Ok I have had several 3.8'* all had the intake issue...now I am looking at a 2005 Park Ave with a 3.8 again...what year if ever did GM fix the intake problem ???

Also looked at a 2009 Lucerne with the 3.9...how does this differ from the 3.8 ?? Does it still have issues ??

Which intake issue? The lower gaskets? They will always have issues as long as they keep using the same plastic garbage for gaskets. If your talking about the upper plenums, Iv'e seen some with the newer style aluminum plenum instead of plastic.

well what im trying to find out is;

1) what year did GM chg the lower gaskets to the non-problem ones ??

2) what year did GM chg the upper intake so it didnt melt with the egr tube ??

3) what major diff is there between the 3.8 and the 3.9 ?? and are there any problems with the 3.9 like the ones that the 3.8'* have had for years ??

2007 Chevy Impala - GM00499101 Engine ASM-3.9L V6, Part 5, Manifolds
They started them in 2007 from the research I found. The oil pans are aluminum. It looks like they don't have coolant running though the plenum and I don't see a egr on them. It look like the 3.9 is a totally different engine from the 3.8.

the 3.9 is a completely different animal. in the 3.4 series they started making the good gaskets in late 03.

3.8 is like a sbc, 2 valve single cam simple reliable engine with like 200hp, the 3.9 is the up to date vvt engine that employs all the latest tricks for efficiency. has about 240hp

The intake gaskets are not that big of a deal to change, if you get a 3.8, just plan on replacing them to start with.. after you install a quality lower and upper... your good to go.. why risk it.. then you know what you have going on in the engine.. 3.8 series are getting old... plenty of parts available, cheaper than most anything else to repair

I purchased an 97 eighty eight last fall..only had 41k on it.. but with cars over 15 years old need a special attention to gaskets and cooling system.. I replaced radiator, heater core, hoses, belt, intake gaskets and antifreeze.. I don't have to worry about coolant loss or overheating for a long time... and car is reliable to drive anywhere

I guess what I keep tring to find out is, DID GM change the lower gaskets in a certain ear and start using the good ones ??

Also did the do the same with the upper intake ??

AND is the 3.9 plagued with the same issues ??

I know the are not that big a deal but still an issue to be dealt with...Noone seems to be able to sa " Ok GM started using the new metal LIM gaskets in 2XXX and redesigned the intake in 2XXX

your question was addressed in previous posts

not really