Hey All;
I know this is gonna sound outlandish to most of you aerostar users. But here goes; My Grandpa Left me a 1991 Aerostar *Eclipse conversion Package. It Has 53,000 Miles on it (as far as i can tell it is legit). It is a 3.0L v6 automatic transmission. Basically im lookin for ANY modifications; Engine or body or otherwise. I know its not a van that people generally modify but you know... It was free and i cant really afford to buy a new car.


Any help would be great

thanks

 

Having owned my Aerostar for over 13yrs, I've kept my eyes opened for any performance mods that came along. So far the only things have been the K&N panel replacement filter, which is still available, and a listing in the Borla Exhaust on line catalog for a catback exhaust system for the 3.0L Aerostar. But Borla has apparently dropped it since the number hasn't been listed in probably three years or so. The good news is that your Aerostar conversion van may already have the 4.10 limited slip rear axle that came with the RV Prep package only. The other rear axles where the standard 3.45 and the optional 3.73 with and without limited slip available on non-RV prep package vans. For shock absorbers, your best bet is probably the Monroe Sensa-Trac. Both Addco and Hellwig have (or had) listings for anti-sway bars for the Aerostar. JC Whitney still lists the Hellwig rear bar. There is also a ECU performance chip apparently available for some Aerostars. Check the information on the front page of this web site. JC Whitney also lists various accessories like bug deflectors and running boards. I really haven't paid much attention to anything other then performance offerings however so others may be of more help to you.
Finally. In my opinion, the exhaust header (or y-pipe) connection to the front catalytic converter is the stumbling block to any real performance improvements on the Aerostars since it is very restrictive. Headers (if they were available) and a larger cat would probably help top end power but hurt low end performance. Maybe others know of some other performance offerings.

-Mark

 

I wouldnt bother with a cat back exhaust. One time I unbolted the exhaust behind the cat and there was no noticeable improvement. Well maybe it didnt run out of breath right before the rev limit but thats it. Oh yeah, it was loud as he11.

Maybe you can look for engine parts from explores/rangers/broncos as some of these have the same engines.

another thing to look at is the opening to the air box. The lower part of the airbox is 2 peices, the box and the inlet. The inlet is very small (same size as MAF and SMALLER than the throttle body. I just removed it but it will need three hands and 4 flat screwdrivers to get it out. I also removes the baffle in front of the inlet. There is little chance of dirt/bugs/water to get in the airbox because the closed part of the grill is covering it up.

I'll let you know how it works tomorrow.

 

I added a rear antisway bar and KYB gas shocks. It made a very noticeable improvement in the handling w/o destroying the ride.

Mark Biederbeck

 

A K&N filter and opening up the air box sounds good. Would like to know if there is any noticable difference in performance, though, before I do it to my wife's Aerostar.

 

Opening up the air box didnt add any noticable power but just made the intake louder at WOT. IMO not worth it.

I did that on my '93 4.0 and I was looking at my '88 3.0 and the airbox has the place for it but wasnt there.

 

I don't think I want the 3.0 any louder. Already it sort of whines when it winds out. But the K&N probably is worthwhile since this engine does tend to wind if you want to get anywhere soon. Now my motorhome with its 460 V8, when that thing winds out it sounds beautiful, as does my 300 I6.

 

I installed a diablo sports chip and got about 15 more ponies from my 4.o. (Note "world's fastest aerostar" message) Trouble is you have to burn premium gas and will have to send your vans computer into someplace like PDQ Performance Warehouse so they can burn the chip for you. It will cost about $250. If interested call them at 888-320-5644.
I also added a flowmaster muffler - one of the quieter ones-it sounds pretty good and not real loud.