Welcome to the home of "THAT DAMN VAN" It is a site dedicated to the buildup of my Blue 1989 Dodge Caravan SE TURBO.  Further Identified as "That Damn Van" as my wife has so affectionately named it.

It was purchased June of 2001 for the huge sum of $450 dollars.  At the time of purchase it had a blown turbo and smoked so bad on the way home it looked like I had a smokescreen setup on it.  Like in the Game SPYHUNTER.  Also on the way home I had to make an unscheduled stop when I noticed that the Transmission Cooler blew apart.  
BOY DID THE WIFE HAVE THAT LOOK ON HER FACE.  You married guys know what I am talking about!!!
A quick trip to a parts store netted a cheap trans cooler and I was on the way home again.

A few days later it was sporting a new Mitsubishi Turbo, headgasket, radiator, O2 Sensor and ran well.  

Next upgrades were coming sooner than I expected when I noticed a leaking brake line and the upcoming Maryland State Inspection.  Since things were relatively cheap for this vehicle and it had 145,000 miles on the clock I replaced both front calipers and brake lines.

The tires were less than desirable and had symptoms of cracking any dry rotting one finally let go so I had to purchase a set of tires I chose a cheap but sturdy set of 60 series from Pep Boys.

Wanting to know what was going on with the motor I installed the Cyberdyne A/F Gauge and a VDO Boost Gauge next and discovered 10 lights at Wide open throttle and 11 PSI.  Click here for pics of Gauges.

Next step was a full 3" exhaust with a Warlock Muffler and a Catco Converter.  WOW what a difference that made.  My stock Boost levels went from 11 PSI to 13 PSI .  See pic here

Next came a drop in K&N Filter my boost levels went up from 13PSI to 15PSI and into something I never experienced before this being my first FWD Turbo car and that something was Over boost Cutout.

Now with the Warlock uncapped I hit boost levels from 18 to 20 PSI during cutout.  WOW what a kick in the pants this van is.  

Not wanting to blow up the motor of my daily driver the next step was a no brainier I had to get the boost under control and get rid of that pesky cutout problem.  So a Grainger Valve and an over boost eliminator were next. 

Weight loss time!!  I removed the Air Conditioning system to save weight and cause it didn't work.  

Had to replace water pump at 160,000.  Wasn't too hard should have took pictures and did a how too section.  OH WELL

Next on the agenda is a new gauge pod out of a 90 caravan with factory gages and tach.  I also got to down it for a while due to a CV joint JOY JOY!  

The wife is now telling me to SELL THAT DAMN VAN!!!  No way!! I tell her.

mailto:officerchris@cox.net

This page was last updated on 03/10/03.