learn me GM 3800

I just got a 2001 buick regal gs with the super charged 3800 but the motor is locked up I happen to have a 1987 olds 88 can i just swap blocks?

No, it has to be a series II, which I think is 96+. You will need an engine from a regal GS, monte carlo SS, grand prix GTP, Bonneville SSEI, or riviera (I think thats all that came with the right engine). They occasionally show up in the salvage yard, but you will have to beat the stampeding rednecks frantically destroying everything in their path to rip the supercharger out to buy for unknown purposes.

Their used to be a few sites supporting the 3.8 around awhile back. The Regal GS was quite the sleeper, being able to be hotrodded to near 300HP. I think everyone's moved on from that since then.

Correct on the Series II, but the Monte SS isn't SC'd until 03/04.

Or you could just upgrade to a 5.3......

On that car, with a locked motor, I bet the blower is due for a rebuild as well. Not that they share oil, but because the blowers on these things seem to need work every 75,000 to 100,000 miles.

Monetarily this project doesn't make any sense.

pres589 wrote: Monetarily this project doesn't make any sense.

I got the car for 300 bucks. The body is straight no rust and the leather seats are good no tearing.

so the s/c series II is not the same as a normal series II?

An na block will get a bump in compression and will make a little more power than a super charged one. Everything is the same except pistons. clubgp.com for bad ideas.

what supercharger did they use on the 3800 anyway?

eaton something or other 04 and up got a revised one they call the gen v

I've had good experiences with stuff from zzp.com and they still come up with new stuff for these engines from time to time.

Sorry it's zzperformance.com

DoctorBlade wrote: Their used to be a few sites supporting the 3.8 around awhile back. The Regal GS was quite the sleeper, being able to be hotrodded to near 300HP. I think everyone's moved on from that since then.

Moved on? 300? Hell son, you need to get with 2011! We have a 500+ HP turbocharged Regal GS in our local club that does low 11's, looking 100% factory stock (except under the hood )!

As a fan of these cars a good site is 3800Pro.com, some very helpful guys on there. You can easily find a GTP that some kid has wrecked & take what you need. The motor has potential but over 300hp & the transmissions get unhappy, that can be fixed though. Simple inexpensive musts for the motor would be a U-bend delete, downpipe, colder plugs, upgraded rockers, & a tune.

so I just got done looking at the car it just had a locked up A/C compresser! rock auto has a delete for 30 bucks. I think $330 is a good price to pay for a nice 10 year old buick.

the bad news is it has no oil in the blower.

any idea how to do a fast and dirty inspection to see if I need a new blower?

junkbuggie wrote: the bad news is it has no oil in the blower.

If you get it hit me up & I'll mail you 2 bottles of oil (GM stuff). Never got around to doing it on my 00 GSE.

Put oil in the blower and see if it comes back first.

pres589 wrote: On that car, with a locked motor, I bet the blower is due for a rebuild as well. Not that they share oil, but because the blowers on these things seem to need work every 75,000 to 100,000 miles. Monetarily this project doesn't make any sense.

none of the rally worthwhile projects do..

In reply to novaderrik:

I agree with this statement

In reply to novaderrik:

Well right. But at least I can say I was honest.

many years ago (03?) there was a pontiac lemans.... one of the ones made by kia or what not that had an early 3800 out back... the car had awesome flairs and the ubber awesome 80's rear hatch vent lovers (with window removed)...

while if I got a 300$ running 3800sc buick that was clean i'm sure I'd just drive it the 3800sc in the back of a hatch gives me bad thoughts

thanks for all the links I think I just killed 6hrs. this has me pumped.