Messin' with G.M.'s 3800 V/6

[cobrashoch]

Tore down a late model 3800 V/6 engine a few days ago for a rebuild. (Not the 3.8L) Boy, has the general came a long way! Cross bolted mains, 4 headbolts for each bore, very favorable stroke/rod ratio, well skirted block, high quality parts throughout, favorable port arrangement with over sized stainless valves and a built in rotation counter shaft. This engine had over 280,000 miles on it and so help me all it really needed was new stock moly rings, bearings, and a timing chain. The heads didn't need a valve job!
I'm not a G.M. sort of guy, but I was favorably impressed.
Question? Any of you guys know of a rear wheel drive setup that used this engine? If there is such a animal out there a lightweight supercharged application is obvious to me, as this engine is going back into a 4000 lbs front wheel drive land yacht.
cobrashock

[red99z]

I believe it was in the V6 Camaro before they cut the line.

[CowtownCobra]

Ron,

Check with Lone Star. They build a Lambo kit that uses that drivetrain.

[boxhead]

Hello there cobrashoch, the Australian Holden commodore uses the 3800 gm V6, it has been awhile since I looked but I am fairly certain they are cross bolted mains, also the commodore is rear wheel drive with a supercharger option.
I will check at work tomorrow about the main bearing cap bolts

[cobrashoch]

I don't plan on going this way for anything but it does have some possibilitys. Suppose I would have to find a guru on this engine to do anything with one though. There is possibilitys "glarore" with this little guy, and the junkyards are full of em'. BTW this engine had forged pistons in it with a thin ring pack that reminded me of dykes rings. Don't know if those heads could be made to flow but this guy was made to be buzzed it looks like.
If I were a G.M. sort of guy you could do much worse,,,,,,,,,,,,
cobrashock

[Rick Parker]

I believe in it's current form it is used in the Pontiac Grand Prix with a supercharger too. It seems a little long in the tooth but the guys in the shop say they are pretty much bullet proof. With Ford using a lot of overhead cam engines, GM seems to want to retain this powerplant as it works very well for them.

Rick

[CHRIS POTTER]

I have a 92 Buick Park Ave with a supercharged 3800. Just put a nose piece on the supercharger, has it's own oil reservoir, and over the years, it leaked a bit, causing the front bearing to starve. Have 202k on it, runs like a v8, gets 27mpg on the highway, and uses no oil! Great engine, would be pretty cool in some sort of rear wheel drive application, a friend at GM says there are even different pulley sizes available to increase boost. Would like to hear of any projects using this powerplant.

[ff2_emtb]

Check out this little gem belongs to a guy a know.....

http://www.casperselectronics.com/cobra.htm

Don't forget...this engine is just an evolution of the 3.8 V6 that powers the Grand National and GNX....only 250 hp from the factory...uh huh, right

travis

[Jaws]

the Australian Holden commodore uses the 3800 gm V6, it has been awhile since I looked but I am fairly certain they are cross bolted mains

the v6 has been used since the VN model in 1989.(125-128kw)

they all come standard with 4 bolt mains.

Since 1995 these motors have received further refinments including symetrical head deign, new intake plenom, light weight pistons, shorter rods and low deck height. These motors use less fuel than previous models and make more power (147kw) these are known as ECOTEC motors.

These motors are no longer made as the new VZ 3.6L aussie made motors have been introduced.

I have installed an ECOTEC in my 1979 VB (first model commodore) which is also rwd and weighs 1200kg.

PS: all commodores are rwd, some of the latest models are 4wd.

HSV (Holden special vehicles) make a supercharged version (m90 eaton) which makes 195kw with a 4L60E auto.

PS all the v6's mentioned above use roller cams.

[xlr8or]

Ron that motor is has been available all across the GM brands since the late 80's. I have one in a 92 Bonneville. They had an option for a blower for the SSEi model but it didn't make but an extra 20 HP.
With a chip change, MAS change and pulleys you could be well over 300 HP from them.
In '95 or so they came out with the GenII version.
Either way they seem to be pretty bullet proof. I ran mine acrosst the high desert here in CA at 90 MPH plus between Tahoe and San Diego several times and never a problem. Have 130K miles now. The rest of the car is crap at this point but the motor still runs great.
I'm not sure but I believe the bellhousing bolt pattern is the same as the 350 Chebby.

[Traveller]

My 96 Buick Riv had the Supercharged 3800.

I put 180k on it and it ran as smooth as the day I brought it home from the dealer.

Burned no oil and I never spent a dime on engine related repairs.

I'll go out on a limb and say it's the best motor GM ever made for daily driving.

[RPRICE]

cobrashoch, you are right this is a very well thoughtout and thorough engine. There have been a couple of variations of the 3800 (L36) engine. The only RWD US application for it was the 95 thru 98 camaro and firebird with the series 1 config, and 99 on was the better series 2. There were no supercharged (L67) applications for the rwd. No one has put the L67 into an F body cause it won't fit under the firewall. The rwd L36 has the air intake in the front. The L67 and FWD L36 have it on the rear. In a kit car the engine fits, but the issue then is the trans. The problem with the standard camaro setup due to the T5 sitting at a 30 degree angle. Makes mounting the shifter a *****. There is an option. Either engine FWD L36 or L67 or the RWD L36 will accept a bellhousing from a 94-95 2.2L S10 pickup. This mounts the trans straight and allows the use of a 90-93 only Mustang T5. Have a Lotus super 7 clone ( www.stalkerv6.com) going up now with this. These sites might help.
www.l67swap.com
www.3800performance.com

Richard
Memphis

[RPRICE]

xlr8or, and cobrashoch, I forgot to mention that the 3800 uses the 60 degree v6 bellhousing used in all prior 95 S10s, not the sbc.
Richard
Memphis

[cobrashoch]

Rprice- This thread is one that gets printed out and goes into the archives. Thanks for the updated info. The car itself is long gone now and repaired. But putting automotive bias aside a guy would be a idiot not to see the potential of such a setup. Good luck on that Super Seven. Those things are a blast to drive, bigtime!
cobrashock

[RPRICE]

Cobrashoch, I know, I have a SPF S1 with rotary power. Wanted to try something different this time. The stalker is really set up for the 2.8, 3.1 3.4 v6s. But since the 3800 has the same bellhousing, and more hp I'm using it instead. Once I get it in and running then I'll swap for the L67 supercharged engine.
Richard

[mirrorblackgs]

Hey guys, heard about this thread over at www.regalgs.org http://www.regalgs.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9928
Just wanted to let you know that there is a huge modding crowd out there, some of whom have got their L67 (the supercharged 3800), into the 10s in the quarter mile. Great engine. It was available in the later model Buick Regals as well, I have a 98. Stock=240hp/280ft-lbs torque

With a smaller pulley, a cold air intake, and some exhaust work, i'll be in the low fourteens. For about 500 bucks, i could be in the high 13s. Very cool stuff, and the greatest thing about the regal is the "sleeper" factor. No-one suspects my "grampa" car to blow their doors off!

Feel free to check out www.regalgs.org or www.clubgp.com
Both meccas of L67 modders, lol.

www.3800performance.com and www.zzperformance.com will give you an idea of all the stuff out there for this engine.

Just thought i'd let you guys know what is up, and congratulations on your taste! lol, I love the old cobras. Wonderful car, i hope to own one someday...