My Minivan
My particular example happens to be an 1989 Caravan SE. I bought the van on November 30th 2003 for $1000 with 163,000 on it. I drove it the 20 some miles home in 20 degree weather with a plugged heater core. After some initial problems of the ORIGINAL timing belt breaking at 164,000 miles and still no heat I decided to park it untill I had cash to fix stuff. A $500 rebuild latter and the van runs like a champ with the exception of a little oil leak.
On April 24th me and a friend went to Interstate Dragways in Sabin, MN for their test and tune day. I had no intention of running my van but quickly changed my mind when I saw there was maybe 10 cars there. $50 = unlimited--was a no brainer. Running full interior, toolboxes, and spare parts plus a 25-35 mph dead on head wind I still managed a 15.991 on my last run of the day against a Chevy big block Berretta with roll cage, chute, and wheelie bars his 1/4 was better than my 1/8th.
April 30th a week later is when I had originaly planned to race the mini but I was prepared this time taking the seats out and running a little more boost. Thankfully, the head wind was also gone and the temps where perfect. I was hoping for a 15.7 "Shock" I managed a 15.19 at 88mph by the end of the day!
June 5, with a newer/Much larger turbo on I went to race. Running nearly the identical setup my times got worse because of massive turbo lag. Only 16.3 but still at 89mph.
Well I needed something I could make the turbo spool quicker and since I was planning a tranny build up next winter I really didn't want to spend money on a torque converter....so NITROUS it is!.....
.............August 1st, an all day event, I sand bagged it pretty hard. My first 2 runs I made with boost turned down, and timing dialed back for the nitrious but I didn't use it because I didn't wan't to run out. First two runs where 17.6 and 17.2. The next two runs I when back to turbo only settings an managed a 16.8 in 85 degree weather. A break in the action allowed me to put the boost/timing back to where I could use a 50hp shot of nitrious. My first run with nitrious got me a 14.9, while my second run netted my personal best so far of 14.47 at 94.3
August 20th With two full tanks of N20 and 60 degree weather and 75hp nitrous jets I was ready to break my personal best again. Well, up untill then I had never really had any traction issues but it was different this time. Working with the launches however did get me a 14.5 at nearly 96 mph against a very shocked owner of a vintage 66 mustang that was well modified. HOWEVER, after a full day of racing some friends and I stopped at a Burger King and when we were ready to leave I found that my tranny had developed a very bad attitude about shifting and going into gear. I needed to get 70 miles home so I started driving it STUCK IN 1ST. After about 4 miles a about 4,500 rpm it shifted into second and then 3rd and drove the rest of the way home without further problems. All those nitrous launches burned out the clutch packs. Oh well, I hadn't planned on racing again anyway. By the way, I still actually drive the van here and there with the tranny problem because it actually got better once it cooled off but occasionaly it still acts up.
UPDATE: 3-3-05
Since last winter I have put about $3500 into the van. Parts included are a stainless steel turbo header by Turbos Unleashed, 3" Swingvalve and downpipe from TU, Stage 5 Front Wheel Drive Computer, 52PPH injectors, 3bar map sensor, Posi (not yet installed), Super 60 head, and a huge 32x18x2 air to air intercooler I picked up for 50 bux! I hope to have a newer rebuilt trannie and the posi in before April 30 test and tune.
UPDATE: 3-18-06
Well, I never did race the van in 05' like I had planed, but this year should prove to be a great year. I've added a much better intercooler, high stall torque converter, T3/T4 turbo with .63 A/R stage 3 exhaust and 54 trim E series compressor wheel. I've also hacked out all the interior from the driver/passenger seat back. Looking into lift shackles to raise the back and cutting a coil in the front to lower it and get more weight on the front wheels. Also looking into slicks and plastic race seats and other ways to take with weight down even farther. I should be running solid high mid 12's. Right now the record for turbo Caravans is 12.56 I think maybe just maybe I can pull off a new record but it will be close.
Send an email
|
