Series I

The series began in 1962 with Buick'* 198 in³ engine, the first V6 in an American car. Because it was derived from Buick'* 215 in³ V8, it has a 90° bank between cylinders.


198

The cast-iron 198 in³ (3248 cc) Fireball Buick V6 was derived from their innovative aluminum 215 in³ V8. Bore was 3.63 in and stroke was 3.20 in. An 8.8:1 compression ratio delivered 135 hp (gross) at 4600 RPM and 205 ft.lbf at 2400 RPM.

The 198 V6 debuted in the 1962 Buick Special 4000. In their test that year, Road & Track was impressed with Buick'* "practical" new V6, saying it "sounds and performs exactly like the aluminum V8 in most respects."


225

The bore was increased to match the 340 in³ V8 for 1963, increasing displacement to 225 in³. Since the engine was similar to the popular small-block V8, the engine was made cheaply at the same factory with much of the same tooling.


Dauntless

In 1965, Kaiser began using the Buick 225 in Jeep CJs. It was known as the Dauntless 225 and used a much heavier flywheel than the Buick version for increased torque. Buick sold the tooling for this engine to Kaiser in 1967, as the demand for the little engine was waning steadily in an era of V8s and muscle cars. When American Motors bought Jeep, they began replacing the earlier engines with AMC designs, so the V6 was no longer needed.


231

The fuel crisis of the early 1970s prompted Buick to buy back the design in 1974 and re-introduce the V6 in certain 1975 models. The bore was enlarged to 3.8 in (thus the 3800 name) to match Buick'* 350 in³ V8 for a total of 231 in³ displacement. The engine, as it had since its creation, had problems with roughness due to the uneven firing pattern inherent in this engine'* design. In 1977, Buick devised an innovative redesign of the crankshaft, flywheel, and distributor which greatly alleviated the problem, creating a new even-firing version of the engine. Due to difficulties with the new fuel economy and emissions standards, the engine produced just 110 hp.

This engine was used in the following vehicles:

* 1975 Buick Skyhawk
* 1975 Buick Apollo
* 1975 Buick Century
* 1975 Buick Regal
* 1976 Buick LeSabre


LD5

In 1978, GM began to market the 231 as the 3.8 liter as metric engine sizes became common in the United States. The RPO Code was LD5, though California-emissions versions were called LC6. Starting in 1979, the engine was used in the front wheel drive Buick Riviera, though still with a longitundinal mounting. Larger valves and better intake and exhaust boosted the power output for 1979. Port fuel injection was added in 1984 and improved to sequential for 1986. A turbocharged version was introduced as the pace car at the 1976 Indianapolis 500, and a production turbo arrived in the 1979 Buick Riviera * Type.

The turbo 3.8 was used in the following vehicles:

* 1979-1985 Buick Riviera * Type
* 1980-1981 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
* 1980-1987 Buick Regal and Grand National
* 1989 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo
3.0

A small 3.0 L version was produced for GM'* 1980s front wheel drive cars. Introduced in 1982, it was designed for transverse application in the new GM A platform cars like the Buick Century and Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera.


4.1

In response to rising gas prices, a larger 4.1 L version of the 3.8 liter LD5 V6 was briefly produced. This was found in many large rear wheel drive Buicks and even some Cadillacs.


3800
In 1986, the engine was modified for transverse-mounting in smaller, FWD vehicles. About this same time, the 3800 designation was introduced, and these engines would later be considered the Series I. This generation continued in use in several GM products, including Australian Holdens, into the 1990s. It produced 170 hp when it was replaced by the L36 in 1995.

The turbocharged 1986 Buick Regal Grand National was called America'* quickest automobile, and the model continues to be collected and appreciated today.

The supercharged version appeared in 1992 on the Buick Park Avenue Ultra. The Supercharged version that appeared in 1992 was also used in the Pontiac Bonneville SSEi and supercharged versions of the SSE.


3300
A smaller 3.3 L 3300 was introduced in 1989.