I keep reading in here about how good the GM 3800 series engines are.From what I've read, I gather that there are three variants:3800 original3800 series 2 and3800 series 3First off, is this correct?If so, what are the major differences among the three?Are all three similarly reliable given the same preventativemaintenance?I ask because all the talk about the problems with GM's late modelengines, 2.2L, 3.1L, 3.4L, etc. makes me think that, if reliabilityand longevity are my top goals, I should really choose my next carbased on which engine it has rather than what model it is.May seem crazy, but I'm considering going this route.I'm also divided between buying used with a service plan vs. new. Ihave about $3k in GM card earnings so that will play a role perhaps.Also, I know of a friend whose father just died, and he's thinking ofselling his father's 1988 Olds 88. The car has 89k miles on it, andthe car has a 3800 engine. The car was well maintained. Any ideas onwhat type of mileage this car may max out at if maintained well anddriven reasonably?I'm the type of guy who cares little for style. I want the car tolast as long as it can.Sorry if I've rambled. Any and all thoughts/comments on all of theabove are very much appreciated!Many thanks!Rick

The main difference is a few minor things fixed, a bit more power,and a LOT more computers to diagnose things. The 3800 original wasplagued with sensor and module problesm that the computer never gotfeedback on. The Series II fixed that to a greater degree. If yourMAF is bad, it should tell you immediately instead of acting bad andnot doign anything about it. Same if your timing chain slips a toothor your O2 sensor is giving bad readings.The III came out this last year, IIRC, so I'm not as familiar with it.Good idea. The Engine is the one thing that matters, IMO - becauseeverything else can be replaced, but if the engine goes bad, it's bigmoney and a doorstop until you fix it.Unless it's given to you for nearly free, I'd pass. It will need:Timing gear - chain and cogs and tensioner. Maybe a new cover.MAF, EGR equipment, smog, catalytic converter, O2 sensor, fuel pump,water pump, radiator, and at least a couple of modules like the ignitionor crank/camshaft sensor. All of this in...

Theres more to it than that. The intake facing the other direction is one of them. When F-bodies started using 3800's Series II engines they used a aluminum plenum facing the front of the engine. All the FWD cars used plastic plenum facing the rear of the engine. Coolant routing, exhaust routing, and a number of other things would be different as well. The block on the fwd versions dont have a bolt hole where the transmission mounts tapped out because its not needed. The rwd versions would have it tapped. If you ever see a 3800 shortblock thats one way of telling them apart.

3800 variants?

Feb 06, 2004 52 Replies

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Phillip Schmid 22 years ago

I think that the ozone hole thing is nonsense too, but I think while people may have had a very small role in making them that Earth'll fix them up. Who's to say that there weren't ozone holes before people were around?

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Dick C 22 years ago

Phillip Schmid wrote in alt.autos.gm

Maybe there were, when there was more volcanic activity. The problem is not whether there were or not, but how much our pollutants contribute to the problem.

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Phillip Schmid 22 years ago

I agree. I'm kind of curious what's really stopping us from making O3 and "patching" up the ozone layer.

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DeathRat 22 years ago

Actually there is more than that.....

3.8-3 Original (86-91) 3.8-C Original (86-91) 3.8-L Series I NA (92-94) 3.8-1 Series I SC (92-95) 3.8-K Series II NA (95-03) 3.8-1 Series II SC (96-03) 3.8 Series III (04+) These are just the FWD versions too.

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Neo 22 years ago

Yep. The Buick V6 is over 40 years-old.

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Rutger6559 22 years ago

Many thanks for this. Any idea what the "NA" and "SC" stand for?

And perhaps the C, L, and K as well?

Thanks again!

Rick

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BonÂ·neÂ·ville 22 years ago

Nice break down on the list.

na & sc - Short hand for Naturally Aspirated and Super Charged c l & k are just engine codes assigned by GM.

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Joe Blow 22 years ago

Pardon me for what may be a ridiculous question, but what is the difference engine-wise between FWD and RWD? Isn't one just turned sideways from the other? So maybe the mounting points are different. But wouldn't all the differences be in the transmission vs. transaxle?

"DeathRat" wrote in news:SCYWb.484912

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BonÂ·neÂ·ville 22 years ago

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Rutger6559 22 years ago

Ah, OK, thanks. Now I feel dumb as I should have caught that.

Gotcha.

Thanks again!

Rick

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Joe Blow 22 years ago

Great answer. Thanks!

Bon·ne·ville wrote in

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Joe 22 years ago

I'm not up on all this but I swear the owners manual in my 94 Delta 88 LSS says it's a 3800 series II ???

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damemorder 22 years ago

Actually DeathRat, you ought to know the Vin 3 was only used in 87, and the Vin C was 88-91

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