Cutty Hertz Posted May 21, 2003 Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 Is it worth putting in a older 3800 Series one? I have a 88' Cutlass Supreme SL with the 2.8 with HIGH miles and the local (kinda) junkyard is trying to sell multiple 3800's. Which cars are the 3800's a straight drop in for Cutty? Can the n/a 3800's be built up for superchargers and whatnot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby1870 Posted May 21, 2003 Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 if you found a Series I 3800 S/C I think it would be worth it. They were in mid 90s Bonneville SSEIs and prolly some others I cant think of. I dont know if a 3800 n/a can be built up to handle the S/C. If its anything like the Series II, the n/a and S/C are very different. But, I guess if you could find an n/a 3800 and build it up, or just put it in, you would pushing 40 more HP over your 130 in your 2.8. A lot more torque too. Robby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted May 21, 2003 Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 If you can get one out of a W-body, it could be as simple as transplanting everything underhood and plugging in the connector. If it's cheap enough, go for it. The 3800 Series I is a torquey little engine. It doesn't have the overall power of the Series II, but below 40mph it sure feels like it does! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gimp19 Posted May 21, 2003 Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 If your 2.8 is on its last legs and you have to do the swap then go for it, I've been in a couple cars with series 1 3.8's and the have alot more get up and go then a 2.8. If youre 2.8 still has some life in it then you might want to try waiting for a supercharged 3.8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cutty Hertz Posted May 21, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 If you can get one out of a W-body, it could be as simple as transplanting everything underhood and plugging in the connector.If it's cheap enough, go for it. The 3800 Series I is a torquey little engine. It doesn't have the overall power of the Series II, but below 40mph it sure feels like it does! What W's came with a 3800? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baddflash Posted May 21, 2003 Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 You will not find an 3.8L in any car that will drop straight in to yours. The 3.8L especially the S/C requires it native elctronics, which means you must either find a stand alone computer that will take care of the engine&trans management or you must wire the donor cars electical system into yours. I've seen two done and both were a ton of work which requires a great deal of electronics knowledge and the sheer madness to try and rewire your entire car yourself. I am in the process of tracking down a whole car to transplant the 3800 SII S/C into my 90 Lumina which is under going a conversion to what I'm calling a Z38. A 4DR Z34 with a 3.8L. With the exception of the engine I have bought everything else and will be starting the body work tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted May 21, 2003 Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 If you can get one out of a W-body, it could be as simple as transplanting everything underhood and plugging in the connector.If it's cheap enough, go for it. The 3800 Series I is a torquey little engine. It doesn't have the overall power of the Series II, but below 40mph it sure feels like it does! What W's came with a 3800? 90+ Buick Regal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gimp19 Posted May 21, 2003 Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 What W's came with a 3800? Just about any new w has an optional series II 3.8, as far as older ones go Regals had Series I 3.8's as an option. I dont think them came in anything else though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
91GranSport Posted May 22, 2003 Report Share Posted May 22, 2003 The 3800 TPI is an excellent overall engine. I heard that the only problem it has is breaking the timing chain. I've had my '91 Regal GS for three years now and the engine's never given me any problems. As far as performance goes, off the line it is powerful! It starts to run out of breath at about 4500RPM. I wouldn't say it's a major drop in power at higher speeds or higher RPMs, I just think that since it's an OHV engine it doesn't have the same high RPM power as a DOHC engine would. If you can get one out of a W-body, it could be as simple as transplanting everything underhood and plugging in the connector.If it's cheap enough, go for it. The 3800 Series I is a torquey little engine. It doesn't have the overall power of the Series II, but below 40mph it sure feels like it does! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
91GranSport Posted May 22, 2003 Report Share Posted May 22, 2003 Are you sure it was '90? I thought the '91 sedans such as my '91 Regal GS were the first W-Body cars to receive the 3800 TPI. I know that the 3800 TPI was exclusive to Buick until Oldsmobile's Intrigue adopted along with the Grand Prix in '97 when they were all Gen2. I know the '96 Regal GS had the 3800 Series II, considering that it was their last year as a Gen1. If you can get one out of a W-body, it could be as simple as transplanting everything underhood and plugging in the connector.If it's cheap enough, go for it. The 3800 Series I is a torquey little engine. It doesn't have the overall power of the Series II, but below 40mph it sure feels like it does! What W's came with a 3800? 90+ Buick Regal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted May 22, 2003 Report Share Posted May 22, 2003 Are you sure it was '90? I thought the '91 sedans such as my '91 Regal GS were the first W-Body cars to receive the 3800 TPI. I know that the 3800 TPI was exclusive to Buick until Oldsmobile's Intrigue adopted along with the Grand Prix in '97 when they were all Gen2. I know the '96 Regal GS had the 3800 Series II, considering that it was their last year as a Gen1. Yeah, my friend test drove a 90 GS 2dr with the 3800. It was all black with the ground-effects and red stripe. Only difference between it and a 91 is the 91 got a body color grille while the 90 was chrome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
91GranSport Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 Then your friend has the more beautiful of the GranSport coupes! The older ones from '90-'93 are the best, with the integrated front fog lights and such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted May 25, 2003 Report Share Posted May 25, 2003 Nah, he doesn't have it. Couldn't afford it. This was probably 94 or 95 and at the time, they wanted $11k for it. He ended up getting a 91 GP SE coupe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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