3800SC is a 3.8 liter V6 supercharged engine that went in various Buick and Pontiac cars from about 1988 to 2007 model years. The same basic engine was produced in three versions ... the series II seems to be the more popular of the variants. It is a very simple V6 engine without multiple valves. I once saw an image of a complete 3800 teardown next to a Northstar V8 teardown. Many, many more parts in the Northstar. This engine is a popular choice as an upgrade as it fits easily into the engine cradle, its relatively light (especially compared to a V8) and has about twice the HP of the 2.8L V6.
The "thirty-eight hundred" as it is called is called that because it displaces just under 3800cc's (3.8 liters). There are two primary engine code designations for the engine depending on series. The L67 - mentioned above - is the "SC" or supercharged variant of the 3800 that was called that for series 1& 2. The other - which has an engine code that varies depending on series - is a naturally aspirated (N/A) version putting out the same displacement of 3.8 liters, but making less horsepower.
As mentioned above, it comes in "three versions" that are put into Fieros. The first is the series 1. The series 1 is not ultimately as popular as series 2 or 3 because for one, it can be difficult to find one in good shape. Two, there are some variances in wiring and dealing with older electronics. And finally, the aftermarket available to the engine is not as robust as the series 2 or 3 in regards to the parts-to-cost-to-poweroutput ratios. The series 1 3800 however does have a loyal set of followers that have worked out most everything regarding the swap. The supercharged variant is L67 while the N/A variant is L27 (pre series 1 3800s are referred to as LN3s)
The series 2 - the most frequently swapped 3800 engine into a Fiero - has a very strong aftermarket and has been well sorted out to put into Fieros. It's aftermarket primarily stems from the supercharged Buick/Pontiac crowd which has long been dealing with these engines in L67 equipped Regals, GTPs, and SSEis to name a few. The N/A variant of this series is the L36. The series 2 is incredibly popular not only with Fieros, but in the GM community at large. It has been a well-proven power plant that can put out a tremendous amount of horsepower for very little money.
The series 3 is the latest variant. There are some issues that make it difficult to swap entirely over as is. One for instance is the electronic actuated throttle body, which if utilized requires the swapper to swap over all of the necessary electronics and even the gas pedal from the donor. Thus, many "series 3" swaps are actually a hodge-podge of series 2 & 3 parts to facilitate a setup that works. The L32 is the supercharged version, and the L26 is the N/A version. The series 3 is primarily a sought candidate for a swap because it is the "newest" of the 3800 family, thus they (usually) are in the best of shape.
The 3800 is no longer being produced for GM vehicles. It has been replaced in application by the 3500 V6.
While no turbo version was offered OEM, the aftermarket community for these engines is so strong that many turbocharger applications exist, both in their original-installed vehicles and in swapped-Fieros. Many of the fastest Fieros actually are using turbocharged 3800 engines, and the community is rather knowledgeable on the intricacies of not only creating a Fiero with a turbo 3800 engine, but also actually being able to properly operate said vehicle.
3800s - like other engine swaps - pretty much started to be considered as a swap candidate as soon as the engine was available. When the 3800 was introduced, the Fiero community was still head long into V8 swaps. V8 swaps had been done since the 1984 model year. When the supercharged variant 3800 engines began to start showing up in larger numbers, the push to swap them into Fieros started occurring, and by the mid to later portion of the 1990s most of the major issues had been worked out and a good handful of Fieros were beginning to sport 3800 swaps. Now with the relative ease of obtaining everything to do the swap, hundreds upon hundreds of them are a reality.
It should also be noted that the 3800, sometimes called a 3.8 should not be confused with the rear wheel drive 3.8 engines. The common 3800 or 3.8 engine used in the Fiero swaps is the front wheel drive version.
A 3800 SC is gods gift to Fiero owners. It was stuck in a BUNCH of GM full size cars and can be harvested at 100k miles for low $$ and when placed in the 2700 lb fiero, it goes like a gazelle begin chased by a lion.
How reliable are these at 100K and up? That seems to be the only variant available. My budget isn't exactly Ft.Knox either, so I can't afford one of the professionally rebuilt crate motors. I also don't have the time, tools, or skill to rebuild it myself. I am just a little worried about dropping $600-$1200 on something that will need a complete overhaul before it's even installed.
Also, I figure V6 gas mileage is better than with a V8, so it has that in it's favor. But I have heard that the V8 conversions are easier and cheaper, not to mention easier to maintain. Any thoughts?
Lastly, what about the engines sound? Which do you think is better? It's hard to beat a V8 growl. Plus, that whine from the super-charger could get annoying.
[This message has been edited by Corpsmen Ed (edited 07-05-2013).]
How reliable are these at 100K and up? That seems to be the only variant available. My budget isn't exactly Ft.Knox either, so I can't afford one of the professionally rebuilt crate motors. I also don't have the time, tools, or skill to rebuild it myself. I am just a little worried about dropping $600-$1200 on something that will need a complete overhaul before it's even installed.
Also, I figure V6 gas mileage is better than with a V8, so it has that in it's favor. But I have heard that the V8 conversions are easier and cheaper, not to mention easier to maintain. Any thoughts?
Lastly, what about the engines sound? Which do you think is better? It's hard to beat a V8 growl. Plus, that whine from the super-charger could get annoying.
I suggest starting a new thread something like "3800 or V8"
Reliability will depend mostly upon how hard it was run and how well it was maintained. It's possible to buy one with 100K that will continue to be reliable.
My own personal opinion is that a 3800SC in a Pontiac or Monte Carlo SS will have been run harder than one in a Buick Regal, Park Avenue Ultra, or Riviera.
I love the sound of a supercharger whine, but I also have a V8.
Personally... I believe the 3800 is probably an easier swap. Pieces are readily available to make it pretty much a bolt-in.
------------------ Raydar 88 Formula IMSA Fastback. 4.9, NVG T550 Praise the Lowered!
You can watch this video of my Lambo Diablo replica/kit (1985/88 Fiero) with a ls4 V8 (with a couple mods) to see what it sounds like compared to a 3800sc....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vIrhfvTIuQ
[This message has been edited by diabloroadster (edited 07-05-2013).]
I have a Series III 3800 NA in my DD '08 Grand Prix with about 100K miles on it and it still runs like a top and probably will for another 100K and then some. If it wasn't for the fact the car is still in perfect condition I'd love to drop that motor into my Fiero.
The Grand National 3.8 Turbo was one of the fastest production cars of its day, but unfortunately front engine rear drive.
[This message has been edited by NetCam (edited 07-05-2013).]
Raydar has a good point. Depends upon how the donor car was driven. My wife's Grand Prix had 183,000 on it when we sold it earlier this year. I wouldn't have hesitated to put it's engine into one of my Fieros.
The Buicks are generally bought by older more sedate drivers. Some of them don't even know they have a supercharger, or what it is. They're usually driven more casually than say a Grand Prix GT or GTP. Monte Carlos often have been driven by Earnhardt wannabee's.
It was also said to get one that's been hit in the rear or side so you know it was going down the road under its own power. Good advice. Look at the general condition of the donor car when buying a used engine. It can tell you a lot about how the engine was maintained.
The 3800 can be outfitted to sound much like a V8, if that's the sound you want while still getting the economy of a V6. A local Fiero mechanic has a 3800 NA in his 86SE and most who hear it think it's got a V8 in it.
