W-car 5.3 vs SC 3800.
04-29-2005, 02:53 PM
#3
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Ohio
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Re: W-car 5.3 vs SC 3800.
IMHO, since the 3800 is already using a supercharger, and the 5.3 V8 is N/A, the 5.3 has a lot more potential to work with, and it's already considerably ahead of the 3800sc in power.
So.... I'd say the 5.3...............
So.... I'd say the 5.3...............
04-29-2005, 03:10 PM
#5
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Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Re: W-car 5.3 vs SC 3800.
I'm seriously considering the Grand Prix at the moment.. Personally I'd take the 5.3L. The sound alone I'd get it for.... but I'd rather start with 300hp, and have a certified tranny for that use, rather than take the chance upgrading. Once you hit the boost limits of the 3800, things get expensive. I personally look at it as a cheap first, expensive later thing for the 3800SC, while the 5.3L is more expensive now, but cheaper going down the road.
04-29-2005, 03:24 PM
#6
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Location: South Bend , IN
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Re: W-car 5.3 vs SC 3800.
The 5.3 will definately be easier and more reliable to hotrod . The 5.3 already has the full LS aftermarket on its side . Lets not forget how modular the LS engines are . The only fork to stop bolting up a set of LS6 heads is the accessory mounting hole locations , and the bolt pattern of the new FWD intake . I really dont know what changes were made there . The exhaust system on the W cars is probably leaving ALOT more on the table than say a stock F-body exhaust . DO some exhaust work , free up the induction , get the fans on sooner and cooler t-stat , a good fuel pump and 100 shot .....and sorry , its over for the 3800 s/c . To get to that power level with RELIABLY in a SC motor , your gonna spend alot more cash and your PCM tune will need to be spot on . High boost and mistakes arent very forgiving . At that point on the LS4 your still running a stock pcm , with stock driveabilty.
No discredit to the SC motor at all , the 5.3 is just a better alternative anyway you decide to look at it .
No discredit to the SC motor at all , the 5.3 is just a better alternative anyway you decide to look at it .
04-29-2005, 04:09 PM
#8
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Location: chicagoland area
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Re: W-car 5.3 vs SC 3800.
Originally Posted by Z284ever
It occurs to me that alot of the SC 3800 guys with the typical mods....pulley, airbox, ECM, cat back......are at the power level of a stock LS4.
same hp or less with about 380 ft/lbs of torque.
04-29-2005, 05:26 PM
#10
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 757
Re: W-car 5.3 vs SC 3800.
Short run the 3800 is better. I mean short run in two ways. First, those first "easy" mods are a lot more satisfying with the 3800. The pulley swap, CAI, and U-bend delete are all simple mods that yeild a big difference. The other way I mean short run is that there already is an established aftermarket.
Long run, the LS4 is going to blow it away. First, as Z284ever noted, the V8 starts at the same power level as the 3800 is after the above mentioned mods. Getting more power out of the engine will just be a lot easier with 2 more cylinders and more displacement. Secondly, we are evenutally going to see two enthusiast communities converge on this engine to create a massive aftermarket. What I mean by this is that both the GP aftermarket and the venerable smallblock aftermarket will both be marketing stuff for this engine.
Long term, the 5.3L is a far superior engine for hot rodding.
Long run, the LS4 is going to blow it away. First, as Z284ever noted, the V8 starts at the same power level as the 3800 is after the above mentioned mods. Getting more power out of the engine will just be a lot easier with 2 more cylinders and more displacement. Secondly, we are evenutally going to see two enthusiast communities converge on this engine to create a massive aftermarket. What I mean by this is that both the GP aftermarket and the venerable smallblock aftermarket will both be marketing stuff for this engine.
Long term, the 5.3L is a far superior engine for hot rodding.
04-29-2005, 06:06 PM
#11
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Location: Springfield,OH. U.S.A.
Posts: 2,947
Re: W-car 5.3 vs SC 3800.
Considering fuel economy AFTER modds, price of Hot Rodding each>>>SC3800 would win to me...
But in Maximum potential, if you can keep half-shafts in it, the >>>5.3L.
I believe Boosted cars are the way of the furture, NA can only get so efficient.
But in Maximum potential, if you can keep half-shafts in it, the >>>5.3L.
I believe Boosted cars are the way of the furture, NA can only get so efficient.
04-29-2005, 09:53 PM
#12
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 3,698
Re: W-car 5.3 vs SC 3800.
3800...
There is no room to work in the engine bay of the V8, and it has displacement on demand. Anything beyond bolt on's (are there any?) will be a PITA. Imagine doing a cam swap-
Step 1- Remove engine.
Also, many of the RWD bolt on's like intakes don't work.
The V8's main advantage is it's gas milages and that it only needs regular.
Also, both engines can easly reach the power levels needed to nuke the trans, so does it matter?
If I wanted a fun car I was not going to drive, I would take the V8. If I wanted a car that for a thousand or two could run with a GTO, I would take the V6
There is no room to work in the engine bay of the V8, and it has displacement on demand. Anything beyond bolt on's (are there any?) will be a PITA. Imagine doing a cam swap-
Step 1- Remove engine.
Also, many of the RWD bolt on's like intakes don't work.
The V8's main advantage is it's gas milages and that it only needs regular.
Also, both engines can easly reach the power levels needed to nuke the trans, so does it matter?
If I wanted a fun car I was not going to drive, I would take the V8. If I wanted a car that for a thousand or two could run with a GTO, I would take the V6
