Thread: 3800 vs 3800 Supercharged

Yes the s/c 3800 FTW. Both are reliable.

Go s/c..

any motor can last, it's all how you care for it..

imo get a 98-03 if your going to mod. The newer ones don't take mods as well...

my first GP was a GT.i wanted supercharged within days after buying it.Now have 02 GTP and i love it.

higher octane fuel for the s/c engine right? and keep an eye on the s/c oil

Originally Posted by tod1d

and keep an eye on the s/c oil

Does it do tricks? Randomly disappear? Change your SC oil at around every 25K miles and you'll be good. If you're having issues with fluid retention - I suggest more fiber and inspect your snout.


As for what 3800 is more reliable...it is my opinion - and that of many others that are far more intelligent than I am - that the 3800 series motor is one of the most reliable motors ever produced by GM (thank you Buick). But like any motor - it's only as reliable as it's owner/punisher. I drive the piss out of my cars - to be real honest - and never had any issues with the motors in either of my GP's - except for a little "lean" condition that popped 3 pistons in my '02 - but that was my fault - not a design flaw. The transmission is and always has been the weak link, but Trannyman can take care of those issues. As other's have mentioned - the MPG difference is really negligible for what you get in power - and with some mild tuning - you can get better MPG in a modded SC 3.8 than you would in a stock NA 3.8.
I agree with 99prixgt in that the 97-03's have a much longer track record - quite a few more mods available and IMO - look better. The interior on the '04+'s is absolutely phenomenal and much better than the 97-03's - again, just my opinion here. I think the parts are readily available on both generations - and there are several people running a hybrid combination of parts from an L36/L67/L26/L32 - so again, you have options, either way. You can't really go wrong with either a NA or SC car - it just comes down to what you want out of the car. Like the Caddy commercial says - "when you get in and turn your car on - does it return the favor?" Well - the blown 3800 certainly will.

You asked for opinions, so to summarize - buy a SC'd GP - that way you won't add yourself to the masses that bought NA, and then wish they'd bought a SC'd GP. And you also won't have to post a thread on "what's all involved in a top swap?"

-Swash

Originally Posted by extreme

Okay need some opinions soon! Debating on what to do.
What motor is more reliable between the 3800 and 3800 supercharged? What is going to get better mpg? What has more after market? Also what is the big difference between the 2? Anything to take in consideration? As it is for a daily driver. Im debating between an '05 Grand Prix w/ 3800 or an '06 Grand Prix GT w/ 3800 supercharged. Thanks

so did you buy one of these two??

well i have to agree with everything swash said. really, ANY vehicle can break at any time. this chick i know bought an '05 v6 mustang and within weeks figured out it was a lemon. after all, cars are just machines. and a car will only last if its takin care of. i take decent care of my gtp. i dont drive it too hard and it gets about 20mpg in the city and ive never had any problems with it. any way, good luck with your choice bro

What motor is more reliable between the 3800 and 3800 supercharged?

Same motor built on the same line by the same people. Either is only as reliable as the maintenance that is done on them. A 3800 was recovered from a wrecked car in taxi service with over 300,000 miles on it. The oil was changed every 3000 miles. The crank showed so little wear it could have been put back on the line with the new cranks and you couldn't have told the difference. Regular maintenance counts!

What is going to get better mpg?

Depends on the driver. On paper the supercharged gets better mileage by virtue of the 2.93 gears verses the 3.29 gears in the GT. Lower revs equals less fuel. I've got one of each and the GTP gets better milage IF you can keep your foot out of it.

Anything to take in consideration?

The earlier cars (1997-2003) had motors that were "hot tested" before they left the plant and were assembled by people with decades of experience who could do it in their sleep and were proud of the multiple awards GMPT Flint North won for the 3800's quality. Towards the end they got rid of hot test to eliminate jobs and assembly was peformed by temps as the more experienced workers left.
If it were me I would snag a GTP from 1998-2002. Oh wait, I did.