hey everyone. tried doing a search on this but i didn't come up with anything. i've been seriously debating a 3800 series 2 swap but idk if i should get just the 3800 or i should get the 3800 s/c motor. i've heard that the s/c would be better cause then it's already programmed to run with boost and such, but when i was at the bash this year i saw hahn race a black gm performance sunfire and i THINK (not positive) it was supercharged and got spanked. so i got to thinking, why buy this already supercharged if i can buy it without, and then turbo it later? i'd only have the money for the motor right now anyway so it's not like i'd be able to do too much to it right away but i also don't have all the resources yet to do the swap, that's why this is just in the planning stage. i know very little about boosted engines and while i did go through the faq's they left me slightly confused. any help that could be thrown my way would be appreciated. i tried searching before this post but came up empty handed. thanks everyone. sorry for the long post.
-john
well from my understanding theres a lot of custom fab work to fit the 3800 motor. then to turbo charge would be even more cause theres really not a whole lot of room with the headers. I know theres turbo kits for the 3800 motors so its not impossible but it would be a lot of work. its really up to you if its worth it or not
i wouldn't to it because the amount of money you spent on that swap
an ecotec engine can be faster
first off, im gonna completely agree on going with the L67, its already supercharged, and has a beefier bottom end than the n/a 3800. If you wanna go the turbo route, you can still turbo the L67. They make a complete kit to do it including a block off plate for the supercharger.
I'm gonna say this though, its expensive. I've already spent $1000 alone on just getting the motor and transmission.
ok. thanks for the input guys. like i said, i don't have any of the parts yet so it's nice to have some info before i throw down any money on anything. i guess factory supercharged is the way to go. btw, does anyone know (i'm aware it's the wrong forum but i already have this post made) how to see if i have the getrag or isuzu tranny? i heard a rumor it might be the getrag already cause it's a 2002? btw, it's manual with the 2200 series motor, not the ecotec
thanks guys.
-john
Build the 2200. Cams, Rods, Pistons, larger injectors, higher lph fuel pump then turbo. YOu'll end up being neck to neck in cost and you'll probably be pushing a lot more power.
JVC KD-SX8350, Powerbass 6x9's rear, have to find some decent 4" front speakers,
Two Solobarics 12L5 powered by a Legacy LA2070 (1200x2 max).
Soundstorm F100.4 powering the interior speakers.
Now it's time for engine work.
but i planned to build the 3800 some too so i would be pushin more with that too.
-john
i wouldnt go the route of the 3800 series II motor and heres why. a good friend of mine who i have known for quite some time had an 01 grand prix gtp where that motor would be coming from. he did everything you can to the motor had the smallest pulley, cams,full exhaust sounded like a damn nascar. lol. pistons, a different supercharger i believe at eaton m90. his car was constantly down. always had fuel problems was running 19lbs of boost and would peak around 22. also had a custom tranny which was close to 5 grand to hold the power. overall he put 20,000 into the car and the car only has 45,000 miles on it to this day. just about a week ago he gave up on it cuz it ran for 2 months of the whole year. when it ran for the 2 months it was the 3rd fastest in the us if you go on gpclub think .net maybe com not sure i never go on there he is always on and you can ask him anything and everything and he can help ya out. his last name is pipes it will be on there somewhere. as of now the car has been gutted out and sold in pieces. all that is left is the body. so just my words of advice if your planning on doing anything to the motor dont it would be pointless to swap if you can on leaving it stock. id say just try and build up your motor a lot cheaper, less downtime and youll be each happier you did.
