BUICK 3800: The best engine EVER!
Pit Crew
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 128
Likes: 47
From: WA
I owned a 1961 fireball v6 but it was in a 48 ****** Jeep. I also have owned a couple 225 V6 in Cj5's. I have had 2 3800's in Pontiac Grandprixs. I have had great luck with this engine series.
Just thought I would add to some of the info provided. Good thread.
Last edited by lobuxracer; Feb 5, 2020 at 04:54 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 896
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From: IL
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 896
Likes: 56
From: IL
Way back i drove (rentals) many cars with 3800 in it, and it was pretty smooth, quite responsive, but made a fair bit of noise under acceleration. I enjoyed driving vehicles with it, but it was no Lexus V8 
Lexus Fanatic
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From: ------
My uncle had a lot of issues with the 3800 in his Grand Prix's, one time the engine went and had to be replaced, other time the trans went, whole car was replaced at one point because of so many issues. I noticed when driving it, it would putter back and forth under acceleration where in the older Bonneville it was much smoother. It did handle pretty well, handled much better then the Bonneville.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,186
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From: Knoxville, TN
3800s weren't the greatest sounding engines, that I will say. They weren't bad, but not great either.
But there really aren't too many negatives to them. I'm a huge fan of them. Grew up with several in our family.
My mother had an Olds Silhouette VAN with the 3800. Stab the gas even halfway from a stop and you were burning rubber. My mother has a lead foot so it would happen all the time.
I still remember how f'n fast and torquey that thing was, almost 30 years later.
But there really aren't too many negatives to them. I'm a huge fan of them. Grew up with several in our family.
My mother had an Olds Silhouette VAN with the 3800. Stab the gas even halfway from a stop and you were burning rubber. My mother has a lead foot so it would happen all the time.
I still remember how f'n fast and torquey that thing was, almost 30 years later.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2011
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From: ON/NY
3800s weren't the greatest sounding engines, that I will say. They weren't bad, but not great either.
But there really aren't too many negatives to them. I'm a huge fan of them. Grew up with several in our family.
My mother had an Olds Silhouette VAN with the 3800. Stab the gas even halfway from a stop and you were burning rubber. My mother has a lead foot so it would happen all the time.
I still remember how f'n fast and torquey that thing was, almost 30 years later.
But there really aren't too many negatives to them. I'm a huge fan of them. Grew up with several in our family.
My mother had an Olds Silhouette VAN with the 3800. Stab the gas even halfway from a stop and you were burning rubber. My mother has a lead foot so it would happen all the time.
I still remember how f'n fast and torquey that thing was, almost 30 years later.
3800s weren't the greatest sounding engines, that I will say. They weren't bad, but not great either.
But there really aren't too many negatives to them. I'm a huge fan of them. Grew up with several in our family.
My mother had an Olds Silhouette VAN with the 3800. Stab the gas even halfway from a stop and you were burning rubber. My mother has a lead foot so it would happen all the time.
I still remember how f'n fast and torquey that thing was, almost 30 years later.
But there really aren't too many negatives to them. I'm a huge fan of them. Grew up with several in our family.
My mother had an Olds Silhouette VAN with the 3800. Stab the gas even halfway from a stop and you were burning rubber. My mother has a lead foot so it would happen all the time.
I still remember how f'n fast and torquey that thing was, almost 30 years later.
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From: Maryland
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,186
Likes: 530
From: Knoxville, TN
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,186
Likes: 530
From: Knoxville, TN