Jump to content

3800 W-body engine pics


Jcrow

Recommended Posts

I would like if someone could post a picture of the top of a 3800 1st gen engine.

I would like to know if the intake is the grand national / 3.0 style intake.

Also is the transmission the same as a 3.1?

 

Just a crazy idea I got in my head about dropping in a 3800 and putting my rebuilt grand national turbo on it and using a grand national computer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

engine.jpg

 

I added the fender-to-core-support braces, as none of the L27-equipped Regals had them.

 

My tranny is the 4T60-E, same tranny the 3100's received from 94-97 (or maybe 98 ) ...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 3.1 tranny will bolt up to the 3800.

 

The exhaust manifolds for a turbo 3.8 MAY bolt up, but because that was a RWD set up, won't work for your application.

 

I don't know too awful much as to what computer functions the GN's had, but I can almost bet it will not control your tranny almost at all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I added the fender-to-core-support braces, as none of the L27-equipped Regals had them.

I did the same thing. Noticed a little bit of a change.

 

The intake it seems that you're looking for is the LN3 3800 which is used from 1988-1991 (except Regals, which got the L27 in 1991).

 

Also, you really don't need to use a turbo Regal Computer. Those engines are MAF only based fueling, so are early 3800's (untill 96 when a MAP sensor was added as a backup for the MAF). All you would need really is a reprogramed EPROM to change the ignition and fuel maps.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I added the fender-to-core-support braces, as none of the L27-equipped Regals had them.

I did the same thing. Noticed a little bit of a change.

 

The intake it seems that you're looking for is the LN3 3800 which is used from 1988-1991 (except Regals, which got the L27 in 1991).

 

Also, you really don't need to use a turbo Regal Computer. Those engines are MAF only based fueling, so are early 3800's (untill 96 when a MAP sensor was added as a backup for the MAF). All you would need really is a reprogramed EPROM to change the ignition and fuel maps.

 

That would be better, but I wouldnt know where to get the reprogramed EPROM

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

It looks like he knows 3800's

 

It looks like the best way to go would be a 4t-65 trans and a 3800 l36 with the turbo. And a OBD I gen 3 computer.

 

Or I could just turbo my 3.1 and use a TGP chip. (only im concerned the chip may not work correctly with the bigger turbo.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My grandpa's Olds Regency has a 3800 and it's got a gray engine cover instead of black????

The LN3's Sean mentioned had the grey cover. As well as different heads and intake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Since I have a habit of asking somewhat related questions...how is that 3800? Does it have more of a high end powerband or lower end?
It has tons of low-end torque, and isn't too shabby on the top end either. The WAI I installed killed off a bit of low-end TQ, and didn't seem to help out too much on the top-end either. It just makes a cool sound, that's about it. I'm contemplating reinstalling the stock airbox with a K&N drop in, and running some 2 1/2" shop vac hose from the airbox's inlet to the air dam in the bumper. We'll see if I can manage to get a boost in both the high and low ends :wink: .

 

My grandpa's Olds Regency has a 3800 and it's got a gray engine cover instead of black????

The LN3's Sean mentioned had the grey cover. As well as different heads and intake.

The 91-92 L27's had a gray aluminum UIM (versus the 93-95's plastic UIM) and gray cover as well.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The L27 is the better motor. Higher HP and TQ peaks with a much broader TQ band. The only advantage of the LN3 is the ultra low TQ peak (at only 2000 rpm), which makes it rocket off the line.

 

LN3:

165 hp @ 4800 rpm

210 tq @ 2000 rpm

 

L27 ('93):

170 hp @ 4800

225 tq @ 3200

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, my grandpa's car is a beast off the line (Regency), it can roast tires pretty well. But, other than that it's a dog. I liked the 3800 Series II Regal I drove, it was fairly quick. Felt just a little slower than my Z34. It's different having low end torque and no high end, than having no low end and high, high end. :? I just confused myself. :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, my grandpa's car is a beast off the line (Regency), it can roast tires pretty well. But, other than that it's a dog. I liked the 3800 Series II Regal I drove, it was fairly quick. Felt just a little slower than my Z34. It's different having low end torque and no high end, than having no low end and high, high end. :? I just confused myself. :lol:

 

you're probably right in that assumption. I will still say that our 3800 Series II '97 GP GT will probably still stomp our '94 CS Convertible with the LQ1 just because its hella quick off the line where the LQ1 is lacking.

 

I was never that impressed with the 3800 Tuned Port. 3800 TPI W's seem to run the same 1/4 mile times as my 3100. If my 3100 takes a dump, I may just throw in a 3800 Series II for shits and giggles.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh yeah you can't go wrong with the 3800 Series II, it's a great engine. It will kill a 3.4 from a dig, but has virtually no chance on the highway.

What makes you think the 3.4 will kill the 3800? They have near identical horsepower at near identical rpm (5000 vs 5500). IF the 3.4 wins on the freeway, it wouldn't be by much.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You're right, the DOHC is known for top-end breathing, where as the 3800 is known for low-end and a broad torque band. However, the 3800 Series II is one pushrod that has decent high RPM performance. The 3.4 definitely has the advantage over 5500, but that's where a stock LQ1 starts to run out of gas too. It's hard to say who would win a freeway race. The 3.4 definitely has higher RPM performance potential however...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Its my opinion that the 3800 series II killed any chance of the LQ1 surviving longer than it did because its cheaper to produce and provides better performance (actual 1/4 mile times are similar, but the 3800 does better at part throttle, is cheaper to build, more relable, and gets much better gas mileage).

 

Our GP's 3800 series II feels like it has a torque curve as flat as a flight deck on an aircraft carrier

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well let me tell you, it would be a close race between a 3800 Series II and a 3.4 DOHC, the Regal I drove, HAULED ASS. I was suprised. You won't be hearing me diss a 3800 Series II anymore, shocked me. It would be a good race. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...