Any 3800 SC Primer out there?

[n0dih]

Ok, been around the 3800's/3.8L's long enough (and even the 3.2L! if any of you are that old... NOT the 3300....not the 225.... Anyone? I have written up a relatively good history of what I know (much personal first hand knowledge on the Buick V6) somewhere out on the net, can't recall if I did much on the Buick wiki, I know I did a LOT on the Pontiac V8 Wiki.... (yes, I am fact junkie...)

Either way, had a 91 3800 and loved it, easy to work on, impeccable for reliability and my best was 36.5 mpg with a 33.x run to back it up on the return trip (Started in Colorado Springs, CO and got to nearly Witchita Falls, TX on less than one tank and got nearly back on just a tad more fuel)

I am not as familiar with the L67's. Looking at getting a 00 Park Ave Ultra (K-Body)

I see versions out there of the SC (seeing Eaton, Gen I, II, etc). Who made them, what is good/bad about them? Any longevity tips for the engine/trans/blowers? What is bad to do to them? What is good for them? How much power can the stock fuel system supply? Any suspension upgrades? Buick's don't ride like my 7000# tow package Fleetwood. It seems very soft even for a "Ultra" car.... I was figuring I would look at a Deville DTS for suspension parts like springs and such. Always want bracing and fat sway bars.... What injectors do these cars run stock? Pulleys seem like a nice starter mod, so I am considering it, what is needed swap a pulley? How small do you go??? When does belt slippage and heat become issues?

LSD's? Good on the street even if not raced? Can be done on the car or tans out? I want to run E85, so just how fat injectors are required (ball park I would think 50-60 to be safe with some minor mods), what injectors are these? The newer LS6 style? Or the older LT1/L98/TPI style? Easy to change? How much power is "safe" before damage or loss of reliability?

3800 Series II's, know some of them, but what all made the Series II? My knowledge ended around Series I.... I know short deck on the II or III, but not too much more. Drove an 95 Bonneville with the II in it and was impressed....

I am sure I have a zillion more questions. I do PCM tuning now on the V8's, but haven't hacked at a V6 yet. But it should be fun!

Thanks!

[1993 SLE]

the 00 Park Ave is actually a G Body

Eaton makes all the SC's for GM. Your PA will have a M90 Gen 3

longevity...the SC will outlast the car. Trans....not so much

The stock fuel system can safely handle a 3.2 pulley on the SC, but no lower

look to see what suspension code it has. the PA Ultra was available with F41 suspension, which was really good for that car, much better than any DTS suspension

we have 36lb injectors for the L67

Pulley is a good kick, but perpare for Knock with that as the only mod. I would do a FWI, PCM, and possibly a Downpipe before that 3.4. Belt slippage is when you go reeeeealy small


For running E85 there are afe doing testing, and i believe 60lb injectors are being used, and alot of PCM work

[n0dih]

I have done a lot of LT1 PCM work on E85, and 99% of the people takeoff and do E85 tuning the wrong way (note, don't ever touch "stoich" unless you are well aware of what it does, it is NOT what the obvious seems to be) and complicate themselves, it is really FAR easier than you would think, FAR FAR easier. But alas we aren't all GM tuners and I wish I was!

This one is a FE1 (which explains the mush ride). I may get to look at another today, cheaper, less miles and sunroof. Pearl white paint too (at least the pictures look like it). So F41 is still around? I will look at the white one when I can get to it.

Anything to make the trans live short of 30K trans fluid changes? My 4L60E in my 94 Fleetwood (factory 7000# tow package car) is stock and untouched @ 250,000 miles.

Hmmm, G Body, not a K? So what is the LeSebre/Bonneville on? The Deville and PA seem to be same length and share a lot. The VIN on one of PAU's is 1G4CU5415Y4270066, that seems like a C Body (so I was wrong on K for sure). Here is a 2000 LeSebre: 1G4HP54K5Y4283194, H Body? And a 2000 Bonneville: 1G2HZ5410Y4235287 Looks H too. Are you sure on G? The 4th digit is the Body, unless GM changed something.

Originally Posted by 1993 SLE

the 00 Park Ave is actually a G Body

Eaton makes all the SC's for GM. Your PA will have a M90 Gen 3

longevity...the SC will outlast the car. Trans....not so much

The stock fuel system can safely handle a 3.2 pulley on the SC, but no lower

look to see what suspension code it has. the PA Ultra was available with F41 suspension, which was really good for that car, much better than any DTS suspension

we have 36lb injectors for the L67

Pulley is a good kick, but perpare for Knock with that as the only mod. I would do a FWI, PCM, and possibly a Downpipe before that 3.4. Belt slippage is when you go reeeeealy small


For running E85 there are afe doing testing, and i believe 60lb injectors are being used, and alot of PCM work

[1993 SLE]

my mistake Typed G instead of C. The Lesaber/Bonneville are H and the Aurora is a G.

you can still source F41 parts thur Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market. There are a ton of F41 PA's your looking from the 97-05 Model Years

[n0dih]

Ok, thanks! That makes sense.

Yup, use car-part.com a lot. And is good to help you get an idea what interchanges as it is linked into the Hollander interchange.

I have the dealer looking up now if this silver (not white like I thought) car is a F41 or FE1. I sure hope F41.... Firm is good, very good....

Originally Posted by 1993 SLE

my mistake Typed G instead of C. The Lesaber/Bonneville are H and the Aurora is a G.

you can still source F41 parts thur Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market. There are a ton of F41 PA's your looking from the 97-05 Model Years

Anything to look for good/bad on these C&H bodies (just like sugar eh?)? Anything that needs attention?