GM 3.8l engine (series 1)

91 was a good engine. I've had extremely good luck with this car. I got almost 267,000 on mine. Engine was opened up for the first time in 2002 @ 220,000 miles to replace the intakemanifold gasket. Put a fuel pump on @ 250,000 for the hell of it. No oil leaks to speak of, doesn't burn oil. I'm on water pump # 3, altenator # 3, starter # 2, Battery # 3,

Air Conditioner compressor still going strong. Transmission was rebuilt @ 192,000 ( slipping ). The only sensors replaced were the camshaft. IAC, and Oxygen sensor. Fuel injectors, radiator, heater core, EGR valve, belt tensioner, TPS, MAP & Crank sensor are original. Oil / Filter / Grease every 3000 miles. Never been towed, never been a day where it hasn't started. No starting problems or runnabilty problems. The rear wheel bearing hub assemblies need to be replace though, they are starting to make noise.

1992 I think was an EGR less engine, then the EGR was replaced agian in 1993. The 95 - 3800 came out with a two piece intake manifold, Upper part is plastic lower portion is aluminum. The plastic tended to warp or crack causing antifreeze to leak. Some modifications were made to the plastic intake around 1999 2000. But the engine is still plagued by intake manifold gasket failures. Other than that the engine is a good runner and gets good mileage. Mileage rating on the 2004 Impala LS is 20/30. The 2003 was 19/29.

Good Luck

========= Harryface =========

1991 Pontiac Bonneville LE ~_~_~266,400 miles_~_~~_

The 3800 is a very strong, very reliable powerplant. Personal experiences have seen 3800s running beyond the 300,000km mark with no problems.

Difference between SeriesII and SeriesI is to do with manifolds and tuning I think... check with some of the more experienced here. HP is better with the SeriesII.

Bolt pattern on the SeriesII is same as SeriesI as far as I know, so a swap is possible, but I don't think you can 'upgrade' the SeriesI to SeriesII spec easily.

In summary the 3800 is a great engine and don't give hassle if maintained - with exception to likes of the intake issue of the SeriesII...

Nick.

maintained -

The Series II & Series I engines ARE NOT DIRECTLY SWAPABLE! They use different: Intakes, Heads, Exhaust Manifolds, Cams, Cranks, Conn Rods, Pistons, etc..... The Block is about the ONLY thing they have in common. Now with that said, you can still swap in a Series II for a dead Series I, but you've got alot work ahead of you too. The entire engine bay wiring harness has to be changed too, plus you have to add in a PCM (Power Control Module), that is needed by the Series II & not required for the Series I.

Thanks for the information. Both of our cars are still running strong. I am glad to hear that 3800 is a good engine.

Thanks again! MN

"DeathRat" wrote

Are you thinking about the bolt pattern to the trans? Because there are huge differences between the GENI and II blocks other then the bolt pattern. Bolt pattern is the same, but the GENII has cross bolted mains, a separate aluminum housing for the rear main...etc, etc.

Ian

Thanks for the reminder....I forgot about that.