Can someone elaborate on the engine pros & cons as to the 3.3 Versus the 3.8. Also to what years did they run the 3.8 to.

I currently have a 2000 Grand Caravan with the 3.8 and it gets good fuel economy, provided you don't have a lead foot. I am looking to go into a newer model, and was wondering if the 3.8 was still available and to what years. These are a pretty heavy Van and I prefer the larger engine, and have no knowledge on the 3.3, and its performance.

thanks in advance for replies.

 

The 3.3 and 3.8 have been great motors. You can still get both engine thru the 2010 models. But the 3.8 comes with the 62TE transmission and so does the new 4.0 engine. I understand there will be a new engine coming out maybe 2011 or 2012 which will be a 3.6L penastar engine. That engine will be a VVT.

 

They are the same engine with a 0.5 litre displacement difference, which increases the horsepower and torque for the 3.8L. The gearing may be different to allow for this and to help the 3.8 get better gas mileage than it would with the same gearing as the 3.3L. My 2002 3.3L performs just fne and doesn't seem lacking in acceleration, even when fully loaded. Since the 3.8L will be reving somewhat slower through its lifetime, one could expect it to last longer, but then again, both engines seem to last forever normally.
The larger 4.0L engine is a different engine, more sophisticated with a timing belt instead of timing chain and is more powerful. I prefer the timing chain (0 maintenance) to the timing belt (belt and water pump {preventative] are replaced routinely per maintenance schedule).
The 3.8 is no longer available in Canada (except or the Jeep). The standard engine is the 3.3L in the newer vans with the 4.0L as optional.
The 3.3L, in say a 2007, may have similar horsepower to the 3.8L in your 2000 due to increases in hp over the years. To really get a feel for it, best to test drive and compare.

 

Thanks guys for the information, sure is appreciated. I just now have one other question and that was in an answer to the engine differences. The new question is the 62TE transmission, is this a good tranny? Again thanks for the input.

 

The 62TE has been around for a few years in the Pacifica and Avenger. It made its way to the Minivans in 2008. Here's a description of it with some nice pictures if you ever want to take one apart. lol http://www.allpar.com/mopar/transmissions/62TE.html

The 62TE is a "sealed" transmission, meaning no readily available dipstick to use to check the transmission fluid level. Lots of transmissions are that way these days.

The 62TE seems to perform well, from reports I have read. They are also used in the Volkswagen Routan mated to a 4.0L.