My MV Modifying a Dodge Caravan

[Sean T.]

Call the local Home Depot and ask if they have it. Ask for corrugated plastic. Nobody here knows what coroplast is... even the sign shop.

If they don't carry it in their store, ask them where the closest one is that does sell it. I know the Home Depot closest to me doesn't sell it, but there is one a few citys over (it's like a superstore or something special, idk...) and they sell 4x8 sheets for $20.

[bteck]

Yeah, Sean T., that was my first thought too, I went to BLowes home improvement and Home on DePot, neither had it, or knew where to get it, (hooray for great managers) but if it is 50 bones, I can just get more poly-carb for that price, and poly-carb is way stronger. Thanks for all the info. everyone.
Malibu
The belly pan is my next project, there are some pretty sweet slots in the side curtains where I will attach it. It will be full length for sure... go big or go home. Or at least get lots of drag while going home....

[Sean T.]

I dunno where you would find it for 50. Home Depot wanted 20 plus tax, and the sign shop I went to in a higher-class part of town, wanted 20 (no tax)

[Christ]

I'm watching this one more closely... I have a 2000 Caravan that I just picked up and fixed (water pump...)

Mine has a 2.4 liter, 31TE (A413) transmission, no OD, 3 speed, not electronically controlled, but it has lockup, which is great.

I'm currently running 0w30 Mobil1 oil in it, and a SRT4 oil filter (nearly 2x bigger than the OEM unit.)

There is some great information on tranny mods at Donovan's Dodge Garage.

The site is mostly geared toward racing, but most of the Auto tranny mods and information will help out alot in making the auto tranny more efficient.

[malibuguy]

Originally Posted by Christ

I'm watching this one more closely... I have a 2000 Caravan that I just picked up and fixed (water pump...)

Mine has a 2.4 liter, 31TE (A413) transmission, no OD, 3 speed, not electronically controlled, but it has lockup, which is great.

I'm currently running 0w30 Mobil1 oil in it, and a SRT4 oil filter (nearly 2x bigger than the OEM unit.)

There is some great information on tranny mods at Donovan's Dodge Garage.

The site is mostly geared toward racing, but most of the Auto tranny mods and information will help out alot in making the auto tranny more efficient.

Gary Donovan, awesome dude, i've tapped his mind about some things before

If i were you, look for a 41TE, say out of like year Stratus, etc...that 4th gear would make a real big difference in mileage

[bteck]

Alright gang, I finished the Kammback in poly carb, and decided i need to do the same to the bottom of the car, directing air smoothly upward, and the sides as well, to make a marked difference, I will again test it with cardboard first, but this should reduce my total trailing edge by more than 30% pretty excited.

[MetroMPG]

Careful about the upward sweep of the rear undertray.

Phil (aerohead) has posted several times that the angle from horizontal shouldn't exceed a certain value. I think it's in the neighbourhood of 2-3 degrees. Search around for specifics.

[Christ]

I rather like the 3 speed, honestly. The 41TE is electronically controlled, whereas my transmission still has bands in it, that I can freely adjust and play with to my heart's content. All in all, the swap over to a 41TE might get me a few MPG's, but chances are, it will cost me way more than it's worth.

Also, the swap would be counter-intuitive for me, since the 41TE is mated to the 3.3 and 3.8 engines, and the sensors that they use. I'd be going for 1/2 again the engine I already have.

In sticking w/ the 2.4 engine, I have several more economical options to switch up with. I could swap down to the 2.0 (420a) engine, I could step up and mate a SRT-4 drivetrain to the van, I could do an auto-manual swap, I can rebuild the transmission to several other gear ranges and final drive ratios, I can install LSD in the transmission, I can utilize the auto transmission and a manual valve body setup, employ TC lockup in every gear, etc. (earlier caravans had options for Turbo/intercooling AND manual transmissions.)

First things first, I have to get a decent baseline set down for the kind of mileage I get driving like I would drive anything else...

[Big Dave]

bteck, this excellent work. Minivans are popular and useful vehicles. By enhancing their MPG you could strike a good blow for using less oil.

[Frank Lee]

Hasn't the work been done? I distinctly recall seeing a VW Microbus fitted with rear extensions in Hucho's aero book. I don't have access to the book now but there was a graph and wind-tunnel tested results.