Thread: 3800 series III bone stock, modifications?

Hello all, I guess ill do an intro while im here, my name is Travis Lee Ive been in the military for 4 years now. I live in Wilkes Barre PA and just recently bought a 2005 grand prix with a 3800 series III naturally aspirated (L36? I believe) just traded my 01 grand am SE1 in for it. I'm not a noob when it comes to engines but im not a mad gear head like my father was. I wouldn't be on here if my father didn't pass away last month he would have helped me with anything on my new car. Anyway Ive been searching for 2 hours now and can't seem to figure out where to start with this engine. I want to know where I should start with it. It has 166k miles on it but the engine is far from beat, all the internals look great and there was absolutely no sludge build up anywhere I looked. Can someone give me a clue where to start modifications to bulk up some HP?

Thank You

PFC USAR
Travis Lee

320-350 HP (being realistic)when I'm finished, I need to do it step by step and Im giving myself a 4-6 month goal for completion. When income taxes come im gonna throw it into the engine.

TURBO IT

Should I?, its and automatic and I don't want to beat the **** out of the transmission...This is great its like an active convo..just what i needed, i think ill donate to the bandwidth cause

TO get the numbers i believe you need to.

dont you think the l26 bottom end will be a little to weak for boost?

How much am I looking at, I know id have to swap pretty much everything from the heads up. Im keeping everything in mind ATM but that is just a (goal)>long term im fine with 260-280 until the army pays me me 20k

No the L26 is aluminum, it should handle 10psi max although Id take it to someone whose more experience with boosting to confirm anything before I do it. The last thing I want is to push a rod or bend valves.
;

Turbo Parts & Kits

theres some kits. a good one can get you more power then you know what to do with

Before I do that I just want one last opinion, Should I just save and swap out for the 5.8 V8? It should fit but Id pretty much have to gut everything including the wiring.

the rods on l26 are pretty weak i hear

5.8 v8 and turbo lol

I could probably find some forged ones if I look hard enough, Im surprised that there aren't many people modding these engines.

whats your budget btw?

Yea your right, Id be better off just buying the 5.8 car strait out, it'd be cheaper.

So I'm thinking new rods and a turbo kit would do wonders. As long as it can handle the boost. I'm not looking to beat the **** out of the car in between every light, but to put some ricers with stock civics and 6inch fart cans in their place XD