so i picked up a project.......

**Zinergy** · 05-09-2013, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by suede

anyone got a guess at what a H/C SC 3800 would put down for numbers? I wanna be around the 400 horse range ish....

I am assuming there are a few ways to get a 3800 to 400hp as there are people pushing way more than that. Time to hit up those 3800 s/c forums haha. I think a nice big aftermarket supercharger would be cool. You get to hear that loud howl that is right behind you.

**GTP231** · 05-09-2013, 09:50 AM

Ported Gen 5 XPZ cam well worked heads headers injectors and I/C should put you in the 320-350 neighborhood

**ls1camino** · 05-09-2013, 05:32 PM

A turbo setup is really needed for over 350whp.

**suede** · 05-09-2013, 07:14 PM

well i got to thinking about it, and I forgot Ive already got a 3800 outa a 96 bonneville with a bad tranny from back in high school, so im thinking i may just start with that block and build from there, fully built internals and see what it would do, but idk part of me thinks it would be easier to start with a LS series and make the power way easier....

also got an update, car has the 2.5 apparently not the 2.8, so trans might not be the muncie, should know more tommorow, and i go actually get the thing on saturday, will update you guys as i know more

**GTP231** · 05-09-2013, 07:54 PM

AnimuL still doing Whipple set ups?

**suede** · 05-09-2013, 08:09 PM

**ls1camino** · 05-09-2013, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by suede

well i got to thinking about it, and I forgot Ive already got a 3800 outa a 96 bonneville with a bad tranny from back in high school, so im thinking i may just start with that block and build from there, fully built internals and see what it would do, but idk part of me thinks it would be easier to start with a LS series and make the power way easier....

3800s are cheaper to fix if you break something, lol.

**Spikito** · 05-09-2013, 08:52 PM

if the 3.8 out of the bonneville is the same series II that came in the camaro, youll need to get the heads ported to flow decent air, esp if you go FI...if not, all your boost will sit in the intake, lol. But it IS an iron block. I believe Comp Cams makes a blower cam for that engine

**suede** · 05-09-2013, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Spikito

if the 3.8 out of the bonneville is the same series II that came in the camaro, youll need to get the heads ported to flow decent air, esp if you go FI...if not, all your boost will sit in the intake, lol. But it IS an iron block. I believe Comp Cams makes a blower cam for that engine

Does anyone make aftermarket heads for them? If im going the 3.8 route, im going all out with it

**5.0THIS** · 05-10-2013, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by Spikito

if the 3.8 out of the bonneville is the same series II that came in the camaro, youll need to get the heads ported to flow decent air, esp if you go FI...if not, all your boost will sit in the intake, lol. But it IS an iron block. I believe Comp Cams makes a blower cam for that engine

That's funny, because a buddy of mine had a custom single turbo setup on his stock engined 3.8 camaro. I believe it was a GT40. Nice big A2A intercooler up front and meth injection. Made well over 400rwhp without breaking a sweat at somewhere north of 15psi. The bone stock untouched heads did just fine. The heads dont need to flow decent air if you're forcing air through them anyway. It just takes a bit more boost.

**GTP231** · 05-10-2013, 03:21 AM

Originally Posted by suede

Does anyone make aftermarket heads for them? If im going the 3.8 route, im going all out with it

I remember ZZP playing with aluminum heads a few years back. Not sure if they ever went into production with them

**suede** · 05-10-2013, 10:52 AM

So basically 400 plus is achievable with a well built 3.8

**Spikito** · 05-10-2013, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by 5.0THIS

That's funny, because a buddy of mine had a custom single turbo setup on his stock engined 3.8 camaro. I believe it was a GT40. Nice big A2A intercooler up front and meth injection. Made well over 400rwhp without breaking a sweat at somewhere north of 15psi. The bone stock untouched heads did just fine. The heads dont need to flow decent air if you're forcing air through them anyway. It just takes a bit more boost.

well thats my point, that 15 psi is in the intake...as soon as the intake valve opens, that 15 psi tries to expand and equalize the pressure inside the cylinder, i.e. bring it up to 15 psi as well, but if the heads are constricting, he may only be getting the cylinder up to 10 or 12 psi before the valve closes, keep in mind that valve is only open for a split second.

I do see your point though, I wouldn't have thought that the stock heads were capable of 400hp, regardless of how much boost you throw at it. If the stock heads flow enough to get you to your goal, then by all means

**FasstChevys** · 05-10-2013, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by Spikito

well thats my point, that 15 psi is in the intake...as soon as the intake valve opens, that 15 psi tries to expand and equalize the pressure inside the cylinder, i.e. bring it up to 15 psi as well, but if the heads are constricting, he may only be getting the cylinder up to 10 or 12 psi before the valve closes, keep in mind that valve is only open for a split second.

I do see your point though, I wouldn't have thought that the stock heads were capable of 400hp, regardless of how much boost you throw at it. If the stock heads flow enough to get you to your goal, then by all means

That is easily cured with choosing the right camshaft for the application.

There's no reason he can't get 400 hp through the stock heads with FI.

**suede** · 05-10-2013, 03:08 PM

looks like im gonna haveto start doing my homework on 3.8's, i get the feeling this build is going to be both a nighmare and a blast all at the same time.....

**ls1camino** · 05-10-2013, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by suede

looks like im gonna haveto start doing my homework on 3.8's, i get the feeling this build is going to be both a nighmare and a blast all at the same time.....

Let me know if you want to pick my brain on the 3800.

**allbaugh_04** · 05-12-2013, 10:02 AM

I'd just start with the basic bolt ons, a pulley swap, s/c etc. There's was one around here that had a GTP motor I almost picked up for a daily a few years back, didn't jump on it.

Don't go head over heals with a build and then drop the project like I've seen so many people do. The 3800 doesn't need much internal work from what I've read, do your research like you said.

**suede** · 05-13-2013, 10:35 PM

well played with it some today, it does run after a new battery and fresh gas, ignition switch is pretty well fubar, (going to go with a master switch and ignition button.... coolant system is funky tho, haven't figured it out just yet, the fan wont come on, but it warms up and then is just iradic as hell, it will bout get in the red then drop to 200 up a lil then down further, back to bout overheating, im thinking a sticky thermostat but not sure, clutch petal needs to be buried in the floor and kinda jam gears but it will shift, im guessing either clutch is shot or master cyl. needs adjusted out alot.... other than that im just happy to see it run for what i paid

**FasstChevys** · 05-14-2013, 06:10 AM

Originally Posted by suede

well played with it some today, it does run after a new battery and fresh gas, ignition switch is pretty well fubar, (going to go with a master switch and ignition button.... coolant system is funky tho, haven't figured it out just yet, the fan wont come on, but it warms up and then is just iradic as hell, it will bout get in the red then drop to 200 up a lil then down further, back to bout overheating, im thinking a sticky thermostat but not sure, clutch petal needs to be buried in the floor and kinda jam gears but it will shift, im guessing either clutch is shot or master cyl. needs adjusted out alot.... other than that im just happy to see it run for what i paid

.......I've seen erratic temps like that when a head gasket it out, but it could be a sticky thermostat just as easily...........is the coolant system full?

**CJREX** · 05-14-2013, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by suede

well played with it some today, it does run after a new battery and fresh gas, ignition switch is pretty well fubar, (going to go with a master switch and ignition button.... coolant system is funky tho, haven't figured it out just yet, the fan wont come on, but it warms up and then is just iradic as hell, it will bout get in the red then drop to 200 up a lil then down further, back to bout overheating, im thinking a sticky thermostat but not sure, clutch petal needs to be buried in the floor and kinda jam gears but it will shift, im guessing either clutch is shot or master cyl. needs adjusted out alot.... other than that im just happy to see it run for what i paid

If the temp shoots high rapidly then comes back down rapidly, it's most likely air in the lines.

With the radiator up front and the engine in the rear you've got a lot of places for air to get trapped. Add in that it likely hasn't ran in a while and you're a prime candidate.

Google the burping procedure for a Fiero. I'll bet it's not very simple.