Ask the Car People.SM


Can you transfer a 1995 intrepid 3.3L into a 1997 caravan that had a 3.0L?

3 messages,  Last post on Feb 18, 2010 at 12:03 PM

You are in the Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Caravan, Dodge Intrepid, Dodge, Engine, Van

Messages Page 1 of 1

  • All Messages Displayed

#1 of 3 Can you transfer a 1995 intrepid 3.3L into a 1997 caravan that had a 3.0L? by oldcaravanman

Feb 18, 2010 (8:51 am)

I have a 95 intrepid with 130k on a 3.3L and i wondered if i can replace my 3.0L 97 caravan motor with it. The caravan motor has 311k and it's only a matter of time. the intrepid's front end is pretty much junk but the motor is strong. The tranny was rebuilt in the caravan about 50k ago. Anyone have any ideas or comments?

#2 of 3 Re: Can you transfer a 1995 intrepid 3.3L into a 1997 caravan that had a 3.0L? [oldcaravanman] by xwesx

Feb 18, 2010 (10:48 am)

Replying to: oldcaravanman (Feb 18, 2010 8:51 am)
It will be tricky because the 3.0 and 3.3 are much different engines. If I recall correctly, the 3.0 is a Mitsubishi engine and the engine control system is different than the 3.3/3.8L engines. So, you are looking at much more than just an engine swap and may be opening a larger can of worms than you think. From what I have heard, the 3.3/3.8L engines are far more reliable than the 3.0, so even though your 3.3 has nearly 3x the miles, you may be better off keeping it. I have a 3.8L with 213K and the darn thing is perfect. If the rest of the van could keep up, it would go many, many more miles.

#3 of 3 Re: Can you transfer a 1995 intrepid 3.3L into a 1997 caravan that had a 3.0L? [oldcaravanman] by shipo

Feb 18, 2010 (12:03 pm)

Replying to: oldcaravanman (Feb 18, 2010 8:51 am)
The answer is "NO". Why" A number of reasons, many of which have already been covered, however, the single largest reason is that there is an engine mount hard point that is cast into the 3.3 block that is physically machined off when these engines were mounted into the Intrepid (and sibling) cars. Said another way, the 3.3 out of the intrepid is missing on very key mounting point that is required for use in your van.
 
Thinking about this a bit further, given the vast number of these vans on the road, finding a 3.3 or 3.8 liter engine in great shape is very easy, and typically these engines go for as little as a couple of hundred dollars. That said, there are transmission differences between the vans with the 3.0, 3.3 and 3.8, in that the 3.3 and 3.8 units have upgraded internals, and the 3.8 has a taller final drive ratio.
 
Were I in your boat, I'd look for a junked van with the 3.3 or 3.8 and buy the entire front end, engine, transmission, electronics and all, either that or have your 3.0 overhauled.
 
Best regards,
Shipo

Messages Page 1 of 1

  • All Messages Displayed
To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement