A/c ?

[C man]

This might be the wrong section to post this but does the park avenue have an a/c cut out switch under hard acceleration? Because if im doing 70 and hit the gas with the a/c on the engine rpms go up much higher and the acceleration is much slower. It just seems noticable slower with the a/c. I really realized this after I did an oil change. I guess you always pay alot of attention to your car after an oil change.

Also with the a/c of or on (escpecially on) it seems that the 3800 doesn't have much torque under the 2500rpm range. Does anybody know the torque curve range for the 3800. I know it hits peak torque around 4000rpm (NA 3800) and if you have it on cruise control it likes to accelerate a 3000rpm. Just wanted some info on the subject if anybody knows.

[HotZ28]

What year PA, this makes a big difference in TQ & rpm!

[C man]

its a 95'

[HotZ28]

I hate to ask this, but back in 1995, the PA had two distinct different engines. Some came with VIN (K) Series-11 N/A engine and some with VIN I Series-1 S/C engine in the Ultra. Which do you have?

[C man]

i have the vin k series II 3800. I know that the peak horsepower is 205hp and the peak torque is 230ft/lb. I wanted to know what was the torque numbers at various rpms under that range. Is there any way to calculate it.

[HotZ28]

Horsepower * 5252

Torque = -----------------

RPM

Any car will accelerate the hardest at its torque peak in any given gear and will not accelerate as hard below that peak, or above it. Torque is the only thing that a driver feels, and horsepower is just sort of a cryptic measurement in that perspective. 230 foot pounds of torque will accelerate you just as hard at 2000 rpm as it would if you were making that torque at 4000 rpm in the same gear, yet, using the formula, the horsepower would double at 4000 rpm. Therefore, horsepower isn’t particularly meaningful from a driver’s perspective and the two numbers only get friendly at 5252 rpm, where horsepower and torque always come out the same. Take a look at the curves below, notice they overlap @ 5252 rpm.

[Jrs3800]

The 3800 Series II Has some low end torque for a V6... And a pretty flat Torque curve... But, being that you have a Park Ave, do you have the 2.84( F17 ) Axle ratio, or the 3.06( FW2 ) Axle ratio? You can look on your spare tire cover for those codes..

Also keep in mind that the Park Ave is a heavy car and it takes a bit to move that weight around...

The L36 Produces about 200 Ft Lbs at high idle... 230 Ft Lb Peak @ 4000 Rpms..

If we look at the older series I's.... Say the 88-91 Vin C... They produced 220 Ft Lbs at 2800 Rpms, and 165 HP at 4400 Rpms

The Later 91-95 L27 3800 Tuned Port Produced 225 Ft Lbs at 3200 and 170 Hp at 4800.... But both of these series I's were torquey off idle...

I have felt the exact same way about my Bonneville that you do... Seems like the motor has to spin up some revs to get motivated... But once you get into that sweet spot the car does move

[C man]

I have the 2.84 gear ratio. I guess the lack of acceleration below 2000rpm is due to this. When i accelerate at 2500rpm it seem adequte. 3000rpm is nice and 4000rpm makes me smile and hearing the engine above 5000rpm makes me smile to. I have caught a few people off gaurd with the 3800. I just wish the transmission had a more agressive gearing ratio, but then it wouldn't have the great hwy gas mileage,which doesn't benifits me often because i don't go out of town much. i hope this post because im doing it over my phone.

[Jrs3800]

That explains a lot..

Being that you have the 2.84 Ratio, you also have the 1450 Stall converter..

With the 3.06 ratio you would have had the 1897 Stall converter... Makes a nice difference in overall driveability...

But on the open road with the 2.84 you could see 32-35 Mpg's out of that car...

With my 3.06 I have squeeked out 33..... Most of the time tho I do 30-31 running about 80 Mph all day long.... Even with the 3.06 ratio its hard to complain about those numbers coming from a full size car

[C man]

Just came from a 200 mile trip. I averaged 33mpg going 60mph which isn't much of a significant difference compared to going 70mph and getting 31mpg. But i must say i still got 28mpg when i was going 80 to 90mph which isn't to bad.

[Sweepspear]

Originally Posted by C man

Just came from a 200 mile trip. I averaged 33mpg going 60mph which isn't much of a significant difference compared to going 70mph and getting 31mpg. But i must say i still got 28mpg when i was going 80 to 90mph which isn't to bad.

When I tell people of the gas mileage I get from my '92 Park Ave. on a road trip, I usually get stares of disbelief.
My former '90 Riviera and '96 LeSabre were just as good.

[Jrs3800]

I have done a best of 33 Mpg in my 95 Bonneville with the 3.06 Gear ratio..

I have a Friend with a Park Ave at 195,000 Miles.... And it runs soo well it pisses me off..He got one of the great ones.. He has done 34-35 On trips with that big car..

Other friends have done 29-35 depending on the model of Bonneville...