So it's late at night and feeling quite pleased with myself on my offer on a new house being accepted i thought I'd catch up on the various forums I use, My other passion is Porsche's and drag racing, I convert 944 Porsches to V8's and race them, not something 90% of Porsche owners agree on but I also know loads about the model as if there is a weak link, putting 600 bhp and N2o through them will find it, and believe me I found them. So after looking at a decient van that also had 4WD I met an amazing sales person, I say amazing because he had a 4.0 AWD EXT Van in a huge lot surounded by the really big cargos, this made the EXT look like a short wheel base model and after driving a Porsche anything bigger than a Hyundi Accent feels big, so the next day on my drive way stood this monster of a van, and to his credit it got me through winter and only a month ago I noticed oil coming from the transmission after 150km of 'spirited' driving (160-180km/p/h) I think I have it fixed and in all fairness to the sales person, it never does this on local runs or slow driving (60km/p/hr). I must also say I was looking for an Astro because they look more agressive, now I have seen how there owners drive them I am glad I chose the family hauler with the added comfort, but what I really wanted to say was thet the attitude on this forum has far more productivity and awareness than that of the other forums I visit, most noticeably the Porsche one. On there everyone has an opinion and there one is always right, especially when it come to choosing new wheels or whan to change the timing belt (they have actually considered forming a group to buy cars that the owners have neglected or 'riced out') this I do not find acceptable especially as a new clutch would cost upwards of $2000 fitted, a timing belt is around the $450 to be replaced. I'm new here and have just aquired the van so do not feel quailifed to join in as yet, but I know when I do it will be recieved as genuine offers of help not as a one up game as seems to happen elseware, so congratulations on recruiting a new member with his own welding plant and machine shop (those of you near toronto may need my services if the underside of your van is anything like mine (seriously it's not that bad, i'm just spoilt with galvanized cars)) and for being far more tollerant of owners of 944's with a chip on there shoulder because they feel that they have invested in a unique sports car (where as in the UK you can't give them away, a honda CRX is worth more) that cannot be improved from the factory spec unless you do exactly what they have done. Keep up the good work and drive knowing that you have something that no Porsche owner has, an understanding of how to recieve advice.

 

Mr. XLR8,

Welcome to the club.

I've learned some great info on this group, so I keep coming back.

Is there an easy way to make the ext Aerostar van accelerate, brake, and corner like a Porsche 944 (stock or otherwise)?

Actually, my first priority is the brakes. I think they are insufficent for a vehicle this size, but there does not seem to be a readily available system that can replace the stock version, especially if you have 4wd.

 

I had carbon metalic pads from PFC (performance friction corp.) one time on my beretta. they were the best dang brakes I ever had. lasted longer, no wear on the rotors, and never faded. brake dust was a major problem however, the performance increase was worth it.

I want some for my van when mine need replaced.