What's it going to take to have a 500RWHP 12 sec dmax van?

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lotsofmiles

Father of the Van
Dec 4, 2008
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Michigan
Looking for any and all input here.

What is it going to take to do this?

A few basics:
The van is 2006 Chevy Express 3500 cargo van, standard wheel base.
LLY engine 250hp/460tq detuned from the factory.
I'm hoping race weight with driver to be under 6000 LBS.


A few basic differences in van and truck (besides no allison)
Different: - air filter/intake setup.
- intercooler
- fuel setup (with lift pump)
I'm sure theres more...



Waiting for a call back to get an exhaust put on. That's pretty much a no brainer.

Can I get to 500rwhp with just tuning and exhaust and some trans help?
Is the factory lift pump going to hinder me? Would an aftermarket lift pump for a truck even work on a van?


There isnt a whole lot of dmax van performance talk or info available
 
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paint94979

paint94979

Beer Nazi
Sep 18, 2006
11,715
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You have an LBZ so with a full tune im sure your going to be around 520-530 hp... im positive you will be able to get in the 12's. If I was you I would document everything cause you are right there aren't any publicly known 12 second Vans out there. Get it on the dyno for sure to get the most hp out of your setup. Wheel and tire combination will also be very key along with traction. You def. need to get out the track and get some baselines on 60' 1/8 ET etc... What do you have in the works for transmission upgrades?
 
RodZZilla

RodZZilla

I8TOKYO
Jan 6, 2007
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Grinnell, IA
Anything is possible with enough $$$:D I am not sure what it would take to make sure the transmission holds. Traction bars would be a good investment. Do the vans have the 11.5" Rear Axle or the 10.5"? If the doghouse comes out, it should be fairly easy to access the turbo if you decide to change it.
 
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lotsofmiles

Father of the Van
Dec 4, 2008
3,097
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Michigan
Yea, I'm looking at race only wheels/tires for the rear forgot to put that in there.

Dont know what to do for sure on the trans yet. The trans that just went in, noone seems to know what upgrades GM did to it. "Its a different part number, and they did something different to it" is the best the dealer could tell me.

Found a used 4l85e with 44K on it for $950, was thinking about buying it, have it built with what the hardened planetaries, better clutches etc. Have it ready to go...
 
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lotsofmiles

Father of the Van
Dec 4, 2008
3,097
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Michigan
RodZZilla said:
Anything is possible with enough $$$:D I am not sure what it would take to make sure the transmission holds. Traction bars would be a good investment. Do the vans have the 11.5" Rear Axle or the 10.5"? If the doghouse comes out, it should be fairly easy to access the turbo if you decide to change it.
Click to expand...


Want to keep engine and turbo stock (for now:D)


Shoot, now I cant remember what the rear end is...
 
Big Block 88

Big Block 88

Multiple choice muscle
Nov 3, 2008
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Kansas when I am home
I think it would be killer, I think the vans are cool anyway. I don't see why the thing wouldn't hit 12's they are lighter fro sure. I think a 4l85 can handle the power I am sure someone knows how to make them hold the power. "Mike"
 
JoshH

JoshH

Daggum farm truck
Staff member
Vendor/Sponsor
Feb 14, 2007
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Texas!!!
Yeah, you're definitely going to need some help on the launch. Otherwise, I think you can get by with just a tune.
 
TheBac

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
15,618
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A pair of slicks and mucho suspension work would certainly help.

Just dont wheel hop that rear axle. *snap*.....you arent moving.
 
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MAXLLY

MAXLLY

No Lemming Here
Aug 15, 2007
1,063
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San Diego
hey lotsofmiles... cool idea with the van, I love sleepers. IMO traction and the trans will be your prollems.

OT- what is the wheelbase on your van? It weighs how much?

Not bashing, wondering if i could by one and put a truck cab on it.;)
 
McRat

McRat

Diesel Hotrodder
Aug 2, 2006
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www.mcratracing.com
If you are going leave the factory trans in it, you should go bigger on the charger and move the powerband up to help it survive.

RWD vans actually have pretty good traction. Moving the batteries to bumper might be all it takes to hook.
 
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lotsofmiles

Father of the Van
Dec 4, 2008
3,097
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Michigan
Glad you brought those topics up.

1- the charger - I've thought about that, and may do it. But I'm kinda on board with the thought of "what can the stock one do"

2 - Traction- I've noticed that driving in the winter here in MI my empty cargo van seems to have always had better traction than my LBZ cc/lb 2wd truck. Some of the van guys over at DP seem to agree. I could experiment a little, put a couple hundred pounds in back and still have a weight advantage over the trucks.

and 3 - the trans- Does anyone know what the stock trans with a transgo hold? Or should I not even try that route?
 
McRat

McRat

Diesel Hotrodder
Aug 2, 2006
11,249
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Norco CA
www.mcratracing.com
I put probably 200,000 miles on RWD vans, with a good bit of that in the dirt, sand, or snow. They have a surprising amount of traction compared to a 2wd pickup.
"Blue" was originally going to be a diesel van, not a pickup. But GM hadn't released one yet, so I sold my E350 gasser and bought Blue.
 
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