3800...one of the world's best engine?
06-02-2004, 01:48 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
3800...one of the world'* best engine?
I've heard people on this forum claim that the 3800 is one of the world'* best engines.
Anyone have any idea where we could back that up (website, book, etc.)?
Anyone have any idea where we could back that up (website, book, etc.)?
06-02-2004, 02:11 PM
#2
Senior Member
Expert Gearhead
1995 Wards World after a simple google search, but I know the 3800 won best engine in the world one year :?
Source http://waw.wardsauto.com/ar/auto_best_engines_5/
BMW AG: 4L DOHC V-8 BMW AG: 3L DOHC I-6 Ford Motor Co.: "Duratec" 2.5L DOHC V-6 General Motors Corp.: 3800 Series II 3.8L V-6 General Motors Corp.: "Northstar" 4.6L DOHC V-8 Honda Motor Co. Ltd.: VTEC 2.2L DOHC I-4 Mazda Motor Corp.: Miller-cycle 2.3L DOHC V-6 Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.: "VQ" 3L DOHC V-6 Saab Automobile AB: "LPT" 2.3L DOHC I-4 Volkswagen AG: VR6 2.8L SOHC V-6
06-02-2004, 04:38 PM
#3
Senior Member
Expert Gearhead
I concur, so many LN3 powered cars still on the road these days, some make look pretty shabby, but its far and away the strongest, most durable V6 on the road these days.
You dont see a lot of late 80'* cars anymore, unless its an LN3 powered car
You dont see a lot of late 80'* cars anymore, unless its an LN3 powered car
06-02-2004, 07:41 PM
#6
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Yeah, that LN3 is one helluva engine. And teamed up with the 3.33 gear ratio in 1990/1991 made for one fast car. I would think in a race up to 25-35 mph a 1990/1991 with that gear ratio, a CAI, exhaust and in excellent running shape would be stiff competition for my SSEi even. Even at highway speeds they are no slouch. Not to mention, those stock LN3'* probably get better MPG'* than stock L27'* or L36'* and for sure better than L67'*. Biggest problem on them is the alternator, and who'* gonna complain when that'* the biggest problem?
06-02-2004, 07:41 PM
#7
Senior Member
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I'll keept he L27 over the LN3....
As for the L36, i'm not a fan, i wasn't the first I drove it.
Dated? Eff that. It puts out power, and a good amount for the gas it uses. Isn't that all that'* important? DOHC doesn't make an engine better, it'* just different.
As for the L36, i'm not a fan, i wasn't the first I drove it.
Dated? Eff that. It puts out power, and a good amount for the gas it uses. Isn't that all that'* important? DOHC doesn't make an engine better, it'* just different.
06-02-2004, 07:50 PM
#8
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1990/1991 made for one fast car.
ALL HAIL THE 3800
06-02-2004, 08:59 PM
#10
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Originally Posted by jr's3800
Originally Posted by BonneMeMN
I'll keept he L27 over the LN3....
As for the L36, i'm not a fan, i wasn't the first I drove it.
Dated? Eff that. It puts out power, and a good amount for the gas it uses. Isn't that all that'* important? DOHC doesn't make an engine better, it'* just different.
As for the L36, i'm not a fan, i wasn't the first I drove it.
Dated? Eff that. It puts out power, and a good amount for the gas it uses. Isn't that all that'* important? DOHC doesn't make an engine better, it'* just different.
And the L36 is the most powerful Stock NA'd 3800 I have driven... The L27'* are great but that 30 horses does make a diffrence...
As for the Pushrod engines, Yes they are dated... I didn't I wanted to see them go, I'd perfer to keep them forever... But in the somewhat future GM will kill off the pushrod engines for newer DOHC designs... I'll just about bet the the 3800 will be droped first, followed by the 3100/3400 and newer 3500... I think the 3100/3400 still has 6 or 7 years left on the block... And the future of the 3800 program is uncertain...
As much as I love my 3800'* all years, I will say that the 4.6 DOHC Northstar is a hell of a lot better than its predecessor 4.1,4.5 and 4.9 Pushrod V8.... As much as I like my oldschool caddy engines, I'll take a Northstar anytime... Even a 4.0...
All the 3800'* are great engines.... Each has its own set of problems...
The LN3 has had Cam bearing issues, Can magnet issues, and timming chain tensioner issues...
The 1991-1992 L27 Had issues with burnt valves and cracked manifolds, as well as that lower intake fitting(plastic) that loves to degrade and let the coolant flow out...
The 1993-1994 L27 had issues with front main bearing oil clearance, too much clearance at that... Sometimes sounds like rod knock.. These years also some some issues with valve guides and valve stem seals...
1995-04 L36
Upperintake issues, mainly failure of the upper intake sometimes if not caught causing engine failure... Other than that its another good 3800 powerplant...
They all have their own set of issues... I never said that the pushrod engines were junk... I have 2 of them I love them both for what they are... The L27'* are great too, all 3800'* are, and even the old 3.8'* and 3.0'*... For some reason I feel like I said that all pushrod engines suck A$$ or something... :?