Wifee just wrecked our happy 98 ES with a rebuilt 3.8 and factory new tranny (like 80k on tranny).

Questions...thanks in advance!

Will the 2.4 & 3speed swap out with the 3.8 & 4speed tranny including connectors, etc.? I'm guessing yes...but before I buy the SE.

2nd question: is the middle and rear seat mount's the same on both vehicles? Our ES has the center bucket seats and the SE has the small bench seat in middle. I Would want to swap over our buckets and rear bench.

Last question: Major difference in handling, etc between the ES and SE? I loved our ES, such a dream to drive.

 

Welcome to DF
I would say if all the mounts line up,it should.But you need to remember that,you may also need to replace all the wiring too and well as the controllers.Was the other van an all wheel drive? On the seats. You would to take them out and see if they lock in the floor.Handling should just about the same.

 

Mr Clean, The nuts n bolts aspect of the swap will be a breeze, the factory didnt make different bodies for different engines. Dont forget the hubs as well as the different CV shafts are slined differently.

the aggrivation of changing everything over under the hood may not be worth it. Especially on a 1000 - 2000 dollar van
EVERYTHING with a wire attached to it is different.

Now the body question; the seats will work jim dandy no issues at all

as for the trim level (se or es) no difference in handling all suspension parts will be the same. the only difference may be that the ES has a bigger wheel package. if you want the same ride take the ES's wheels.

those letters werent anything other than how many toys you wanted packed in standard on your new caravan.

doubt the 4 bangers fuel pump could feed the 3.8L so you better take the gas tank too. might even need to increase fuel line size???

Asd mentioned B4 seems like a real pain in the **** for a van thats worth so little
Let it go man theese things are a dime a dozen

 

Thanks VM to all who commented... We found and bought a 97 ES to replace the 98...perfect condition. I will open a new thread for further questions.

Thanks again.

 

cv joints are splined the same!
fuel pump is the same with the same part number.
ES, LE and sport has rear sway bar SE does not. this effects handling.
ES wheels won't fit a 2.4 minivan . all 2.4's have 100mm bolt pattern while all ES's came with 114.3mm bolt pattern, you'd have to change hubs and more.

 

I cant believe that the half shafts are even the same length.
Dont see any 4 banger vans since the late 80's eary 90's.
they all seem to be v6's

Good ol mother keepin costs down by using same parts everywhere

 

guess you don't know as much as you are telling us.

2.4 4cyl is the absolute base engine in the minivans from 1996-2007

axle shafts are the same length. the only difference comes in with ABS and vans with AWD. instead of making erroneous statements, do some research.

 

so why didnt you answer his question then? I dont claim to know it all or anything at all for that matter. but I did offer to help.

 

actually I did answer his question through PM because of so many inaccurate postings, I didn't want the man to get screwed up by bogus info.

 

doubt that info would really screw much up. other than an extra trip to the donor car to take a couple of more things???