I purchased a 99 camaro about 3 months ago, Ive always wanted one and finnally got it.I was wandering what is the difference in an LS1 engine and a 3800 series 2. I hear alot of poeple talking about LT1 and LS1 and 3800. Mine has a 3800 2 3.8L V6. Just curious to know the difference. Thanks.

 

They are both engines that take gas, not a whole lot in common other then that.

Ls1 is a V8 aluminum block (and heads I think) engine. The 3.8l series II is a iron block V6.

 

Both are OHV pushrod engines that utilize 2-valves per cylinder.







Ummm...yeah.

They both take unleaded.

 

Thank you both. I know they take gas. Duh! Im a woman not an idiot, I do know enough about cars to get me by. when you say they take unleaded does that mean that it would hurt the engine to put in premium? i only use premium. I put in regular unleaded once and my car ran like crap. I had to buy an additive to put in the gas until I ran out and could put premium in. Thanks a bunch for all your help.

 

Ok before people jump all over you for this i am just going to help out because it sucks when people dont give you the chance to learn. Ok first premium gas is unleaded. there are different octane ratings on fuel premium is just the highest rating a gas station carries usually around 93 octane. LT1 is an older V8 its in 93-97 cars and LS1 is in 98+ cars It is also a V8. Your motor is the V6 it is rated at 200 hp not at the wheels but at the flywheel. The LT1 makes something like 260-275 flywheel hp and the LS1 makes 300-325 in an F-body. LT1 and LS1 engines can also be found in Corvettes with the hp bumped slightly up in the ratings. You will not mess up your car by using premium gas it is fine but it costs more. The 3800 series II v6 is the better of more powerful V6 to start with. It comes in late 95+ cars. It is a nice motor and can be very efficient for fuel economy. Its a good motor and a nice car congrats on the ride Gotta love camaros. Hope this helped,
Dakota

 

You should be able to use regular unleaded. Can you go into detail about how your car runs like "crap" when you use regular?

 

Thanks dakota you helped. I do mean that I put unleaded in the car of course I wouldnt use deisel ( only Vin) HeHe. I use the highest octane at the pump. when I use regular unleaded the car seems to have less power and runs sluggish, so I just put in the more expensive stuff to stop that. Thanks.

 

The LS1 trans has the old SBC bolt patteren minus 1 bolt.
The 3800 has its own thing.
the trans's from the 2 dont mix the motor mounts are different.
The fuel pumps are the same feeding the engines I think.
You could use the injectors out of the LS1 engine on the V6 with 2 leftovers.
They realy arn't any thing alike.