What’s your opinion on the GM 3.8 or 3800
V6 engine? I hear they’re bulletproof.
The 3.8/3800 V6 does have an excellent reputation. Unfortunately those engines are usually paired with weak transmissions.
Just search for "3800 engine" and you shall have your answer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HABeK-px7xA
I've had and still have a few of them. Engine is darn near bulletproof whereas the rest of the cars are not. Be very careful to check the frames on any GM 3800 as they are known for rusting out long before the engine would ever die.
Just search for "3800 engine" and you shall have your answer.
An interesting thing about the 3800 V6 is that it was derived from the old Buick aluminum V8 of the early 1960s - two cylinders were removed and the block cast in iron instead of aluminum. Later in the 1960s the engine was sold off to Kaiser Jeep, and wound up at AMC when that company acquired Jeep in 1970. Later in the 1970s AMC sold the V6 back to GM. So that engine is basically a 60-year old design that has been around the block a few times.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_V6_engine
An interesting thing about the 3800 V6 is that it was derived from the old Buick aluminum V8
GM did the same thing with the 4.3.
This new V6 would essentially be a V8 with cylinders #6 & #3 removed, similar to what Buick had successfully done with its V6 in the 1960's. This Chevy 90-degree V6 had the same rear block face & bolt pattern, as well as the same style of engine mounting bosses and accessory packages as its bigger brother.
the '85-up Chevy 4.3L, 262ci V-6 is very much like a small-block Chevy minus the number 3 and 6 cylinders -- check the valve layout
its bore and stroke are a perfect match for the 350 cubic inch version of Chevrolet's legendary small block V8, leading some to call the six-cylinder a '3/4' version of the SBC.
... and takes the same pistons, cam bearings, main bearings, valvetrain parts, timing cover, oil pump, and front dress. Any V-8 trans will bolt right up to the 90-degree sixer.
Theyre great. My camaro has one, still runs like a clock. Did engine oil analysis awhile back and everything looked pretty good. They'll outlast the car theyre put in thats for sure.
If youre looking at one, there are some things to look for. Alot of the FWD L36 (series II) models had plastic intakes that would crack were the EGR valve is, there was a recall about it. And simply replacing the part doesn't really solve the problem, its really a design flaw.
Theyre also known for going through ICM's, the FWD versions have the modules sitting right over the front exhaust manifold, heat breaks them down over time.
They also use a waste spark ignition system, these cars have coil packs, not singular coils. One coil pack controls two cylinders. when a 3800 misfires is often a coilpack, or the ICM
