The world of vehicle modifications knows no limits. The realm of online marketplaces often unveils
a plethora of bizarre, unconventional, and frankly substandard cars. In a quick search,
one can stumble upon the unexpected, like this 2010
Dodge Grand Caravan featuring a prominent turbo protruding from the hood.
The seller, Josh Sprung, asserts that he transformed this van in just five days, documenting the process on his personal
TikTok account. Sprung mentions allocating three to four hours each day to fit a turbocharger from a Mack
truck onto the 3.3-liter V6 engine of the Grand Caravan. The vehicle is now up
for sale on
Facebook Marketplace, listed at 3,
500 CAD ($2,600). Despite the brisk building pace, the van comes with a comprehensive set of additional components and some notably unconventional engineering practices.
Installing a turbocharger is a considerably challenging task, often underestimated. Among the most demanding aspects are the plumbing and the structural support for the turbo. While finding a cost-effective manifold to mount the turbo may be straightforward, ensuring proper oil supply can necessitate intricate machining in the absence of suitable oil pressure and return feeds. Sprung’s solution involved installing a plastic reservoir behind the front bumper, connected with AN lines and an inline fluid pump to maintain the turbo’s oil supply separately. In theory, it functions appropriately . However, the absence of an inline cooler and the seemingly budget tank suggest potential heat-related issues in the future.
Additional turbo components include a customized exhaust manifold, a Tial external wastegate with a screamer pipe, an adjustable blow-off valve, a manual boost controller, upgraded fuel injectors, a small air-to-air intercooler secured with zip ties, and a direct exhaust outlet from the turbo. No information about engine management is provided, indicating potential operation based on the manual boost controller and some element of chance. The turbo boasts considerable size, likely surpassing the requirements for the 3.3-liter engine.
Essentially, the $2,600 requested price tag promises a lowered, weathered Grand Caravan adorned with a striking hood embellishment. If a quirky minivan piques your interest and you reside in Ontario, Canada, this might just be the perfect fit.
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