Apparently the sleeper Astro Van market has matured because after showing you the clean big block powered example last week we have this wonderfully sneaky LT1 powered van this week. We were tipped off to the Detroit area CL ad that is pitching this van by our pal mike and it is as nice as the one we showed you last week. The real question is about which one would be faster or more fun to drive. The heavy iron headed big block had a cam and some other touches, but this LT1 engine has aluminum heads and is packing an LT4 cam and LT4 valve springs. We’re guessing that puts the power somewhere north of 300 at the tire. The balance of this van is probably better and who knows, maybe with the hot small block it could hang with the iron rat powered Astro that you all loved next week.
Other F-body touches include the exhaust manifolds, 4L60E with the “performance shift” button to tighten things up when you want, and of course the engine ECU. The exhaust is a single 3″ stainless system and there’s a Flowmaster in the path to help make and mitigate the right noises. The whole thing is factory stock looking on the outside and when it is not running you’d never suspect that it would turn the tires at will and scare lots of stuff right off the road. The seller claims that it hooks pretty well with the single rear leaf springs and there are all kinds of convenience options as well. Overall this thing is a really nice cruiser that would be big fun to take to the drags. With EFI and some of the other modern touches, this one would be a more economical toy to drive for distance, that’s for sure.
Scroll down to see the CL ad text, check out the photos, then hit the link for the rest of the story. Finally…which one do you want? This EFI’d small block piece or the rat motor powered van we showed you last week?
IN CASE THE AD DISAPPEARS, HERE’S THE FULL SALES PITCH –
Possible trade, but i’ve had a lot of trade offers and i guess I might be a little picky? Mainly looking for a dependable daily driver that can also be good in the snow. Something AWD, 4×4, plow truck, smaller SUV, No Cadillac Northstars! Trade value $4500. Professionally installed 1994 LT1, 4L60E transmission. 3.73 geared, posi rear, ICE COLD A/C! The van has right around 18x,xxx miles on the body. And most of them are from going to Florida and back from Michigan. The engine (1994 LT1 with aluminum heads, LT4 springs, LT4 cam) runs amazingly well and is very dependable! The transmission was also freshened up at the same time. It’s an F-body 4L60E that was rebuilt to factory specs however it’s had some of the good hard parts added that were available at the time. It has a F-body “Performance Shift” button located on the knee panel under the steering column that when activated changes the shift points and firmness as well as a few other things internally. The van was tuned to run on premium fuel (91 or higher) however it runs fine on 89 if you’re just commuting in it. It has a single 3″ stainless exhaust from the f-body manifolds to a 2 1/2 in y to a 2 chamber Flowmaster and a resonator inline to quiet it down some. It sounds mean both at idle and at WOT. The rear end is factory with a 3.73 gearset with an aftermarket posi unit. It has single leaf fiberglass springs that actually work well in making it hook rather than burn the tires down the street. Other features are: cold, working AC, digital dash, Kenwood CD with USB/Aux inputs, Kenwood speakers, Code alarm with keyless entry, power driver’s seat, 2nd and 3rd rows are reclining split bench seats with fold down armrests and cup holders. Has room for 8 people all together with both rows of seats installed. I also installed a center console from a 2002 Tahoe that is very convenient and looks like it belongs there. The tires are newer within the last two years and don’t have very many miles on them. All in all the van runs and drives excellent and I wouldn’t hesitate to take it on a long road trip just about anywhere. The attention it needs is mainly cosmetic, but for being a 1991 it’s one of the cleanest you’ll find in the upper midwest. It needs a headliner like they all do. The carpet could use a good steam cleaning but it’s not ripped or heavily stained at all. The exterior is surprisingly clean of any major rust, especially in the doors where they all rust. The only real rust on the body is in the rockers. They will need to be replaced as they’re starting to rust through. In addition, the front bumper is bent right at the passenger side mounting point. It barely pushed into the passenger fender and bent it out slightly. It will bend back with a little pursuation after the bumper is replaced. I have a copy of the original title, the owners manual that looks like it’s never been taken out of the glove box, as well as a bunch of receipts for maintenance done by the last owner. It has been well maintained its whole life. It also has a new aluminum radiator, 160 thermostat (runs around 200 in 95 degree weather with the a/c on). PLEASE EMAIL WITH A PHONE NUMBER! NO NUMBER, NO REPLY! JUST BEING CAUTIOUS TO WEED OUT SPAM! You can text me any time at (Five Eight Six) 913- Fourteen Eighteen If you call I may not answer so text is probably better. CASH ONLY. PRICE IS FIRM. TRY TO FIND ANOTHER ONE THIS NICELY DONE! I have no problem putting it in the garage for the winter, but really hate to use the space.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE SOME PHOTOS OF THIS BONE STOCK LOOKING ASTRO THAT IS FAST ENOUGH TO SCARE LOTS OF STUFF OFF THE STREETS –
Add a porta pot and some aux fuel tanks and this would be the ultimate Cannonball Run vehicle.