well if your build is under 500 crank hp then youd be fine with any good condition used motor. anything over that mark would prolly require some stronger parts.
This thread is full of so much bull****. Id expect anyone to spend epic amounts on their transmission before ever getting to the point of blowing up motors unless something is terribly wrong with their setup or their tune is terrible. Ive never personally had or seen motor failures that werent DIRECTLY related to an issue that arose in the setup while hauling ass (like a fueling issue).
ZZP is the only remaining REAL 3800 vendor besides thewbodystore.com. They have spent more on R&D, have 98% of the best parts at the best prices, and are bigger then any other 3800 vendor. They have built almost all of the fastest and most powerful 3800s and hold quite a few 3800 records. They designed and custom made cast aluminum heads for this motor for christs sake... probably took more money to do this then any other company has spent on collective R&D for everything.
Intense is a TERRIBLE 3800 vendor and has proved time and time again that the only thing good to ever come out of there company was the S1X cam and a few nick nacks like poly mounts. They have blown up more cars and had more parts fail due to ****ty R&D then probably all 3800 vendors combined.
Im going to throw this out there: Building a 3800 motor is retarded. The fastest Grand Prix in the world at 650-700+ HP (Matts twin turbo car) used a STOCK block FOREVER with NO FAILURES. They even chunked a head and blew a head gasket with a nitrous fail and the motor was fine. With their new single turbo build they dropped in a ZZP crate motor which I assume was to squeeze out every last drop of horsepower potential while also being a big advertisement to sell motors.
Lastly, Im not trying to talk ****... but Morad Parts Company has had TERRIBLE PRICES on 75% of the stuff they sell for at LEAST three years. Ever since they got big their prices have gone up to squeeze the life essence out of everyone that has grown to love their company. I recently purchased a 2006 L32 COMPLETE with GenV supercharger and ALL ACCESSORIES from a different company for $750 with 55k miles. The same motor from Ed Morad would easily be $1500 + shipping or more. Yes, I got a good deal, but Ive never once in the last three years found a better deal on major components through Ed Morad. Some things like starters, switches, etc have good pricing but then you ask about pricing for the plastic molding on the bottom of a door and you almost have a heart attack at $70+ shipping when you can get them at local yards for LITERALLY FIVE DOLLARS. I regularly buy transmissions with 6 month warranties and less then 60k miles for $300-350.
Wbodystore.com
ZZperformance.com
If you have had any problems with either of the above companies then you are either extremely anal, had a crazy special circumstance, or you are just unreasonable and expect too much out of someone. Ive seen people ***** about having to pay return shipping because they order the wrong item... seriously guys? Grow up.