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Well crap, I think I'm buying a minivan....

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Posted by: DeckSetter

Dang, I've really got too many cars, but I don't think I can pass up an '89 Caravan TURBO for $650.....

More on this later, I'm hoping to pick it up Saturday


Posted by: DeckSetter

ok, talked to the guy on the phone yesterday, I'm picking it up a week from tomorrow.

It's an '89 Caravan ES Turbo. Power windows / locks / rear windows all work, A/C blows cold. Van has rear heat and air but needs a new switch.

He mounted a Probe intercooler (are those any good? got to be better than nothing...) but never plumbed it in. I believe the drive train is all stock, but has been replaced. Body has 170,000, motor and trans have around 100,000.

The only thing I don't like about it is it's an automatic, but hopefully that will change this summer...........

He had it priced at $2000, but started having brake problems and the price went WAY down, so I'm picking it up for $650!!

here's the thread, check out the pics, it looks pretty clean...

http://www.turbododge.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=108602


Posted by: MadScientistMatt

Congratulations! Probe intercoolers are decent, but mostly used because they're cheap, available, and relatively easy to install.


Posted by: MikeT

soooo, what exactly are you planning to do to it?


Posted by: DeckSetter

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeT
soooo, what exactly are you planning to do to it?




Well first I have to go pick it up...

Then fix the brakes (gotta make it driveable...)........


Then hopefully this summer I'll swap in a 5 speed (the 3 speed auto will just HAVE to go), add a blowoff valve, put on 3" exhaust, and crank the boost. It should be able to handle 12-14psi safely on the stock fuel system without the intercooler. I'll have to figure out whether I want to pipe in the probe intercooler (the guy mounted it but never piped it in) or get a better one (ford powerstroke intercooler can be made to fit, but I'm not willing to sacrifice my A/C for it), then add an extra injector and see how much boost the tiny mitsubishi turbo can handle (probably around 17psi or so). Maybe step up to a bigger turbo eventually, we'll see.


Posted by: GMR

Quote:
Originally Posted by DeckSetter
Well first I have to go pick it up...

Then fix the brakes (gotta make it driveable...)........


Then hopefully this summer I'll swap in a 5 speed (the 3 speed auto will just HAVE to go), add a blowoff valve, put on 3" exhaust, and crank the boost. It should be able to handle 12-14psi safely on the stock fuel system without the intercooler. I'll have to figure out whether I want to pipe in the probe intercooler (the guy mounted it but never piped it in) or get a better one (ford powerstroke intercooler can be made to fit, but I'm not willing to sacrifice my A/C for it), then add an extra injector and see how much boost the tiny mitsubishi turbo can handle (probably around 17psi or so). Maybe step up to a bigger turbo eventually, we'll see.



Stock they can take about 14.5 #s before the ecu kills the fun.
As for trannys, the best one to look for will be the 555 manual, it was available in the TII motors and will be the strongest, especialy for a van.
I believe they also came in the TII minivans that were euquiped with manuals.
I dont realy know much on the vans, but I think(although I may be wrong) that all 2.2 turbos in 89 had the Garret turbos on them, the 2.5 had the smaller turbos. Weve had garrets up to 20 PSI, but usualy set them to 18 max. A Larger intercooler is a must if your gonna be pushing higher PSI than stock. I highly reccomend a dawes device boost controller.
http://www.3barracing.com/products.htm
Theyre cheap and work great! It fixed the boost creep and spike problems in
my buddies Lebaron, once you set it where you want, it stays, unlike other designs we tried.

But Im sure you already knew most of this, lol

LS


Posted by: No Rice Allowed

Poor "Z" Just sitting there wanting money sunk into it.....


Posted by: LS1 Mopar Turbo

Actually all 2.2s had the garrett turbo until 1987, then in 88 all non intercooled cars including the vans got the Mistubishi turbo. The upgrade to the garrett is a very simple task.


Posted by: GMR

Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1 Mopar Turbo
Actually all 2.2s had the garrett turbo until 1987, then in 88 all non intercooled cars including the vans got the Mistubishi turbo. The upgrade to the garrett is a very simple task.



OH ok, so the vans didnt come with ICs. Thanx for the correction man. I never realy read up on the vans.

LS


Posted by: Grape Ape

You'll prolly have a heck of a time swapping to a manual simply because of all the pieces you'll need to buy. The parts are also likely hard to find for a van that old. Upgrade parts are one thing. Replacement factory stuff though... That's a different story. An I/C will work wonders. It's a van though, not a race car. I'd do simple things and just drive it otherwise, but that's only me. If ya wanna bump to that 7.3L I/C, lemme know.


Posted by: DeckSetter

Quote:
Originally Posted by GMR
Stock they can take about 14.5 #s before the ecu kills the fun.
As for trannys, the best one to look for will be the 555 manual, it was available in the TII motors and will be the strongest, especialy for a van.
I believe they also came in the TII minivans that were euquiped with manuals.
I dont realy know much on the vans, but I think(although I may be wrong) that all 2.2 turbos in 89 had the Garret turbos on them, the 2.5 had the smaller turbos. Weve had garrets up to 20 PSI, but usualy set them to 18 max. A Larger intercooler is a must if your gonna be pushing higher PSI than stock. I highly reccomend a dawes device boost controller.
http://www.3barracing.com/products.htm
Theyre cheap and work great! It fixed the boost creep and spike problems in
my buddies Lebaron, once you set it where you want, it stays, unlike other designs we tried.

But Im sure you already knew most of this, lol

LS



The stock fuel system can't keep up much past 14psi, I've heard of people getting 18psi out of a mitsu turbo, but that's really overworking it and it puts out some HOT air at that pressure. The garret will be better, and a T2 version will bolt right on by just changing the coolant / oil lines. Like Mike said, very simple task.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Grape Ape
You'll prolly have a heck of a time swapping to a manual simply because of all the pieces you'll need to buy. The parts are also likely hard to find for a van that old. Upgrade parts are one thing. Replacement factory stuff though... That's a different story. An I/C will work wonders. It's a van though, not a race car. I'd do simple things and just drive it otherwise, but that's only me. If ya wanna bump to that 7.3L I/C, lemme know.



You'd be surprised... the hardest parts to find will be the pedals and shifter bracket. Past that, it's mostly common stuff. The only other van specific part is the clutch cable if I'm not mistaken. The shifter out of any daytona / shadow / whatever will work. Fab up a bobble strut and you're off. I can even use the same axles.

Quote:
Originally Posted by No Rice Allowed
Poor "Z" Just sitting there wanting money sunk into it.....



Yeah, it's more of a long term project (if I ever even mess with it...). The underbody is SHOT, as in the rear frame section is no longer connected to the body underneath the car (good ol' rust!). Floor pans are expensive, and that would be a pretty extensive build. The Z got backed in to a few weeks ago, so she's got a decent dent back by the gas cap on the passenger side. I pounded most of it out, but to restore the car it would have to be cut out and replaced because it's right outside where the spare tire mounts inside the car and you can't exactly get to it to put a dolly behind it or anything. I still want to put a diesel in it down the line. That car's got a 21 gallon tank, I can get over 500 miles to a tank in the summer, think what I could get at 40mpg with a diesel.....

In any case, the van's better for work anyway (more cargo room and better mileage than the Jeep = good vehicle for construction).


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