Looking at v6 fbodies

**REVNORR82** · 07-01-2011, 10:01 AM

I might be in the market for a v6 fbody soon as a dd and was wondering what to look out for with a v6 like certain engines or trannies to stay away from and how many miles i should be worried about any info would be nice also mpg for these cars too.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 07-01-2011, 10:49 AM

My 1996 Camaro was a 3800-II Series and had 209K miles on it when I sold it. Bought it with 22K miles on it. Still ran like a champ.

Only did regular routine maintenance to it (oil, fuel filter, plugs/wires, etc). The only issues I had were the fuel pump went out and the water pump went out. Everything else was stock on it when I sold it last fall

**REVNORR82** · 07-02-2011, 04:13 AM

That's good to know. What was you mpg like!!!

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

**Smittro** · 07-02-2011, 07:54 AM

3800 with moderate mileage should be in the 20's highway no prob.
200hp crank, and good torque for what it is..
5spd is a weak unit but it can last if taken care of.
4l60e is the same trany the LSx guys get, and the same weak 10-bold rear.
A stock 3800 can break the 10-bolt too..
Some 3800 cars have packages for handling that also give it the LSx f-bodies tighter turning radius.
Also dependant on package, it can have a posi rear and 3.42's.
The 3800 or L36, has a relatively strong after market so building power is a go on them..
They are not usually real revy so it will fall on it's face early in the curve.
The 3800-II in f-body is an all iron engine and it's a roller..
Cylinder heads leave much to be desired.
FI is more commonly the route folks take when modding them..
Boosted 3800's have been in the 8's..

If you have any questions about the 3.4L cars, just let me know..

**REVNORR82** · 07-02-2011, 08:16 AM

im looking for info on both the one i looked at yesterday was a 3.4 camaro auto!!

**transamtom** · 07-02-2011, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by REVNORR82

im looking for info on both the one i looked at yesterday was a 3.4 camaro auto!!

The 3.4L is a dog 160hp 200tq,mini vans will hand you your ass.

I know I had one I picked up for $1800. thank God it caught fire

Get a 3.8L V6 with the auto, 200hp 225tq not enough torque to tear up the tranny unless you do something stupid, and should smoke the MV's no prob.

Not much better than the LS1 for gas mileage, but they burn regular 87 not premium 91+

Look for the Y87 pkg on the door sticker,it gets you a better handling car with the quick ratio steering and posi rear.

If your into plastic cladding get one with the W68 appearance pkg.

Here is my 2001 Pewter 'Bird DD with the Y87 and W68 pkgs.

**Smittro** · 07-02-2011, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by REVNORR82

im looking for info on both the one i looked at yesterday was a 3.4 camaro auto!!

Imho
The all Iron 3.4 is a good engine. Take the horseshoe intake off and run the FWD intake on a set of 3500 aluminum heads and you'll wipe the floor with a 3800.n/a. With junk yard parts..

Later add a cam some 1.6 rockers, LS6 or LS7 (forget which off hand) springs, headers/ exhaust, and a good CAI and run a burned SD chip, and you'll run down LT cars.

**REVNORR82** · 07-02-2011, 01:00 PM

Im just wanting a car that gets decent gas mileage and can drive aroud 100 miles a day!!!!

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

**Smittro** · 07-02-2011, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by REVNORR82

Im just wanting a car that gets decent gas mileage and can drive aroud 100 miles a day!!!!

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

My bad I get carried away..

I'd say either will get the job done.
The 3800 will be the more reliable of the two, but pretty much they both have the same issues sometimes..
The 3.4 will get as good or slightly better MPG's as the 3800, but again with less power..

**REVNORR82** · 07-02-2011, 01:07 PM

Maybe i'll just look for a gtp or something

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

**Smittro** · 07-02-2011, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by REVNORR82

Maybe i'll just look for a gtp or something

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

Much better choice IMHO, in a much nicer platform..
Lot's of options in the Dubya..

Have a Z34 myself..

**REVNORR82** · 07-02-2011, 01:17 PM

Does the f bodies have the same intake gasket problems as the 3.8 in the grand prix.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

**Smittro** · 07-02-2011, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by REVNORR82

Does the f bodies have the same intake gasket problems as the 3.8 in the grand prix.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

With 01 3800 Camaro it was a Dexcool issue but it does happen to others as well, so yes sorta..

The problem was eliminated with the 3800-III though.

**Smittro** · 07-02-2011, 01:35 PM

Oh and ALL 660's (or 60*v6) have had gasket issues if their still on stock gaskets..

There a few updated versions that have corrected the issue, as well as in the 3800-I-II's.

**izzhemp** · 07-10-2011, 10:27 PM

Im wanting sell my 3.8

**35th-ANV-SS** · 07-12-2011, 08:48 PM

Yeah my intake started to leak around 200K. Kinda miss that car. I still see it several times a week though.

**Spikito** · 07-13-2011, 05:34 AM

yeah i see my second one once in awhile.

about the only issues i ever had with mine, was a bad coil, bad EGR, and my intake gasket started leaking. all that was on my 95, no problems out of my 01

**transamgirl89** · 07-15-2011, 09:32 PM

Cylinder heads leave much to be desired.

Amen to that! I HATE Y87 heads. If you're looking to mod new aluminum heads are the way to go.

**transamgirl89** · 07-15-2011, 09:38 PM

I have an 01 and am on my second engine

It's not common to spin a rod like I did but $hit happens. Other than the new engine the only problems I've had was the power steering pump went bad around 69K. For some reason these cars don't like Napa PS pumps. Like Smittro said be mindful of the 10 bolt rear end. I had that checked before I bought the car and I had a few bolts about to snap. Luckly the seller lowered the price to get it fixed but all in all no matter what this car throws a me I still love her. BTW I get 30 MPG on the hwy and 24 city.

**transamgirl89** · 07-15-2011, 09:43 PM

Referring to the LM leak I would HIGHLY recommend getting aluminum gasket seals. I got a set and drained the dexcool cause I'm not a fan of it at all.