More Minivan action!

[Cbass]

Yeah, but the Aerostar is RWD, and was optional with the 4.0 cologne V6, the one with the fancy distributorless ignition and everything. Oh yeah, optional AWD too, full time through an electronically controlled transfer case. Add front and rear LSD, build the engine with a turbochargers, steel crank, and forged rods... you've got a 400hp Aerostar with torque to back that up.

While the GM astrovan/safari is really easy to convert to 350 power, the Aerostar is much harder to work with. The advantage is, the Aerostar weighs a full 1000lbs less(not shitting you, 3450/4450). Anyone who has ever owned an Aerostar knows just how heavy those seats are, remove all 3 rows and go to a pair of fiberglass buckets for the front... 300lbs right there. Now we're talking 400hp, in a 3200lb AWD minivan. The one issue I am working over right now is converting the van to independant suspension, preferrably from a Mustang...

Let's just say, I can smell the rice burning already

[fatninja19]

damn... are you really gonna go through with your minivan project???

[Cbass]

Damn skippy I am! Of course, I'm going to be using the stock crank, so I'm only looking at 300hp

[fatninja19]

do you have the aerostar with the 4.0 in her already? and are you going with AWD or RWD?

[Cbass]

No, I don't have the engine/tranny/transfer case/axles.... I'm picking them up out of a donor Aerostar when I can, it has to be a '97 AWD for all the goodies. The 94-96 Aerostars had really good closed chamber heads for NA building, but they would detonate under boost I think...

I'm looking for wheels for it right now, either Jeep BBS styles, or Crown Victoria BBS styles... This van is going to rock

[fatninja19]

damn, that sounds so fucking cool. I wish my van could be cool like that.

[Cbass]

If there is a will, there is a way! I'm just surprised I didn't think of it sooner... It would all be assembled with junkyard parts, aside from the connecting rods and chip. I figure a couple of small turbos, or a good T3 with a turbonetics ball bearing centre section. When you think about it, 300hp isn't that hard, it's pushrod, but it's still 4.0 liters, and it's turbocharged. It all ready has crank fired direct ignition, so that's really easy to work with.

My main problem is finding room in the engine bay

[RACER D12]

This van would be one hell of a way to get the kids to school

[fatninja19]

do you know how much compression you're gonna run?

my van's engine bay is really cramped too... i've thought about boosting her, but the funds are no where near adequate and its my only car. perhaps some nitrous though!

[Cbass]

For now, I'm just going to freshen the stock engine a little, just a rebuild, cam, crank from a 4.0, 10:1 compression, that sort of deal. Just a light rebuild, and when I swap the engine, I'll have a good powerplant for a sports car laying around.

I'm going to get the 4.0 and AWD gear from wreckers, and rebuild the engine and tranny for speed. This will be my shop van My eventual goal is to go take out Vipers and Corvettes on rainy days... Hell, on dry days too, the thing should do 12's.