Woes (morning shift repost)

"Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness" (long-voyager-2nd-edition)
06/20/2019 at 06:59 • Filed to: woes, Mopar, Voyager

So as most of you know, I pulled my 3.8L from my van and installed a 3.3L which MasterMario so graciously offered.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

This motors runs excellent, with only around 50k on it, it still looked new inside and out. I did some mild porting/polishing and added upgrades off my 3.8 before installing it. All seemed well at first, but.............

Now that I’ve been driving it for a while, I’m noticing the 3.3Ls shortcomings. Mated to my 3.8L trans, it severely lacks low end torque. This leads it to be doggy off the line, needs to downshift ALL the time, and gets terrible fuel economy . This is a problem for me, I’ve gotten used to the low end grunt and economy of the 3.8 , so now that it’s gone, I find the joy of driving it disappearing as well.

So I’m weighing options right now......

1. Keep the 3.3L and be bored.

2. Snag an Eaton M90 and put it on the 3.3L, wastegate down to 5-6lbs of boost.

3. Get the parts to rebuild/build my old 3.8 while driving the van.

4. Go snag the 2001 3.8L+Built trans wired for 90s ecm/tcm that’s listed on one of my forums.

5. Really dig into swapping a 4.0L or 3.6L/6-speed in.

I’m leaning on 2 and 3 right now, but idk, I just know I need to do something.

Shiny pic for your time.

DISCUSSION (44)

razorbeamteam > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/19/2019 at 17:28

Supercharger all the way. Would you need to adjust your tune/fueling for something like that? I’m assuming that the EFI uses a MAF and not a MAP sensor. I’m admittedly pretty dumb on forced induction though.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/19/2019 at 17:30

Combine all the options - bore out a 3.8 and slap a supercharger on it while driving around with the 3.3. Mad max all the things!

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > razorbeamteam
06/19/2019 at 17:35

They use MAP and the factory ecm/fuel system can tune for 6-8 lbs without issue.

I’m just not sure I want the added headaches of boost...

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/19/2019 at 18:11

Bore out the 3.3 and not be, um, bored?

Brickman > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/19/2019 at 18:54

I’d put a SRT-4 or the EDZ engine like my stock Caravan had, I think it has more HP and torque than the V6, except for the 3.8.

Burnouts for days.... or how ever long the tires last. :P

gettingoldercarguy > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/19/2019 at 20:18

Get blown, it's the best.

coqui70 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/19/2019 at 23:49

Get a V6 Turbo-diesel from a donor crashed Grand Cherokee and make it fit.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/19/2019 at 23:53

Supercharger! Just purely for the sound.

My small M45 sound pretty badass, the bigger 90 would be crazy!

pip bip - choose Corrour > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/20/2019 at 06:28

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > pip bip - choose Corrour
06/20/2019 at 06:50

#3 is likely the best option. I already know I loved it, so I’d just be going back to what I know.

#4 is also feasible, it would be the combo I know and love, only with slightly more power/torque...

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
06/20/2019 at 06:55

Something is making me itch for that whine..

I’ve heard them on the 3.0 and they sound obnoxious. Shitty vid, but you get the idea:

I love the rolling pull to 70. No traction in 2nd, slap 3rd, fight traction all the way to 70 mph.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > coqui70
06/20/2019 at 06:56

That could actually be very interesting.....

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Brickman
06/20/2019 at 06:57

I like the low end and linear power of the V6s, it’s something the SRT4 engine always seems to fall short of.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/20/2019 at 07:00

But then why not bore/stroke the 3.8 that’s sitting by my garage and have even more!?

Ready for an adventure! > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/20/2019 at 07:04

My 2 cents - Appreciate the 3.3 cuz ya got it from a friend, and use that graciousness to take the time to get the 3.8 in tip top shape. You KNOW you like that motor. MasterMario is not going to be offended because he gave you the opportunity to make the Millenium Falcon the way you want it. My 2 Cents...

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/20/2019 at 07:07

2. 222222222.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Ready for an adventure!
06/20/2019 at 07:14

I am very delighted that MasterMario hooked me up. He saved my ass when things were in the shitter, so I have nothing but appreciation for him.

I am thinking this is the best option as well, but man does that SC whine seem enticing.....

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/20/2019 at 07:15

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Even the noise it makes says how much fun it is!

Spanfeller is a twat > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/20/2019 at 07:26

I say rebuild the 3.8 or get the 6AT, specially if its your daily

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Spanfeller is a twat
06/20/2019 at 07:33

It is my daily, which is why I am leaning on rebuilding the 3.8. I already know it’s the “perfect” amount of power, drive-ability, and efficiency.

WilliamsSW > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/20/2019 at 07:46

So you’re getting lousy fuel economy with the 3.3 and want to fix that by adding a supercharger?

I kid, I kid - but #3 seems like the most economical solution that will give you an engine you know you’ll like . You could always do # 2 for giggles and if it doesn’t work out, go back to #3. Sounds like that engine deserves a rebuild and to be put into *something* at any rate.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > WilliamsSW
06/20/2019 at 07:53

I mean the mileage already tanked, so why not?

3 is what I’m really leaning on though. Then I could keep this engine for my next project.

WilliamsSW > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/20/2019 at 07:56

Yeah - either rebuild the 3.8 and drop it in here, using the 3.3 for your next (supercharged) project, or you add the SC to the van now and rebuild the 3.8 for your next project. Either way you end up with 2 good engines.

Ready for an adventure! > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/20/2019 at 08:04

lol I know!!! but reliability is the supreme end game here.....

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/20/2019 at 08:13

I really like option 2 just because I like boost. One of my projects for my F150 now that it no longer is a daily is to figure out how to throw a turbo on it.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > coqui70
06/20/2019 at 08:18

Now that would be a project and a half...since your reconfiguring the engine layout might as well throw the GC’s solid axles under it as well.

Spanfeller is a twat > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/20/2019 at 08:29

I mean, it’s pretty gracious of MM to give you an engine, but if it doesn’t cut it, it doesn’t cut it.

Wacko > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/20/2019 at 08:40

needs more Hell Cat

then name it the HellCaravan

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/20/2019 at 08:51

Good idea. Boring the 3.8 would certainly be less boring than a bored 3.3. :P

Mercedes Streeter > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/20/2019 at 09:17

Combine 2 and 3! Rebuilt 3.8 with an M90 on it! :D

I also like the idea of snagging a diesel off a wrecked GC.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Mercedes Streeter
06/20/2019 at 10:02

I think a 3.8 with the m90 would be more than I want/need for my daily. It would also be completely awesome.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Wacko
06/20/2019 at 10:03

HellVoyage!

Go-Fund-Me for Hellcat drivetrain?

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Spanfeller is a twat
06/20/2019 at 10:05

Well, it wasn’t given, but it was a hell of a deal. I was ecstatic to be able to get the van going again without spending tons of money, so he definitely has my appreciation.

It’s not like the motor will go to waste either, I will keep it around to use in something in the future, most likely something that never came with it, like an O mni or something.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/20/2019 at 10:10

That supercharger whine would be amazing.

I’ve thought about grabbing a 3.3L ring gear for the trans as well, but tearing the trans apart to swap those isn’t really something I want to do. . Realistically, b eing a 3.3 mated to the long geared 3.8 trans may be a lot of my “lacking” issue. The 3.3 in our Sport Wagon could walk my van with the 3.8 with the same mods I have on this motor, so I think the gearing is really holding it back too.

I was hoping you wouldn’t take offense to this post, I really appreciate the hook up when I needed it.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Ready for an adventure!
06/20/2019 at 10:12

Well I do have 2 other drivers........

Realistically, running 5-6 lbs of boost wouldn’t hurt reliability at all. The only issue would be leaving it set there...

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > WilliamsSW
06/20/2019 at 10:13

I liked my 18-24 mpg far better than the 12-14 mpg I’m getting now, so I’m thinking getting the 3.8 back in is my best option.

Shift24 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/20/2019 at 10:38

No replacement for displacement.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/buying-maintenance/amp26131407/pontiac-montana-sv6-ls-swap/

Kinja'd!!!

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/20/2019 at 11:39

I absolutely didn’t take offense. First of all, it’s now your engine, so you get to do with it as you please...secondly, I know it was a stopgap for the 3.8 since it wasn’t exactly what you were looking for to begin with.

But I will say that a supercharged minivan gets you sooooo many more jalop points.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/20/2019 at 12:03

Ya but it’s a minivan, so I start negative...

The supercharger would be awesome, but I see it as starting a black hole. Once I get a little more power, then it becomes a need for even more, then shit starts breaking, then more upgrading, then............You know where this leads. I have neither the time nor patience for that long dark path.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Shift24
06/20/2019 at 12:07

Not gonna lie, that’s pretty sweet.

I think getting it all to work in a 90s Mopar would be far more work than swapping across similar platforms though. If I was going to put that much time in, I’d just Hemi/RWD convert it.....

Shift24 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/20/2019 at 14:19

But FWD best wheel drive, especially when you are making well over 300 hp and torque and try to steer.

It could be the minivan version of the Civic Type R

Y eah but still though I get keeping the period correct stuff

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Shift24
06/20/2019 at 16:01

Well I mean, it doesn’t have to be period correct, but in the same family is helpful for getting it in and mounted.

I’ve toyed with the idea of putting the 3.6/6-speed out of the new vans in it. Figure intake/exhaust/tune it would be 300+ hp. Mounting it is no issue as it essentially mounts the same as my drivetrain. Wiring it and getting it to run, completely different story.

Chariotoflove > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
06/21/2019 at 15:42

Nothing helpful from me except to say that the new look deserves some grunt to match. More than that, any minivan must have enough low end to handle on ramps and passing with a load, or it’s not able to do its job. So, agreed you have to do something.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Chariotoflove
06/24/2019 at 07:03

I mean, it has enough for daily use, it’s just substantially less than it had prior to the new engine.