Thanks for the honesty. I do wish I was in the US.... I would be trying to work on it myself too... I'm not a mechanic, but I am mechanically inclined and don't mind getting my hands dirty. I've done work on my Alfa like changing brakes, etc.... I'm also good with electronics and computers... so it would be easy for me to sort out the stuff I want in the back.


Yeah!!! Thats a big change. After some time, I realized that the A-team van clone was great but has been done alot.... I switched from that to getting myself a Ford E-series "Explorer van". While completely unique to the roads over here, I realized that most people who have vans have a sofa/bed in the back and captain seats, etc.... Then had an idea.... Animated TV Van
No one has tried this and while it may be costly, it would be worth to have something that unique....

Like I said, I'm almost sold on the Ford Racing engine, but I'm not sure on whether that is the best choice for it. Hence the research, etc.... mechanics over here suggest GM...
What say you????

Wow I didn't even know there were vanners in the UAE. This is pretty cool. Wish I was there to build you a killer first gen with v8 power. It all depends on what YOU want. That's what vanning is all about... personal expression through our machines. Sounds like you've got the bankroll for the ultimate van, just need to be pointed in the right direction.

I guarantee you, I'm not a rich guy. Just someone who loves vans... LOL.

I'll put in a vote for the GM 350. It's a good "all around" engine. Parts are fairly inexpensive and plentiful.

OK... From the posts so far, I've gathered that a majority of suggestions to use a Chevy 350 small-block are solely based on the fact that of its simplicity in design, ease in obtaining parts and abundance in number making it easy to obtain.
From what I've read, the small-block 350 is an old engine. I would rather prefer to go in for an LS if that is the case.

But are the above the only known reasons that separates the GM engines from the Ford blocks?????
What advantages would a Ford engine have over the GM blocks??

Don't get me wrong. I love GM engines. But I want to know all the facts.

Simplicity beats Fix & repair on race day....found on road dead...
GM= great merchandice


If its a VW van put a porche 911 engine in it

The reason there are so many Chev engines available is, its hard to part out Fords while they are still running down the roads....

LOL!!! Nice one....

Wait are you serious???.....
Ford engines last longer????
According to most people I spoke to, it was the opposite. One even challenged me to look into the street and count the number of 10 year old Fords to the number of Chevys as proof.
Of course there was the one or two and said otherwise......

Ward's 10 Best Engines of the 20th century

I saw this article just now and counted the number of times I saw a Ford V8 vs the GM V8 engines....

Ford was more.... Does that mean something??? Or is this just a useless poll??

I guess everyone has their own personal preference. I'm a Chevy guy so I would also vote for a SBC. It is just a all around great engine. There is a reason all the hot rod guys put Chevy 350's in their rides.