Converting Astro Van '91 AWD into a V8 ?

Carlos

Carlos

Active Member
As usual....
as soon as a project is done, or close to be done, we tend to look for other "challenges".
This time a buddy "helped me out" in finding th enext challenge ;) .
He recently bougt a 6 cyl. '91 Astro AWD, which he now wants to convert into a V8.

I thought about using a 350 crate engine with about 400HP, mildly tuned, as I guess the drivetrain and transmissions might not be the strongest.
However before starting the conversion I try to find as much information about conversion kits, dos and don'ts, as possible.

Anyone around who did this already ?

Carlos
 
In addition to their popularity as conversion vans, the Astro and Safari both have popular followings with "back yard" modifiers. Modifications are both street and off-road. Some vans have the original 4.3L Vortec V6 engine replaced with a small-block V8 engine, such as the Chevrolet 350 engine. This switch is simplified because the 4.3L V6 is based on the GM small-block V8, and most of the factory drivetrain components can be reused.

Because of its truck based design, the Astro also is popular with some off road and camping enthusiasts. The combination of a powerful drivetrain, large cargo and passenger space, all-wheel drive, and optional locking differential for the rear axle facilitate off road modifications. The suspension can be lifted, allowing larger tires and clearance with relatively small changes in exterior appearance.

READ THESE LINKS AND THEIR INFO

http://v8astro.homestead.com/

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/AstroVan_V-8.html

http://www.engineswapdepot.com/?p=420

http://astrosafarivans.org/bb2/viewforu ... d6f60fa07c
 
Randy_W said:
If you drop the engine cradle and use tbi, it's damn near a bolt in.
Click to expand...

this sounds quite simple.

I did not even habe a look at the TBI, but I'd assume I'll need at least a new throttle body and a modified ECU, plus larger injectors.
Or is it the other way round that I need to ge a complete 350s TBI ?
(As I tend to use a brand new new crate engine I will not have an old donor's TBI I could use.)

Another one...I have been told when converting the '91 Astro V6 to a 350 V8, I have to swap transmission and due to space restrictions will have convert to 2WD.

This would not be plug n' play like...

Carlos
 
Don't know about the AWD system, the one we did about 12 years ago was a short, 2wd model. We swapped a 30k mile junkyard motor, 350 tbi, started and ran it on the stock ecm/chip, then got a custom chip burned. We used the original tranny and torque convertor.
 
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