Hey guys I'm new to this board, but I've always loved G-bodies, so this weekend I bought an 85 cutlass with a 3.8 v6. I don't want to swap in a new motor, so I'm wondering what are good options for this motor. I heard that I can swap on the intake manifold and quadrajet from a 4.1, is that true? How easy/hard is it? Also, does anyone make performance parts for this motor? Finally, who makes good exhaust headers? Any other advice about how to make this car run as nicely and efficiently as possible? Thanks in advance, guys!
Just bought an 85 cutlass supreme with 3.8, have questions.
- Thread starter poserkidsrus
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Re: Just bought an 85 cutlass supreme with 3.8, have questio
yes, you can swap the parts from the 4.1 Buick engine if you can find one. Should be basically plug n play for an intake and carb. This will make it run a little better, but its never going to be a "screamer" Unless we're talking GN turbo parts in the future.
poserkidsrus said:
yes, you can swap the parts from the 4.1 Buick engine if you can find one. Should be basically plug n play for an intake and carb. This will make it run a little better, but its never going to be a "screamer" Unless we're talking GN turbo parts in the future.
Re: Just bought an 85 cutlass supreme with 3.8, have questio
@Evan's 85: Awesome. I know they're in early 80s gm cars so I guess I'll be playing in the junkyard. What parts from the grand national will swap over for the best value? I know if I want to turbo it I have to basically rebuild the whole bottom and top end, but what about a gn cam? any good cams/heads for the 3.8?
@Evan's 85: Awesome. I know they're in early 80s gm cars so I guess I'll be playing in the junkyard. What parts from the grand national will swap over for the best value? I know if I want to turbo it I have to basically rebuild the whole bottom and top end, but what about a gn cam? any good cams/heads for the 3.8?
Re: Just bought an 85 cutlass supreme with 3.8, have questio
I'm thinking the 4.1 were more commom in wagons, etc. Yes, you could get a mild cam and things of that nature, but if you're gonna do that, you gotta get new lifters, etc. Comp Cams should have something for ya or a GN cam would be good too. I'm not sure on heads, maybe find a GN/T-type motor and used the parts. You could have yours ported/polished also.
poserkidsrus said:
I'm thinking the 4.1 were more commom in wagons, etc. Yes, you could get a mild cam and things of that nature, but if you're gonna do that, you gotta get new lifters, etc. Comp Cams should have something for ya or a GN cam would be good too. I'm not sure on heads, maybe find a GN/T-type motor and used the parts. You could have yours ported/polished also.
Re: Just bought an 85 cutlass supreme with 3.8, have questio
Poserkidsrus, don't waste your time trying to get any real power out of an old carbed 3.8 because without huge amounts of cash it just isn't going to happen. Get a Qjet with a 4.1 intake from a boneyard ( if you can find one ), put on some true duals and call it a day. I know that's not what you wanted to hear but it's the truth. If you want real power and want something that'll drop right in, get a Buick V8.
Poserkidsrus, don't waste your time trying to get any real power out of an old carbed 3.8 because without huge amounts of cash it just isn't going to happen. Get a Qjet with a 4.1 intake from a boneyard ( if you can find one ), put on some true duals and call it a day. I know that's not what you wanted to hear but it's the truth. If you want real power and want something that'll drop right in, get a Buick V8.
Re: Just bought an 85 cutlass supreme with 3.8, have questio
don't worry i'm not trying to make real power out of that motor, i just want to see what can be done with a simple swap or two, that's why i asked you g-body guys. i have other motors i can swap in it if i really want to blow the doors off. i just want to make this 3.8 run nice and smooth, and have a nice cruiser. most of my time will probably go into the bodywork, since half the car is rusty. when it comes time to consider a new motor, i have a built 327 from a 68 corvette. right now its just sitting in our 78 monza, but its too hard to find anything that fits in that chassis without major mods, since it was designed around a 305. anyway, thanks for your help.
DoubleV said:
don't worry i'm not trying to make real power out of that motor, i just want to see what can be done with a simple swap or two, that's why i asked you g-body guys. i have other motors i can swap in it if i really want to blow the doors off. i just want to make this 3.8 run nice and smooth, and have a nice cruiser. most of my time will probably go into the bodywork, since half the car is rusty. when it comes time to consider a new motor, i have a built 327 from a 68 corvette. right now its just sitting in our 78 monza, but its too hard to find anything that fits in that chassis without major mods, since it was designed around a 305. anyway, thanks for your help.
Re: Just bought an 85 cutlass supreme with 3.8, have questio
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new ... r-v6.shtml
this isnt a bad set up for the 3.8....
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new ... r-v6.shtml
this isnt a bad set up for the 3.8....
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