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Re: Smallblock in a Caravan
[Re: Runnin74]
#731348
06/25/10 10:52 PM
06/25/10 10:52 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 02:58 AM
06/27/10 02:58 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,196
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: 4,196
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 10:53 AM
06/27/10 10:53 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 11:02 AM
06/27/10 11:02 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,548
Michigan
MarkZ
Worthy
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Worthy
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,548
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 12:21 PM
06/27/10 12:21 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 01:16 PM
06/27/10 01:16 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 01:39 PM
06/27/10 01:39 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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