Can someone tell me what the mexhanical differences are between the 2 engines? Is it just the top end that's different or is the block also changed? I ask because I have a friend with a series 3 with a dead cylinder and am having a hard time finding an affordable replacement and was thinking of trying to find a series 2 engine and swap over the top end from the series 3 motor..is this feasible ..the car is a 2004 GP GTP and I get the rebuildable engine for my Fiero when i get hers fixed

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--Mark--
Yellow 88 GT 5speed
87 GT 3400 swap project

Everything is compatible. You won' have a problem using a series 2 bottom end and series 3 top. Some '04 cars still received the series 2 internals.

You can even use a series II/III 3800na bottom end if you swap heads, balancer, etc. Compression will be a little higher so make sure you're always using premium fuel.
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Turbo 3800 E85 5spd spec5
11.54@132.7

[This message has been edited by Justinbart (edited 04-17-2012).]

So is the series 3 just upgraded electronics and supercharger?

this I'd ask on the buick forums..

quote Series III The Series III motors include many changes. The upper intake manifold is now aluminum on the naturally aspirated models. Intake ports are mildy improved, 1.83" intake valves (instead of 1.80" as on Series II) and 1.52" exhaust valves were introduced in 2003 engines, just before switching to Series III. Electronic throttle control is added to all versions, as is returnless fuel injection. Stronger powdered metal sinter forged connecting rods are used in 2004+ supercharged, and 2005+ naturally aspirated engines, instead of the cast iron style from Series II engines. Emissions are also reduced. In 2005, it was the first gasoline engine in the industry to attain SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle). Also note that Series III engines are the base for any 3800 produced for the 2004 year and up. This means the same block, heads, & connecting rods apply to any remaining Series II engines made after 2004 also. The difference is that Series III engines received the new superchargers (Generation 5 - Eaton m90 - if equipped), intake manifolds, fuel systems, and electronics. [edit]L26 Naturally Aspirated The L26 is the Series III version of the 3800. It is still a 3.8 L (231 cu in) design. Compression remains at 9.4:1 as with previous L36's, but the aluminum upper intake (2004+) and stronger connecting rods (2005+) are the primary physical changes. The powdered metal connecting rods were meant to be introduced in 2004 along with the L32's, but the GM plant in Bay City, Michigan that supplies the Flint, Michigan plant could not achieve the desired production dates in time for that engine year. This engine was used in the following vehicles: 2004–2008 Pontiac Grand Prix 2005–2009 Buick LaCrosse 2006–2008 Buick Lucerne [edit]L32 Supercharged The L32 is a supercharged Series III. Introduced in 2004, the main differences between the L67 and the L32 is the L32's electronic throttle control, slightly improved cylinder head design, and updated Eaton supercharger, the Generation 5 M90. Power output is up to 260 hp (194 kW) in the Grand Prix GTP. As with the L67, premium fuel (91 octane or higher) is required. The use of regular or lower-octane fuel can and does cause detonation that eventually leads to engine damage and failure. Applications: 2004–2005 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 2006–2007 Pontiac Grand Prix GT

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_V6_engine

[This message has been edited by Justinbart (edited 04-17-2012).]

Thanks Justin that answers my question fully!!

S3 SC uses a different MAP sensor & connector than S2 SC. The S3 SC MAP installs in the plenum vs the removed location for the S2 SC

S3 uses a EVAP solenoid that is also installed in the intake rather than separate

And as stated before S3 is electronic throttle controlled.

S2 complete engine with 67k miles is $925 at the local yard..s3 with about the same mileage is $1650 at the same yard..I think its worth it to swap the series 3 parts over to a series 2 engine because of the price difference plus it's going in a car with well over 100k on it..I also figured out how she broke the motor, she has been running 87 octane fuel in it for 4 years..lol I can't believe it made it that long without busting a piston

a series 3 is only ever worth about $200 over a series2, and that is only because of the upgraded blower.

That may be true but they are very hard to find I have searched high and low for a series 3 and all I found was one at a local yard that had to source it from their nationwide parts network and it was 1600 bucks

$1600 for just the engine seems high. I paid a few hundred more than that from Morad, but I also got the tranny & axles. I also had it shipped. If you budget say, $1800 or so for the engine and tranny you should have a problem finding one through LKQ or Morad.

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-Chris
'85 V6 SE 4sp (SOLD)
'88 GT Auto (fun car)
'99 Kawasaki Vulcan 500, owned since new
'03 Sentra SE-R Spec V (Daily driver)
'09 G37x w/ Premium & Nav (wife's car)