Sleeper_Z

I was wondering if anyone knew if there are any major differences between a 96 3.8 and a 98 3.8 engine? Im doing some research for a friend who is about to pick up a CHEAP 98 camaro convertable with a blown up 3.8 in it. I know where I can get a 96 3.8 out of a camaro very cheap but Im unsure if there are any differences between the two. Any help would be greatly appriciated! Thanks a ton.

Jeremy

frusciante fan

the '98 3.8 has an angled throttle body. there might be some other small details as well, but you're looking at a lot of work, even if you are swapping the same motor.

http://engine.firebirdv6.com/

Sleeper_Z

Well the complete 3.8 engine is still in the 98 camaro. Changing the intake manifold and t-body isnt that big of an issue. What Ill probibly do is just strip both engines down to the bare long block and put the intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, valve covers and all the sending units and sensors off the 98 3.8 engine onto the 96 3.8 just to be sure. Im not finding a whole lot of info on the 90s f-body 3.8s but most of the part numbers span the gap between 96 and 98 so hopefully thats a good sign. Thanks for the reply and link frusciante fan.

Jeremy

LTR450HQ.com

98 and 96's both have angled throttle bodies, its the 99-02's that have the straight ones. that's why they make special whisper lids for the 98's

morb|d

yeah, my 98 is an "odd duck" because the TB was made for that "tube" intake for the "before the restyle" cars. which works out perfectly for you. I'm pretty sure the 96s through the 98s are near identical. 99+ went to throttle by wire and later to header-like exhaust manifolds and some other things. so you should be ok swapping a 96 into a 98.

BlazeV638

how bout the headers from a 99+ 3.8 Camaro I have a 1996 RS and i'm looking for more power(just like everyone). Are the 99+ headers a better design, and will they fit

morb|d

you want the 2000+. preferrably 2001 and 2002. The 99s aren't really all that different from the previous years exhaust manifold wise.

BlazeV638

so 2000+ thats sick wrecked camaro's are a dime a dozen around here. do you think the pacesetter headers are that much of an improvement over the stock 2000+ headers or should i just find a set off a newer camaro.

LTR450HQ.com

Yeah my 02 has the tubular manifolds, alot better than the 96-99 ones. To answer your question about pacesetters they are a little bit better but they will sound alot better.

1fastnav6

I have some i'll sell you $40. PM me if interested. And yes, they are better than those log looking manifolds that came on the older v6's.


I'm pretty sure the 98 V6 is almost identical to the 95-97 3.8. In 99 they started with their changes.

Kidcamaro98

late 95 to late 98's have the angeled throttle bodys. from 99-02 they had a straight throttle body and tubular exhaust manifolds that are very much like headers. other that that i believe the 96-98 are pretty much the same