I have a 3800 Series II V6 in my 97 Firebird, it is a pretty big V6, chiming in at 3.8L. It belonged to my aunt, who never drove it hard, so the engine is very strong. It has been pampered, never missed an oil change, and was never driven hard. The first time I saw the car, I thought it was a V8 because of the dual exhausts. But when I poped the hood, I saw the 3.8L on the sticker.

I was driving the car a few days ago, and I love the feel of the car. I even wave to other people in firebirds. Anyways, I was driving the car and I come to a red light, so I stop. This guy in a 80's Camero with a 305 and glasspacks pulls up next to me, and starts reving his engine (I am guessing 305, it could have been a 350 but normally those cars have the Z28 or IROC trim, and his did not have it). I could tell he had glasspacks because of the vibrations comming from his car. I pay no attention to him. I turn the air conditioning up to drown out the sound of his glasspacks.

I know my car, it has 220 HP. I also know the 80's Camero's with the 305's have less than 200 HP, because a friend owned an IROC, and he told me the biggest selling point of the IROC's were the 350's, and not the crippled 305's. Plus, looking at the condition of the Camero next to me, I knew this guy did not take care of his car and he beats the **** out of it. I bet he races anyone and everyone.

So this guy hits it, and his tires screech and the glasspack thunders, and he pulls away from the stop light. I had my foot on about 1/4 of the gas. I was not in a rush to go anywhere and I am not about to race him. From the corner of my eye, I see him flick me the bird. By this time, he is a car legnth and a half ahead of me. I push the gas pedal down 3/4 of the way down, and I see the tach jump to 4700, and I fly by him. It was no contest. Once I hit 70, and saw he was 4 car legnths behind me, I decided to let go of the gas and slow back to 45, the speed limit.

LOL, as I am slowing down, the guy in the camero comes flying by. I change radio stations, to find a nice relaxing song. And I think, that guy in the Camero is going to kill himself, he is going to wrap his car around a tree somewhere.

It is a shame. If the guy took care of his car, he would have a very nice camaro. But he drives it like he does not care if it will start tomorrow.

 

Hell yeah, The 3.8 motor is an awesome one indeed, Rated to be able to compare to the 4.6 V8 Ford motor. However, its rated at 200 HP and 225 TQ not 220 HP...This is a third generation forum. You should check out Firebirdv6.com and camaroz28.com. Some great guys over there and they are mainly 4th gen boards.


Good Luck

 

Hi Slayer

I am selling the Firebird for my aunt. But I am in the market for a 3rd gen Firebird. I love those cars. I don't like what Pontiac did to the Firebirds when they put that odd design on the side of the cars starting in the 90's. It seems like a lot of flare to maintain. I like how sleek the 80's firebirds are.

Hopefully I will be able to find a Forumula 350 in good condition, which is what I want.

Now lets just hope that gas prices fall.

 

I love the side skirts on the 91-92's

That combined with the Vette looking nose and back flares look nice to me

 

not going to happen...

 

Nice winning that race, them 3800 series II engines put out some nice power for a v6, but i have to say i dont kno why gm would say that it could be compared to the 4.6 ford when they put out 215hp and 285 tq and i think are lighter than the f-body. I defiently agree with v8 slayer that the best looking f-body is a 91-92 w/t-tops, factory ground effects, and there sexy banshee front ends. Just like the car sitting in my driveway lol.

 

91-92 are def the sexiest of the 3rd gens.

check out www.fullthrottlev6.com for tech on any v6 f-body

 

IMO the guy driving the 305 was a certifiable dork under age 21. Am I close?

Anyway... the Series II's are sweet engines. It's like they took everything they learned from the GNX and the TTA and made a supreme engine. At this point, the only thing GM has to do is figure out a sexy frame to put around the engine compartment. The G6 and Cobalt just don't cut it for me.

Go figure.

Welcome to the forum.

 

maybe he did a search on 3800 and found one of my posts

and here I am involved w/the same engines involved, & downgrading to the vee-ate. If only I could've had a 97+ pcm 7 afford the software, or a GP harness.....no vats crap to deal with. At least w/my 99 there isn't.

 

meh... 60º of insanity here

 

It was a youngin'. The guy driving looked like he was about 20. And I am just guessing, he must have been given the car and did not work for it. Because if he worked for the car, he would have taken care of it.

For the life of me, I was trying to figure out what was going on in his head, to cause him to rev his engine just because there is another sports car in the lane next to him, and then flick off the other driver. I can understand the reveing part, trying to see if the other guy is interested in a race, but when the other car is not interested, to flick off that person?? Kids will be kids I guess, even in their 20's. LOL.

When I was 16 I was lucky enough that a friends father who was a truck driver decided to give me some extra lessons in driving and teach me stuff they did not teach in school. They should teach a little more in highschool than how to go and stop. They should have kids learn a little about how an engine works, what centripetal force is, why friction is a good thing, how to be a good driver.

 

~sigh~

I knew I was right about the age. It's pretty much the demographic for the Third gen owner.

I must be an anomaly. In fact, I should prolly be in that Buick 3800.

Oh wait... that's the CRACK PIPE talking.