Which motor in an Olds Intrigue?

My personal opinion, I like the 3.5L DOHC. The 3.5 is higher maintenance than the 3.8. People are bound to say the 3.8 is more reliable, but is either really more reliable than the other, no. We aren't talking Mercedes vs. Lada, we're talking two GM motors. The 3.8 can take more abuse than the

3.5 because of it's robust and proven push-rod design. So if you abuse your vehicles, the 3.8 will last longer. If you baby your vehicles, it's going to be personal preference, but be prepared for more "babying" if you opt for the 3.5L.

Then again, if you abuse your vehicles, I think the tranny (4T65E?), which is the same no matter which engine you get, will be your downfall.

Here's some more food for thought: The Intrigue was only produced from

1998-2002 and the '98 and '99 models are the only ones that had the 3.8L. Not only that, but the 3.5L was optional in '99 on the GS and GX models, but standard in the top-of-the-line GLS. So, if you want a 3.8L, your pickins might be slim. ;)

Steve

Both the 3.5 and 3.8 use chains to drive their respective camshafts. I would stick with the 3.8 engine. Far cheaper to fix if anything goes wrong. The 3.5 is based on the v-8 Northstar Caddy engine and is very expensive to work on. Plus, the average tech wont want anything to do with it. The 3.5 is quite reliable, but when it has problems, you will pay.

Ian

I vote for the 3.8. The 3.5 was a very limited production engine based on the Northstar V-8 and thus has some very costly "features" like the starter motor being under the intake manifold.

John

The starter on a 3.5L is not under the intake, and I wouldn't call it "very limited." It was in every Intrigue produced in 2000, 2001 and 2002, and also available in the Aurora 2001 and 2002. Well, I guess it all depends n your personal definition of "limited." The engine was on Ward's Top Ten Engine list two years in a row, 1999 and 2000. Although, the 3800 was in the top ten engines of the 20th centruy list.

Steve