Geoffro said:
In the states, Buicks come in 3.8L and 4.1L V6s. 4.2L are Chev. I think the 4.1L appeared with the EV6 Block. It was an alternate to SC or turbos for higher power. Pontiac Fiero had the turbo in 86. Buick Grand Nationals got SCs a year later. Don't know what changes were done to balance shaft or pistons. You can get a fully rebuilt 4.1L for under US$1400, all you have to do is get it here. Forget the 4.2L. Different block, has distibutor on front, uses TBI.
When comparing the Ausie engines remember US models are a year or two in front of us (Aus). The yanks had the "new" alloy V6 2 years ago.
Actually you have it around the wrong way. The Chev is a 4.3L and is totally unrelated to the Buick V6. Dale Bickham’s stroker V6 isn’t a Chev either.
The old 4.1L Buick’s were only offered in the 80’s. They stopped when Buick went for the then new 3800’s (which were eventually fitted to our VN’s and later). There was never a 4.1L derivative of the V6 found in the commodores, and there wasn’t a turbo version either. There was a supercharged version though, but we only ever got any of the Supercharged versions in our VS and later models. The old turbo Buick’s also died in the late 80’s. Grand National’s were the last factory turbo Buick V6’s and they ended in 1987 (or 1989 for the Turbo Trans Am.) You simply can’t get 4.1’s in Australia either, unless it’s an old 80’s model.
The new strokers from COME are supposed to be for the ECOTEC engines. But I’ve heard from people who have heard from other people (you know how it goes) that COME are looking into a kit for the VN-VR V6’s too. Bickham’s stroker isn’t a COME stroker by the way. It uses a bradey crank which has been out for a few years.
Well this is just a few facts a mate who happens to be an absolute guru when it comes to v6s offered me. Hopefully this has helped clear up a few things, and taught you something new as it has 4 me.
