Thought some might be interested to see a comparison powerchart for the L36 engine and the LX5 (DOHC 3.5L). I'm still curious as to why more brands didn't use it. :? The graphs speak for themselves.. Both engines have been on the "10 best engines" list.


I also made a graph overlay of the two engines. Did the best job I could with it, I'm not used to doing something like it.

Notice that, although the 3.5 has 10 more hp, the hp and torque peaks are 400RPM higher.
Thats a big difference in daily driving behavior.

3.71 and you would be cruising on the interstate at like 3000+RPM!

The DOHC engine is much larger and probably weighs damn near the same. There'* no real reason to have both of those engines at the same time, but the 3800 also has the L67 that shares parts easily with it sooooo.

Both aren't gonna be used soon though anyways

Remember that the LX5 is all alluminum too which is much much lighter than the cast iron block and heads of the 3800. The 3.5 doesn't appear bigger than the 3.8 either when comparing them side by side. :? I think all 3.5'* came with the 3.27 gear ratio. When you drive our 2000 SLE Bonneville, then drive the the Aurora, the Aurora has much better top end, and the low end even feels peppier. It has less torque at the low RPM'* but I'm pretty sure that the lighter weight, plus the gear ratio helps to make up for it. This isn't just an Aurora owner saying this either, my brother, who owns the 00 SLE agrees too that the 3.5 is much peppier in all driving conditions. I've heard that the 3.5 was too expensive to make and that'* why it was discontinued. I don't know just how true it is, but I can believe it.

EDIT: I read somewhere also that originally this engine was supposed to be closer to 250 horsepower but due to transmission limitations it wasn't made that way. Also, this engine was only made from 1999-2002. I don't think it was used after 2002.

It'* a DOHC motor so it'll be much bigger up top.

For reference a 4.6L DOHC vs a 5.0L (both fords). The smaller displacement engine needs a larger head, block, timing setup, etc. You are right about the All iron block being heavy, i've lifted a series I block with crank and cam inside....



Just saying it'* bigger , i like those 'lil buggers, but now we got the 3.9 or the 3.6vvt

at WOT it only shifts at 6,200 RPM even though the engine itself redlines at 6,600. :( THat'* really unfortunate seeing as it makes it'* max power even above the 6,2000 RPM shift point. If you look at the chart, the HP doesn't start going down even at redline. that engine is capable of power much higher than what it'* allowed to rev. also, the way I see it, the low end torque of the 3800 is nice around town, but, what do you use more? Low end grunt for dead stops, or the high end power which you would use during passing maneuvers? I'd honestly rather have the extra horsepower while passing, then a little extra torque from a dead stop.

Still pushrod and 3100/3400/3.5 based, as far as I know



Valvetrain layout isn't the only factor. You've still got cam profiles, number of valves, blah blah. DOHC 2-valve motors have existed, *looks at avatar*