HELP - Any differences between motors???
04-26-2004, 12:12 PM
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HELP - Any differences between motors???
I have a 1998 Bonneville (non-supercharged) and my son has a 2000 Buick Park Ave (also non-supercharged). They both have the 3800 Series II motor, yet the Buick is 'much' faster in acceleration 
and appears to have a lower final drive ratio based off the tach on the highway. Do all 3800 Series II engines have the same camshaft? Is there a difference in fuel management? What gives?
Thanks,
Al
and appears to have a lower final drive ratio based off the tach on the highway. Do all 3800 Series II engines have the same camshaft? Is there a difference in fuel management? What gives?Thanks,
Al
04-26-2004, 01:07 PM
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I know in 2000, the SSEi had a 2.93 final drive ratio while the Park Avenue was 3.05 or something close to that. That alone will make a noticable difference.
04-26-2004, 06:59 PM
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Intake and exhaust should be nearly identical, but you also have to remember there'* a weight difference between the Bonneville and PA, with the Bonneville coming in lighter. Not sure on the number, but I'd guess 400-500 pounds, so this really should be totally dependent on that gear ratio.
04-26-2004, 07:20 PM
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Technically, it'* still an H body, but it'* been redesigned. The 2000+ Bonnevilles weigh more than the 92-99. That'* what I'm basing the weight difference on.
The Series 2 motors are identical, and the trans is too, but the final drive ratio will differ among the GM counterparts and models. Exhaust will vary slightly, as well.
The Series 2 motors are identical, and the trans is too, but the final drive ratio will differ among the GM counterparts and models. Exhaust will vary slightly, as well.
04-27-2004, 07:39 AM
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Re: HELP - Any differences between motors???
Originally Posted by johnzz4
They both have the 3800 Series II motor, yet the Buick is 'much' faster in acceleration...
05-07-2004, 09:13 PM
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Unofficial 0-60 times:
Buick: 10.2 seconds
Pontiac: 10.5 seconds
After looking up the weights and figuring out how much junk there is in the back of the Buick, there is approx a 700 lb difference (Pontiac is lighter). My past experience was taht gearing had a minimal effect on accelleration times...this seems quite substantial!
Buick: 10.2 seconds
Pontiac: 10.5 seconds
After looking up the weights and figuring out how much junk there is in the back of the Buick, there is approx a 700 lb difference (Pontiac is lighter). My past experience was taht gearing had a minimal effect on accelleration times...this seems quite substantial!
05-07-2004, 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by johnzz4
Unofficial 0-60 times:
Buick: 10.2 seconds
Pontiac: 10.5 seconds
After looking up the weights and figuring out how much junk there is in the back of the Buick, there is approx a 700 lb difference (Pontiac is lighter). My past experience was taht gearing had a minimal effect on accelleration times...this seems quite substantial!
Buick: 10.2 seconds
Pontiac: 10.5 seconds
After looking up the weights and figuring out how much junk there is in the back of the Buick, there is approx a 700 lb difference (Pontiac is lighter). My past experience was taht gearing had a minimal effect on accelleration times...this seems quite substantial!
Another factor could be PCM programming. The cars could indeed have different fuel tables as well as specific TQ Mgmt codes.