3.8 Liter fit in a 2005 LS?
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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; Sep 6, 2013 at 12:17 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!
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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.
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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
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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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