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JohnRW1621
JohnRW1621 MegaDork
10/27/15 4:00 p.m.
Gearheadotaku wrote: If the back 1/2 of the roof is cut-off,and windows removed, is it still considered a van?

I believe this would be accepted:

If nothing else, bad ideas should be encouraged.

bluej
bluej SuperDork
10/27/15 4:18 p.m.
Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote:
Trackmouse wrote: I'm going to guess a 4g63 awd caravan will take it all. So cheap to build if you can find one.
Nope. Won't work unless you place a Caravan shell on a crank-walking POS diamond star chassis. SRT4 drivetrain is practically a bolt-in and with parts scrounging you can convert it to AWD using factory parts. I would like to see someone do something with the Mitsu V6 though, just because no one has. They did come in larger displacements with dual cams in the Mitsu trucks/SUVs. You know, jus' sayin'

Indeed. 3.5 block out of a truck/suv, dohc heads from a 3kgt/stealth/diamante, and bolt it up anywhere a similar vintage (usually sohc) v6 lives in a dodge/mitsu chassis.

Junkyard_Dog
Junkyard_Dog SuperDork
10/27/15 4:18 p.m.
pimpm3 wrote:
Junkyard_Dog wrote: Does this count? Just acquired for $200 and drove it home!
I think so, it's like a chey dajiban.

Chebiban!

On an unrelated note I just scored a truck 5.3 for $150

rcutclif
rcutclif Dork
10/27/15 4:24 p.m.
Tom Suddard wrote: So, uhm, Ed and I are looking at both a BMW 750i and a Dodge Ram van on Craigslist right now. Is this combination a good idea? Naturally, we'd need to put the engine in the middle, for space.

750il wheelbase - 116
Ram van (assuming 79-93, SWB) wheelbase - 110

Just but the van body on the 750. I was considering that with mine.

chada75
chada75 New Reader
10/27/15 5:25 p.m.

Keep the Aristocrat Class and run the Minivan Class too.

JohnRW1621
JohnRW1621 MegaDork
10/27/15 6:30 p.m.
chada75 wrote: Keep the Aristocrat Class and run the Minivan Class too.

The Aristocrats Class can continue and should . It will need some fresh blood to join in since 4 of the top 6 are moving to different cars.

But, a luxo barge is an easy button to competing and experiencing The Challenge.

Don't think of luxo barge as one year only. Think of it as a proven path. People still take the e30, Miata, Mustang, Camaro path ever year.

mazdeuce
mazdeuce PowerDork
10/27/15 6:52 p.m.

Do Astro vans have a detachable dog house like full size vans for maintenance? Thinking of a Hemi Under Glass type theme.

JohnRW1621
JohnRW1621 MegaDork
10/27/15 6:58 p.m.

Yes, doghouse in Astro.

drainoil
drainoil Reader
10/27/15 11:03 p.m.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-j0H5sP-prk

mndsm
mndsm MegaDork
10/27/15 11:15 p.m.
Wall-e wrote:
SVreX wrote: You still haven't defined "mini van".
It's like pornography. I may get caught looking from time to time but won't admit to being in one.

This may be my new favorite quote.

mndsm
mndsm MegaDork
10/27/15 11:17 p.m.
bluej wrote:
Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote:
Trackmouse wrote: I'm going to guess a 4g63 awd caravan will take it all. So cheap to build if you can find one.
Nope. Won't work unless you place a Caravan shell on a crank-walking POS diamond star chassis. SRT4 drivetrain is practically a bolt-in and with parts scrounging you can convert it to AWD using factory parts. I would like to see someone do something with the Mitsu V6 though, just because no one has. They did come in larger displacements with dual cams in the Mitsu trucks/SUVs. You know, jus' sayin'
Indeed. 3.5 block out of a truck/suv, dohc heads from a 3kgt/stealth/diamante, and bolt it up anywhere a similar vintage (usually sohc) v6 lives in a dodge/mitsu chassis.

I've always known the 6g72 lived in the Mopar minis. Anyone ever figure out of the dohc heads and mess of snakes that is the timing assembly for that actually fit?

bgkast
bgkast GRM+ Memberand UberDork
10/27/15 11:22 p.m.

Volvo driving soccer mom?

https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/5254456116.html

bgkast
bgkast GRM+ Memberand UberDork
10/27/15 11:23 p.m.
mazdeuce wrote: Do Astro vans have a detachable dog house like full size vans for maintenance? Thinking of a Hemi Under Glass type theme.

Yes.

Driven5
Driven5 Dork
10/27/15 11:59 p.m.
Gearheadotaku wrote: If the back 1/2 of the roof is cut-off,and windows removed, is it still considered a van?

More to the point...What about giving it the full open-racecar treatment and hacking off everything above the belt-line? Like this, but without the windshield:

Still a van?

pimpm3
pimpm3 Dork
10/28/15 12:20 a.m.

I would say so but I imagine the chassis would be rather flaccid. Might also be kind of sketchy autocrossing it with out a roll bar of some sort.

rcutclif
rcutclif Dork
10/28/15 8:54 a.m.

So full size vans are "eligible"?

It seems like it (and I love them), but I can't actually think of a vehicle that is further from 'soccer mom'.

rcutclif
rcutclif Dork
10/28/15 8:56 a.m.
Driven5 wrote:
Gearheadotaku wrote: If the back 1/2 of the roof is cut-off,and windows removed, is it still considered a van?
More to the point...What about giving it the full open-racecar treatment and hacking off everything above the belt-line? Like this, but without the windshield: Still a van?

You'll need a roll bar/cage if you plan on going faster than 12.99 (something like that, don't quote me) in the drags...

bluej
bluej SuperDork
10/28/15 9:15 a.m.
mndsm wrote:
bluej wrote:
Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote:
Trackmouse wrote: I'm going to guess a 4g63 awd caravan will take it all. So cheap to build if you can find one.
Nope. Won't work unless you place a Caravan shell on a crank-walking POS diamond star chassis. SRT4 drivetrain is practically a bolt-in and with parts scrounging you can convert it to AWD using factory parts. I would like to see someone do something with the Mitsu V6 though, just because no one has. They did come in larger displacements with dual cams in the Mitsu trucks/SUVs. You know, jus' sayin'
Indeed. 3.5 block out of a truck/suv, dohc heads from a 3kgt/stealth/diamante, and bolt it up anywhere a similar vintage (usually sohc) v6 lives in a dodge/mitsu chassis.
I've always known the 6g72 lived in the Mopar minis. Anyone ever figure out of the dohc heads and mess of snakes that is the timing assembly for that actually fit?

ask google about montero 3.5 block swaps into 3kgt/stealths.

patgizz
patgizz GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
10/28/15 9:38 a.m.

did you know that a trailblazer ss and rendezvous/aztek are within .8" in the wheelbase dept and almost identical track widths? i'll just leave that here.

pimpm3
pimpm3 Dork
10/28/15 9:53 a.m.
rcutclif wrote: So full size vans are "eligible"? It seems like it (and I love them), but I can't actually think of a vehicle that is further from 'soccer mom'.

They would be eligible, but I see no performance advantage, for one over a smaller "minivan". If we were doing SUV's, which we are not, why would one try to bring a suburban when a S10 Blazer makes more sense.

moparman76_69
moparman76_69 UltraDork
10/28/15 10:06 a.m.

I'll post a few formulas for Chrysler vans when I get home.

I've crunched the numbers off memory and I don't think my current van would be able to slide in under budget. Although it wouldn't be over by much, I'd have to swap some of the new parts off of it to strip some $$ off and I'm not willing to do it.

Depending on the cost to run the event I might run it anyway as exhibition. I most certainly will if I build an actually challenge car for next year.

Spinout007
Spinout007 GRM+ Memberand UberDork
10/28/15 10:09 a.m.

The van class is amusing to me. Though I think I may go luxo barge route next year and see how much rubber and Nitrous I can stuff in it. Especially since I just picked up a nitrous kit for 40$

Andy Neuman
Andy Neuman Reader
10/28/15 10:25 a.m.

In reply to Spinout007:

Next task is finding one that has a LSD, or an easy to find option.

Robbie
Robbie Dork
10/28/15 10:25 a.m.
pimpm3 wrote:
rcutclif wrote: So full size vans are "eligible"? It seems like it (and I love them), but I can't actually think of a vehicle that is further from 'soccer mom'.
They would be eligible, but I see no performance advantage, for one over a smaller "minivan". If we were doing SUV's, which we are not, why would one try to bring a suburban when a S10 Blazer makes more sense.

While I tend to agree -

If you like to challenge full size vans there is a potential to challenge both your tow rig and your race car in the same event. Just sayin.

ProDarwin
ProDarwin UberDork
10/28/15 10:27 a.m.

This class scares me. Most vans mentioned here don't meet SCCA rollover requirements for street class which runs on street tires. A lot of them out outside of them by a significant margin. I don't see how auto crossing them on R comps won't result in rollovers.

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