I have quite a few so bear with me, I'm not exactly new to the engine but have a lot of questions of which the answers to have either eluded me or are nowhere to be found.

I will be rebuilding a '91 "Vin C" engine for the later addition of a turbo.

Cams:
On the Compcams site they have cams for an odd-fire '75-'96 3800 as well as one for a '88-'89 Trans Am and an even-fire '78-'88.

Is the Vin C an odd or even-fire, I am assuming even, and have the cam specs changed in a way that will not let me use either one the cams listed or the newer Series 1, 2 0r 3 style cams from Intense or Zzperformance?

Oiling Issues:
I've heard the older 3800'* are very poorly oiled but I'm not sure how far back this problem ended, or at least was somewhat resolved.

Timing Sets:
Are timing sets from older/newer engines an option?

I remember having a lot more... hopefully I can remember the rest. Until then though, thanks.

-Troy

Lets see if I can help answer some.

The odd-fire cam you speak of is not compatible. Nor can you use the cam from a Series 2 or 3. Series 1 cams...yes, you can use them, if you can find them. Though, you would be better off with a rocker package me thinks.

Oiling...No, no issues that I am aware of. Though you can boost your oil pressure with an Intense oil pressure kit, and can cool it down with a Series 1 L67 oil filter adapter (it uses an oil cooler, and the lines come from and go to that adapter).

Timing - Again, very little can be used from a Series 2 in your build. Timing sets will not interchange. Wren might know of a stout timing set, but new, stock components will serve you well.

The odd-fire/even-fire goes back to the old Buick V6, the 3800'* predecessor. An Odd-Fire motor needed a V8 distributor with two posts removed and a common journal crank. Even fire motors had offset crank journals and used a V6 distributor.

The LN3, Vin "C" motor is similar to the even fire Buick, but is different....just like the Series II motors are similar to the LN3, but different as well. If you want a different grind for the LN3, then you probably need to do a custome billet roller cam from Comp Cams or Crane.

Crow cams has your cams in stock if you're willing to sell your firstborn, both of your sisters, and pull money out of your

Ask before ordering. Their ecotec is our Series 2. Their Series 2 is our Series 1. Their Series 1 is your motor.

You have an additional option Troy, Consider swapping long blocks to a Series II There'* some additional work involved, but there are some advantages to using the more recent motor that has more of a following in the aftermarket.

I considered it but at the same time that'* the reason I wouldn't want to swap. I'll talk to comp cams about custom grinds. The really hard part is going to be finding a place to tune it.