dodge caravan manual gearbox

Spend your money on this modified manual minivan

Jeff Glucker

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It’s rare for me to say “Hey you should buy this old minivan.” But that’s exactly what I’m doing right now because you should buy this old minivan. It’s a 1994 Dodge Caravan and it’s got a few upgrades. But before we get to that the stock bits are equally fascinating. This is one of those wonderful turbocharged minivans. Remember ogling shit-quality videos of drag strip decimation handed out by turbo vans? (RIP Gus Mahon) This is one of those vans and you can row the gears yourself with the five-speed manual setup.

Now, as to the upgrades… here’s the full list:

  • Block machined and bored .20 over
  • New cast pistons
  • All new bearings and seals
  • New Melling oil pump
  • New water pump
  • ARP head studs
  • Rebuilt head
  • New standard valves
  • Mild port work
  • PT Cruiser lifters
  • New head gasket
  • 2-piece intake manifold
  • Lengel custom plenum
  • Mopar 52# injectors
  • Polyurethane engine/transmission mounts and bobble strut
  • New radiator and hoses
  • T2 garrett turbo
  • Turbos Unleashed 3” swing valve
  • Stainless oil and coolant lines
  • A523 transmission rebuilt by Jackson Simler
  • Custom triple bronzed fork pads
  • Welded bearing race
  • OBX limited-slip with upgraded hardware
  • T3 clutch
  • New axle half-shafts
  • Custom PT Cruiser shifter with polyurethane bushings
  • Large spline transmission output, 3.77:1 ratio
  • Custom front coilovers with Sachs touring struts
  • SBEC to SMEC conversion Boost button
  • Flashable SMEC module with flash cable
  • SCI Link with 7-inch display (mounted in instrument panel)
  • Auxiliary fuel mixture gauge
  • Windshield visor
  • Rear spoiler
  • Side skirts
  • Burgundy seats

I told you it was a hell of a list. The van is currently listed for sale on Cars&Bids. At the time I wrote this, the high bid is $8,000 and there are four days left to go. I won’t be surprised if this crests $10k, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if it stalls out below that mark. There are a few flaws to keep it from soaring higher. Though again, I also wouldn’t be surprised if this fetches relatively big money. It’s super cool and the heavy lifting is done. Fix the flaws or rock it as is and you have one hell of a sleeper with room for family and friends.

Me? I’d add internal mounts for my mountain bike and use this as a rad hauler of bikes and butts. Head here for the listing.

About

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker is the co-founder and Executive Editor of Hooniverse.com. He’s often seen getting passed as he hustles a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero up the 405 Freeway. IG: @HooniverseJeff

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11 responses to “Spend your money on this modified manual minivan”

  1. crank_case Avatar
    crank_case

    I’m tellin ya, the Minivan revival when SUVs are the new momwagon is only a matter of time.

    Reply
    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      This comment with timestamps from every spring for the last decade or so…I see where you’re getting at.

      Reply
  2. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    I was so hoping to see a Caravan with a RWD conversion and a 392 Scat Pack with 6-speed manual swapped in from a wrecked Challenger donor.

    Reply
    1. Neight428 Avatar
      Neight428

      I’d settle for an AWD Kia Stinger/Carnival mashup if they used those kickass recliners in the second row.

      Reply
  3. Batshitbox Avatar
    Batshitbox

    I’m not sure I can own it since I can only guess at what some of those things are.
    “Lengel custom plenum”? Is that related to “2-piece intake manifold”?
    “bobble strut”?
    “Custom triple bronzed fork pads”?
    “Auxiliary fuel mixture gauge”?

    I’m not sure it’s necessary to list “New head gasket”, we inferred that from “Rebuilt head” and “New standard valves”

    Reply
    1. OA5599 Avatar
      OA5599

      “The seller purchased this van in February 2020 and has reportedly driven it less than 50 miles during his ownership.”

      I’m curious to know why someone would buy this to NOT drive it. It isn’t the kind of showpiece you park in the living room, and it already had nearly 200K when the odometer broke.

      The AutoCheck is from two weeks ago and shows that it was last registered in Wisconsin in 2019, but the pictures show CT plates on it. Maybe the build was just completed. Be prepared for issues to pop up during shakedown.

      Yes, the Lengel custom plenum is related to the 2-piece intake. The 2-piece used to be preferred, because it could be ported starting from the middle and working towards the ends, but there were still shortcomings, including the 90 degree bend after the throttle body; an improved plenum removes some of those. Picture 72 shows the two pieces in place (but only the top one is visible; it is the black thing with the four aluminum stripes that does not have the word “TURBO”). Picture 75 shows the lower half of the intake. Picture 71 and the underhood shots show the custom plenum in place of the upper half.

      Reply
    2. Neight428 Avatar
      Neight428

      Would you buy a car that was owned by the sort of fellow that would settle for those off the shelf double bronzed fork pads?

      Reply
  4. wunno sev Avatar
    wunno sev

    i rented a Grand Caravan this weekend and i can tell you, whatever flaws this thing had from the factory, the new one has too. a shockingly bad van.

    Reply
    1. Neight428 Avatar
      Neight428

      I admire Chrysler’s chutzpah. They kept running the same model out there for 13 years, even like 3-4 years after there was a corporate replacement. I’m sure it sucked, but hey, you can get a new one for $20k!

      Reply
      1. wunno sev Avatar
        wunno sev

        yeah. and hey – i rented it. even if i came away unimpressed, I gave Avis the money, which is all they needed. and I’d do it again if I needed another minivan.

        I’ll also say it felt surprisingly light on its feet for a minivan. my mom’s 2011 ish Sentra has twelve times more miles and feels twelve times more solid, but the Caravan was actually more fun to sling around a curvy road, believe it or not. it wasn’t exactly joyful, but it was more willing than i expected.

        Reply
  5. Salguod Avatar
    Salguod

    I get the appeal of this, but $8K for a 200K+ mile version of not the best version of the Caravan with a salvage title and two significant accidents in its history seems crazy. I get that it has an impressive parts list, but as has been pointed out, it’s not really been shaken down yet.

    Reply