Guess it's time.....

"Long-Voyager" (long-voyager)
08/01/2018 at 17:04 • Filed to: wrenching, Mopar, Minivan

Drove the van to work today, only to be greeted by the overwhelming smell of antifreeze when I got out. Searched around and found my head gaskets are leaking, thankfully out instead of in, but leaking nonetheless.

So I am trying to decide whether to:

1. J ust fix them and carry on satisfied with the way she performs.

2. Find an 01-up 3.8L and swap the top end onto my block, which nets about 80hp/85ft-lb bump over what I have currently.

Since it’s kinda sagged into road trip/family carrier/tow vehicle, I’m not sure I want to deal with complications of swapping the top end, likewise, it’s a lot of power for not much more work than I already have to do.

The other issue is how to swing it to the wife on a positive note. She’s fine with modifying, so long as it has a point or is upgrading something that was weak to begin with.

Hoping the wonderful people here can help me in this decision.

Have a classic Charger for your time:

DISCUSSION (17)

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > Long-Voyager
08/01/2018 at 17:23

Go for the power boost anyways so you can scare/entertain the kids with a push of the throttle. Why not?

RickSanchez:Fury Road Edition aka Junkrat > Long-Voyager
08/01/2018 at 17:27

I would probably just replace the HG’s. These transaxles were not known to be stout and adding 40% more torque may cause other issues to show up. You’ve already got your fun car.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Long-Voyager
08/01/2018 at 17:54

Damn - if it were me I guess I would do the upgrade as you already say it’s not much more work than you already had to do. Is it a costly upgrade? That might me the hardest part of swaying the wife.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Long-Voyager
08/01/2018 at 21:59

You have the best wife.

Long-Voyager > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
08/02/2018 at 06:48

That’s why I married her ;)

Long-Voyager > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
08/02/2018 at 06:51

I should be able to get all the parts for around $200, so it’s not really costly, especially for the power bump.

I think the hardest part of swaying her will be removing a perfectly good top end to replace it with a different one.......

Long-Voyager > RickSanchez:Fury Road Edition aka Junkrat
08/02/2018 at 06:53

These transmissions are very stout, if they are maintained properly. They been proven to handle well over 300whp without issue.

Likewise, if it does cause issue, it’s a reason to upgrade further.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Long-Voyager
08/02/2018 at 07:27

But you have the excuse that the head gaskets are leaking?

Long-Voyager > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
08/02/2018 at 07:31

Ya but that’s not an excuse to replace otherwise good heads......

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Long-Voyager
08/03/2018 at 08:06

which nets about 80hp/85ft-lb bump

That’s impressive

Long-Voyager > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
08/03/2018 at 10:05

The new top end combined with the old bottom end nets something like 11.5:1 compression, combined with the new top ends flowing far better, and a more aggressive cam.

nerd_racing > Long-Voyager
08/07/2018 at 07:35

unless they overheat and warp...

Long-Voyager > nerd_racing
08/07/2018 at 07:40

Can honestly say I’ve never overheated a vehicle.

nerd_racing > Long-Voyager
08/07/2018 at 07:45

I haven’t personally, but I was with my dad when he overheated his 97 ranger with the 4.0 iron heads. They warped over 1/8 of an inch and cracked all of the valve seats. Luckily it wasn’t an OHC model.

Long-Voyager > nerd_racing
08/07/2018 at 10:10

I honestly will never understand how people overheat a vehicle. Though growing up around built vehicles, I likely learned the importance of keeping an eye on engine vitals more than most people...

nerd_racing > Long-Voyager
08/07/2018 at 10:22

Ours was a special case, we were on our way to CT to pickup a car I bought. We didn’t make it to Massachusetts when the truck lost it’s headgasket. It was a “do we drive another hour to get the car, or another 5 to get home” situation, then by the time we got to a reasonable spot to pull over, the truck had already been too hot for too long (Rush hour traffic and nowhere to pull off with a tow dolley). So we just sent it. Then we redid the top end when we got home.

Long-Voyager > nerd_racing
08/07/2018 at 12:02

That I can see.