Car Companies do it all the time, bump up horse power ratings every year or 2. How much power should of been extracted out of the series 2 3.8?

The final rating is stuck at 200/205

I hear Manifolds were a weak spot, shouldnt that be good for 8 horsepower right there? What do you guys think?

I have no idea but what I do know is with advances in modern technology hp was injected in the 3800 throughout the years! The highest rating for an N/A 3800 is 205! Just like my SLE! I bet GM with minor intake, cam and computer mods they could have seen 220hp no problem or even 235 or so! I know N/A 3800 Series II can see over 300 flywheel hp! They have bore and stroke!

well the Series III has the Alum intake and it only has 205, but yes more can be squeezed out of hte Series II and the Series III with a PCM change only, and the manis are a proeet restrictive buy not the worst part

i hate our motor. such a disappointment in power/torque from a 'big' cube v6

I agree in a way

A few years ago it was great. Now 3.5 Maximas can murder us. Hyundai Sonatas have 235 HP. Crazyness.

The good thing though is that there are tons of go fast parts. Maximas are my inspirations to mod. Gotta give them their props. Now Im going to mod mine to 300+ HP so I can hang with those guys.

I personally feel that the 200 or 205hp rating is about as good as it gets for NA. It'* a two-valve, old-tech motor. Any more and you may be sacrificing cost effectiveness and economy.

Its not disapointing to me... Oh and I drove a new Mustang Roadster and loved it! Just a V6 tho but that 4.0L sounded really good not as good as my SLE and dual exhaust!

i believe its only Bonnevilles that have the 205 rating, and i know thats due to a more free flowing exhaust system

exactly, thats one reason theyre so reliable, is because underneath all that computer stuff is a good ol fashioned iron blocked, pushrod V6...theyre old school engines with electronic stuff on them...and yeah they might have been awesome back in the day, but getting smoked by a Hyundai is a real possibility nowadays.

1.9 rockers and the upgraded springs and PCM would have done alot to help the 3800. I am thinking around 225-230 range with a better airbox? IT would also get better gas mileage.

im sure emisions does alot of power robbing, but i still say our engine are out dated but they do last longer then most because of the old yet proven design.