i have a 2007 caravan with the 2.4l in it. i bought the van very cheap because the engine is blowed up. everybody wants 1200-1500 for an engine. but i can buy a complete wrecked van that has a 3.3l or 3.8l in it and put one of those in it. im asking how hard and what needs changed if im going from a 2.4l to a 3.3 or 3.8l in the van. what years would work. i need just an idea of how hard its going to be

thank you

 

anybody?

 

A super hard conversion project of that sort should be reserved for a BMW, Mustang or something worth more than "dirt". The V6 Dodge minivans are a dime a dozen in 100% working condition. They can literally be bought in road-ready condition for less than the cost of a salvage motor or tranny swap/rebuild.

Changing engine type in a vehicle manufactured in the last 20 yrs (with OBD) is never easy. A highly skilled electrical tech or Dodge tech could dump 250 manhrs just into harness wiring swap and adaptation work. A person with less skill may totally fail. The vehicle has lots of electrical, mechanicals with computer management programmed for the specific engine and tranny combo. This sort of headache stuff is reserved for folks with lots of money, time and skill who are working on a highly sought after vehicle worth $10k and up. In these cases, it's not an aging pedestrian van so it can be worth dumping lots of R&D into the project from a garage queen standpoint.

It would be wiser to take the loss, junk the van and buy a v6 van for $2K with a good motor.

Changing a motor or tranny in a $2K vehicle seldom makes financial sense. The guy who got rid of that van with a bum motor was very wise. If you are determined to resurrect the vehicle, you should buy a exact 4 cyl replacement motor for backyard mechanic plug and play success. A basket case is a total loser from a time and money standpoint.

 

Try www.car-part.com. They have the 4 cylinder engine for quite a bit less than what you indicated although depending on where you live, the shipping may cut into that quite a bit.

 

well i wasnt looking for your opinion on it, i have a garage that is my business. i think $1200 for a 4 cy. chrysler engine is highway robbery. i just want some info. also the guy didnt sell it because it was expensive, he sold it to us becuase he was out of state and it broke down and he didnt have the time or money to get it fixed with a engine swap being 8 hours and the engine being $1200. the van is from the south, no rust, dents or dings, interior is perfect. it would be a stupid to scrap a perfectly good vehicle.

 

Well, with an attitude like that, I doubt you'll get any more help.

 

I don't understand the purpose for your post if you truly want no opinions about investing deeply in an engine conversion or swap of this sort. And if the vehicle is perfectly good as you claim then the motor does not need replaced at all. You are exaggerating I'm sure.

Used engines are priced based upon supply and demand. The supply of 4 cyl minivan motors is very low due to the popularity of the V6 versions. The demand for 4 cyl van motors is high here because they are rare and also not as reliable. This is why they are expensive. If the van is not worth getting a $1200 engine replacement, then the vehicle really is isn't perfect or good. People pay $2K for a simple tranny rebuild all the time. A $2K engine replacement (with your labor and miscellaneous parts) is so unreasonable. You can buy a used 7 series V12 BMW motor for less than a 6 cyl BMW 3 series motor...demand is the key. A Cadillac V8 motor may fetch less than a Chevy Cruze 4 cyl...and so on.

It is not stupid to part out clean southern vehicles with blown engine or transmission. it is done all the time to make a profit. If the chassis deserves an investment of $1200 to get it back on the road then I don't see the point of your post. Some people spend more than that for cylinder head job or major A/C repairs from a blown compressor.