13-second, non-slushy minivan?

I've had a couple of the Caravans as company cars. While they are quicker than you might expect, the engine writes checks that they chassis can't cash. Todays minivans aren't mini anymore, they're pretty large and unwieldy, resulting in ponderous handling.

If you are thinking about boosting the power, the transaxles aren't very robust. A few co-workers had their's pack it in, requiring replacement transaxles. 

chaparral said:

1) Every satisfactory daily driver I've had for a decade has been able to break 14 seconds or 100 mph in the quarter.

I wouldn't get too caught up in the numbers. Outside of competition and ego, the sensation of speed is more important than the speed itself. Modernish utilitarian vehicles have characteristics that make them feel faster than they are. Modernish sporty vehicles have characteristics that make them faster than they feel.

In reply to Driven5 :

There is also a huge difference between a 13 second 2000lb car and a 13 second 5000lb car.  The heavier the car, the more its performance will be skewed to the high speed end of performance.

My S60R runs 14.4 in the quarter mile and is WAY more power than I could ever use, practically or legally, on the street.  Too much is just right   Top speed is electronically limited to 161.

One of my RX-7s runs 13.6 in the quarter and the Volvo feels significantly quicker over 30mph or so.

2021 + Honda Odyssey: The minivan recorded a 0-60 MPH time of 6.9 seconds, with a top speed of 111 MPH. The quarter-mile time recorded was 14.2 seconds. The Honda Odyssey's engine made 280 hp with 262 lb-ft of torque and came mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

or this one had it listed as 15.1 and 95 mph which is equal to a 2013 GTI https://www.motorbiscuit.com/the-2021-honda-odyssey-minivan-is-faster-than-a-lamborghini/

Buy van. Put LS/t56/turbo and then call it your BOOSTER seat

I think I shocked a F250 driver this afternoon when I had to pull out in front of him and just put the foot to the floor.  Silly van just shot across the intersection squealing the tire.   But I otherwise agree it also has all the power it can handle, at least for the transmission and chassis.   It already has larger brakes than the '08 version I had before it, which is nice, but I still wouldn't say it's over-braked.  I'll use the "manual" mode of the shifter when descending long hills for engine braking. 

That said, a minivan is still a minivan and as big as they are, they still aren't as big as full-size GM, Ford E-series or Dodge B series vans.  They also drive a lot more "car-like" than those vans.  I used to DD an E-150 and still own an E-350.   When I had the E-150, I had day-dreams of doing power mods to it since it had a basic 5.0 SBF.  But in the end, it came down to fuel economy and as it was, it was get 17 MPG on a good day: down hill with a tail wind doing 60 MPH.  The GC GT will pull mid-20's without too much effort and at 75 MPH (I just did this).

I didn't do any timed runs, but I was seriously impressed by the engine in the Kia Carnival I drove:

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/new-cars/2022-carnival-sx/

Consensus appears to be an RT Caravan - I can make one handle, we had a front subframe brace / strut-firewall brace / rear antiroll bar combo ready but nixed by management when I worked for FCA that made the thing a giant 500 Abarth. I guess I can ask my old FCA powertrain contacts about shift reprogramming and any parts to get a little more power out of the engine.

In reply to chaparral :

I originally looked for an R/T version. After some digging, I found out the GT is exactly the same model with a different badge. The main difference is everything I've found thus far indicates the GT was a fleet-only package, so all of the used ones you'll find were former rentals (I'm sure a few snuck onto dealer lots when new).  I found some old Enterprise papers in mine. 

In reply to Ian F (Forum Supporter) :

"RT" was the FCA designation for that generation of minivan - the "RU" is the new Pacifica. Sorry I wasn't clearer - it could be any trim of that van that could get the stiffeners added.

I could also go back to Hondas and get an Odyssey, because the path to 350+ horsepower from a J-series is well-beaten.

Have you considered a dodge Durango R/T? I dunno if the rear hatch is wide enough for a kart though.

In reply to chaparral :

Ah... understood.   If you go that route, I'd be interested in paths to more power.  Granted, I personally don't think more power would be needed, but it's still a thought.  I'd be more interested in what mods would be available to beef up the transmission - which to me is the weak link in any of the minivan options.  BTW, if your old FCA contacts have any tips on fixing a sporadic EVAP code, that would be awesome. 

As above, everything I've read/heard about the Odyssey indicates the trans is also the first item to address prior to upgrading the engine.  Of course, in the unlikely event I'd get an Odyssey, I'd be trying not to fall down the rabbit hole of an Acura TSX 6 spd manual swap.