GM v-6
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
We're hardly sunbelt country up here, but it does show alot of 4X4 purchases are for "the look," not the function. I have a tendency to think outside of the box...and track customer requests. We've seen many 2WD requests in Colorados, Equinoxes, Rangers, Escapes, and Freestyles. The higher up the price scale you go, the less interest you see.
I'm curious to see what follows the 4.3 and the 4.2 as well. In Chebbie, the Astro goes away after this year, which leaves the Express and the Silverado (neither are strong V6 models).
I'm curious to see what follows the 4.3 and the 4.2 as well. In Chebbie, the Astro goes away after this year, which leaves the Express and the Silverado (neither are strong V6 models).
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
Armorer- They did- it was available briefly in the Impala/Caprice, and died for lack of interest. It was replaced by a 4.3 V8. It was never offered in the FWD large cars- that's the 3800 (much smoother- the 4.3 needed a body-on-frame application to smooth out the rough edges at idle).
Last edited by polarbear; May 25, 2005 at 09:57 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by ARMORER
And why did GM never put the 4.3 in cars? That would have made a pretty good car engine, one would think. Especially for the bigger cars, like Le sabre and park ave.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
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Correct. I'm usually fairly critical of GM, but the 3800 is just a jem of a motor. IMHO, it's GM's best all time motor. It's a better V6 than most, if not all, of it's domestic competitor's V6 offerings. It keeps carrying on, because the newer GM V6 designs, that were supposed to replace it, just arn't up to the task. GM has not had great luck successfully developing modern OHC engine designs, so they must keep soldiering on with pushrod technology. BTW, the 3800 served as the basis of the Mernardi Indy car racing engine years ago too.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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I loved the 3800 in my Olds 88. Never gave me one lick of trouble, and it fit that car very well.
When it comes to trucks, I would take the 4.3 every time. The 3800 just doesnt make the torque at lower RPMs that the 4.3 does.
When it comes to trucks, I would take the 4.3 every time. The 3800 just doesnt make the torque at lower RPMs that the 4.3 does.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Las Vegas
I seem to remember early 80's (late 70's ?) Caprices had the 4.3.....??????
edit; What a dumas!!! I guess I should of read page 2 before posting!!!
edit; What a dumas!!! I guess I should of read page 2 before posting!!!
Last edited by DOHCmarauder; May 25, 2005 at 05:32 PM.
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,462
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From: Reed Point, MT
Originally Posted by P51D Mustang
Correct. I'm usually fairly critical of GM, but the 3800 is just a jem of a motor. IMHO, it's GM's best all time motor. It's a better V6 than most, if not all, of it's domestic competitor's V6 offerings. It keeps carrying on, because the newer GM V6 designs, that were supposed to replace it, just arn't up to the task. GM has not had great luck successfully developing modern OHC engine designs, so they must keep soldiering on with pushrod technology. BTW, the 3800 served as the basis of the Mernardi Indy car racing engine years ago too.
The 60 degree ones: 2.8, 3.1, 3.4, and now 3.5 (in the new Malibu are also GARBAGE) are junk. They are under powered, leaky lower intake, leaky distributor plug o-ring, piston slapping, generally short lived wastes of aluminum-headed powerplants.
The 4.3 doesn't rank real high in our shop, either. They don't tend to last very long (rod/main bearing) and lower intake leaks. They share the leaks with their bigger brothers though. Ever since they started putting aluminum intakes on (TBI up to Vortec) and using that devil-spawn dex-cool crap............that stuff is EVIL on aluminum.
I get the opportunity to drive a lot of 4.3L 1/2 ton Silverados now. Ever since recall #05500 came out. They are worthlessly gutless. Can't imagine driving a 4.2L F-150 either (UGH!!!).
Cody
Post Fiend
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
I'll heartily disagree with you on the 3.1- I've seen more than a few pass the 300K mile mark without major issue (cab service in Luminas). It's a little soon to tell on the 3.4, I honestly haven't seen any of them with higher (200+K) mileage yet, but it's just a punched out 3.1. I can't comment on a 3.5- do we make one in a 60 degree configuration? 
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Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Reed Point, MT
Durability the 3.1 seems to be OK...it's just short trips that kill the intake gaskets. I wouldn't own one JUST for that reason. Same reason I won't own a 3.8L Ford....just a wallet buster waiting to happen.
Yeah, the 3.5 is basically a 3.4 liter with a different intake. The General uses them in the junky new Malibus (the ugly ones). They use two o-ring seals around each water passage from head to intake instead of one (one inside the other). Like that's gonna help. They need to just get rid of the plastic frame o-ring gaskets altogether. They are nothing but trouble (read:4.8/5.3/6.0 vacuum leak). I guess as long as GM keeps making their gaskets like this, I keep getting money in my paycheck every two weeks.
Cody
Yeah, the 3.5 is basically a 3.4 liter with a different intake. The General uses them in the junky new Malibus (the ugly ones). They use two o-ring seals around each water passage from head to intake instead of one (one inside the other). Like that's gonna help. They need to just get rid of the plastic frame o-ring gaskets altogether. They are nothing but trouble (read:4.8/5.3/6.0 vacuum leak). I guess as long as GM keeps making their gaskets like this, I keep getting money in my paycheck every two weeks.
Cody
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by polarbear
I'll heartily disagree with you on the 3.1- I've seen more than a few pass the 300K mile mark without major issue (cab service in Luminas).
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
osbornk- Ah. We traded a '87 Olds 98 with the 3800 in it for a '90 Lumina. Less power, less mpg, a lot more noise...talk about a huge letdown. My mom wound up with the Lumina, though (long story), and flat loved the car. Her thing was the car was reliable and user-friendly.
cleatus12r- oh, that Malibu!
There's an object study in how to take a modestly successful design and turn it into something saleproof. The worst part is, for a couple of grand more the buyer can move into an Impala and have twice the car.
cleatus12r- oh, that Malibu!
There's an object study in how to take a modestly successful design and turn it into something saleproof. The worst part is, for a couple of grand more the buyer can move into an Impala and have twice the car.
Elder User
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It would be a big mis-step for GM to let the 3800 go bye bye, particulary as it looks like they don't have a proven replacement yet. I know several people that bought GM cars like the LeSabre, for example, mainly because it had the 3800 engine. It wasn't because of the GM car's overall appeal. If the car had been equiped with any other engine, they probably would not have bought GM. They would probably have bought Ford instead, or perhaps gone to an import car.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Marion, VA
I agree. I wouldn't consider a GM car without the 3800 whether it be new or used. When I go to the car auction, the first question asked is whether or not it has a 3800. The very dependable 5.7 was replaced in the trucks in 99 and the replacement had problems that were said to be corrected in 03 but many people are still uneasy and avoid the trucks because of this. I think Chevy may have been able to catch or pass Ford truck sales if the engine problem had not surfaced.
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