MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE / SONATA ENGINE V6 3.0 SOHC - 6G72 for the Voyager Minivan?

Discussion in 'Voyager' started by treeline12345, May 3, 2006.

  1. Now that twice it has been mentioned, JDM parts. Would
    a MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE / SONATA ENGINE V6 3.0 SOHC - 6G72
    fit in my minivan, 1994 Voyager, which has a Mitsu 3.0 liter, V6, SOHC?

    I think that's as close as I can get, yes?

    I guess there might be emissions considerations but the engine is
    pretty clean to begin with for emissions?

    Can this be done? Chrysler wants almost $3000 for a reman Mitsu engine.
    I don't know how much the junkyard wants for theirs. I gather these JDM
    go somewhere around $1000, plus or minus.

    Would this need a masterful mechanic who knows how to swap engines in
    and out that might be almost identical but not quite?

    Any thoughts?
     
    treeline12345, May 3, 2006
    #1
  2. treeline12345

    NewMan Guest

    Oh for corn sakes! This is a train wreck - you just have to watch!

    DITCH THE MITS!

    If you are going to re-engine, then get yourself a good old fashioned
    overhead valve solid as a rock 3.3 or 3.8 engine! NO timing "belt", no
    bullcrap ongoing maintenance issues.

    I have a 3.3, and I love it. Minor amounts of PM, and it just keeps
    running and running. And the 3.3 / 3.8 will just bolt right in. If you
    are going to go to the trouble to re-engine, then why not invest in
    something that will reduce long-term headaches???

    IMHO, the Mitsubishi 3.0 Engine is just NOT worth the crap they keep
    dishing out on a regular basis.

    Good luck dude.
     
    NewMan, May 3, 2006
    #2
  3. I already asked a really good engine rebuilder about putting in a 3.3
    or 3.8 and he said don't do it. Although the engine might be able to be
    bolted in, as you suggest, there are lots of parts that are not and
    would not be compatible. He suggested the computers for a start would
    have to be upgraded. He definitely said it is not as easy as it is
    often suggested. Since he used to throw in engines, I gather he has
    long time experience.

    That said, have you really bolted in 3.3 where a 3.0 was originally?
     
    treeline12345, May 3, 2006
    #3
  4. treeline12345

    NewMan Guest

    I have not done it.

    Before I purchased my 94 GC, I came here! and did my homeowrk. When I
    was looking at vans, the SECOND that I was told it had a 3.0 engine in
    it, my line was "Thanks, but no thanks!"

    My experience with a 3.0 from a 94 Accliam that PUKED oil from almost
    every seal and/or orifice, ran rough, kept clogging the throttle
    body................................................, was confirmed by
    what I read here before purchasing my van! :)

    That said, if I did have a van such as yours that I was attached to,
    and I wanted to keep on the road, then I would ditch the 3.0 in a
    heartbeat if something major went wrong with the engine. If you go to
    a wrecking yard, you should be able to buy the engine with ALL the
    necessary bits and pieces you need - including the computer.

    You may indeed find a 3.0 in decent shape, and this would certainly be
    the path of least resistance, as well as likely less costly and
    troublesome. And, having the motor out of the van would be a great
    time to do some owrk on it to make sure it is worthy of the install as
    well.

    Whatever you decide, I with you good luck with it. The chrysler
    mini-van is a great vehicle to drive. I love mine, even if it doesnot
    get the best mileage in todays era of INSANE gas prices. It still can
    take me, the wife, the kids, and ALL our gear - and until the kids
    leave that counts. ;)
     
    NewMan, May 3, 2006
    #4
  5. Somewhere in 1994, they fixed the oil problem which were the valve
    guides not keeping their position. This helped the oil smoking problem.
    My nice engine has 207,000 miles and does not smoke so I feed bad about
    all of this.

    I am reading through the info and possibly tightening down the head
    bolts and maybe some sealant, well forget the sealant for now, but
    torqueing the bolts might squeeze the head gasket shut.

    What is confusing is that I am not overheating so the head gasket is
    just starting to leak or it's possible to intervene just a tad.

    The oxygen sensor went which could be a sign of coolant contamination.

    The clues are trickling in.

    Your suggestion about the wrecking yard is viable but I don't know. All
    the places the have used engines, so far, and a little bit of a
    warranty do not include all the peripherals, like computers. They will
    track the mileage of the engines and do some testing before selling it.

    I don't have the means or the tools or anything to go to a wrecking
    yard and pull an engine. It is possible they may have pulled engines
    but the wrecking yards I have been to do not look all that careful
    about good versus bad engines. It is possible the mechanic I finally
    settle on may have the means to do this. And the interest.
     
    treeline12345, May 3, 2006
    #5
  6. treeline12345

    Bret Ludwig Guest

    or 3.8 and he said don't do it. Although the engine might be able to be
    bolted in, as you suggest, there are lots of parts that are not and
    would not be compatible. He suggested the computers for a start would
    have to be upgraded. He definitely said it is not as easy as it is
    often suggested. Since he used to throw in engines, I gather he has
    long time experience.<<

    If the 3.3 or 3.8 are US built 60 degree pushrod engines and are a
    mechanical fit I would do it, and make the electronics work or go to
    aftermarket electronics if necessary.

    If you are paying someone shop rates to do this, junk it and buy
    another one that runs.

    You may find someone that works out of his garage and will do the job
    for an agreed on rate. If he is not an illiterate, German shepherd
    porking inbred and has some semblance of credibility I'd pay him the
    agreed fee-half upfront, half on completion. My sister had a guy build
    her up a vehicle in California to my specs, she had me talk to the guy,
    paid him $3000 cash for his work plus all parts and outsourced labor,
    and he did a fantastic job and it ran for over ten years. This can work
    out. Usually these things take a LOT of time and if he proves
    incompetent or dishonest, you're fucked-simple as that.
     
    Bret Ludwig, May 4, 2006
    #6
  7. Another alternative is you can find Voyagers and Caravans on
    places like craigslist.org with hashed engines, selling in the under $500
    category. Find one of those which has a good transmission, a 3.3
    or preferably a 3.8 that is blown, and have it towed to a reputable
    engine rebuilder who can probably do the swap for $2500 or so.
    With doing that you can get a 1994 Voyager for under $3K that has
    essentially a brand new, warrantied, zero mile, engine in it which is
    going to be a lot better deal than that 1994 Voyager that runs fine
    but has 120K miles on it, and is selling for $1500 that is advertised
    in the paper all the time.

    Ted
     
    Ted Mittelstaedt, May 5, 2006
    #7
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