I just thought that generally more displacement meant more power. I had to look up the 3.8 vs 3.6. I was surprised to see the 3.6 having 100 more HP.
Even with a more significant difference like V6 vs V8, let alone 3.6L vs. 3.8L V6, there are too many variables involved to simplify the formula that way. Forced induction vs. n/a, pushrod vs. DOHC, etc. While it's quite often the case, it should never be assumed that larger displacement = more power. But anyway, that's where my statement came in about the 3.8L being old as dirt technology vs. a modern day motor. It's only natural that a newer designed motor is going to produce more power. Otherwise, if you don't take the benefits of the age difference into consideration, and just go with more displacement = more power, then a 1979 GM 305 V8 should blow the doors off your GP (hint: It won't, it only made around 180 hp at best)
As for the 3800 being "ancient, low tech", if it aint broke...
It might not be broken, but it certainly needed some major updating or replacing in order to be competitive. A 3.8L V6 still only putting out 200hp by '08 was not exactly impressive. It's a solid motor, but it was way behind their rivals performance-wise. It was only used for so long because it was just a very economical route for them to take considering how well developed the motor was, how cheap they could produce it, and how easily they could put it into almost everything they make. The 3.6L DOHC is GM FINALLY attempting to have a more modern, powerful motor. The early ones are a bit of a disaster due to the timing chain issues, but that's to be expected when you're basically starting from scratch on an engine. They WILL eventually perfect it, and it will become the new 3800 for them (found under the hood of almost everything).
I can't think of too many other American made gasoline engines that will run nearly trouble free for 400+k.
Neither can I, 3800s included. Don't get me wrong, it's a very solid workhorse of a motor, and if taken care of, can give you a LOT of miles, but saying they run nearly trouble free for 400k+ miles is what's called a hyperbole. Are there ones out there that have hit that high? Maybe. Though none I've personally seen or read about. Hell, I've rarely seen people claiming 300k miles on ANY generation of 3800 in the 11+ years I've been active in the a-body, h-body, w-body, etc communities. Certainly not enough for even THAT to be expected, let alone enough data to support the claim of 400k+ nearly trouble free miles.
Anyhow, I get the point that you're saying the 3800 is solid, which I already acknowledged in my initial response. However, GM has had plenty of capable workhorse motors that will get you a lot of miles if not abused and taken care of. My first 6000 STE had 225k+ miles on the original 2.8L before it blew, and that was thanks to me not realizing it had developed a small oil leak until it was too late. Otherwise, that engine still had PLENTY of life left in it. Had no problem squealing the wheels to hell from a stop. There's also videos on YouTube of people trying to kill that motor on purpose by running it without oil, or pegging the accelerator to the ground with the tires on a slick surface while the car is stationary, etc. In almost every case, it took the idiots doing this 5 minutes for the engine to spin a bearing or throw a rod and finally seize up. My dad's '79 Caprice went through 2 or 3 transmissions, but still had the original 305 V8 (yaaaaay 145 hp!!!) in it with 330k+ miles when my dad finally decided to trade it in for a car that was 20 years newer.
Longevity has seldom been a problem for GM motors. Performance when compared to cars in their same respective class, on the other hand, has been questionable to put it mildly until recently. That's where the change over to the 3.6L comes in. It's a motor they can detune to the likes of 240 hp for milder applications, all the way on up to 323 hp like in the newest V6 Camaro. A LOT more versatility than the "one size fits all" solution of the 200 hp 3800 Series II & III. And the new Cadillac CTS and XTS will be getting a twin-turbo version of the 3.6L which is supposed to be 420 hp. :th_eyepopping: So a nearly 100 hp gain at the LEAST over its n/a counterpart, where as a factory blower added 60 hp at the BEST for the 3800. It's a night and day difference as far as what the new 3.6L is capable of, and what its potential is. The 3800 was excellent for it's time, but it's outdated. It was time to put it out to pasture.
