i have a 04 ss/sc with about 80000 miles and i was wondering how many miles these 3800s get b4 u need a new engine?? ha thanks

 

The 3800 engine is easliy good for 200,000-250,000+ miles if taken good care of, and if small problems are fixed along the way.

The transmission is what you need to worry about. The 4T65E is not the most reliable transmission in the world. Some go out at 40K others last 200K all depends on how the car is driven, maintained, and luck. LOL. The best advice I can offer for the tranny is to change your fluid regular, and hope for the best.

 

Wait. Ive heard changing the trans fluid is bad for it?? Did I hear wrong?
And ive heard stories of these 38's running well over 300k. Like said above if maintained well.

 

If you regularly change the fluid from the beginning, then it is fine. If you have 100K miles on the transmission and the fluid was never changed... I wouldn't do it. Maybe a pan drop and filter change, but unless the fluid gets low or looks burnt I wouldn't do it if you never have.

I have 170,500 miles on my L36 and it's still strong.

 

Alright then, cleared that up.

 

X2 on what Mike said...

I really don't think complete flushes are ever needed...Just do a pan drop and filter change every 30K.

 

X10 on 200k+ being doable; just don't rape on it- take it nice and easy, and both the engine and trans will be fine for a long time.

 

I had 160+ on my old Pontiac before I had to get rid of it because of problems (and a desire for a monte carlo). The problems were with the starter, flywheel, A/C, power windows, and numerous, small, electrical problems. Nothing was wrong with the motor, it ran good and strong. Also, I never changed the tranny fluid in it and it had 0 problems.

The 3800 is a fantastic motor.

 

cough cough.... fixed

 

my 99 has 140,000 miles on it (225k), runs great!