Chrysler Minivan Performance: Upgraded Air Intake
by Don Martin
3.3 engine and performance | 3.0 engine and repairs | 2.4 engine
2.2 and 2.5 engines | turbo engines | four-speed automatic transmissions
Objective
To increase horsepower and air flow by removing the air silencer, spend as little money as possible and use as many stock components as possible.
Spending one to two hundred plus dollars on a fabricated cold air intake was out of the question (even if one was available). Plus, I have two kids, a wife who thinks that making the house payment and groceries are important; and besides, IT'S A MINIVAN for crying out loud!!!!
And...
I didn't want to get too carried away because I know that the folks from TV's OverHauling are going to hijack my van and stuff a supercharged-hemi in back! Oh yes.
Vehicle:
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan, 3.3L V6, 93,000 miles
What I could find out
There are not many parts available to hop-up a minivan.
No one makes a cold air intake system for a Dodge minivan. (Believe me I looked!)
What is an Air Silencer? How Much Horsepower can be Gained When Removed?
From http://www.njtacc.com/tech/air_silencer.html
According to http://www.allpar.com/mopar/33.html
![Image]()
Note
Total build cost does not include:
![Image]()
T-Pipe Fabrication
![Image]()
Heater Hose Fitting Modification
The overall length of the threaded portion of the heater hose fitting (item 5) is approximately 1/2". I cut this to about 1/4" long because I didn't want to interrupt the air flow, but needed enough length to make up for the curve of the 3" pipe.
Exhaust Pipe Fabrication
The exhaust pipe (item 6) is 3" long. I determined the length of the pipe by slipping one end into the intake coupler/connector. It covered approximately 1" of tube. I doubled that for the other end. I then measured the distance across the flats of the hex portion (not shown, covered with weld) of (item 5) which measured 7/8". I add a little for an even measurement.
The threads of the heater hose fitting (item 5) measured a little less than 13/16" diameter. A 13/16" diameter hole was machined into the middle of the 3" pipe. (Item 5) was welded to (item 6).
Remove any weld slag, dirt, oil, contaminates, etc. before installing the T-pipe. You don't want any "stuff" getting into your engine.
Installation
![Image]()
Install the 2 1/2" end of the intake coupler/connector onto the throttle body. Snug the clamp.
Install the T-pipe into the 3" end of the intake coupler/connector. Snug the clamp.
Measure and cut the heater hose to length. I used 17 1/2 inches. Press this hose onto the fittings on the valve cover and T-pipe. The heater hose is now the crankcase vent hose.
Measure and cut the air duct hose at 12 inches. I tried to make the hose as straight as possible (without bends). I didn't want the hose so tight that it would pull loose during operation or loose enough to sag.
Slip both hose clamps onto the air duct hose.
Slip the air duct hose ends onto the T-pipe and air filter box. Snug the clamps.
Check that everything clears the exhaust and throttle cables, and tighten all the clamps.
You're ready to Rock and Roll!
Notes and Ideas
From the Internet: Tip For Making a Straight Cut. To cut hose straight, use a sharp knife, tighten a hose clamp around the hose and use the edge of the clamp as a guide for the knife blade. Remove the clamp. Finish the cut by resting the hose firmly on a flat surface.
The T-Pipe
Finding a way to vent the crankcase was a major concern when I removed the air silencer. I did find a nice T-pipe on the internet for $30.00, but I didn't want to spend that much.
One thing I had to consider was the weight of the pipe. Three inch diameter, 14-gage steel pipe weighs 2.586 lbs/ft, whereas the same size aluminum pipe weighs .895 lbs/ft. What I didn't want to do was add a support to this piece. So far, the intake coupler/connector is doing a fine job of supporting T-pipe. (Weights from Ryerson Steel Stock list.)
What I didn't take into account was the room the weld was going to take up. It fits, but if I made another one, I would probably add an extra 1/2".
I am lucky. I work at a company that has a fabrication shop. I was able to have the T-pipe machined and welded. I had planned on fabricating the T-pipe myself. Instead of welding the heater hose fitting to the pipe I was going to use JB Weld.
Ideas without the T-Pipe
Instead of fabricating a T, use a straight piece of pipe between the air duct hose and intake coupler/connector and a separate crankcase filter.
Drill a hole in the side of a straight piece of pipe that is slightly smaller than the O.D. of the crank case vent hose. Jam the end of the hose into the tube.
Don't use a tube at all. Clamp the air duct hose directly to the throttle body. Cut one end air duct hose to fit the small diameter of the throttle body when clamped. Use a separate crankcase filter.
Other Ideas
I considered using Samco Sport Silicon Hoses and connectors. Samco makes a variety of hoses that can be custom fitted as needed, but I thought they cost too much for my purpose.
Have a muffler shop bend a piece of exhaust pipe to fit between the throttle body and air filter box. The reasons I didn't do this was:
Sure I wanted a cool looking smooth bore intake tube, but it was taking too much time to design, and I really don't know if I am going to gain that much performance—really…to justify the additional time needed to design an intake tube.
The hardware store has flexible aluminum dryer vent hose. It looked cool and was half the price of the intake hose I used, but I thought the aluminum had a better chance of getting bent.
It seems that I read that the hot air from the crank case vent would warm-up the cool intake air and cut the horsepower gain. It probably does. How much? I don't know. If you are concerned, you might use a separate crankcase filter.
Other Web Sites
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/33.html
Information about Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth 3.3, 3.5, 3.8 Liter V-6 Engines.
http://www.karlsnet.com/mopar/crankcase.shtml
Crankcase filter modification and Ram air intake fabrication and installation.
http://www.deyemeracing.com/
After market performance parts for Mopar.
e-mail me at
![Image]()
Good Luck!
- Don Martin
2017 minivans
2011-16
2008-2010
2001-2007
1996-2000
1991-1995
1984-1990
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by Don Martin
3.3 engine and performance | 3.0 engine and repairs | 2.4 engine
2.2 and 2.5 engines | turbo engines | four-speed automatic transmissions
Objective
To increase horsepower and air flow by removing the air silencer, spend as little money as possible and use as many stock components as possible.
Spending one to two hundred plus dollars on a fabricated cold air intake was out of the question (even if one was available). Plus, I have two kids, a wife who thinks that making the house payment and groceries are important; and besides, IT'S A MINIVAN for crying out loud!!!!
And...
I didn't want to get too carried away because I know that the folks from TV's OverHauling are going to hijack my van and stuff a supercharged-hemi in back! Oh yes.
Vehicle:
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan, 3.3L V6, 93,000 miles
Question | Why put a different intake system on a perfectly good van? |
|---|---|
Answers | If you have to ask, then you must be a spouse or life partner! It's a middle-age guy thing ... you wouldn't understand! Because I can! What else does a guy have to do? Chicks will think you are way hip! More horsepower!? |
What I could find out
There are not many parts available to hop-up a minivan.
No one makes a cold air intake system for a Dodge minivan. (Believe me I looked!)
What is an Air Silencer? How Much Horsepower can be Gained When Removed?
From http://www.njtacc.com/tech/air_silencer.html
Note: I couldn't find anything about Dodge air silencers.
According to http://www.allpar.com/mopar/33.html
And…
Parts List | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Description | Manufacture | Mfg. P/N | Bought at | Qty | Price |
1 | Air Duct Hose 3" I.D. x 72" lg. | Might Flow | 96006 | Auto Zone | 1 | 11.99 |
2 | 4" Hose Clamps | — | — | Hardware Store | 2 | 3.00 |
3 | Heater Hose 5/8" dia. x 72" lg. | Thermoid | 158 | O'Reilly | 1 | 3.99 |
4 | Intake Coupler/Connector 2 1/2" I.D. to 3" I.D. | Specter | 8751 | Auto Zone | 1 | 4.99 |
5 | Heater Hose Fitting for 5/8" dia. hose x 1 1/2" lg. x 1/2" NPT | Help/Mobilemite | 56356 | O'Reilly | 1 | 5.49 |
6 | 14-gage Aluminized Steel Exhaust Pipe 3" O.D. x 12" lg. | — | — | Locally Owned Muffler Shop | 1 | Freebie, Nada, Zip |
Total Build Cost: | $29.46 | |||||
Plus a K & N air filter (installed previously) | 50.00 | |||||
Total Cost | $79.46 |
Note
Total build cost does not include:
- Time spent cruising the internet looking for a ready made intake system.
- Time spent cruising the internet looking for ideas for making an intake system.
- Time spent cruising the internet looking for ready made intake parts.
- Time spent cruising auto parts and hardware stores looking for parts.
- Gas.
- Labor.
- Design time.
T-Pipe Fabrication
The overall length of the threaded portion of the heater hose fitting (item 5) is approximately 1/2". I cut this to about 1/4" long because I didn't want to interrupt the air flow, but needed enough length to make up for the curve of the 3" pipe.
Exhaust Pipe Fabrication
The exhaust pipe (item 6) is 3" long. I determined the length of the pipe by slipping one end into the intake coupler/connector. It covered approximately 1" of tube. I doubled that for the other end. I then measured the distance across the flats of the hex portion (not shown, covered with weld) of (item 5) which measured 7/8". I add a little for an even measurement.
The threads of the heater hose fitting (item 5) measured a little less than 13/16" diameter. A 13/16" diameter hole was machined into the middle of the 3" pipe. (Item 5) was welded to (item 6).
Remove any weld slag, dirt, oil, contaminates, etc. before installing the T-pipe. You don't want any "stuff" getting into your engine.
Installation
No. | Description |
1 | Air Duct Hose 12" lg. |
2 | Hose Clamps |
3 | Heater Hose 17 1/2"lg. |
4 | Intake Coupler/Connector |
5 | T-Pipe |
6 |
Install the T-pipe into the 3" end of the intake coupler/connector. Snug the clamp.
Measure and cut the heater hose to length. I used 17 1/2 inches. Press this hose onto the fittings on the valve cover and T-pipe. The heater hose is now the crankcase vent hose.
Measure and cut the air duct hose at 12 inches. I tried to make the hose as straight as possible (without bends). I didn't want the hose so tight that it would pull loose during operation or loose enough to sag.
Slip both hose clamps onto the air duct hose.
Slip the air duct hose ends onto the T-pipe and air filter box. Snug the clamps.
Check that everything clears the exhaust and throttle cables, and tighten all the clamps.
You're ready to Rock and Roll!
Notes and Ideas
From the Internet: Tip For Making a Straight Cut. To cut hose straight, use a sharp knife, tighten a hose clamp around the hose and use the edge of the clamp as a guide for the knife blade. Remove the clamp. Finish the cut by resting the hose firmly on a flat surface.
The T-Pipe
Finding a way to vent the crankcase was a major concern when I removed the air silencer. I did find a nice T-pipe on the internet for $30.00, but I didn't want to spend that much.
One thing I had to consider was the weight of the pipe. Three inch diameter, 14-gage steel pipe weighs 2.586 lbs/ft, whereas the same size aluminum pipe weighs .895 lbs/ft. What I didn't want to do was add a support to this piece. So far, the intake coupler/connector is doing a fine job of supporting T-pipe. (Weights from Ryerson Steel Stock list.)
What I didn't take into account was the room the weld was going to take up. It fits, but if I made another one, I would probably add an extra 1/2".
I am lucky. I work at a company that has a fabrication shop. I was able to have the T-pipe machined and welded. I had planned on fabricating the T-pipe myself. Instead of welding the heater hose fitting to the pipe I was going to use JB Weld.
Ideas without the T-Pipe
Instead of fabricating a T, use a straight piece of pipe between the air duct hose and intake coupler/connector and a separate crankcase filter.
Drill a hole in the side of a straight piece of pipe that is slightly smaller than the O.D. of the crank case vent hose. Jam the end of the hose into the tube.
Don't use a tube at all. Clamp the air duct hose directly to the throttle body. Cut one end air duct hose to fit the small diameter of the throttle body when clamped. Use a separate crankcase filter.
Other Ideas
I considered using Samco Sport Silicon Hoses and connectors. Samco makes a variety of hoses that can be custom fitted as needed, but I thought they cost too much for my purpose.
Have a muffler shop bend a piece of exhaust pipe to fit between the throttle body and air filter box. The reasons I didn't do this was:
- I wanted to use the stock rubber intake hoses (because they incorporate additional bends to clear the battery and to save money). But the diameters at the ends of the air filter box and throttle body were too different. The muffler shop couldn't enlarge or reduce the ends of the pipe to the sizes needed to fit the stock rubber intake couplings.
- The bend radiuses that the muffler shop told me they had to use were too large for the length of exhaust pipe.
Sure I wanted a cool looking smooth bore intake tube, but it was taking too much time to design, and I really don't know if I am going to gain that much performance—really…to justify the additional time needed to design an intake tube.
The hardware store has flexible aluminum dryer vent hose. It looked cool and was half the price of the intake hose I used, but I thought the aluminum had a better chance of getting bent.
It seems that I read that the hot air from the crank case vent would warm-up the cool intake air and cut the horsepower gain. It probably does. How much? I don't know. If you are concerned, you might use a separate crankcase filter.
Other Web Sites
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/33.html
Information about Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth 3.3, 3.5, 3.8 Liter V-6 Engines.
http://www.karlsnet.com/mopar/crankcase.shtml
Crankcase filter modification and Ram air intake fabrication and installation.
http://www.deyemeracing.com/
After market performance parts for Mopar.
e-mail me at
Good Luck!
- Don Martin
2017 minivans
2011-16
2008-2010
2001-2007
1996-2000
1991-1995
1984-1990
Forums •
Reviews •
Electrics •
CNG
Repairs and performance •
Engines •
Firsts •
Factory
Home •
Engines •
Reviews •
Chrysler 1904-2018 •
Upcoming •
Trucks •
Cars
Spread the word via <!--Tweet or--> Facebook!
We make no guarantees regarding validity or accuracy of information, predictions, or advice - .
Copyright © VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, and Mopar are trademarks of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
