This is my 1989 Dodge Caravan SE Turbo.
I bought it for the grand total of $800. It has the blow
through
Turbo I engine.
It is equipped with power windows and locks, rear window
defogger,
power brakes and steering, AM FM Cassette
and had over 129,000 miles (now over 138,000 miles). It is my
daily
driver!
I have improved the performance of this van along the lines of
Gus Mahons Van.
I reached my (1st) goal of getting into the 14's in the
quarter
mile, last year.
I feel that any car running in the 14 seconds is faster than
most cars
on the road, but
this speed stuff is like a drug. You always think of some little
thing
to make it a little faster.
If a 14 second mini van will beat most of the cars on the road,
a
12 Second Mini Van
mini van will beat almost all the cars on the road!
Record as of 6/6/00 is
12.65 seconds!
See below:
I remove the seats and spare tire to race. Race weight is 3060
with
1/4 tank.
If you see a Woody mini van full of kids with a big guy in bib
overalls
driving it, look out!
(click here for
my home
page, pictures of my and my family)
Racing at the track is a truly unforgettable experience! To
pull up
to the track entrance with
a Van Load of kids (6 of us all together!) and ask for a run
card to
race, talk about stupid looks!
Then to pull into tech inspection with all the Mustangs and
Camaros
and watch all the kids pile out.
The tech inspector will normally not give it a close look until
he
notices the helmet in the seat and
the slicks in the back. When I say I run 12 Second 1/4 miles,
they
do a double take.
"You got a drive shaft loop?" Sorry, its front wheel drive.
To pull up at the start line, next to the guy that just dropped
$4000
in the engine of his Camaro,
and see him laugh and shrug me off, then get him by a full car
length
in the first 60 feet,
and be ahead of him by 4 or 5 car lengths at the end, still
pulling
away!
All of my kids are jumping up and down in the stands yelling
"that's
my dad"!!
Then after the run, pull over to park, and the crowd starts to
gather
around my van,
and my boys come running up "you won!!"
I open the hood and everyone is surprised to see a 4
cylinder!
I explain that is the factory, un rebuilt
engine,
with 137,000 (now 138,300 141,000) miles on
it!
I am a member of two Great Car clubs, which have been of great
support
and help in building, racing and enjoying this van and the sport
of drag
racing. If you want to learn and participate in local (to me)
front wheel
drive Chrysler events, racing and meet other crazy people like me,
join
the Chicago Land SDAC. Memberships is cheep, and if you own
a FWD Chrysler
including Neon, the help, experience and fun of being around other
members
is worth the cost. Click here for a membership form, or contact me
for
more info. For info to the National
club
of the Shelby Dodge Car Club, please click here.
The interior of the van in race (and street) form. On the A pillar
is the 20 psi boost gauge and Air Fuel meter, The white thing
directly
in front of the steering wheel is a 30 psi, 3 1/2 inch dia. boost
gauge,
and a 5 inch tach with shift light to the right. Above the radio in
the
center console is a water temp, oil pressure and fuel pressure
gauge. On
the dash in front of the Fuel Gauge is a picture of Robin, with me
every
race!
Above left (#764) is my fastest run, I am in the left
lane. Car
764
This run was 12.651 seconds
at
105.44
mph.
I made this run and got confused, I thought I made the 13.87
run, Racing
a LT1 Z 28.
I new I beat him, but it did not make sense. I had to get out to
check
the number on my car!
The ticket on the left is the only other run made on 6/6/00,
just to
confirm the first time.
I am in the right lane, (still car 764) and race a Mustang with
a 6inch
tall cowl induction hood.
He was laughing at me at the start, but at 12.722
at105.03 mph, I got the last laugh!
The times are with the van running slicks, and two gallons on
110 octane
fuel.
24 psi of boost
This is the 12.722 time slip run (on left above). Right pic shows
both
me and the 5.0 Mustang, On the left is my final time.
The Stang had a BIG hood scoop and BIG exhaust..... and a
14.648
run :-)
Staged and ready, The Z28 just did a massive burn out. Big Show!
This is going to be FUN! Little does he know the show is just
about
to start!
Why does everyone laugh at me in my helmet?
The Party has Started! I hope Mr. Z28 doesn't hurt his ankle
pressing
on the accelerator!
There it is. 12.651 Seconds at 105.44 MPH. Now where the hell is
that
13.8 Second Z28?
(I wish I had a better picture, but video
capture is
all I have)
