Hey guys i just joined because i wanted to help my buddy figure out what he should do with him camero. He just picked it up and it has the 3.8 (3800 series II) i believe. He was thinkin about doing the v8 swap but wasn't sure what was involved in it. I was just reading that sticky saying its easier to just trade the car in. So this leaves me to my next ?. What is everyone getting out of the 3.8 hp wise. What helps free some power cams, and basic bolt ons??. He also said about superchargering it but i took away his dreams, coming from having a Cobalt i'm pretty sure it won't fit in there(the super charger). If anyone could tell me how well the 3.8 takes power, and some insight as to what everyone else does with them. What are reasonable hp numbers, and 1/4 mile times also. Thanks for your help

Chris

 

Search is your friend. Just about everything has been cover at one time or another. The only thing I have not seen is a Thread covering a start to finish Nitrous 3.8 setup.

As your research it what you are going to find is "If your only desire is to go fast buy a V8 car". You Can buy a V8 car with blown head gaskets for $1200 and in two weekend and another $500 have a 13 second car. To get there in a 3.8 you will put more then 2K and a lot of hours. In many cases you can sell your functioning V6 for more then what it will cost for a non functioning v8 and the parts to fix it. Now if you goal is "go as fast as possible with a V6" here is some reading.

https://camaroforums.com/forum/93-02-general-41/project-l36-sleeper-40642/

 

Thanks for your information and I know i could of searched more, but i didn't even know where to start because its so broad of a topic.

 

just letting you know its CAMARO ppl around here dont like when you spell the name of the car wrong

 

Read THIS series in full, and come back with questions, note there are FIVE parts, in fact, the following link NEEDS TO BE MADE A STICKY!:
http://www.camarohomepage.com/project/part1.htm


Also, a 3.8L turbo solution is here:
http://www.force-fed-fabrications.com/index2.htm

 

The 3.8L engine is a workhorse and a strong one at that. This engine has been used in one form or another for more than 30 years and is still being used today. From the factory the engine produced 200HP which is more than most 70's and early 80's Mustangs and Camaros and even a few Corvettes produced. I have been head to head with a V8 Mustang from the mid 80's and his car was a little better right at the light but I passed him about 200 feet later and all he seen of me was my taillights getting smaller. I am guessing the 200HP rating that the cars had was a little on the low side just like the LS1s were. I would venture to guess the true reading would be closer to 220. This motor can run strong for over 300K miles if you take car of it. The car's body will prolly fail well before a well maintained 3.8.

Massey