Anyone have any info or experience with the buick 3800, or maybe even the supercharged version?

I am still trying to find the perfect motor for my buggy project. The shortstar is close, but it is kinda wide and the starter is on the same side as the driveshaft, thus making everything a tight fit.

I was doing some surfing and came accross the supercharged buick 3800. Mostly just a revised and new 231 buick with a supercharger. I guess that it also has the starter on the drivers side of the motor and has the same bolt pattern as the 60 degree gm motors so I can use a 700r-4?

Just fishing around for info...thanks....

Parts Mike's new YJ has a Blown 3800 in it. You may want to drop him a line.
It was in the AA both at EJS.

Thanks, I will...

Talk to Tony, he has had a couple buggies with 3.8 blower power.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=137320&highlight=Tony

I have a 99 Buick with a 3800....nice smooth motor...lots of power....you will love it

I think this would be a dynamite choice, and with good parts availability unlike some more exotic ideas.


TEX

Cool. I am thinking that the supercharged 3800 might be a better engine than the shortstar because...

-its smaller
-Just about the same weight
-more torque, little less horsepower
-drivers side starter ( big bonus )
-Cheaper
-You should be able to find parts easier

But....

-I need to move the power steering pump maybe
-The exhaust will require custom headers
-oil pan clearance?
-Engine computer controller?

I have been looking at this motor also....what would be the best donor vehicle because I know some of the intakes would go through the firewall on some applications....

so you just use the AA adapter to mate the 3800 and a 700r4 or 350 or whatever....??

The front drive 3800 uses the same bellhousing pattern as the 60 degree GM v-6 with the starter on the drivers side of the motor.

I am just using a 60 degree bellhousing pattern 700r-4, no adapters needed inbetween the engine and transmission.

Oh yeah. Rear drive 3800s use a BOP bellhousing pattern. You can just bolt up a TH350 or TH400 without adapters.

I think all the rear drive 3800s had front intakes, and the front drive 3800s had rear of the engine intakes.

I don't know if any of the supercharged 3800s came with a front intake?

I have a '91 Park Ave. right now that I am daily driving until I start the next project. Got the thing for $2000 and have got one year of driving to work out of it. As for the intake, you can switch the runners around to chage where the air intake is, so that's no problem.

Call Tony @ Rock Equipment
He has 2 of them in competition buggies
916-645-2899