Let's Build a SRT8 Grand Caravan

"bwp240" (bwp240)
10/24/2014 at 11:53 • Filed to: Thought Experiment, SRT

Edit: This was actually written before !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on the FP today. It reminded me that I forgot to publish this.

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I want to help contribute to the SRT Division's insanity by making a SRT Dodge Caravan. Why? Because it's awesome.

(Note: This involves a lot of estimating and guessing. This probably should have been done by someone who actually knows automotive engineering. Therefore, I have no idea if this would actually work.)

So let's think about this for a minute. The biggest thing is the engine. Now I am a fan of the new Hellcat engine, but as much as a 707 horsepower minivan seems awesome, I don't think it is the right way to go. We do need to make a vehicle that is actually feasible. I think taking the 392 from the regular Challenger SRT8/Grand Cherokee SRT8 would suffice.

Now this presents another problem... The engine of a Dodge Caravan is mounted transversely with a FWD drive set up. This, of course, is not acceptable because we want a manly minivan and that involves tire smoking, speed, and looking good. However, this begs the question. Will a 392 Hemi fit inside of the Caravan engine bay longitudinally so that we can make our rear wheel drive people hauler of manliness?

I pulled up the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (which were surprisingly hard to find). It stated that it was approximately 32" L x 29" W x 31" H. The dimensions for the engine bay of a Dodge Caravan are even harder to find ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ). However, it is known that the engine is mounted ahead of the front axle so after finding the overall length (202.9") and the wheel base of the van (121.2") we just subtract the two numbers and divide by 2 (crude assumption of the area on the other side of the wheels are equal and we get 40.8" in length. For the width, well it has to fit between the wheels so let's guesstimate that we have 48" of width in the engine bay. For height, it looks like the area between the bottom and top of the hood take up a little over half of the height measurement (let's call it 9/16ths) so that is about 38" but given the down slope of the hood how about 34" (if I am wrong we will just cut a hole in the hood and make a hood scoop). So the engine will fit longitudinally but that leaves 8.8" in length to stuff the radiator and (part of) the transmission as well as 9.5" on either side of the engine block to fit things like the alternator, washer fluid reservoir, and all those other things that make the engine not explode. So it is possible that it would fit, but it would be a very tight squeeze.

The transmission would probably be the second most difficult thing to fit in the car. This will require some fab work because of course we will put in a nice 6 speed manual coming up from the floor. Sure it will ruin the nice hallway between the drivers seat and the back, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices.

The drive train? As we established the drive train is the typical muscle car front to rear, but how are we going to get the power back there. Hmmm... What is the best method to move a large multi-passenger vehicle connected to a 392 Hemi, I wonder if there is something that was already created that does that... Wait isn't there a drive train made to move an SUV that is connected to a 392. Yes, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 drive train, let's use that. However, this is where I would like to add an option to our new creation. The Grand Cherokee SRT8 comes with all the bells and whistle that including the Cherokee 4WD systems. So why don't we put that same option in the Caravan. Let's offer an option for the straight FR setup using the Grand Cherokee SRT8 drive shaft and rear end, and also have a 4WD option, not this real time AWD garbage, but a manual 4WD option, for when you encounter less than ideal conditions like snow or when you are traversing over those people coming in and out of Wal-Mart, who can't wait 2 seconds for you to drive by and march into the cross walk in front of the store entrance.

I would expect the interior to have all of the comforts of the higher end Grand Caravans (sat nav, stow and go, table, the works). Unfortunately since this borrows heavily from the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, I would expect the price point to be similar ~$64,000+. I think it would be better around the $45K - 55K range but fun costs money.