v-6 in early A-body
Well I own a 05 Grand caravan sxt with the 3.8. now for a mini van it's not bad. A pain to work on only because it's a pain to get at lol. I think alot of ppls issues with trans slipping was probably more due to the cat getting blocked up. Mine would hit 3k in 3rd gear then redline immediately after. Other gears were fine. Made going up the mountains a 35 mph drive and dropped my gas milage to 12 lol. Knocked that ***** out and bam no more issues other than I think it's time for a partial rebuild of the heads maybe. Well over 200k. I also want to replace the timing chain. Changed hella **** on this van. $2k stereo system is awesome in it too. But there is no aftermarket anything for this motor.
Now don't get me wrong a 215 HP v6 getting 22-24 mpg in the mountains is great. But when u have a sweet old school ride like we have, it sucks not even able to find something chrome to slap on it lol. Ya a turbo is great but I'd be iffy about putting to much boost in it. Keeping the boost way down is OK but u gotta remember the 3.8 is a built 3.3 they already bored it out probably close to maximum.
I wouldn't mind seeing how a 3.8 played out in an a body but probably wouldn't do the swap myself. Now the 3.9 would be interesting and has plenty parts and seems much easier to put in. Personally I'm keeping the slant in mine as it's my ladies daily driver once it's back up and running. Once hers is finished I might get an a body for myself but I'm going to stuff the biggest motor I can that is still easy to work on lol. Then again I have my sanoma I have to get back up and running but might just put a 350 in it and call it a day damn thing just won't start with out spraying ether or gas in the TB and even then just dies lol.
Good luck on the project i wanna see it