RIP GM 3800

[Geesie]

link

46 years after the Buick Fireball V6 was created, 35 years after it went to its 231 CID form, GM has stopped production of the 3800 Series engines.

Truly one of the best engines ever made. It powers my 1984 Regal, my wife's 1999 Regal, and a supercharged Series II was in my 1997 Riviera.

Smooth as can be, stunningly reliable, showing that old tech like pushrods could still be made into a fine machine. If it ain't broke...

Power and economy. When it pushed my Riviera with 240 HP and 250 ft-lbs, I got up to 33 MPG highway. I've gotten even better out of my wife's NA Regal.

Damn fine engine. We'll miss you.

 

[Peter]

too bad, it was a very good and reliable engine

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I always hated mine and wanted to smash it to bits with a 5 lb sledge. Besides, it was time for GM to move on.

 

[78mali350]

sad day that is the motor i am going to enherit when my parents give me my mom's 04 Impala SS, great car and even better motor. sad to see it go as well only because so far it has had zero problems being four years old and running a supercharger.

 

[2000.malibu.ls]

Finally... The 3800 is a 90 degree v6 and the recent 3100,3400,3500, 3600(?),3700, and the 3900 are all 60 degree v6. The 3800 in the 2004 ponitac grand prix gxp makes 260 hp supercharged. The 3600 in the 2009 malibu makes 251 hp with .3 less liters NA. The 2008 grand prix makes 200 hp with the 3800 NA, but in the 2008 impala makes 211hp with a 3500. The 90 degree just is inferior with the new 60 degree models.

 

[Chevyman85]

I'm sad to see it go. But it was time. It served it's purpose. The 3800 was a good and reliable powertrain and a performer. If GM wants to compete with European and Asian markets they need to start renovation their drivetrains and becoming market savy. It was a smart decision.

I wish that GM wouldn't have dropped the 4.3L V6 and the S-10 For the 3.5L I-5 and Colorado...

 

[Vern]

Our family had an 89 Buick Park Avenue bought new that lasted through Dad son and grandson and had over 300,000 miles on it when sold it. No major repairs. I don't know about it being inferior to a 60 degree v6 for makeing power but I know its proved that it can be both powerful and reliable. The carberated version that they put in these cars was weak but it was not that the engine did not have potential. It may be time for better things but I think Buick did a good job on this one. My GN makes about 425HP takes a licken & keeps on ticken stock engine save for valve springs & timeing chain.

 

[R/T kota]

That design made history in IHRA/NHRA drag racing
http://canadianstreetcar.com/index.php/topic,363.0.html

 

[srercrcr]

I had an 86 Olds Regency 98 with the 3.8 FI. For a heavier body, it could get up and go, and I got 33 mpg hwy. Nowadays that size car gets like 28. I don't understand how they could go backwards.

 

[Uncletruck]

Although it didn't really become a champ until fuel injected in GM FWD cars, the 3800 was outstanding among many otherwise mediocre engines GM built. I would put it #2 behind the SBC as GM's all time most respected products.

-UT-