So today I was at the Chicago auto show and I spoke with someone from Pontiac and I asked them about the 3800 and why it was not going to be used anymore. This engine is one of the most reliable and widely used engines. Now they have replaced it with a 3.6 that makes 265hp. Some might say that this is good, smaller engine and more hp without the S/C. Well if you look at the numbers, the base G8 gets 15mpg city and 25mpg on the highway, whereas the S/C 3800 gets 18/28. 3mpg might not seem like a lot, but on a 18 gallon tank, that is an extra 54 miles you can go. So lets see, you can choose to have 265 hp and 15/25 mpg, or 260 hp 18/28 mpg. Is it just me, or does anyone else think that the loss of the 3800 will take away from the appeal of the G8 base model?

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2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GT

Now put the 3800 in the almost 4000 lb G8 and it will get worse fuel economy than the 3.6L.
That's an extra 400 or so lbs over the GP.

Other than that I don't see why they'd want to scrap the 3800 as far as reliability goes. I think it's the power/liter thing and the fact that seem to be using the 3.6 for almost everything now. Saves on manufacturing, all that needs to be done to it is tuning. 250hp for G8, G6 GXP. 300hp for Camaro, CTS, STS.

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Previous: '99 GTP 246 hp, 350 ft-lbs dyno tested
Current: '07 G6 V6...slow

"Wide open 'til you see God....then brake."

Actually the V6 in the G8 has 265, they told me today. I'm Guessing that the others have it also, And this way they do not have to S/C it to make it a competitor for other cars, I mean 265 hp on a N/A V6 is pretty impressive, I just think there is more loyalty to the 3800. G8 Will probably go to a 2 door if all of the GP guys take the time to speak up. Supply and Demand.

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2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GT

I heard another reason why they stopped the 3800 was because it would cost too much money to redevelop it to meet the new emissions guidelines (?)

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04 Comp G. Sport Red. SPO.
SmoothFlow 3.6MPS | PRJ Tune | Powerlog | 3" DP | Wizair | PRJ 10.4mm wires/Autolite 104's

Yea, and the 3.6 makes power more efficiently as well. I mean the 3800 needed a supercharger to get to 260 while the 3.6 is at 265 without it.

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2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GT

The 3.6 is down on torque, 248 ft lbs to the S/C 3800's 285 ft lbs, plus it doesn't reach peak hp until 6300 RPM. That's why the GT is fast, it only has 262 hp but it puts out a whopping 385 ft lbs of torque. The bigger motor in the GXP puts out 415hp but the torque is the same, at 415 ft lbs. Torque is twisting force, which translates to better acceleration and it makes the car feel more powerful.

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Bright Red 2008 G8 GT

Mods: DRCUSTOMPARTS Center Gauge Bezel
Superchips ECM/TCM Tune- Volant CAI
Custom Borla Axle Back Mufflers - HID's
Holden V8 Badges
My Website

I thought the GT had more hp, but it doesn't matter they are all fast

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2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GT

It should be 362 hp, not 262.

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Bright Red 2008 G8 GT

Mods: DRCUSTOMPARTS Center Gauge Bezel
Superchips ECM/TCM Tune- Volant CAI
Custom Borla Axle Back Mufflers - HID's
Holden V8 Badges
My Website

haha, sounds better

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2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GT

The LY7 Alloytec is a really nice motor! It has a lower peak torque figure but it reaches that peak torque very early in the rpm range, it feels more torquey than a 3800 if you can believe it.

I've tuned Alloytec 3600s in the Cadillac CTS and GMC Acadia and they respond well to a basic air intake and ECM tune.

If anyone has a V6 G8 in the Toronto area and wants to be the beta tester, email me willoverkill@gmail.com and I can offer you a stellar pricepoint! They'll be mail-order available shortly thereafter.

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i have to disagree....my mom has the 304hp version in her cadillac, its no comparison



I used to get 30mpg highway in my almost 4000lbs Park Ave...of course its not at the current emissions specs but i don't think it'd change too much

The G8 gets an extra gear and the Cadillac 2 extra
but with that said i think they are all pretty comparable...



In a RWD application it would likely be higher...

I hate when people say...oh that supercharged 3.8 v-6 only has 260hp, those things suck.

given the opportunity to lay it alll out...there would be no need for the V8 in the GT and GXP...yes i said it

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Park Ave Ultra turbo
13.5 @ 105.9

I am not saying that they suck, I am simply saying that by looking at it at a glance, the LY7 seems like the better choice because it makes bigger numbers without the extra help from the supercharger. Provided I do not know what the S/C 3800 could do if it was in a RWD car, it is more appealing if the entry level does not need extra help to make power.

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2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GT

i understand. i think a lot of people look at the numbers and then just pass it off as weak.

the original 97 GP GTP had 300hp, but was detuned to 240hp for drivetrain longevity.

a factory intercooled gen 5 or tvs equipped 3800 would have certainly required a reengineering of the 4t65e

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Park Ave Ultra turbo
13.5 @ 105.9

I have to disagree with you there, the '97 gtp never came with 300hp, however the 1996 grand prix 300 gpx concept car did.

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'02 Galaxy Silver GTX Coupe. SLP Headers, SLP cat-back exhaust, SLP 1.8 RR, ZZP 3.4/3.25" MPS, SLP hood, SLP CAI, Overkill PCM, 180 t-stat, SSIC, S1 TB, AL 104's, F/R STB's, F-body calipers.

That's what they meant Brian.

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Although gold dust is precious, when it gets in your eyes, it obstructs your vision.

I like being technical.

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'02 Galaxy Silver GTX Coupe. SLP Headers, SLP cat-back exhaust, SLP 1.8 RR, ZZP 3.4/3.25" MPS, SLP hood, SLP CAI, Overkill PCM, 180 t-stat, SSIC, S1 TB, AL 104's, F/R STB's, F-body calipers.

I noticed lol. The 300GPX was a 300+ HP car. It was also AWD too. As you know, the 300GPX was the concept that lead to the 97-03 Grand Prix.

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Although gold dust is precious, when it gets in your eyes, it obstructs your vision.

i think our cars should've been intercooled and smaller pulliesas stock 300+hp

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Black 06 GP GT
S2 IC, 1.9 Rockers, TOG Headers w/ full custom exhaust, CAI, 104 Autolites, Custom Tuned PCM, 3.3....
And still Working its way up....