The 3800 or the 3800 !!!

[Guest inthespot]

I am new to all this and the last Buick I owned was a '67 GS with a 340 cubic inch and it had a wildcat package which gave it more HP somewhere around 300 or so, but I do not remember. The one before that was a '61 with a 401 cubic inch not a lot of HP but had a long stroke that would not stop.

Back to the 3800, I keep seeing the notations of L67 and LN3 so how many 3800's are there and how many did the Reattas have. I only ask because I do not know which is which and get lost when I read about them. Also I notice everyone uses the term 3800 and not 3.8 is this because of the 3800 on the intake or shroud. Hand with me guys I'm learning.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

I'm not perfect with the codes yet...

3.8L: father of the 3800. Used in RWD cars like the Regal/Grand National (turbo-ed and non turbo-ed versions). Not really compatible with the 3800. Does NOT have a balance shaft.

3800 LN3: what 1988-1990 Reattas have. Engine cover says "Fuel Injection". First used in 1986, I believe in the Riviera. Started out at 140 hp, upped to 165 by the time the Reatta came around.

3800 "Series 1": used in 1991 Reattas and in everything else until about 1995. Has "Tuned Port Injection." Based on the LN3. Gained like 5 horsepower over the LN3.

L67: supercharged version of either the Series 1 or Series II...

Series II: Engine cover says "Series II." Same bore and stroke as before, but that's about all it has in common with the old stuff. From about 1996 on up to about 2003-04.

Series III: currently used in vehicles like the Buick Lacrosse and Lucerne. Very similar to the Series II but uses electronic throttle control

I think I've got that all about right.

[Don B.]

Well the little I know on engine ID's I will share.

3.8 is the rear wheel drive engine block.

3800 is front wheel drive which has a narrow bell housing bolt pattern.

The other 2 model numbers you mentioned probably have to do with the

use of roller rockers, lifters and different intake manifold.

[charlie1]

ZZZ

Edited August 2, 2009 by CHAS1 (see edit history)

[padgett]

None seem really complete but will just confine to FWD 3800s (to GM a 3.8 is RWD and 3800 FWD except for the Firebird/Camaro 3800 which was RWD.

1986 code "B" LG2 (150hp ?) Computer Comand Control CCC, 160 baud data stream

1987 code "3" LG3 added balance shaft 150hp

note: these have single ring (3 wire) crank sensors & different module

1988-1990 code "C" LN3 added roller lifters, 165 hp P4 aka OBD-I 8192 baud data stream

Note: dual ring crank sensor (4 wire). Ignition interchangable through atleast 2002.

1991 code "L" L27 different heads and manifolding ("snakes" intake) 170 hp.

1992 code ? L67 Supercharged - available in Park Avenue Ultra and Bonneville SSEi.

Is not a whole lot of data about the 1988-1994 engines, most concentrate on the Series II and III.

1995 Series II with OBD II data stream

[Duke]

86-87 also had a fwd 3.8.