American Series I 3.8... Any help?

[DrJay]

Hey guys I'm new here to let me introduce myself. My name is Jason, I'm 21 and live in America. I drive a 1993 Pontiac Bonneville with the supercharged Series I 3.8. I believe the same engine (minus supercharger) was in your VN-VS but I get conflicting answers on that.

I'm on a quest to produce Americas fastest Series I 3.8. I've already invested about $10,000(USD) into the effort and have a very potent engine. The problem is that we do not sell performance parts for this engine here so everything has been custom costing time and excess money to be spent. My quest for parts has taken me all the way to Australia in the hopes that this engine caught on more there and performance parts would be available. I've been met with mild success in finding a company called Yella Terra which produces 1.72 rockers and their sister company Crow Cams which believes it has cams for it. Because I already have a custom cam I would like to find a larger ratio rockers than 1.72; 1.9 would be best. Performance cylinder heads would also be nice.

Because I'm not sure exactly what car this engine would be found in the best I can provide is a way to determine if you're looking at a Buick Series I.

On the Series I the valves are sequenced: Exhaust-Intake Exhaust-Intake Intake-Exhaust. Take note of the two intake valves next to each other on the last two cylinders. Because of this one of the exhaust ports is spaced further than the other two which makes it obvious when looking at the exhaust manifold/headers. The Series II and III (Ecotec to you I believe) has evenly spaced exhaust ports. This is an important difference and because of it Series II and III parts will not fit my engine. I also don't believe you got the supercharged version in the Series I. Our Series I has the Eaton M62 supercharger while the Series II has the Eaton M90. The M90 is a shorter yet thicker version and generally setup with the fuel lines running over the top of it.

Any information you can provide in my quest for performance parts is appreciated even if all you can do is verify which cars carried this engine.

Thank you

Jason Humphrey

[AirStrike]

Try F.I.T (Forced Induction Technologies). They have a lot of products for our S/C V6 (similar to the L67 you guys are running in the states) and they have a 1:9 roller along with a few other products. What sort of supercharger are you using?
Cheer

[DrJay]

I'm still sitting on the M62 using a 2.2" pulley. I want to retain the stock apearance as much as possible. Thanks, I'll check out F.I.T.

Jason

[AussieHolden]

Hi DrJay Remember Me.

[Baldric]

you have posted this exact post on ls1.com, why are you posting here as well as you got all the answer from there then you cross paste here....???

[AussieHolden]

I'd say he's getting as much info as he can get before doing anything.

[DrJay]

I'd say he's getting as much info as he can get before doing anything.

This is exactly the case. I'm sure there is somebody somewhere that knows a lot about these engines and their differences. By asking everyone possible I've found little bits that are different between the two already. Also most of my posts get one or two relevant responses, although generally very helpful and very much appreciated. I've contacted every company people have listed and only 1 (and its sister company) provides parts for my engine and its a very short list. Because of that my search continues...I appreciate the responses so far.


Jason Humphrey

[AussieHolden]

You mentioned in a post in my forum that the newer model up you can get heaps of mods & parts for so why not sell yours and upgrade if it's being a headache for you.

[DrJay]

Well its only a headache because its a project...if that makes sense. I want to do this so I have something different. Any monkey can get a common car with a common engine and grab parts from the store down the street to make it fast. I want something different.

[AussieHolden]

Well DrJay you sure have something different then Good Luck in Getting your parts.

[cbb01]

i saw this on another thread thought it might help

https://www.americanautos.com.au/secure.html

if so good if not nothing lost by looking..

[fazz1977]

Dr Jay you've come to the right place. The Buick 3800 V6 was fitted to the VN-VR commodore here in Australia, the VS had a highly modified version called the "Ecotec".

There are plenty of people and places here who can supply you with info and sources for parts. Yella Terra and Crow Cams make some of the best gear out there, I'm told FIT are the people to talk to for supercharging these engines, although I haven't gone down that road myself.

All the best in your quest!

[Wesleyrpg]

Welcome DrJay,

i don't want to make anythings more confusing for you, but we have a few variations of the Buick V6 ourselves! (Not talking about the Ecotec)

Series 1 VN V6: Had thermostat housing on back of the engine, and when fitting roller rockers different sized bolts to bolt then down. No bellmouth in throttle body.

Series 2 VN, VP all, and VR all: is probably the engine your talking about, has thermostat on front of engine, and bellmouth in throttle body.

You guys in the USA have way better intake manifolds on your engines, and the option of a supercharger!!!!! I'd love to buy a supercharger manifold from there, but am concerned that it wont fit, as the engines out there are generally front wheel drive and are mounted east/west instead of the conventional north/south!

[geta]

guys, the threads 2 years old.... :/

[s_pack]

guys, the threads 2 years old.... :/

lol...........

[defa]

hahahaha. what a pisser

[s0sage]

hahahhaahhahaa

oh god thats funny




i had to say something ...

[VN-88]

i cant believe i just spent the time to read that wen i got down and was told its 2 years old. and i was gonna ask if he had pics. ohwell