So my buddy had gave me an 05 GTP with bad bottom end , so in past couple of weeks got up to speed more(owned 3800 powered 98 Regal before) on fixing it and looking for parts, walk out door today to go see brother before he heads to middle East to work for 6 months for big money and see car leaving on flat bed. So now I DONT have 05 GTP.😭
So now trying to decide if I want to look for 04 up GTP or just search for lesser model and build clone. Really like w body kind of like last gen GP and I still have in my yard a 69 Ventura and it need to but it's up for sale . I am kind of old Poncho guy.
Trouble is only finding expensive sales or beat crap so far. Not looking to spend huge on initial purchase and me and my friend who has machine shop both agree we can use some better tech on these 3800s. Upon inspection we have found more evidence of rings butting then pistons breaking,,,, not saying know wasn't contributing factor for as hypereutectic aluminum, while strong ISNT REALLY SUITED TO BOOSTED APPLICATIONS.
SOOOOOOO we did some digging and with friends 3800 going back together with hypereutectic pistons and we decided to open gaps like it was gonna be turbo motor, ie extra clearance on top ring.
They dyno loaded it with NA computer 9.5 compression and headers and it rattled a lot but never lost piston as they were tuning for power and dialing in timing curve. And setting up regular water/ meth injection using washer fluid. So they did find some helpful info when I find a car and get to possibly top swap it.
I have even looked into sourcing 4t80e for my future project. I really miss Regal, and yes I had debated top swapping it before it was wrecked.
I'll lurk around and people selling or moving 04 up GT or GTP reasonable give me shout.