I'm looking into buying a 1998 Camaro with the 3.8 V6 with 85,000 on it's rebuilt engine. Why is the 3.8 SFI 3800 V6(I believe that's the correct name) so much better than the 3.4 SFI V6???


Also, JUST mufflers/resonators as a mod doesn't add much hp at all does it?

 

The 3.8L is rated at 200hp where as the 3.4 is rated at 160 I believe so you are already getting a modest power increase right out of the box. Its got several refinements that make it a more powerful, better running engine. As for your other question, replacing the muffler will improve the sound characteristics, but will do very little, if anything in increasing power.

 

What is the best exhaust/header combination sound and power wise?

Also, I'm kinda on a budget.. so keep it cheap..

 

There are some good suggestions in the "sticky" at the top of the v6 forum page. I'm not sure of any other company other then Pacesetter that makes headers for the v6 application. They are a decent brand and do fall within a budget.

 

the 3.8 is usually a very reliable engine and typically gets well upto 150K (have heard 225+K) before any serious stuff... the 3.4 is also strong but I don't think it has quite the reliability as the 3.8 (and the HP addition that 2000gtp noted above is also a plus & if I remember right the mpg for the 3.4 is almost the same as the 3.8 so it’s like your getting that additional HP for free)

p.s. I would be a little cautious as to why that motor is rebuilt at 85K… was it just done for precaution, maybe a top end clean up ( i.e. did they just pull the heads and grind the valves)??? or was there a real reason (overheated ) to do a full rebuilt and if so what went on (new parts or was it done on the cheap)…
personally if it was the latter I would not mess with it unless you can really trust the people or did/saw the work yourself


best of luck

 

hey, i agree with smithtim. why did they rebuild the engine @ 85k? i am hitting 143,000 without serious repair (only when i shorted out the ignition system with my 4000 watt stereo). 3.8 is a good engine and some room for mods. make your own cai (cold air intake), get some flex pipe and run your own pipe to the opening with a conical k&n air filter. that will probably cost $100 at most. msd ignition coils, plug wires, denso iridium racing spark plugs=$400. small increase in perf., but big increase in MPG. went from 22 mpg to 28-30mpg. that is just normal driving.