Can I swap out hemi 2.6 from k car ----> 01 Caravan?

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James D - 24 Feb 2008 14:39 GMT

The first generation Voyager and Caravan was offered with a Mitsubishi built
"Hemi 2.6", originally used as an optional powerplant for in the Dodge Aries
K and Plymouth Reliant K in 1981. The 2.2 liter 4 was standard equipment on
both sets of vehicles.

The demons have possessed me into considering swapping out my 01 Caravan
powerplant with a k car 2.6 engine. Everybody thinks I am crazy, but I
would like to throw my situation out into an open forum and receive honest
feedback.

My reasons for entertaining this thought are twofold: First, I suspect the
4 cylinder engine will generate superior fuel efficiency as it is rated at
<100 bhp, but I am not absolutely certain. Second, I've always wanted a
Chrysler with a hemi since I was a child,. I grew up dreaming of owning a
Charger 426 hemi, and in later years have been drooling over the hemi
equipped Dodge Ram pickups and the new hemi Charger. Basically, I want to
be able to go into a bar someday and while shooting the breeze, mention
"Yeah, my minivan has a hemi!"

Do you guys think this is the best route for me to take in fulfilling my
hemi dream?

I

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mr.som ting wong - 24 Feb 2008 15:06 GMT

if you have a wirefeed welder and a cut off wheel anything is possible if the
time and pocketbook allows
forget the 2.6 it's crap and use the real hemi

> The first generation Voyager and Caravan was offered with a Mitsubishi built
> "Hemi 2.6", originally used as an optional powerplant for in the Dodge Aries
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> I

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William R. Walsh - 26 Feb 2008 06:12 GMT

Hi!

> forget the 2.6 it's crap and use the real hemi

A real Hemi? Wouldn't that be a V8? (In a Caravan?!!)

Oh wow, look out.

I would skip the 2.6 idea, though. I have one that runs well (after much
carburetor diddling) in an '84 Reliant but it recently sprung an oil leak
from points unknown. The power output is underwhelming--I've held the engine
at WOT going down the highway and just watched patiently while it sped up.

William

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Joe Pfeiffer - 25 Feb 2008 01:12 GMT

> Do you guys think this is the best route for me to take in fulfilling my
> hemi dream?

No, it's somewhere near the worst. The Mitsu engine is a terrible
design.

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Steve - 25 Feb 2008 01:27 GMT

> The demons have possessed me into considering swapping out my 01 Caravan
> powerplant with a k car 2.6 engine.

Put down the crack pipe and STEP AWAY from the van....

> Everybody thinks I am crazy, but I
> would like to throw my situation out into an open forum and receive honest
> feedback.

Honestly: its a horrible idea.

> My reasons for entertaining this thought are twofold: First, I suspect the
> 4 cylinder engine will generate superior fuel efficiency as it is rated at
> <100 bhp, but I am not absolutely certain.

But it wouldn't bolt up to the transmission, wouldn't work with the
electronics, wouldn't pass emissions, and would be grossly underpowered
even if you forged ahead and swapped in a whole K-car drivetrain,
un-tuniable un-reliable plastic Mikuni carburetor and all.

Second, I've always wanted a

> Chrysler with a hemi since I was a child,.

The Mitsushitti 2.6 isn't a Hemi. Its a steaming pile of crap. They
revised the cylinder head casting almost every year on that junk heap,
and NEVER managed to keep it from cracking. When the 3.0 Mistushitti v6
came out, the same thing happened except it was valve guides and
excessive oil consumption- NEVER completely cured in 10+ years of
trying. Mitsubishi is virtually out of the automotive industry for a
VERY good reason. They never have built an engine that was worth a cow
patty.

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who - 25 Feb 2008 05:46 GMT

> The first generation Voyager and Caravan was offered with a Mitsubishi built
> "Hemi 2.6", originally used as an optional powerplant for in the Dodge Aries
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Do you guys think this is the best route for me to take in fulfilling my
> hemi dream?

That Mitsubishi 4cyl 2.6L was a very poor engine.
They were noted for leaving a smoke trail.
I believe the much better Chrysler 2.5L 4 cyl was the follow on.

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