on the road it still gets 30 MPG.My kid was averaging 25 city and highway.My niece has a 3.8 in her mini van.Gets about 28 highway.Rocky
Chrysler Firepower
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Re: 3.3 or 3.8 guys
[Re: DoctorDiff]
#871248
12/05/10 12:58 PM
12/05/10 12:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 259 Ohio
ScottG
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 259
Ohio
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I have had both 3.3 and 3.8. Both GREAT engines, the 3.3 did about 1-2 MPG more. But the 3.8 has a little more get up and go. I have a 3.8 now but I would not hesitate to buy a 3.3 agian.
Scott
1966 Coronet 440 conv. original Mauve metallic, with white top and interior. 1971 360, J heads, 625 AFB, 340 cam, intake, and manifolds. With 3.23 SureGrip.
1969 Dart GT: B5 Blue, White top, 318, With A/C
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Re: 3.3 or 3.8 guys
[Re: dOc !]
#871251
12/05/10 08:26 PM
12/05/10 08:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,083 Niles , Ohio
therocks
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
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oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,083
Niles , Ohio
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I only had 1 3.8 with a head problem at work.The rocker stand sheared and needed a new head.The water pump is as easy as can be.Its just a disc type like the early BB pump.Only real problem was the rear heater lines.I fixed probally 30 at work.We were just cutting the bad steel section out and using a longer rubber hose.Took about an hour start to finish.Rocky
Chrysler Firepower
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Re: 3.3 or 3.8 guys
[Re: dOc !]
#871252
12/06/10 10:40 PM
12/06/10 10:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,256 Benton, IL.
DaveRS23
Special needs idiot
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Special needs idiot
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,256
Benton, IL.
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We use a 3.8 in a 99 Caravan to tow cars from St. Louis, 125 miles away. 208k miles, 20 mpg towing, tons of room in the back to haul parts with the seats removed. Had to change the torque converter. And bypass the tranny cooler in the radiator when it cracked. That's about it.
One of the solidest power packages I have ever had.
Master, again and still
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Re: 3.3 or 3.8 guys
[Re: dOc !]
#871255
12/10/10 05:19 PM
12/10/10 05:19 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,474 Florida STAYcation
dOc !
OP
The village idiot's idiot
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OP
The village idiot's idiot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,474
Florida STAYcation
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Quote:
WHEN did they get transmissions more-or-less trouble free? Are there earlier years to absolutely stay-away from ?
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Re: 3.3 or 3.8 guys
[Re: NTOLERANCE]
#871257
12/11/10 03:25 PM
12/11/10 03:25 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,048 Atlanta Indiana
Dave Watt
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,048
Atlanta Indiana
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Quote:
Later 604s have the cross pin retiainers installed. The pin used to hold the cross shaf tin would brake and the cross shaft would come out. Game over, my 01 had the retainers. Again, I assume an 03 would as well.
It's the exact same gear carrier that was used in a 7 1/4" rear end, lousy design.
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Re: 3.3 or 3.8 guys
[Re: tmef]
#871258
12/11/10 03:28 PM
12/11/10 03:28 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,048 Atlanta Indiana
Dave Watt
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,048
Atlanta Indiana
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Quote:
The wifes 05 Grand Caravan, 53,000 miles. Burns about a third a quart of oil per tank of gas. Anyone ever have this problem?
I put a new PCV valve in our '05, problem went away.
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