I've read somewhere about someone putting on valve covers from a V6 Firebird or Camaro engine on a 3800 because they're aluminum. Someone told me mine together weigh 80 lbs, but aluminums weigh 16 or so. That'* a pretty interesting difference, though it wouldn't have a noticeable difference, I'm sure.. I'm still interested in trying this.

I figured I might state initially that I know this would eat the gaskets. However, I'm about to make some trips out to a few junkyards, and I figured I could grab a set of aluminum vcs and iron ones. I need to rebuild my top end, which is one nice step in the process of rebuilding my entire engine.

Do 93 and 95 valve covers from either supercharged or NA engines differ from my 94? I know the SC blades weren't coated in 93, but were the vcs the same? Thanks!

Uhh..... where did you get that our valve covers weigh 80lbs total? Try less than 8 lbs. They are a plastic/fiberglass type valve cover and weigh next to nothing. All 91-95 3800 S1 valve covers are the same, and all 95-now L36 valve covers are the same too. S2 L67 ones won't work, as they have cutouts for the injector bosses on the S2 L67'* LIM.

Wow, that'* a lot different from what I've heard. I'm so glad I have this forum!

But do aluminum valve covers fit, and if so, do they make any difference? I believe the wiring harness for the front plug wires is lost, but that'* about it. I've been searching, but I can't find anything.

Huh? I think you are confused. All 3800s had Iron heads. You are mistaken with the valve covers. As I mentioned, the Camaro/Firebird 3800 has Aluminum VALVE COVERS, not heads.

Sorry - didn't mean heads. Valve covers.
Does anyone know how much the heads weigh?

They will fit All series 1s (LN3s too?), L36s, and L26s.

They don't make any perforamance difference but with a bunch of work you can polish them like this:

But you will need some good sealer (like Zoop) or a clear powdercoat to keep them from oxidizing. Regular clear paints will often yellow or cloud.

The slots on the front cover for the plastic spark plugs wire separator are lost when using them.

Each head is approximately 33lbs packed for transit (aka they'll withstand anything)

For me, I used the alumiinum covers and had them beadblasted, then I cleared. And I agree that the clearcoat yellows, as it is already doing so on my application.

That'* pretty cool! What engine is that which has those aluminum valve covers? Also, those using the aluminum ones, how do the gaskets fare?

That pic is from my 93 SSEi. Word to the wise: that rear cover is an utter biotch to take off.

It'* also wise to replace the cover gaskets AND the grommets when doing this. As far as leaks go, since my engine has been running for nearly a year, I have had no leaks at all (that'* when the covers went on it).