Advise your friend to get his 1997 van into good appearance and running smoothly,
Then sell it and buy an earlier model year van with carb and transmission chosen for reliability.

Maybe when the LA small block in that earlier van is tired, put a Magnum 318 or 360 into that earlier van with a carburetor and appropriate M1/MPI manifold. The Magnum heads will give a slight economy boost, and a noticeable hp boost.