3.0 Build Project: "Green Machine"

[RoadWarrior222]

There was a "general consensus" that they were more likely on vans, but sometimes things seem a bit mix and match, I am thinking the last discussion I remember about it was in the 3.0 section on TD. It was said they weren't on the 1st gen 3.0 vans or early 2nd gens, but mine somehow got one, dunno if it was a deliberate swap or the original got cracked or something.

[Vigo]

A manifold from a 99 caravan is different. It will bolt to the head just fine but the discharge flange is square with 4 bolt holes and a different kind of gasket so you'd have to get the other side of the flange and weld it to your downpipe. The crossover pipe may or may not be different as well, not sure on that.

For a direct swap you're limited to '95 and earlier. Since your car is a late model year (for 3.0 in cars, which ended in 95) i would guess it already has the larger manifold in spite of the tiny downpipe.

[MC#4]

Haven't gotten a chance to measure the manifolds yet. I did get the trans back in the car. Exhaust is here and looks awesome. Poly mounts to replace my crappy mounts.

Really excited to get this car back on the road and up to the track.

[RoadWarrior222]

Yah, hopefully you have the large mani, I think I'm remembering it as '92 up, but it's been a while since I looked into it... not needing to find one and all.

[homeboysduster]

Haven't gotten a chance to measure the manifolds yet. I did get the trans back in the car. Exhaust is here and looks awesome. Poly mounts to replace my crappy mounts.

Really excited to get this car back on the road and up to the track.

I have seen some bad motor mounts..... but that one takes the cake!!!!LOL

[Vigo]

Yeah that one is pretty dang ugly!! lol

[MC#4]

Pulled the exhaust today, it looks like I do have the larger manifold.

[MC#4]

A bit of a setback today. I was trying to fit my 3" exhaust and that stupid flange thing on the gas tank was in the way. I hit it with a hammer a couple times and it started leaking. I somehow pinholed the POS. Of course the tank was full, making the job of pulling it much more fun. What a waste of a day. I was vaguely considering a fuel cell but aftermarket tanks are pretty cheap.

[turbovanman²]

3.0" will be fine for the exhaust, especially with the mods he's doing.

Got the new bearings/races installed. Checked endplay which was pretty sloppy with the factory shim, added .020" worth of shims on top of it to end up with (calculated) .008" of preload. I couldn't get my hands on an inch lb torque wrench sensitive enough to check the turning torque but It turns smooth with no endplay, so I'm satisfied with that.

The install is a bit more involved than I originally thought so I'm gonna have to skip going to 10:1 pistons and getting my cams in this race season, I just won't have the time.

Make sure it has some resistance, it needs bit of preload.

[Reaper1]

A bit of a setback today. I was trying to fit my 3" exhaust and that stupid flange thing on the gas tank was in the way. I hit it with a hammer a couple times and it started leaking. I somehow pinholed the POS. Of course the tank was full, making the job of pulling it much more fun. What a waste of a day. I was vaguely considering a fuel cell but aftermarket tanks are pretty cheap.

Ususally that flange isn't in the way all that much. Was the pipe positioned correctly?

[RoadWarrior222]

Well if you've got a nice smooth curve, it might cut the corner there a bit. (If I'm remembering right)

Though for a pinhole like that, I dunno if I'd change the tank for it... probably smear it with silicone or something... keep an eye, then next time it came down for the fuel pump, solder it.

[Reaper1]

I'd lower the level of the tank, then clean the area REALLY well, and use an epoxy on it. Obviously keep an eye on it.

The thing I'd be more concerned about is that if you punched a hole in it, then what does the inside of that tank look like? Is it all corroded?

[MC#4]

I'd lower the level of the tank, then clean the area REALLY well, and use an epoxy on it. Obviously keep an eye on it.

The thing I'd be more concerned about is that if you punched a hole in it, then what does the inside of that tank look like? Is it all corroded?

I was trying to bend the flange to gain more clearence, the 3" is pretty tight and I didn't want it bouncing off of everything. I was very much considering an epoxy but there was some questionable rust on the top side of the tank. I got a new tank for $75 shipped which is worth it just for the peace of mind.

I don't know if I got a bunch of bum bends or what but the exhaust isn't lining up very well at all. There is NO way to just hang it and go. All 3 of the pieces need modified to suit me.

[Vigo]

That's typical. I dont think there's such thing as a perfect bolt in exhaust when space is tight and price is low.

[RoadWarrior222]

Come to think of it, on anything other than a stock replacement, I see disclaimers like "intended to be fitted by professional" or something like that... probably meaning it needs jimmying and tweaking a lot.

[Vigo]

I think people only get upset when they think they are going to get a perfect fit at home with absolutely no exhaust-specific tools available to them.

I put a 3" shadow kit on my dynasty. That took some tweaking on the pipes and on the fuel tank, but with the help of some people who had the right tools it went in there as perfect as i cared about.

[Sundance 6g72]

i vote fkr fuel cell. it can alwayd be put in a different project or re sold

[Ondonti]

Glad my tanks never leaked when I had to push them around! Even when I dropped my Spirit onto a jackstand directly into the fuel tank and then expanded the tank back out.

[Reaper1]

I will say that my 3" exhaust in my Daytona went in with very little issue. It has NEVER rubbed (when the hangers are all in tact) and was pretty darn easy to put on. The ONLY issue I've ever really had is that the hanger on my muffler was friggin hard to get to stick. The muffler case is stainless and the hanger is not. I didn't have a gas sheilded welder or the correct wire, so I had to take it to a shop to get it done correctly. I must have put too much heat in it when I did it because it tore the case once on the muffler as well. I had it fixed and have never had an issue since.

[Ondonti]

I just use a worm gear clamp hanger near the muffler and that allows a lot of adjustment. My Duster needed clearancing on the tank and the Spirit was installed professionally years ago but has since been messed with.