does it matter what car its from?

 

In regards to what? This question is very vague, as the 3800 was used for a really long time, and there are a few different versions of it that will not interchange at all.
Compatibility lists are pretty easy to come by, and there is tons of info on the net about each different version though.

As long as you're talking series II's normally aspirated (L36 - which were in the 98-2005 monte's), there were a bunch of cars that got the same engine, but there will be slight differences in the long block depending on which car it came out of. Short blocks are all going to be the same for those years. Ones that come from an F-body will have much different long blocks, as the intake manifold, throttlebody, and most of the accessories (if not all of the accessories) are going to be different. 3800's from an H body will have different engine mounts, ICM, and possibly some accessories. 3800's from other W-bodies should be the same, but some have different alternator brackets and alternators depending on year and model.
Hope that helps, but anyone would really need more info to be able to answer your question.

-Riggs.

 

Helluva response for a very vague question! Kudos to you biggriggs! That was awesome!

 

Yeah, I really don't understand what's being asked here either. Good job answering his vague question biggriggs. I would like to ammend what you said slightly though. The 3800 started in the Monte in 98 not 97. Otherwise, everything was good.

 

Oops, thanks. Sometimes I forget to double check the years