Hey guys,

I am currently pulling a 3800 from a 1988 Olds Ninety Eight and I have a couple of questions. I will be specific, but please be patient with my basic requests for information. I had an 84 with a 3800 that someone else installed, so I did not get my hands dirty with it. Questions are as follows -

1. Being a 1988 3800, I assume this is a series 1 and not a series 2, correct?

2. Were the internals of the N/A and SC 3800 the same?

3. Could I simply find a supercharger and mount it to this 3800?

4. The engine has 219,000 (yeah that's right) miles on it, but will still spin the front tires in the Ninety-Eight Olds. Should I not waste my time and just look for a 3800 Series 2 w/ a supercharger? (Would hate to waste this engine/tranny though, cause it is freeeeeeeee.)

5. What transmission should I use, i.e. which one will hold up to the SC 3800 the best? Should I use -

A. The existing Getrag 5spd in the Fiero.
B. The auto currently mounted to the 3800.
(still in top condition after 200K+ !!)
C. Use the Auto out of my 86 Fiero?

Any and all suggestions are welcome. I did a search for previous threads and got some background information on the swap specifics, but I need live input on the setup cause my situation is kind of unique.

Thanks Everyone,

--Will

Its probably a series 1. With 219K miles on, this engine is sort of long in the tooth and why would you want to add a supercharger to such a high milage car? It may not be long for this world and adding the stress of s SC would probably shorten its life expectancy. The engine as it sits spins the wheels of a 98 Olds boat. It should spin the wheels in a Fiero.

Using the transmission from the donor car is the easiest (no specially made axles)and you can get the ECM for it. If you switch to a manual transmission it will be more work.

Its going to be your call as to how much $$ you spend for the swap.

The internals of the NA and SC engines are NOT the same. The SC is beefed up to take the boost, and has lower compression. You can't just add a supercharger to a NA engine.

Got it guys,

That is what I needed to know. PFF owns.

--Will

Also some head work would be needed- on the SC version the injectors are in the head.

If the engine is out of a 1998 model car, then its a series2 3800 anything made from 1995-current is series2, i do believe 95 was a split year though, from 1988-1991 the 3800 was 165HP and 210ft/lbs from 92-95 the 3800 was 170hp and 220ft/lbs and the supercharged from 92-93 was 205hp and 240ft/lbs where the 94-95s/c was 225hp and about 250ft/lbs The naturally aspirated 3800 from a 98 model car is 205hp and about 230-240ft/lbs a very good choice of engine for street use, they last longer than the supercharged versions due to less stress put on the engines.

I have seen 300+k miles put on the 3800's and 3800 series 2 engines. they are made to last a long time, and thus in MY OPINION is GM's best engines.

matthew

Yep,
I am starting to believe you there when you say the 3800 is GM's best engine. The SBC is a good cheap engine, but the 3800 in this car and others I have had just runs like a top for what seems like forever.
I guess the Northstars run a simularly long time when you take care of them though. (Thats what I have been told.) Anyway, Thanks for the comments.

--Will

check with Loyde(fastfieros) up there in Dallas. he has engines for sale or he will put one in for ya!
Loki is thinking about the 3.8sc as well. I am doing a 98 3.8sc as we speak ! start saving your money! not a cheap swap!
Kevin

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quote Originally posted by m0sh_man: If the engine is out of a 1998 model car, then its a series2 3800 anything made from 1995-current is series2, i do believe 95 was a split year though, from 1988-1991 the 3800 was 165HP and 210ft/lbs from 92-95 the 3800 was 170hp and 220ft/lbs and the supercharged from 92-93 was 205hp and 240ft/lbs where the 94-95s/c was 225hp and about 250ft/lbs The naturally aspirated 3800 from a 98 model car is 205hp and about 230-240ft/lbs a very good choice of engine for street use, they last longer than the supercharged versions due to less stress put on the engines. I have seen 300+k miles put on the 3800's and 3800 series 2 engines. they are made to last a long time, and thus in MY OPINION is GM's best engines. matthew

Matthew...it's an 88 not a 98. So it's a series 1 with 165HP. I've seen these engines go well into the 300,000's with no problems except maybe the tranny had probs or the body was falling off of them....LOL

You should easily be able to use the 5spd you have without much hassle. See this:http://www.ipass.net/~fieroman/terranexus/fieroman/index.html

Definitely GM's best engine in my opinion!

Phil

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GTDude
OVER 25 years GM experience

[This message has been edited by GTDude (edited 09-03-2002).]

i got confused, damn oldsmobiles, so its a 1988 olds 98 edition, giggle, i was thinking a 1998 olds 88 model

for anyone interested ive got a 1991 olds 3800 series one engine, in near MINT condition, runs perfect, and the trans shifts supersmooth, lotss of pickup, comes with the wiring harness (interior and engine) computer transmission and all, will deliver upto 100 miles for cost of gas and lunch. asking 350-375 inside of the oil fill it looks brand new, very clean, and no build up, it has 135k on it. i drove the car about 30 miles or so before pulling the engine out, god i hated pulling it out, but the car was too damaged for me to fix, but i did drive it around for 30 miles in my yard, (14 acres) drives very smooth.

matthew