3.8 Liter fit in a 2005 LS?
September 6th, 2013, 11:12 AM
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3.8 Liter fit in a 2005 LS?
Hello all,
I just aquired a 2005 equinox and am wondering if I can swap out the engine for a 3.8 liter so that it can be tuned. Any ideas?
I just aquired a 2005 equinox and am wondering if I can swap out the engine for a 3.8 liter so that it can be tuned. Any ideas?
September 6th, 2013, 12:11 PM
#2
Long answer: The motor may physically fit in the engine compartment, but one would need to perform extensive modifications to make it fit correctly. The mounting setup for the 3.4L/3400 is completely different than the 3.8L. If I were going to swap in any engine, it would be either the DOHC 3.6L V6 (which was optional in 2008-2009 Equinox) or the 3900 V6 (optional in G6, Impala, and later Lucerne) which shares the same basic design as the 3400. In stock form the Series II/III 3800 (200 HP, 220 Ft-Lbs Torque) doesn't have much more power than the 3400 (185 HP, 210 Ft-Lbs torque) anyways, so IMO it would not be worth the hassle. The 3.8L in N/A form doesn't have much more potential. The supercharged variants of the 3800 are a whole different story though.
Last edited by ruley73; September 6th, 2013 at 12:17 PM.
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Good4JG (July 10th, 2021)
December 5th, 2020, 3:03 PM
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Follow up question on the 3.6 litre answer
Short answer: No
Long answer: The motor may physically fit in the engine compartment, but one would need to perform extensive modifications to make it fit correctly. The mounting setup for the 3.4L/3400 is completely different than the 3.8L. If I were going to swap in any engine, it would be either the DOHC 3.6L V6 (which was optional in 2008-2009 Equinox) or the 3900 V6 (optional in G6, Impala, and later Lucerne) which shares the same basic design as the 3400. In stock form the Series II/III 3800 (200 HP, 220 Ft-Lbs Torque) doesn't have much more power than the 3400 (185 HP, 210 Ft-Lbs torque) anyways, so IMO it would not be worth the hassle. The 3.8L in N/A form doesn't have much more potential. The supercharged variants of the 3800 are a whole different story though.
Long answer: The motor may physically fit in the engine compartment, but one would need to perform extensive modifications to make it fit correctly. The mounting setup for the 3.4L/3400 is completely different than the 3.8L. If I were going to swap in any engine, it would be either the DOHC 3.6L V6 (which was optional in 2008-2009 Equinox) or the 3900 V6 (optional in G6, Impala, and later Lucerne) which shares the same basic design as the 3400. In stock form the Series II/III 3800 (200 HP, 220 Ft-Lbs Torque) doesn't have much more power than the 3400 (185 HP, 210 Ft-Lbs torque) anyways, so IMO it would not be worth the hassle. The 3.8L in N/A form doesn't have much more potential. The supercharged variants of the 3800 are a whole different story though.
Thank you!
December 5th, 2020, 4:23 PM
#4
the next gen that used the 2.4 ecotec probably could be easily turbocharged. for less than 2g, zzp has direct fit t turbo for the 2.2 and 2.4 ecotec used in cobalts. the nox verion is DI so it may produce over the claimed 260 wheel hp of the balts.
October 15th, 2021, 4:08 AM
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3800 engine is built better and a hell of a lot more reliable than the ****ty 3.6
Short answer: No
Long answer: The motor may physically fit in the engine compartment, but one would need to perform extensive modifications to make it fit correctly. The mounting setup for the 3.4L/3400 is completely different than the 3.8L. If I were going to swap in any engine, it would be either the DOHC 3.6L V6 (which was optional in 2008-2009 Equinox) or the 3900 V6 (optional in G6, Impala, and later Lucerne) which shares the same basic design as the 3400. In stock form the Series II/III 3800 (200 HP, 220 Ft-Lbs Torque) doesn't have much more power than the 3400 (185 HP, 210 Ft-Lbs torque) anyways, so IMO it would not be worth the hassle. The 3.8L in N/A form doesn't have much more potential. The supercharged variants of the 3800 are a whole different story though.
Long answer: The motor may physically fit in the engine compartment, but one would need to perform extensive modifications to make it fit correctly. The mounting setup for the 3.4L/3400 is completely different than the 3.8L. If I were going to swap in any engine, it would be either the DOHC 3.6L V6 (which was optional in 2008-2009 Equinox) or the 3900 V6 (optional in G6, Impala, and later Lucerne) which shares the same basic design as the 3400. In stock form the Series II/III 3800 (200 HP, 220 Ft-Lbs Torque) doesn't have much more power than the 3400 (185 HP, 210 Ft-Lbs torque) anyways, so IMO it would not be worth the hassle. The 3.8L in N/A form doesn't have much more potential. The supercharged variants of the 3800 are a whole different story though.
The 3.6 L engine is extremely unreliable compared to the 3800 series 2. in which the only problem I ever had was probably a leaky valve cover gasket. as for the 3.6 it constantly has timing chain issues it will find any reason for it run rough or misfire or have a rough idle… a 3.8 rarely had any issues so I would lose a little horsepower for a better engine…
id love to find someone that could mate the 3800 series 2 to the six speed automatic in my torrent GXP ( maybe even get tuned to put out the same horsepower as the 3.6 ) the GM 3.8 was damn near bulletproof the 3.6 just needs to to be shot
October 15th, 2021, 2:27 PM
#6
The 3.6 L engine is extremely unreliable compared to the 3800 series 2. in which the only problem I ever had was probably a leaky valve cover gasket. as for the 3.6 it constantly has timing chain issues it will find any reason for it run rough or misfire or have a rough idle… a 3.8 rarely had any issues so I would lose a little horsepower for a better engine…
id love to find someone that could mate the 3800 series 2 to the six speed automatic in my torrent GXP ( maybe even get tuned to put out the same horsepower as the 3.6 ) the GM 3.8 was damn near bulletproof the 3.6 just needs to to be shot
id love to find someone that could mate the 3800 series 2 to the six speed automatic in my torrent GXP ( maybe even get tuned to put out the same horsepower as the 3.6 ) the GM 3.8 was damn near bulletproof the 3.6 just needs to to be shot
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