Start planning for next year, Soccer moms invade the 2016 challenge...-Page 4| Grassroots Motorsports forum |

rodknock New Reader
10/27/15 1:17 p.m.

Trackmouse wrote: I'm going to guess a 4g63 awd caravan will take it all. So cheap to build if you can find one.

Tell me more! I didn't think those vans ever came with a 4g63. I know they came with a Mitsu V6 which might open up the possibility of a 3000gt tt swap. Someone who really knows those engines and cars should chime in.

Appleseed MegaDork
10/27/15 1:18 p.m.

HOLY CRAP! I just realized this might encourage the return of the BatVan.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/27/15 1:21 p.m.

Appleseed wrote: HOLY CRAP! I just realized this might encourage the return of the BatVan.

Pretty sure that the BatVan was parted out, but the custom center caps are sitting in my home office.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/27/15 1:21 p.m.

pimpm3 wrote: I was in the junkyard today and I must say the first gen mpv is a good bit smaller then the other minivans parked near it. Just saying...

Tease!

mazdeuce PowerDork
10/27/15 1:24 p.m.

I'm officially looking for a first gen MPV or the perfect short wheelbase Dodge window van, whichever comes first. Mrs. Deuce has sanctioned this by rolling her eyes and sighing.
It's on!

pimpm3 Dork
10/27/15 1:24 p.m.

I can assure you that is not the path I am taking but, I welcome and look forward to the competition.

pimpm3 Dork
10/27/15 1:27 p.m.

Appleseed MegaDork
10/27/15 1:30 p.m.

Well then it's BatVan Returns.

sethmeister4 SuperDork
10/27/15 1:31 p.m.

I think one of these with an SR20 or CA18 turbo swap would be awesome. It's a Stanza Wagon, but I think with dual sliding doors it's technically a minivan.

mazdeuce PowerDork
10/27/15 1:32 p.m.

pimpm3 wrote: I can assure you that is not the path I am taking but, I welcome and look forward to the competition.

I'm going to have to actually drive the kids to soccer in mine to justify it's existence. Not so much competition as class filler. Whatever, it's time I attended a challenge.

Stefan (Not Bruce) MegaDork
10/27/15 1:41 p.m.

Trackmouse wrote: I'm going to guess a 4g63 awd caravan will take it all. So cheap to build if you can find one.

Nope. Won't work unless you place a Caravan shell on a crank-walking POS diamond star chassis.

SRT4 drivetrain is practically a bolt-in and with parts scrounging you can convert it to AWD using factory parts.

I would like to see someone do something with the Mitsu V6 though, just because no one has. They did come in larger displacements with dual cams in the Mitsu trucks/SUVs. You know, jus' sayin'

ultraclyde UltraDork
10/27/15 1:45 p.m.

Until this thread it never clicked for me that the Aerostars were RWD. And that they were basically a ford ranger.

So....does that mean a V8 Explorer drivetrain would bolt into an Aerostar??!!

rob_lewis SuperDork
10/27/15 2:04 p.m.

ultraclyde wrote: Until this thread it never clicked for me that the Aerostars were RWD. And that they were basically a ford ranger. So....does that mean a V8 Explorer drivetrain would bolt into an Aerostar??!!

Probably. An Astro/Safari V8 is as easy as it is on an S10 (as they were the same basic design).

-Rob

rcutclif Dork
10/27/15 2:09 p.m.

Speaking of Aerostar (the one I was just searching)

Zombie van starter kit - $400

moparman76_69 UltraDork
10/27/15 2:27 p.m.

Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: SRT4 drivetrain is practically a bolt-in and with parts scrounging you can convert it to AWD using factory parts.

Shhhhhhh

mazdeuce PowerDork
10/27/15 2:29 p.m.

Here's an interesting option.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/cto/5257961159.html

bgkast UberDork
10/27/15 2:38 p.m.

moparman76_69 wrote:
Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: SRT4 drivetrain is practically a bolt-in and with parts scrounging you can convert it to AWD using factory parts.
Shhhhhhh

How is your's coming along by the way?

Dbussey1 New Reader
10/27/15 2:39 p.m.

In reply to mazdeuce:

I was looking at that Expo the other day, in a completely unrelated search. Good, economical little haulers, with easy turbo-swap ability.

Ranger50 PowerDork
10/27/15 2:42 p.m.

moparman76_69 wrote:
Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: SRT4 drivetrain is practically a bolt-in and with parts scrounging you can convert it to AWD using factory parts.
Shhhhhhh

Well.. If you start with a 4cyl van, it's just a piston and rod swap away from being SRT internals. Just add boost.

Esoteric Nixon UltraDork
10/27/15 3:00 p.m.

So uh, how big can one go?

unk577 HalfDork
10/27/15 3:14 p.m.

So I have a GenIV LS motor(aluminum block) sitting in the garage that I acquired cheap, a AWD Safari should be able to be found pretty cheap, and a eBay turbo of some sort. Hmmmm

What kind of points are we talking if I can find some mint condition shag carpet in the junkyard?

pimpm3 Dork
10/27/15 3:27 p.m.

I love where this is already going I think that is the beauty of this idea. There are so many paths to a fast minivan. I posted this yesterday and we are up to 4 pages already.

This is exactly what the magazine wants to see...

Mazdadeuce said "I'm going to have to actually drive the kids to soccer in mine to justify it's existence. Not so much competition as class filler. Whatever, it's time I attended a challenge."

I too am planning to drive mine as a van to pick up kids etc... before hopefully winning the class next year