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Old 03-21-2006, 10:29 PM   #4
Alphabravo
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Re: Replace 3.3 with a 3.8?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alphabravo
I just put a 92 dodge caravan 3.3 motor into a 94 Chrysler T&C with a 3.8! And it wasn't difficult at all!! Here's what I found: You must swap the rear exhaust manifold, (The 3.8 had an EGR and the 3.3 didn't, maybe just a year/model thing?) Swap the upper AND lower intake plenum (The upper for the EGR thing again and the lower because the thermostat housing is slightly larger on the 3.3 which makes for problems connecting the rad hose. While you're swapping the intake, swap the fuel rail and injectors, along with the whole wiring harness (the connectors were slightly diffrenent). Also, the Cam Sensor and the Crank Sensor needed to be replaced to match the connectors. I swapped the tranny wiring harness too because it got damaged pulling out of the donor vehicle, but the connectors seems the same so you may not need to swap them. Surprisingly I didn't need to change the ECM or TCMs, although it shifted a little rough for a day until the TCM re-learned, I guess. Another thing, there wasn't much difference in power that I noticed even though I "downgraded". If you want to upgrade, maybe pulling a boat every little bit helps?

Good luck.
An additionnal note, I swapped the motor AND tranny, so if you plan on replacing just the motor, I'd check to make sure the tranny will mate up.

Good luck!
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