(warped head, new car hunt) head gasket on 88 voyager (2.5L)
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Laramie, Wyoming
the 2.2/2.5 SOHC engines are really easy to work on. thankfully they are non-interference so if the timing belt breaks no problem. regardless, put a new one in there. i used to own an '89 Lebaron GTS Turbo that came from the factory with the Intercooled 'Turbo II' engine and A555 5-speed. man that was a fun car with 17psi! i had a 2.5 'Turbo-I' engine in the car for awhile while i freshened up the Turbo II.
definately get the Mopar head gasket! i wouldn't use anything else! same goes for timing belt and new Mopar head bolts. someone mentioned getting the head resurfaced - definately a GOOD idea!
it'* really an easy job, ecspecially being NA. i say go for it. or hell, forget about the engine completely and swap an '89 2.5 Turbo I engine in there.
www.turbododge.com
and
http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/
are very helpful sites, even for the NA guys.
definately get the Mopar head gasket! i wouldn't use anything else! same goes for timing belt and new Mopar head bolts. someone mentioned getting the head resurfaced - definately a GOOD idea!
it'* really an easy job, ecspecially being NA. i say go for it. or hell, forget about the engine completely and swap an '89 2.5 Turbo I engine in there.
www.turbododge.com
and
http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/
are very helpful sites, even for the NA guys.
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From: Farmington, Minnesota =MWBF '05 SURVIVOR= =CEBF '06 SURVIVOR= =August '06 COTM=
Should be a piece of cake really.....Mostly common hand tools to do the repair, and DEFINANTLY replace the timing belt while you're in there.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Purgatory
going very easy so far.. here is a couple hours work...
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timing belt looked brand new, but i got a new one anyways...
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timing belt looked brand new, but i got a new one anyways...
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Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,459
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From: Sauk Centre, MN
2.5 TII conversion time!!! 
Go to Ma Mopar and order a Mopar Performance head gasket (should be like $25). The MP gasket is better than just about any aftermarket gasket out there, and it'* cheaper too. They will probably have to order it, but it should be in Friday if you get the order in right away tomorrow morning.
I know I have one laying around here somewhere, but with all the parts shuffling that'* been going on around my parents garage I'd be surprised if I could find it in the next 3 days.
But, that intercooled turbo conversion now would be perfect timing.
I should be able to get you detailed instructions on the head gasket swap. Also, note that there is a pattern to follow when torquing the bolts.... I forget what order, but I know that you don't just start at one corner and work your way around. Also, the bolts don't get max torqueing until the second round, first round is to, somewhere around 110 ft lbs, then to 150 on the second round. Don't quote me on the #'*, but from what I recall off the top of my head, those #'* are pretty close to accurate, unless the n/a motor has different torque specs than the turbo applications.
Go to Ma Mopar and order a Mopar Performance head gasket (should be like $25). The MP gasket is better than just about any aftermarket gasket out there, and it'* cheaper too. They will probably have to order it, but it should be in Friday if you get the order in right away tomorrow morning.
I know I have one laying around here somewhere, but with all the parts shuffling that'* been going on around my parents garage I'd be surprised if I could find it in the next 3 days.
But, that intercooled turbo conversion now would be perfect timing.
I should be able to get you detailed instructions on the head gasket swap. Also, note that there is a pattern to follow when torquing the bolts.... I forget what order, but I know that you don't just start at one corner and work your way around. Also, the bolts don't get max torqueing until the second round, first round is to, somewhere around 110 ft lbs, then to 150 on the second round. Don't quote me on the #'*, but from what I recall off the top of my head, those #'* are pretty close to accurate, unless the n/a motor has different torque specs than the turbo applications.
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From: Laramie, Wyoming
too bad you're not closer. my brother has a complete Turbo II engine from a Shelby Lancer just sitting on the engine stand in his garage. ran great when it was pulled too. but for a van i would definately go with a 2.5L. more low end torque due to longer stroke.
you can't turbocharge your existing engine (it'* not practical anyway) but finding a 2.5 Turbo I engine should be easy (i would go with '89+ engine only). just add an intercooler (like a BIG NPR!) and a Garrett T3 turbo from a Turbo II engine and you have yourself a 2.5 Turbo II or hell, just slap a T3/T04E on there, add 3" mandrel bent exhaust, a Turbos Unleashed 3-bar cal and +40 injectors, then crank the boost to 20psi and run low 13s all day long. with slicks it could probably be in the 12s and it could be done sooo cheap and so easy to do.
the '89 & '90 Voyager/Caravan even came from the factory with Turbo/5-speed so you could make that van really fast and fun! however the A413 can be built up to handle the power just fine.
yeah i know, i'm just rambling, what can i say i'm an old school Turbo Dodge nut it'* all my brother'* fault; he owns 3 of them and they are all faster than my two cars! i'll own another one someday.
good luck with the rest of the job!
you can't turbocharge your existing engine (it'* not practical anyway) but finding a 2.5 Turbo I engine should be easy (i would go with '89+ engine only). just add an intercooler (like a BIG NPR!) and a Garrett T3 turbo from a Turbo II engine and you have yourself a 2.5 Turbo II
or hell, just slap a T3/T04E on there, add 3" mandrel bent exhaust, a Turbos Unleashed 3-bar cal and +40 injectors, then crank the boost to 20psi and run low 13s all day long. with slicks it could probably be in the 12s and it could be done sooo cheap and so easy to do.the '89 & '90 Voyager/Caravan even came from the factory with Turbo/5-speed so you could make that van really fast and fun! however the A413 can be built up to handle the power just fine.
yeah i know, i'm just rambling, what can i say i'm an old school Turbo Dodge nut
it'* all my brother'* fault; he owns 3 of them and they are all faster than my two cars! i'll own another one someday.good luck with the rest of the job!
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Sauk Centre, MN
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot..... NEW Head bolts. Your old one'* are no good anymore. Sorry to say this, but it'* a fact. Better find out now, rather than 10 miles down the road under full throttle and you see the temp rising and feel that #2 cylinder missing.
Maybe you should get the bolts and head gasket from Mopar Performance, and come take the drive train out of my Turbo GTC rag top and drop it into your van.... hard part would be the floor shifter and clutch pedal installs. The engine only has 3k miles on a rebuild and the trans is a bullet-proof A-520. Really get the cops around Mankato looking for Minivans, but wait, your driving a Bonneville again.
The van is only to get them looking the other way. LOL
Maybe you should get the bolts and head gasket from Mopar Performance, and come take the drive train out of my Turbo GTC rag top and drop it into your van.... hard part would be the floor shifter and clutch pedal installs. The engine only has 3k miles on a rebuild and the trans is a bullet-proof A-520. Really get the cops around Mankato looking for Minivans, but wait, your driving a Bonneville again.
The van is only to get them looking the other way. LOL
