A Short History of the Buick 3800

[@akalboogie]

Nice job, very infomative. Dont forget to mention the upgraded aluminum intake on seriesIII

[@MrSamPhoenix]

I love the GM 3800. But others also make some of the best V6 engines… notably the Honda V6 and Toyota’s V6.

[@rogerlbl7316]

​​@@MrSamPhoenixI think the actual "Street" horsepower differs from the factory tested horsepower. My Son has a 07 Grand Prix GT Supercharged with 104k miles. Completely bone stock other than a cold air intake. His high school Auto Tech Shop has a floor Dyno machine and the students are allowed to use this for before and after build scenarios. Just for fun the shop instructor offered my Son to pull his Grand Prix on the Dyno for 3 pulls. The second pull produced the best results at 271hp and 280 foot pounds of torque. His shop instructor was very impressed as well as the other students. I think horsepower ratings are all over the place on most vehicles and are just given a baseline from the factory to satisfy consumers. I know for a fact in the 60s and 70s most of the muscle cars were grossly underestimated on their horsepower and torque ratings.

[@patrickmcgoldrick8234]

@@MrSamPhoenix Honda and Toyota do build a good V-6,but where they fall flat is they can be very difficult to work on,even things like spark plugs, gaskets,coil packs,timing components,just to name a few.If you trade every two to three years,than it probably won't be a problem,but if you hang on to a car for a long time, possibly it could be a problem. Now remember some GM V-6 s out side the Buick 3800 Family can be quite trouble some,in that case Toyota,or Honda V-6 for me.

[@patrickmcgoldrick8234]

I wanted to add the 4,3 Chevy built rear wheel drive V-6 is a great engine just maintain the cooling system,use distilled water and torque the intake manifold as routine service and long life of that engine should be yours.

[@patrickmcgoldrick8234]

Is there an aluminum intake available for the series 2 3800 as opposed to the plastic intake?

[@davelowets]

BEST engine G.M. ever made...

[@Chrispidwerbecki]

Bring this engine back GM!!!! One of the best ever built so bulletproof I’ve own many with well over 400Km!!!

[@rcalltypes8230]

We had those in Australia. From the series 1 1988 VN Holden Commodore to the latest Ecotec 3.8lt V6 in the series 2 2004 VY Commodore. Then the Alloytec disaster happened

[@Mmyers1177]

Nothing beats a Multi Port Fuel Injected Pushrod Engine in terms of reliability and longevity.

[@tykosteamboat5570]

Also a cast iron block as opposed to aluminum means a lot too along with a timing chain as opposed to a timing belt 💯🦾

[@MrDwightsimon]

Toyota 4 cylinders last longer. Also the cars they put them in last longer than any GM

[@Oliver2020.]

@@MrDwightsimon truth

[@darkside2521]

@@MrDwightsimon my 3800 park ave has 670000 mile and is my daily driver. Honda is not better nor worst its all maintenance

[@Dat550go]

...Except your mom. 😶😶 I'm sorry. Idk where that came from..

[@BrainDamageBBQ]

I put a Buick 3.8L V6 in my 1980 Chevette, Fiero brakes up front, narrowed Ford 8.8 rear axle. TH200 automatic with the kickdown linkage controlled by the Chevette's now-disused clutch pedal. When I stepped on the gas too hard, the doors would pop open. I drove that car on the street exactly five times because I knew it was going to kill me. Without a turbo, it was every bit as fast as my friend's Grand National. 12.8 quarter mile! On regular pump gas!

[@aca2983]

Hard to beat such a combination of torque/power, fuel economy, smoothness, serviceability, reliability, and longevity.

[@abreh622]

Nice summary. My current car is a 2006 Buick Lecurne. For the car specifically for the 3800. I wish they would bring it back. Solid, powerful, and easy to work on

[@jacobwebb1598]

These cars are insanely tough

[@tobymattox3911]

Same here, also an 06 with the 3800. Car was once driving 8 hours to Milwaukee and 8 hours back with absolutely no oil. Changed leaking oil pan gasket and added oil no other issues over 2 years later.

[@deborahberner5569]

1977 was the last year of the rods on a common journal, odd fire. 1978 was the first year of the off set crank journals, even fire. Pitiful 105 HP from a 3.8. Had both.

[@josephcarson8787]

I'm old school. Never thought I'd see a 6 cyl.run like a supercharged 3800.

[@andrewdonohue1853]

I have a 2001 GTP, 2003 Bonneville SSEi and a 97 SE 3800 grand prix. It's an awesome awesome engine. Reliable, simple, durable, serviceable. It is all of these things

[@SalemDoyle]

Agreed

[@markbuckley6971]

The chads choice in engine, have a very, very worked series 1 N/A one in my VN Commodore haha

[@davidc.8755]

Got a Buick LeSabre 1999 limited and am researching the vehicle. Thank you for all the info. God bless 🙂

[@redbuick]

Great job, accurate. I long have told people, these motors were gms workhorse. The gdi 3.6 are a tech laden nightmare. Sure more power is nice, but oil dilution and other problems make it a hell of alot less reliable than those tried and true 3800 motors.

[@SalemDoyle]

Agreed

[@wrotenwasp]

But ya gotta love that nice, "simple" valve train" in the 3.6, the really "compact" design"" and the nice mushy, weak low end torque and having to get the engine past 4500 rpms to get it to make any power. Can't stand that 3.6. I know someone who had it in a equinox with an auto....a pig out of the hole and that engine was crammed in that tiny engine bay. THe other was in a 2013 camaro...WITH a 6 speed manual. Even with a stick, it's a dog out of the hole. With a stock 3.8" pulley on my 05 Impala SS (was still series II) and a 3" downpipe, front power log (shorty header) I could smoke that camaro 0-60 by almost 2 car lengths. That 3.8 pushrod mill is so compact and easy to get at most anything. My favorite engine next to the Olds 350.

[@Querencias7]

Yours truly has an original '94 Buick Regal 3.8L (L27) running just fine at 205 k miles. Many thanks for the history background. Nice job! God bless.

[@SalemDoyle]

Thanks

[@lilyubbah1208]

Those engines where in Holden Commodore's from 1990 - 2003

[@bensond32]

I wrote a report on the history of the 3800. Its very interesting! Great video!

[@SalemDoyle]

Thanks

[@BassManBobBassCovers]

This is a great plethora of information on the Buick 3800 engine. I've been researching them for years and still learned a lot!

[@cimplexsounds]

My friend Luke Grandquest was a pit stop mechanic for nascar who also helped invent the modern 3800 during his internship in the Toyota school of mechanics. He and I spent many hours in the shop together working on the 3800 motor. I love them. I know this motor like the back of my hand. I own two cars with the 3800 series 2. Best engine ever. I have driven thousands of miles on a 3800 motor . My first 3800 went to 299,000 miles.

[@mikemiller659]

My Ford Focus 2012 went over 300,000 and was running fine the struts were faiiling so not want to put anymore into a 7 year old car I traded it in on a 2018 focus HB

[@dillonrust3518]

I have an l36 3800 1996 Buick regal and want to modify it but have no idea where to start could you help?

[@Blue-moon12]

Thanks for doing my recommendation. Truly appreciated. A very well done and put together video with great info.

[@SalemDoyle]

No problem. Thanks for the idea

[@mattwilliams6504]

New to your channel, but certainly not 3800's. I've owned two 93 Bonneville SSEi cars with the series 1 L67. 86 Park Ave with LG2 3.8L. 98 GTP, 97&00 SSEi. And now I have an 04 GTP. Just bought it after being out of the game for a few years and I love it. Glad I found your channel, very informative on GTP stuff that I am not as familiar with, as I was a Bonneville guy.

[@SalemDoyle]

Welcome aboard

[@jdgreen214]

I have a 87 grandnational just had the engine and transmission overhauled. Stock rotating assembly some work on the original heads to make them function like the 89 turbo trans am. Bigger turbo, 2.5 pypes exhaust, cat delete, running methonal. There cars will haul ass! I have the 442 restomod in my thumbnail picture. It has 455 built to mondello specs. 425hp 518tq and the difference in the way these two cars perform is crazy. The 442 is brutal. The guy i bought it from had the rear gears at 2.78 and it still pulls. I got in a pissing match with a 2014 camaro ss and he barely beat me do to my rear end gearing. If it was a 3.42 rear it would be really scary. The GN is so subtle until you put the pedal down then you better hold on for dear life. Next project is 1992 gmc typhoon. Gonna replace the ECM with holley dominator. Had a lot of hard start issues after performing well the 1st three months. A ver fun truck to drive.

[@BBsAuto]

What are the differences in the 97-98 to 2003? I have a transmission and engine from a 97 Buick regal. I don’t care about the mount differences and all of that just worried about electrical is there any differences at all?

[@johnmitchell2281]

One of the best ones made

[@mael-strom9707]

GM Holden down under had the mighty Ecotec 3.8L ...an upgraded version of the Buick N/A 3800, which was also available for a while, all in North-South configuration, and some even with manual transmissions.

[@Wtrxprs007able]

Great engines and very bulletproof. Much better in reliability compared to the newer alloytec.

[@inasmehmedovic2356]

Longitudinal

[@C4rkus]

I got a VT Commodore with this engine and factory manual, pretty bulletproof

[@jacobwebb8818]

Like Inas said "North-South" is Longitudinal not NS

[@garrygibson6433]

One of Holdens best built cars is the vy 3,8 2004 easy to work on which is never. Better than my garbage Toyota with that fantastic 2gr what a piece of shit.

[@carlitot5388]

My 3800! 175,000 running like a champion 🏆! 2006 Grand Prix

[@joekuhn8751]

As always salem badass and informative im old enough to remember the grand national commercial i have a 05 gran prix built by zzp favorite car thanks for doing what you do

[@SalemDoyle]

Awesome. And thank you

[@fordmustang98guy]

@@SalemDoyle My 2002 Regal currently has 65,000 miles US 🇺🇸 mine has the 3800 Series II Non Supercharged but I am still happy without the Supercharger

[@SalemDoyle]

Its a good engine either way

[@DG-bp8xb]

My dad bought a 1989 Oldsmobile 88 Royale in the early 90s. It had the Series 1. Ended up buying it in the late 90s with 165k miles. Still ran like a top. I was really impressed how smooth it was. But it was working for USPS from 2010-2015 as a rural mail carrier that gained my respect for the 3800. At that office we used our own vehicles to deliver. I started out using Centurys with the 3.1 Another carrier had a Lesabre and I was a little jealous of the extra power a more cargo room lol, so I ended up getting an n/a 99 Park Ave to deliver with. Drive nothing but 3800s ever since. Good video

[@drughigger]

While they do have upgraded aluminum I have a 04 series 3 with what seem to be factory or factory rubber elbows 😞 I think they came factory aluminum starting a bit later

[@vacexpert2020]

I'm the type of guy who enjoys driving old Buicks and Mercurys, so comfortable and refined, yet plenty fast for my uses, when I get a place of my own I'm probably gonna own a pair of Grand Marquis and a pair of LeSabres with a Century for long distances, as I got 30 mpg in an old Century driving on the interstate, and a P,O,S Cruze for winter time, as I'm not to fond of subjecting these fine automobiles which are known for their rust problems to the crap the DOT puts on the road in the winter

[@SalemDoyle]

Nice

[@vacexpert2020]

@@SalemDoyle The local mailman (rural mail route) has over 500K miles on his Buick Park Avenue Ultra, it's had the transmission rebuilt 2 times but the engine is original and never rebuilt, he drives 200 or so miles daily with his only breaks being Sundays and national holidays

[@SalemDoyle]

I believe it. These engines run forever

[@Stout_Krout]

300,000 miles later I'm still driving my 1997 Buick LeSabre.

[@patrickmcgoldrick8234]

I won't live long enough to hit 300,000 miles,my 97 LeSabre has 46,000 original miles,what a great engine,great power,good fuel mileage,and smooth thanks to the balance shaft.

[@frederickknight9271]

I own a 95 Riviera with series 1, low mileage. Going to give it to my grandson when he gets older.

[@SalemDoyle]

Nice

[@maleguana3028]

I have a 97 series 2 and I love it

[@snoopy5736]

Thank you for the info sir

[@joedart2932]

Great engine...and dig the last name bud 😎👍

[@michigansoundwizard]

Good video. I enjoyed this vlog.

[@louispeters2105]

History lessons? Brilliant keep em coming

[@SalemDoyle]

Thanks

[@MrCamarokid83]

I have a 2000 grand prix Daytona 500 with the supercharged 3800

[@JisINSANE3]

Got an 03 impala back in april with the 3800 55k miles for $3000. plus $1000 in maintenace and ect transfer fees. I have put 10k miles on this car already and its still not even broken in yet.

[@JimButler1234567890]

I believe it was either 1982 or 1983, a pacecar was deployed that had this 3.8 litre V6, with twin turbo. It was an absute screamer and generated a lot of buzz, and may well have been what inspired GM to use this same engine in the Grand National. Also I think it is important to highlight the fact that this engine was not called the "3800" until the Pre-Series1 came along in the late 1980s or possibly as late as 1990. Prior to this, GM called it the 3.8 litre V6 (vis-a-vis Grand National). Prior to this and prior to Jeep's acquisition, when this engine first came out in 1962, this engine was nicknamed the Fireball. For all that I can tell, the 3.8 litre engine has 231 cubic inches of displacement which makes this essentially a 350 with the last two cylenders lobbed off of it, and crank shaft counter balances added for phase compensation, to allow the engine to be well balanced and smooth firing throughout all 360 degrees of each rotation. I have owned a Pre-Series1, a Series1, a 3.1 (essentially the same enginebjust smaller displacement), and a GM3800 L67 Supercharged. These all ran very smoothly. The L67 when fed with high test fuel and when weather conditions are optimal, it's accelleration is well on par with any similar high performance engines, and can be down-right frightning. Sure this engine redlines at only 6000rpm while some of Porche's and Fararis and Mazaratis redline at 12000, 15000, and 18000rpm, but the GM3800 produces torque to well make up for this. The 4T65E transmission is geared up to translate that torque into RPMs at the wheels and still has A LOT of torque left over which largely accounts for it's fast accelleration. The torquebis high to the point that the 4T65E had an issue with the supercharged L67 where the splines on the 4th gear output shaft would eventually sheer off and the car would only run with 1st through 3rd gears. In 2003 they started releasing these transmissions with a hardened output shaft where this was no longer a problem. I had my 2000 Regal GSE transmission rebuilt with kevlar clutch pads, hardned 4th gear output shaft, and a few other upgrades. GM when asked in 2008 why they dropped the GM 3800, their PR person said it was due to emissions considerations; no way.. This engine had no particular emissions problems. Furthermore, they could have added some features like the EcoTech engines have such as variable valve timing, which would have increased fuel efficiency and performance even more, but they chose not to. The reason, I strongly suspect, is that the GM3800 was "too good" to the point that they were so reliable and inexpensive to operate, that GM didn't see it as a sufficiently lucrative business model. I believe they dropped it in favor of engines that they could make more money on over the long term. Case in point: I still have my 2000 Regal GSE with the supercharged L67. For whatever other wear/tear problems I have to contend with on the rest of the car, the engine it's self is not one of them. Current mileage is around 290,000, and I have NO plans to get rid of that car.

[@davelowets]

We all just called them "231's" before the 3800 moniker.

[@dibonaa808thegreat7]

Buddy. U answered my questions on why my 2008 Kia 3.8 v6 is so fast. I’m looking to turn it to a sleeper.I took it to 140 mph a couple of times and its still smooth ,I’m getting better brakes because it’s too fast for the brakes.😂

[@mopargm9329]

​@@dibonaa808thegreat7this is in no way related to GMs 3.8. And i'm sorry but Kias are terrible cars

[@davelowets]

Ive got one of the LAST ones of these engine's in my 2009 Buick Lacrosse. I'm GLAD I bought the car in 09, rather than wait until 10, or else I would have been stuck with that worthless 3.6 "High Value" piece of junk.

[@ronaldwilliams2962]

I bought a 2008 Buick LaCrosse because I wanted the 3.8 litre engine also. I didn't know that it was still available for the 2009 model . That is good to know it was still available for one more year. I currently have a 122,300 miles on mine and besides oil & filer changes I have only had to replace the thermostat so far.

[@dannyburnett7137]

How much horse power did the 1998 riviera super charged v-6 3800 series come stock?

[@jamesjohnson8758]

I Drive Daily, A 1991 Buick Lesabre Limited, 3.8 Series 1 200 Thousand Miles Runs Smooth Cold AC

[@CarsSimplified]

I spy some old school Prestone power steering fluid back there! Red bottle? #TheyDontMakeThemLikeTheyUsedTo I had no idea that engine was that old, and I also had no idea that design was sold to Jeep for a while! I wonder if anyone engine swaps those old jeeps to the series II or III. Great video!

[@SalemDoyle]

Thanks

[@jamesedkins2823]

Great question about the engine swap! Now I'm curious too.

[@atomicdmt8763]

outstanding~!

[@samgroff8451]

Good video 👍

[@ErK1oneZ]

I need that shirt bro

[@merritts3515]

have an old 3.1 odd fire, I always say the vibration keeps a guy awake on the road haha

[@SalemDoyle]

Lol. True

[@jamest.5001]

The few drag cars using the 3800 was actually 4.4Litre I'm guessing it was a large bore version maybe a stroker crank, or both. Either way they were putting a whipping on the V8 engines. I think the 4.3L is also a possibly a performer. Get a company like 'SCAT' TO BUILD A STRONGER CRANK AND RODS, AT LEAST a cast steel crank, but a 4340 steel crank for either engine family. I wouldn't be surprised if a 3800 head couldn't be adapted to fit a 4.3 block. But I'm thinking a 3/4 of a 383 is where it's at! Get scat to produce a 3.750"-3.800" for the . 4.3, using 6.0" rods and 383 pistons , there may not be a large selection of heads available for the 4.3L Edelbrock I believe makes some. And GM did produce all out racing parts. Possibly 18° heads? And a large single plane intake. What I'm interested in doing the 3800 intake would probably work well if one was available for the 4.3L/ 4300. Going from 262 CID from a stock 4.3, with a stroker being 287cid, at .030" over bore, (282/283 with standard bore stroker 291at .060" over, maybe get KRAZY, and bore every cylinder and sleeve it using top hat sleeves. Bore and sleeve it , with extra thick sleeves for a 4.125" bore. Basically boring it out .125" (1/8") however, the block will be bored more than that to fit the sleeves, not Shure it could be something like .200" over the 4.0" standard bore. The bore spacing is only 4.4" very likely it will hit water, possibly nothing but water. Only leaving a hole in the top and bottom of the block! 😮. Im thinking I'd acid etch the water jacket. And fill it with epoxy in the lower part of the bore. (HEY I SAID ITS CRAZY 🤣) IT'S more than likely something you wouldn't want to drive daily for multiple reasons. The mpg being just one. Possibly get a set of Edelbrock heads. Do a high porting on them Raising the ports as much as possible. Matching a single plane intake to the ports with port injectors. And a modified plenum area, just cut it out weld in an aluminum rectangle as if you were going to put a pair of 600 Holley carbs on top. NOT DOING THAT! But making a front inlet. To accept a 102mm throttle body used in LS applications. And the top plate bolting on using m4 Allen Head screws on 1" (25mm) centers. Using 1/2" x 1/2" aluminum bar welded to the inside perimeter bot the plenum to bolt the top plate on with. Using a 1.5mm dia. o-ring cord to seal it . The intercooler (air to water) using a large pair of ac condensers as radiators along with a 2.5 gallon tank with about 60'-80' of 1/2 " aluminum tubing coiled around it with diverter valves to use the tank only or the tank, or tank and radiator cooling for the intercooler. Fill the tank with dry ice, liquid nitrogen may be way too cold but a 1 gallon container dropped into a gallon of methanol in the tank with methanol circulating inside the intercooler. Maybe can work. If the intercooler can get down to -20°f or -30°f maybe colder the air passing thru could be anywhere from that to 0° to 25°f there is a lot of dense o2 in negative -30° air. The intake ports and valves will raise the temperature. Witch brings up something I been wanting to test. Use Cera coat ceramic insulation coating on the inside intake ports, the faces of the valves intake and exhaust. The chambers and the back side of the valves. I'm thinking the ports on the intake side would benefit from being ported with a carbide but, leaving a finish with little tiny scoop marks, having scoops taken out of the port surface, only about .010"-.015" deep at best but likely around .0080" -.011" deep and .020" x .030" in size. And completely covering the surface like 5x as dense as the dimples on a golf ball. Then glass bead the surface . And ceramic coat it and bake it. Also coat the pistons and the exhaust ports internally. Only them being smooth. Only a glass beaded surface. With a high port job on the exhaust ports as well as the intake side possibly angle mill the heads to simulate a higher intake port. With 2.0"-2.02" intake valves, with 1.65" exhaust valves, 1.94" the smallest intake valves. The boost will help the flow, the exhaust needs the help. Maybe a 1.75" exhaust valve is possibly available A 1.75"/2.0" would probably do well with boost, a 1.94" bay be required to fit the valve 1.84" -1.94" with 1.65"-1.75" , depending on the valve job. A multiple angles on the valve seats and valves, with back cuts , swirl polished undercut stems. A good port job , and flow tested to determine valve size requirements. By flow testing 3D prints of the head with the valves inside. With the seats and valve job if possible. Anyway put these heads on a 4.3L with a 3.8" crank and a turbo Maybe twins, (twins do run in my family 😂, i don't have any of my own, i envy them 😂, i want twins,) or at least compound turbines! Boost the boost. It should produce 40-45 psi easily. Especially with a pre-intercooler and an aft-intercooler, a cooler between turbos and before the intake. A large intercooler before the intake.. probably use water methanol as well. And FYI, 4.125" bores, with 3.75" stroke = 300.691 CID. And a 3.80" stroke with 4.125" bore = 304.700 CID. , And 4.125" bore, 3" stroke 240.553 CID, making a nice 8500 rpm+ engine give it a nice roller cam. Roller rockers, 2.05-1.55",1.60" valves naturally inspired HP possibly seeing 9, rpm, a 6 speed with a pair of gear vendor overdrives on its tail. In a salt flats car. Around 2400 lbs. With 40,psi boost on the salt. It should do well, the large bore should allow for 2.08-2.100"intake valves. And 1.65" exhaust. What I really was is the 3.8 or 4.3 bored out with a stroker crank and a 3800 with 4"bore and 3.75" stroke if possible, if sleeving all 6 bores is required, and at least a 3.65" stroke if not a 3.800" or a 4.3/4300 with either a 3.75"crank and 4" bore, or 4.125" bore. With a twin scroll with a diverter valves to get it to spool quicker. Maybe a E-85 to E-100 capable EFI. And work on a tune to allow 100% to 85-90 methanol with 10-15% nitro. With 2-2.25 bar of boost. And it should sing going through about 5-6 gears under full boost especially with a 4" exhaust . With a 4" flow master pro series muffler, with a pair of 3.5 x 24" tailpipes/tips, the muffler on the end of the pipe. Probably using oval pipe under the vehicle, 3"x4" (+/-) it should produce 600hp detuned and about 600 TQ's and 735hp on a splash of nitro. If the block can handle the power . THAT IS The QUESTION 💀🦾 place that in a vega or a 70 Chevy luv . Even a model T Ford. 😮 Awesome sauce! ✌️ Sorry to ramble, have an awesome day! ✌️🕊️🎉

[@markplenty6786]

I have a Buick LeSabre 05. It's a tremendous engine. Never turned the key and it did not start..

[@derrickodyes1934]

was curious how bad the vibration is and reduced life when balance shaft removed. Saw they do when using a double roller timing chain

[@SalemDoyle]

The people i have talked to say it isnt bad at all

[@MNsparky]

I’d like a source on that 300 hp figure. My understanding and research has shown the 1987 GNX put out 276 hp.

[@SalemDoyle]

I belive that came from the Wikipedia article

[@buzuxi]

June 1987 road and track magazine says GNX dynoed at 300hp and 420ft pds torque. Turbo Buick forums say asc/McLaren dynoed all 547 gnx's. 90% dynoed in the 290-315 hp range. The official number given is more rwhp than at the crank.

[@jamesharper7365]

Once again you feed my Brain; thanks, I'm going to find some more on the 3800...question are there any after market spoilers for '04 Grand Prix GT2?

[@SalemDoyle]

Yes. The inferno spoiler at kaminari.com

[@jamesharper7365]

@@SalemDoyle thank you

[@bobgreene2892]

Salem, I saw a brief frame in this video referring to an iron block. Since you presented an aluminum block for the 3800's early history, when did the block move to (or from) iron?

[@SalemDoyle]

Not sure but it was early, all the series 2 and 3 blocks are iron

[@Tony-l6x9h]

I've got a vy Holden with over 500,000 on the clock!

[@datdealracing7219]

Nice video

[@SalemDoyle]

Thank you

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

can you list what cars had the supercharged version of this engine? thanks. I want to pick one up

[@SalemDoyle]

grand prix gtp Monte carlo SS supercharged Buick regal GS

[@DERRICK-e3h]

in australia they are called holden commodore's

[@Brandon-tn8vu]

What is the series 3 supercharged engine called?

[@SalemDoyle]

L32

[@Brandon-tn8vu]

@@SalemDoyle is the supercharger a l32 also?

[@mael-strom9707]

Down under in Australia, it was called the 3.8L L67 Ecotec V6.

[@SalemDoyle]

@@Brandon-tn8vu no. Its a gen 5 m90

[@filmart430]

I’m going to buy a used 98 Buick Regal GS with a 3800 supercharger. What type of gas do I need if driving normally?

[@mopargm9329]

93 or 91 with octane booster

[@josephferry155]

In 04 to 07 does the crank journals get fed directly from the pump on the right side inside the block,? or does it work as a spill over from the heads to cam then crank? Was curious... if rather or not they casted the block with internal oil galleries directly from the pump n split it off going to both heads'? (I'E) A T INSIDE THE BLOCK. For passage? Little concerned.

[@SalemDoyle]

Not 100% sure, but im sure someone will chime in.

[@josephferry155]

@@SalemDoyle you understand what I'm asking right?

[@SalemDoyle]

@@josephferry155 yes

[@josephferry155]

@@SalemDoyle k. Thanks for your input though appreciated.

[@LouisMays-ty5dl]

I have a 3800 supercharged v6 gtp wished i had the $ to beef it up

[@traviscottrell1428]

I got a 2001 Buick regal no title what other car can i put the engine in?

[@SalemDoyle]

Any w body. And several others

[@brycepiontek161]

Would total watch another 10/10

[@SalemDoyle]

Thanks

[@mrmagniffy]

can I swap a icm and coils from 1992 to a 1991 ignition system

[@lailanitaganap2402]

What is the highest milage these motors go up to before they die? i got a 1999 Monte Carlo 3.8 Z34 with a 100 thousand miles on it?

[@SalemDoyle]

Mine are all over 230 000

[@lailanitaganap2402]

@@SalemDoyle i heard the 3800 is one of rhe best motors ever made my Z34 gets 30 on highway not bad. How are the transmission on these cars how long do they usually last? I just now got a intake gasket leak my mechanic is fixing today?

[@SalemDoyle]

They last ok if you take care of them. Not great though

[@rainfieldmusic]

My 06 Lacrosse daily driver has 363000. Original 3800 series 3 engine and trans. I do have some Lucas in the trans now. Shooting for 400k

[@joshuabudzik7579]

Explains why I pulled on a vette for a little bit #HoleshotForTheWin

[@claudgurr431]

Erm....You skipped the introduction of the balance shaft and roller lifters. Ok, the blown motors are the ones that float gearheads boats, but the NA engines outsold the blown ones by a big margin. Maybe the second best selling GM engine after the sbc? I see the bean counters dilemma. "Hey, we've got a great engine with low warranty costs that last forever and meet emissions while giving great gas mileage happy customers are queuing up to by. Tell me again why we have to spend $$$$$ developing a replacement?.

[@agp9844]

how many people know were that turbo v6 concept came from in 1974-75 ish to the production turbo after the Indy pace car with a twisted 6

[@agp9844]

I have a significant amount of original documentation from the time i was involved with the turbo v6 and the IMSA like monza option that was an option on Chevrolet Monza’s

[@SalemDoyle]

Cool

[@user-qc7dr3cd3q]

I have a 1997 LeSabre series 2 that runs great but body is rotted out. Can this engine be used in my 2006 Lucerne or 2009 LaCrosse (series 3) if needed in the future? Thinking about pulling engine for future use in these cars if compatible before scrapping 1997. Thank you.

[@SalemDoyle]

Yes, but not all parts will be the same

[@user-qc7dr3cd3q]

@@SalemDoyle Thank you.

[@palmtree_04]

Mine puts out 230hp. 98 Buick Riviera supercharged

[@Flaco7136]

Hello again and sorry to bother you but I have a question how many foot pounds of torque rod bearing needs?? I just find out that my mechanic only torque mine at twenty five pounds and that's why my engine blew up also because the solenoid from the supercharger he was messed up to... I just went to my lawyer and see if I can do something about it because I don't believe that needs 25 ft of torque

[@SalemDoyle]

Rod bolts are 20 foot pounds plus 50 degrees

[@Flaco7136]

@@SalemDoyle okay so that means he did the right torque so the issue was the solenoid was bad and it was sending booze all the time and that's why my engine blow up I do have another one I bought a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP supercharger and I'm going to use that engine on mine and also the rims I was thinking to swap the rear brakes but it is not possible thank you so much for your help you are really kind God bless you and your family thank u very much

[@vk4akp]

you left out the Australian 🇦🇺🦘 history 😉 😹 😎

[@SalemDoyle]

True, i need to learn more about that

[@Flaco7136]

I see you know a lot about 3800 engines I have a question for you I got a Pontiac Bonneville 97 ssei my engine blew up because he was a little tiny piece messed up the solenoid bypass and now I cannot found another block or engine I would like to know what kind of engine I can put on my Pontiac and also use my supercharger... I'm not a mechanic I just trying to do the best I can because I don't have the money to pay a professional mechanic but I do know how to put an engine together I just wanted to know what kind of engine I can use for that particular car and still use the supercharger

[@SalemDoyle]

All 3800 blocks are interchangable. Even an l32 (04 -08 grand prix) will work with your heads and blower, just dont go older than 97.

[@Flaco7136]

@@SalemDoyle he's not necessary tune the car if I change the engine from like I said for my Pontiac Grand Prix 97 supercharged sedan four-door to my Bonneville?? Because a la people being telling me I need to tune the car... Mine is basically stop The only thing is the friend is have a Cold air intake and a dynomax muffler straight through and also I have a high Flow catalytic

[@SalemDoyle]

@@Flaco7136 you would only need a tune if you were going from non supercharged to supercharged or something like that

[@Flaco7136]

@@SalemDoyle okidoki thank you very much sorry for the confusion

[@Flaco7136]

Thank you my friend to help me out sorry for the all confusion I'm not a mechanic I don't have no choice to do myself the swap I know how to deal with stuff like engine block head block torque but deal with ECU I don't know nothing at all

[@danielworden4695]

I had a1993 buick lesabre with a aftermarket remote start and it started super fast like as soon as the starter was engaged boom it was running .now I bought a 2002 buick lesabre but it doesn't start like the 93 I had .now I wondering if I just had a odd 93 or was it the remote starter? Can you add anything as how the 3800 should start?

[@SalemDoyle]

Mine usually start pretty quick, but they can be different from car to car

[@user-qc7dr3cd3q]

When tuned to factory spec these engines fire instantly. I had a 2004 LeSabre, and currently have 06 Lucerne and 09 LaCrosse and they fire instantly.

[@staresce]

Are any of the 3800 3.8 engines non interference or are they all interference engines including Buick models?

[@SalemDoyle]

All interference as far as i know

[@steveriley7331]

My daily is a square body 89 Buick LeSabre

[@deanfarr3249]

The earlier 3800's were bulletproof. The cars from the late 90s and 2000s with the series 2, 3 and supercharged were known for head gasket problems.

[@davelowets]

The later series has several major improvements over the early ones. I'll take the later ones ANY day.

[@deanfarr3249]

@@davelowets yes the later series did have more horsepower but weren't some of them known for problems like gaskets and oil pump failure?

[@davelowets]

@@deanfarr3249 I've never heard of any oil pump failures in the newer series engines, but I KNOW that lower intake gaskets could be an issue.

[@mysnackr]

They're known for intake gasket problems. Can cause milky oil and smoke which some people confuse for head gasket and throw it away. Easily fixed and preventable with aftermarket gaskets@@deanfarr3249

[@DeUndefined1]

I have a question. Can you put a series 2 3.8 into a newer gen w-body? I found a duplicate parts car. It's a 02 grand prix gt with a bad trans but the 160k engine is good. I wanted to keep the older car but insurance wise it's not such a good idea. So I'll just knock two birds with one stone finish one car, and build another because I'm not wasting this extra engine as it'll give me a chance to go to a newer car thatll need a compatible motor. So I also found a few newer w-body cars for cheap and I'm stuck between a '13 impala vs an '06 grand prix. **Also its hard to look for an older model Lacrosse and Monte Carlo with the same engine.

[@SalemDoyle]

The engine will swap, just use the top end and wiring and stuff from the newer car

[@DeUndefined1]

@@SalemDoyle oh okay and my bad.

[@steveoatway7001]

Great video! That engine, among other things, has made me an owner of Buicks but it makes me think about my Buick. I'm on my 3rd Buick and this one is a Cherry. Five months ago I bought a pristine condition 2005 Buick Allure CXS. It was the high performance La Crosse I think was only made in Canada for a few years. I owned a 2007 CX base model Allure so know the car very well. Compared to the CX and CXL the CXS has larger tires, a better suspension, brakes, interior, computer system and overall more luxurious but it also has a different engine. It sports "GM's global 3.6-liter modular DOHC six" which boasted 240hp. I see that some guys don't like the 3.6 L but so far in my brief ownership it has been much more fun to drive than the other Models. The beefier suspension means handling is far better and of course lots more power. I don't know if the gas mileage is worse but have all the receipts so will check the mpg soon. I am replacing the blower motor and resister now myself after learning just how much a garage makes off parts nowadays. For replacement parts I recommend Unimotor which makes high quality parts right in Canada.

[@benbarela7623]

My buick lesabre1999 has series 2

[@Mikehawkis-hz7lq]

How can you know you have a 3800 motor ?

[@SalemDoyle]

Its look is pretty distinctive. What car do you have?

[@Mikehawkis-hz7lq]

@@SalemDoyle 08 Lucerne cxl it has v6 it has 3 lines on both sides

[@SalemDoyle]

Thats a 3800

[@Mikehawkis-hz7lq]

@@SalemDoyle thank u

[@Mikehawkis-hz7lq]

I also forgot to tell you this but what maintenance will I need to do in order for the car to be reliable and long lasting at 190k rite now

[@scca14]

Are these cars still worth it after 200k for $2-3k? What's the biggest things to watch out for when test drive one

[@SalemDoyle]

they deff. can be. just watch out for trans problems and rust/

[@denzilburton667]

If you go to a junkyard and see a Buick. with a 3800 engine turn the key and it will start

[@FoolsAmongUs]

My '98 Firebird is a 3.8L It is a cruising vehicle, not a performance vehicle.

[@andreturner7249]

Hey do u know of anybody who rebuilds m90 supercharger

[@SalemDoyle]

There are some people online. Dont remember any names right off

[@roscoewhitejr5621]

I'd really like to have a grand national or monte box of anyone has one motor or not

[@louiemunoz2753]

I’m considering buying a 2008 Buick Lucerne with 49k miles price is 7500. What should I be cautious of here in Southern California? Would appreciate your timely response.

[@SalemDoyle]

Mostly just look for signs that the maintenance was taken care of and that the trans is good

[@danieldean4942]

Just bought a Lucerne 2006 with 60,000 miles on it body clean with no regrets

[@DMX-PAT]

Any thoughts on the LZ9 - 3900

[@SalemDoyle]

Also a good engine. From a reliable line of engines.

[@ErK1oneZ]

Pontiac went bankrupt in 2008 and sold their last models in 2010 that was the year I bought the 97 GTP

[@currymurri13]

Are pre series 1 blocks the same as a L67?

[@kwb200]

Cant be GMs 90⁰ v6s in reliability the 3800 and 4.3 chevy are bulletproof workhorses not very fast but reliable they do have a few problems but what engine doesn't have small little things every now and then but it dont matter how much power you make if its broke down lol

[@Flaco7136]

Hi how you doing I just wondering if any performer ship or OBD performer ship to increase horsepower Bonneville or Grand Prix supercharger?

[@SalemDoyle]

The computer can be tuned using hp tuners, but those "chips" on ebay are useless

[@Flaco7136]

@@SalemDoyle where I can found the HP tuners which one you recommend me and cheap one🤫🤫🙄

[@SalemDoyle]

@@Flaco7136 its not cheap. But zzp sells hp tuners