3.4 dohc or 3.8

[kmb91396]

Hi i apologize if this question is asked alot but i was really hoping someone could shed some light. Im looking at making a custom car of my own using a chevy motor and body. It seems that the fastest motors are the 3.4 dohc and the 3.8 series two. I was wondering if someone could tell me wich is better. Consider factors such as speed and durrability and aftermarket options. Any info is helpfull.

In case your interested im thinking about using the body of several cars. they include but not limited too , corsica body , berreta body, monte body, impala body.

[tela4422]

monte body and late model 3.8 engine. The early 3.4 gaskets break (95 -99). Monte bodies are always sweet. Just my opinion.

[Nissan_Tuner]

series two 3.8 would be better its the best v6 that gm ever made. I am thinking of puttin together a 95-99 monte myself i was think maybe a lumina z34 engine, (3.4 DOHC) with a five speed lumina tranny. that or a monte with a camaro drivetrain, it would be the only rear wheel drive 95-95 monte in omaha, and a kickass idea i think. but back to the subject, a seried two can be supercharged (if need be), bored out, high performance cams, etc.

[rob_drummy]

3.8! u can beat on it all u want..u cant stop it, my buddies got a 3-8 in his delta 88, beats the shit outta it and its got 350k or more on it...doesnt leak a drop of oil, compresion is the same on all 6 cyls. i have a 96 monte with a 3.4 twin, but i'd still go with the 3.8, very reliable

[kmb91396]

So from what i gather the 3.8 is the stronger of the two, but wich puts out more hp? speedwise wich looks better?

[rob_drummy]

well first of all what does it matter what it looks like...id rather have a more reliable engine, then one that isnt but looks cooler:S but thats just me..

the 3.4 is more powerful and faster, but is a bitch to work on compared to the 3.8, i.e when changing an alternator in the 34 u have to drop the engine cradle to get at it...with the 38 its right at the top of the engine and obviously easy to change, same goes with spark plugs, much easier. overall i still say go 3.8

[kmb91396]

Um, i dont know if you were being sarcastic or not(as it can be hard to tell with text) but i didnt actually mean wich LOOKS better. I meant as far as going fast what engine looks to be the better choice.

Having a car that requires alot of work to do basic things can suck, but if i get more hp out of it then its worth it to me(I have no life so working on car is no big deal).

[Nissan_Tuner]

well we all dont think the same way as you, so if you wanna read each post as you write it, and before you post it then you might get the response you were expecting.

[dr olds]

it all depends on alot, 1- what you can afford, 2- how much you are going to drive it, 3- available parts,4- ease of installation etc.. the 3.4 has more horsepower but the 3.8 has more torque unless you go with the L67 supercharged 3.8. the 3.4 is a good engine if all is ok. the only real problems are the intake gaskets and timing belts. you do not have to drop the engine cradle to do an alternator, there are other ways. the n/a 3.8 has limited options if you want more power, yet the 3.4 and the s/c 3.8 have more things that can be done to them the s/c more so. it also depends on what year 3.4 you want 96 up have a different intake setup than 95 down and the heads are different also. you basically have to go with the pros and cons and then make your decision either way they both are fine in their own way.

[kmb91396]

Originally Posted by Nissan_Tuner

well we all dont think the same way as you, so if you wanna read each post as you write it, and before you post it then you might get the response you were expecting.

I realized that, thats why i made clear of what i was saying. I didnt mean to come off rude i just wanted to make sure yall knew what i was saying.

It seems to be a tough choice i guess money not really being an issue i guess ill look for a good 3.8 out there.

[silverado122775]

Just so you know. I have seen a 3.4 Supercharged Grandam 99. it was pulling 275hp.
That is a lot of muscle for a light car. I use to own a 00 GrandAm GT. it was rated at 175hp. not a lot of horse but good torque and very light weight engine.. I have heard wonderful things for the 3.8, but I think there are more aftermarket products for the 3.8 than the 3.4.

[phewop118]

That is the wrong 3.4. The grand am has a one of gm's crappy pushrods, not the dohc. The monte 3.4 made 215hp, while the grand am made 170hp to 175, depending on ram-air. The 3.8, on the other hand, is a completely differently designed pushrod. It is very reliable and very tunable, with many aftermarket parts. The supercharged 3.8 is most definitely the way to go. See www.3800performance.com. They sell all kinds of aftermarket stuff for the 3800 s/c. I've heard they get them into the 10 sec quarter mile range!

[Nissan_Tuner]

10 sec god damn i guess i will have to find a lightweight car that will fit a 3.8 s/c in her and be the fastest 3.8 in omaha. A friend of mine has 2 camaros a v6 and a v8, he was thinkin bout puttin the 3.8 s/c in his 94' v6 hes not doin much to the 8 he already had it built a lil bit by slp and it runs high 11s which is pretty fast considering that there is not much in it.