The Most INDESTRUCTIBLE Engines: GM 3800 V6

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[@joshuaking34]

You cannot talk about the 3800 without mentioning it's direct parent, the Buick v6. A legendary engine that humbled v8's.

[@lclnbm]

Same thing

[@thetruthspeaker1978]

Not the same thing at all..the Buick 3.8 is NOT the baby's daddy

[@Iamthestig42069]

You can’t talk about the Buick v6 without talking about the 215/rover v8. They all distantly related

[@lclnbm]

@@Iamthestig42069 funny how both lasted for so long. Built right from the beginning

[@Sak-zo1ui]

Well it humbled v8s of the time. Showing more ways to make consistent reliable power that totally never broke tranis lol.

[@steampog]

The 3800 Gen 2 was the best, hands down. Had mine stock supercharged but switched out pulleys and air screws for way more power. Thing was a fckn beast.

[@vtecbanger3180]

Air screws as in the parts that compress the air into the head?

[@CouchMan88]

@@Wontreplyeverdontbother Stock was 240hp and 280tq which was probably underrated from factory. Modified should be around 280-300hp and around 325ft/lbs of torque maybe a little more. Impressive for a car from nearly 30 years ago with a V6. I did the same to a 96 Park Ave Ultra plus some intake mods and we used to race our modified Fox Body Mustangs against it. Mustangs were just a bit faster but the Buick kept up.

[@steelbluesleepR]

"A GM engine will run poorly longer than most engines will run at all."

[@jomelbo]

Ha!!!!!!!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Funny, but only the v6 versions apply.

[@FonicsSuck]

I always said a similar thing about Volvos as well. Maybe not the newer ones but definitely the older ones (pre Ford). Volvos from that time don't die, they just get old and eventually retire. Especially the 240 series.

[@skylinefever]

@@FonicsSuck I consider the Volvo Brick to be the 3rd toughest car of all time. 1st: Mechanical injection Benz diesel 2nd: Ford Crown Vic 3rd: Volvo brick

[@Cemi_Mhikku]

@@skylinefever Find a different car than the Vicky for your list, they're not as good as you think or there'd still be more left. Not to mention they'd have a spot on the Million Miler lists. And put the 240 in first. How many other cars will run for another six months after an idiot runs it out of oil, and COMMONLY run over a million miles without a rebuild? Not many that don't have a redblock in 'em. First and third highest mileage cars both have that mill, and the second has an M-B diesel (as does the eighth).

[@iDrive4fun93]

Truth. I’ve got a c1500 with a blown headgasket on a 350 small block, it’s been blown for 15k miles. Did a 12 hour roadtrip in it earlier this year, half of that with a 16’ tandem axle trailer. Used about 1/3 a bottle of coolant. Just loaded up the bed with firewood this past weekend and did 2 deliveries in it. I built a new engine for it but haven’t had time to swap it in. Still going strong despite everything. It’ll also turn its 33” tires into clouds of smoke still.

[@TheGareth001]

Got one of these in a 2003 Commodore S pack. Has had a few bolt ons added but still running stock internal originals at 300 km mileage. Beast of an engine!

[@brick6517]

The fact you just dissed the greatest v6 engine to ever set foot in a commodore has essentially led you a death sentence in Australia

[@mtmesa390]

Tbf it does sound like absolute ass, and let's be real the falcons 6 was always better

[@mikejones2542]

​@@mtmesa390you're insane

[@brick6517]

@@mtmesa390 you on crack if u think a falcon sounds better

[@mtmesa390]

@@brick6517 I'm on crack if I think the higher displacement Aussie built engine sounds better than the GM partsbin car? Never heard an ecotech sound even half as good as my AU did, and even Holden boys admit the alloytech sounds like shit. Holden hasn't been an Aussie car for decades, it's just a GM partsbin shitbox

[@brick6517]

@mtmesa390 Not a single Alloytec exhaust system is done right. I've heard plenty of custom exhausts sounds fucking incredible on Alloytecs. And I'm sorry mate but the intech sounds like it can't wait to blow up.

[@sambananas4513]

I drove a Buick v6 around as a teen in winter with no coolant for weeks, it never missed a beat.

[@maxxlr8tion578]

I remember my moms old Bonneville, one of the first cars I ever drove, over 400k miles, three transmissions, had to be dragged back onto its wheels after sliding down a steep ditch in the rain and ending up on its right side... and that was at around 250k miles, lol, it was finally driven across the scrapyard scales, original engine still running strong, didn't even smoke.... leaked oil from every seal and gasket, but never gave up!

[@joncutt872]

Just be sure to swap the plastic 90° coolant fittings with the metal doorman replacements.

[@drewstaf2955]

Welp found the guy who really had one of these 😂

[@95NV35OO]

Just did this last week.. After last month going through the 4t65e thats behind it🤣

[@joncutt872]

@95NV35OO better now than in December, driving to work and wondering why your heat isn't working.

[@nickyv1629]

Don’t forget about the lower intake manifold gasket leaks! Repaired mine and as a bonus the “new” coolant elbow o rings blow on me on the first drive after tearing the top end apart. Other than that. It was a mint engine

[@teefill]

​@@nickyv1629 that gasket spitting coolant into the intake is the only thing that will kill this engine I think.

[@JDub07]

Owned a 96 Buick Regal GS. Dual climate, leather, power everything. It was fast-ish, smooth, quiet.

[@hughmann1537]

Had one of these Bad Boys in an old 99 Park Avenue. Was Supercharged and it hauled ass. Never had any major issues with it, ever.

[@robertmacpeek424]

Yeah the S/C'd 3.8's were Great and would surprise a Lot of people 😁 Had GM put a beefier better auto behind the S/C'd cars they'd have had a real FWD performer on their hands

[@jeffreyyeater1780]

My dad had the same car . It ran pretty damn smooth and strong .

[@thomaswippick6930]

ultimate grandma sleeper car

[@2strokeFORever]

My pap had a park avenue ultimate. Was fun surprising people with it

[@volvorules100]

I had one in a 96 park avenue without the supercharger and it ran great. Transmission was what killed the car

[@Johnbobon]

My first new car was a Grand Prix GTP. I swapped out the pulley, PCM, intake and exhaust. It ripped pretty good with those mods, especially from 0 to about 40mph with all that low end torque. It was a fun car for a youngster. Seems like a former life at this point.

[@Mark-xh9ne]

Never should have been discontinued. Simple, reliable, good gas mileage, and enough power to get the job done. Can't say that about your high feature V6.

[@photondebuger45]

That's why it was discontinued, they need your money not the loyalty well kinda that too I would say but if the engine don't die well they can't charge you an arm and leg for engine work. They can get away with electronics but bad engines well people won't buy if the engines are bad too. Jokes aside but not really they do it like that at times or possibly like it's old and can't like keep up or anything so they need to make and new one that WILL fail at like 110k miles

[@wphh7272]

Nah… it’s all about emissions. The old reliable engines just couldn’t be made to run clean enough with their larger tolerances. That’s why many new engines require 0-20 weight oil. Closer tolerances = less emissions but is less forgiving of extended oil change intervals.

[@pinkpony265]

I had to high feature v6s woth no issues they are actually very good engines

[@nicholasking4676]

Exactly gm could have kept the 3.8 added aluminum heads to lighten the weight for the new models and added a turbo intercooled option instead of the 2.8 and 3.6 hi feature engine

[@nicholasking4676]

@@pinkpony265 I have cts high feature 2.8 a worker has cts 3.6 both of our cars have oil consumption issues both engines same except displacement and oil changed every 4500 miles using 5 30 synthetic dexos3 rated . I have owned 2 other pontiacs 3.8 series 2 and series3 no oil usage in 5000 mile changes . Also own a 3.5 ecoboost f150 it seems same engineers designed the gm multi timing chain and the multichain 3.5 f150 lolol

[@shanestergamer6196]

Had a 3800 LN3 Pre series 1 and own another 3800. 1st one was in a 1988 Oldsmobile 98. Had it for 10 years, had 217k on it before I sold it. Paid $450. 2nd one is a 1994 Buick Regal Custom series 1 3800. Has 237k and doesn’t burn a drop of oil. Swapped out the plastic coolant elbows for the metal ones and bypassed the security system so it will start. Paid $700 for it. Definitely one of the greatest engines from gm

[@Malibu-cs7ox]

My dad has a '97 Buick with the 3800, it has a little over 480,000 miles and it's his daily driver. He puts 50 to 100 miles a day on it.

[@ChuckBeefOG]

Wow. 240hp supercharged. Thrilling.

[@trevor5933]

Worked in a gm dealer from 2000-03, they were the best running, longest lasting, reliable and easy to work on motors coming in our door. Sparkplug wire shorts leading to fouled plugs causing SEL complaints were the most common, but honestly it happened mostly because someone took the big plastic cover off and didn't get the plug wires back into their clips, and rubbed through down after a few years. The 100k service was a LOFX with plugs, wires, PVC, serp belt and general inspection. Still had a few lower or upper manifold leaks, but generally after 150k miles. Awesome motor from it's original design of the Buick v6.

[@tyhyhh]

Idk man you're acting like the honda 2.3 didn't exist

[@JR-sf6ws]

@@tyhyhh It leaked a lot from the balance shaft seal.

[@squarecircleCo]

Crank sensors, spark plugs and wires, coils, massive oil leaks. With all this problems still runs 150k miles np

[@notsogrand2837]

I love the 3800. Modifying mine currently! Cam, E85, and plenty of supercharged goodies!

[@SimanSlivar]

The 3800 was literally made to never ever die

[@uralbob1]

I had a Buick company car back in ‘89. It was replaced with a new ‘92 Olds with the same engine. I hated turning these cars in. I loved them both. No, they didn’t drive like a Lincoln Town Car, which my boss had, but the G.Ms we’re great. My sales area comprised of seven northern states, and later, added Ky, and Tn. Based out of Detroit, I weekly travelled N. Dakota, the U.P. of Michigan, Central Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, and all the way to Memphis. Never once did weather stop me. Never once was I inconvenienced with any problem, other than a delaminated tire. Previous to this, I owned both aPontiac Grand Am with the anemic 2.5 V-tech, and a 1989 Olds Cutlass with the 3.1 V-6. Even though these engines get a bad rap at times, I never had one problem. These two cars were handed down to two teenage boys, and both survived just fine until one of my boys decided to drive into the back of a school bus! KEEP YOUR OIL CHANGED AND YOUR CAR SERVICED!

[@Emilthehun]

These sound really good with an exhaust.

[@geoffmooregm]

Just wanted to throw in a little clarification. Some people think that the 3800 is just a 3.8L Buick modified for FWD use. But the 3800 name brought a lot of improvements. These improvements also make it incompatible with a lot of 3.8L parts. The block was completely changed by shifting the cylinder banks relative to one another in order to bring the cylinders on center relative to the crank throws. The distributor boss was removed, and the old cam driven oil pump was moved to the crank snout and no longer relied on the problematic aluminum cover to house the pump and force oil through the small passage ways. This change was also available on pre 3800 motors starting in 86. A roller cam was added along with a balance shaft in the lifter valley. The cam was a welcome upgrade. Many performance enthusiasts prefer to leave the balance shaft out. A roller cam was also available in pre 3800 motors with RPO LG3. But motors not designed 3800 never had a balance shaft. The bellhousing pattern for all 3800 motors used the GM Metric (Small Corporate) pattern. This was shared with the GM 60-degree-V6 and some 4 cylinders used in FWD applications. This is a big consideration when swapping into older RWD chassis. The TH-2004R never had this pattern, so you are limited to the TH-700R4 or compatible manual transmissions. On top of all this Chevy also had a 3.8L V6 for a short time but it was based on their V8 and completly different. It later became the 4.3l V6. They also had a 4.3L V8 🤯

[@bobbyking1456]

These things also have a massive modding community, so aftermarket parts are cheap and easy to find.

[@trump45and2zig-zags]

Love the supercharged ones!! Gimme a granny buick any day!

[@bonza6451]

These motors were used in Australia for 20 years. They are not as smooth as a straight six, and didn't make a lot of power, but they would easily do 400,000kms assuming they were serviced. We also got the supercharged versions for about 8 years. These motors were in the Australian holdens

[@Underpantsniper]

And the 4200 vortech is as good as the 2jz and the Barra. It just lacks after market support.

[@joethomas6457]

I hear that. they tested a dozen engines. running for 1000s of hours eventually draining the oil and running still. for days at redline. I just hated the shaft thru the oil pan for 4x4.

[@Underpantsniper]

@@joethomas6457 the 4x4 has a drive shaft through the oil pan??? What model was that on??

[@joethomas6457]

@@Underpantsniper trailblazer

[@Underpantsniper]

@@joethomas6457 Thanks, just looked at some pictures of the oil pan. That's insane that they have the half shaft going through the oil pan. Who thought that was a good idea?

[@joethomas6457]

@@Underpantsniper yeah crazy right I'm glad I never had to change an oil pan gasket

[@Konigsmorder_dp]

The GM 3.8, 4.3, 5.7, and the 7.4 were some the best fuel injected engines ever made along side the ford 4.6, 4.9, 5.0, and 5.4

[@no_bull]

Had one in my Holden Commodore made in Australia engine and car. Mang Mang limiter bashing lol

[@adzz8012]

Mang mang mang oh shit valley cover gaskets 😂

[@s4ss.m8]

​@@adzz8012**laughs in L67**

[@stickboslightning]

Leaked oil soooo bad, but they were so easy to work on. I loved the 3800s

[@stonecoldreznov2780]

Best gm motor ever I hit a deer going 75 in my 04 lesabre and the car still cranked over when i pulled it on the trailer.

[@garyw9108]

It all started in 1961 when GM introduced both a new all-aluminum, 215-ci (3.5-liter) V8 and an iron-block V6 for its Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac compact cars. The latter was heavily based on the architecture of the aluminum, eight-cylinder, and even if the GM division dubbed it Fireball, it was actually quite the oddball. The first V6 used on a mass-produced passenger car (Buick Special), the unit featured a 90-degree cylinder bank angle, irregular firing order and, no balance shaft. Instead, the large amounts of vibrations it produced were (inadequately) countered by soft engine mounts, which was a relatively cheap and uninspiring fix. Enthusiasts will say that its distinctive low rumble was worth it, while critics will just call it the perfect example of a rough idling motor. Despite this, the 198-ci (3.2-liter) V6 proved reliable and adequately fuel-efficient, so Buick continued to develop it in the years that followed, while its eight-cylinder sibling was discontinued after just two years of service. In 1964, the unit was enlarged to 225 ci (3.6 liters), but three years later, GM gave up on it, selling the rights and tooling for its development to Kaiser-Jeep. Because it was compact and provided adequate performance, the engine now renamed Dauntless 225 was a perfect fit for the CJ Jeep, a model it continued to power until 1971. The early 1970s brought forth an oil crisis that hit the automotive industry hard. Looking to improve fuel efficiency for their vehicles, GM reacquired the rights to manufacture the V6 from American Motors (the new owners of the Kaiser-Jeep brand) in 1974. A year later, a revised 231-ci (3.8-liter) was launched for the Buick Skyhawk, Skylark, Century, and Regal models. Due to fuel economy and emissions requirements, the engine produced just 110 hp, but this configuration would lay the foundation for much more powerful versions. For the 1978 model year, GM began to market the 231 as the 3.8-liter since metric displacements became common in the U.S. With an updated crankshaft design, an even-firing ignition system, as well as a turbocharged version, the V6 was now a vastly improved, versatile engine. By 1981, the corporation was manufacturing more than a million units per year, and in addition to Buicks, the six-cylinder saw use in Cadillac, Oldsmobile, or Pontiac models. Turbocharging hit its peak in 1987 when the limited production Buick GNX hit the streets. With an output of 276 hp on paper, or around 300 hp on the dyno, the all-black machine became legendary for holding its own against exotics like the Ferrari Testarossa. The 3800 was officially born in 1988 when the six-cylinder got another major redesign. Dubbed LN3 or Pre-Series I by some enthusiasts, this 160-hp, naturally-aspirated version featured a balance shaft, on-center bore spacing, a 3x/18x crank-trigger system, and other technological improvements that made it better in every way. In 1991, the LN3 was replaced by the L27 (or Series I) that was fitted with a better fuel injection system and could produce 170 hp in normally aspirated form. A 205-hp supercharged version also became available that year. It could make 205 hp in 1991, but this figure grew to 225 three years later, thanks to several upgrades. Arguably the best, most popular iteration of Buick’s V6 entered production in 1995. Known as the 3800 Series II, it featured a vastly improved architecture that made it smoother, lighter, more compact, and far more reliable. The naturally-aspirated variant produced a healthy 205 hp, while the supercharged edition released one year later could make 240 hp. The last version of Buick’s iconic engine was built between 2004 and 2008. It was equipped with stronger connecting rods, an aluminum upper plenum, or electronic throttle control, all of which made it even more reliable. Even if the performance figures weren’t spectacular, the nearly flawless construction, beefy internals, ease of maintenance, and great fuel efficiency, make the 3800 - particularly in Series II and III guise - one of the best V6 engines ever built. Cheap, reasonably lightweight, compact, and highly tunable, it’s also a great choice for smaller, custom builds and swap projects for those that are on a tight budget Sauce: www.autoevolution.com/news/a-short-history-of-buicks-3800-one-of-the-best-yet-underrated-v6-engines-of-all-time-183430.html

[@anthonyhfe6450]

I love my 3800 series 2 !! It's not perfect, but if you change the upper and lower intake gaskets, and the coolant elbows, with the current versions, you're Golden !

[@ssantos856]

My 92 Park Ave had this engine with a supercharger, never ever let me down

[@harrisonhowell6778]

Ive got a 2001 LeSabre and i love it

[@SweetDaddy747]

Had one of these in my Buick Riv. Great engine

[@FlatPlaneCranky]

Do a video on the 4.3 GM. I have a 1993 Silverado that damn thing won’t freakin die!!

[@carlstephens1532]

My 98 1500 service truck has 360,000 miles on it still gets over25mpg as well

[@ADHDcisGinger]

4.3 is based off the 3.8s design.

[@Cw0346]

​@@ADHDcisGinger Couldn't be more wrong. 3800 is a transverse v6 designed for sedans with FWD. 4.3 is a V6 based off of the 350 small block. Exact same as the 350 just missing 2 cylinders Dropping the displacement from 350 to 262. Never used in a sedan to my knowledge. Light duty trucks, suvs and vans.

[@ADHDcisGinger]

@@Cw0346 a 4.3 is just a bored out and stroked 3.8. 3800 is the same engine as a 3.8.

[@ADHDcisGinger]

@@Cw0346 only thing that's different is the intake. Block and heads are the same.

[@kylebusc3624]

I still to this day say my 1998 Pontiac grand Prix GTP coupe was the best car ive ever owned

[@Omahaguy68131]

i bought a theft-revocery 98 Intrigue with the 3800 Series II with 75k miles for $700. i fixed it and drove it for years. i still have it with 130k on it and will never sell it. i need it to keep reminding my adult children that they are asking money from somebody who still drives a $700 car. it has been incredibly effective for over a decade.

[@antor.j.medrano]

I've seen literally Buicks & Pontiac's falling apart even the wheels want to come off & the engine is running very strong.

[@theian320]

My first car was a 96 firebird with the series 2 and a 5 speed. Fun little car.

[@AvidSurvivalist]

My old G6 GTP at a 3900 in it with 240 hp naturally aspirated. Miss that car lol. Still looked modern even though it was a 2006.

[@hytower6773]

As Scotty likes to say, "These are very strong and durable engines that can last forever, there's no arguring that."

[@charlieharper4975]

I drove mine without coolant for over an hour and it still runs fine.

[@bradpnw1897]

Love my 2nd gen 3800.❤

[@1SqueakyWheel]

I had an 84 Olds Cutlass with the 3.8 liter.... 4 years before the '88 model year. It was a dog, but it was reliable. Its lack of power was mostly due to the carburetor setup it used.

[@jakehanneman6956]

Sheeeeit a 3800 will outlast whatever vehicle it's in as long as it has oil

[@compmanio36]

I loved the 3800 I had in my Impala. Everything else in the car sucked and went out constantly and needed fixing, but the engine? Totally solid. The rest of the car would burn down from an electrical fire and the engine would just sit there running like a top, I'm sure of it.

[@noblebrown6077]

I had one in a Bonneville and another in a Lucerne. Snappy engines to.

[@Thunderous117]

Had an 03 impala ls with the 3800 Series II, most reliable vehicle I have ever owned, and with the most comfortable seats I have ever sat in for long drives, however the traction control was trash.

[@imissyoumom7644]

Picked up a park avenue ultra for $2300 couple weeks ago. Love it 😎

[@jerrynavarro2404]

I had a 3.8 231 V6. In my 81 regal man, that thing was a tough little engine, the only problem with it, It would burn a little oil because it was old and it had a slight lifter tick on cold start up but I would drive it everywhere until I sold it to get another car. That car had over 200,000 miles on the engine and tranmission.

[@IronReece13]

I had a 98 Bonneville with 294000miles that leaked oil like a sieve and it never quit, paid 700 bucks and drove it for 3years

[@VengefulBatz]

3800. LEGEND!

[@tomdezorzi1563]

The 3800 is just a mild revamp of the 3.8 that powered such legendary cars as the GNX and TTA. It was not conceived in 88, that was just a revision of an existing design.

[@takenusername]

I feel like I may have had this in a 1998 Buick Riviera I once owned for about 2 years

[@ChefBoyarDEEZ]

240hp/280tq. Pretty gnarly for late 90's.

[@potcookies96]

I loved my 4.3 v6 S10, never had a 3800 though

[@Peter-jo3wt]

The 3800 is every bit as good as the Chevy 350. Every 3800 came with the overdrive transmition and could easily reach 100 mph. The turbo charged 3800 was found in the Hurst Olds... and we know how good that was...

[@donquihote6023]

Great engine. Good mileage and just got better.

[@joeyjr4006]

My old man swore by these engines

[@The_Duggler25]

I miss my 03 monte carlo ss, was a great car with that 3800 engine. Though it did want more power

[@leeg2787]

96 firebird here and it rumbles solid at 213k miles

[@N4CR]

In aussie/NZ we call them 'mangs' as that's the sound it makes as it bounces off the limiter 'mang mang mang mang mang' lmao.

[@DocWolph]

The 3.8 OHV V6 engines were almost unbreakable. I really wish GM had kept improving it along side the OHV V8s. Also the best version of the 3.8 V6 was Pontiac's 3800 S/C @ 280Hp, 280ft-lbs, and returning up to 28mpg. Pontiac was dear to make the most of what GM allowed them.

[@alexmills1329]

4.3 v6 is probably their most reliable engine. Small block Chevy with even less moving parts, I don’t know if they ever break or wear out.

[@charlessagide9287]

They were damn good engines

[@MondayMotorvation]

They need to bring it back.

[@codylapoint]

I had one of those supercharged, it would bust a plastic elbow on the intake twice a year and leak coolant everywhere. That expensive orange stuff too.

[@skylinefever]

Then when the Series III came out, they got rid of the plastic intake and awful intake gaskets, making it absolutely perfect.

[@jorelvaaz2087]

Pontiac Grand Prix GTP was a beauty

[@TheTubaMan2]

3.8L supercharged engine putting out the same HP as a 2.0L turbo. Times have changed.

[@The_Sword3]

Even better was the 3900 V6. The 3800 had issues with the intake manifold gasket.

[@letsputunuthasrimpon]

For reference the "series 2" is known as an ecotech. And the best version is the L67.

[@franciscotrudnowski5374]

My 93’ Lesabre has the series 1 and it still packs a punch at 170 hrsp

[@Warriormedic68]

Yuppp. I love my 3800's

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

I feel like the 4300s and 5300s are at least as good (with less potential problems) than all but the 3800 series III. I have a series III in my work car (2008 Buick Lacrosse CXL), it's the latest in a long line of 3800 work cars I've had since about 2004. It's just cresting 70,000 miles this fall, I imagine it'll last me til all work cars can reasonably be electric and a regular person will be able to reasonably afford them. My 4.3L S10s (ZQ8 2WD stick and ZR2 regular cab and Blazer stick) and 5.3s (2006 Z71 Tahoe and 2012 Z71 extended cab Colorado with 4.10s) have been even more bulletproof than my 3800 cars.

[@MyerShift7]

The 3800 is V6 Gospel!

[@GNelson1989]

We have a 3800 series two with a blown head gasket in right now it's inside a camaro that just sits around

[@iversonjcameron]

As a old head....I had given up on american gas engines by 83...but he is correct

[@richhauxwell7848]

Great except for the front crankshaft area oiling

[@VeritasSimRacing]

They were so indestructible that my father in law made got ridiculously fast at replacing them. Honestly, he must have replaced hundreds, if not thousands of thoss damn things

[@uhisthisthingon1984]

The series II, was good and all, but the Series I made made more horsepower n/a, I believe 225hp, and didn't suffer from the EGR melting through the plastic upper intake. Oh, and also didn't make the tech suffer while working on the power steering pump, due to poor placement.

[@bzilla-d4i]

Man never saw the stuff we had in the rest of the world, the Opel Vauxhall C20XE and C20LET which made about as much power as those Nd were truly race bred, with the South African versions getting Schrick Cams and Cosworth heads and trick ECU's. Pity you never got to see stuff like that across the pond, oh and those were from the 80's.

[@rickchambers73]

Retired Catapiller Heavy Equipment Mechanic. I work them years in a Chevrolet dealership. The 4.3 was a better engine. In the 90s Gran National owners were swapping out the 3.8 going to 4.3. Then bush racing did away with the 4.3 V-6 went to V-8. So there were lots of killer V-6 4.3 liter Nascar teams were unloading. 9 second Gran National were born I like my story better.

[@five12man]

Had that Bonneville SSEI great motor

[@jarredharrison2829]

I have an olds alero with a 3400, and it’s a minty, and peppy N/A v6. She’s also ol reliable

[@isaacunknown7203]

I have motor in my 01 VX commodore. Great motor

[@pauledwards7182]

That engine was in the 1976 Buick Skylark(231cu V-6).

[@Telecasterland]

The 3800 Turbo in the 1989 TA. 712 HP and 659 LB FT when tweaked.

[@fallout0624]

A 3800 will putlive the car its in fairly easily, i had a park avenue with 195,000 on the clock when i got it and 205,000 when i got rid of it. I still see that car cruising around from time to time

[@jakethesk8roberts763]

Scraper scraper fill em up with rippers man miss the hype days Buicks all day I the Bay Area in early 2000’s in every hood

[@danielholtzapple7124]

Not in my opinion. Maybe for the v6 but the 5.3 is indestructible. Gm makes some damn good motors period. I won't argue with that.

[@nate-nk9wv]

Pretty much all of the 3X00 series of gm pushrod v6 engines were tanks and if the lower intake manifold gasket is tended too they will all seemingly run until the end of time.

[@michaellozipone6599]

I miss my 2000 gtp. I was able to out run mustangs and camaros that were stock or close to.

[@HamSandvich]

Can you talk about the 3.6 from the z34? Such a unique and special engine

[@Dominic-n5p8l]

Never late in a 3.8 mate🤟

[@tessierpower]

DUDE the 3800 Series II, had an issue where the stupid plastic plenum would fail many pol had that problem including my father

[@kodaholly2722]

love these engines had one in my first car (96 camaro) and it ran like a champ even though I treated it terribly

[@torrycole6477]

I wish GM would have put the 3800 in a light pickup. We have 4 Buick cars with the 3800 2. In them just change the oil and that’s about it

[@Hades2Eros]

Outlasts the water pump (freeze plug) and the transmission

[@macgyvernetwork1437]

And just like all GM vehicles you will get rear main seal and oil pan gasket leaks not to mention the coil packs go out all the time.