3.8 v 3.4?
#1
01-25-2012, 12:17 AM
3.8 v 3.4?
I was curious as to the difference between the 2 , except the obvious... I always here about people getting 300k plus out of the 3800 , is that likely and possible with the smaller with upkeep and what not... i just wanted to here yalls opinions and thoughts and any advice you might have... thanks to all
#2
01-25-2012, 12:39 AM
They're both very reliable engines that will last you a good 200k if they're maintained. Sure you'll end up needing to change intake gaskets, maybe head gaskets, but they're good engines.
3400's have a smaller aftermarket than 3800's too.
3400's have a smaller aftermarket than 3800's too.
#3
01-25-2012, 08:09 AM
A 3400 will have a similar lifespan as a 3800. One thing though that the 3400 seems to be more prone to when compared to the 3800 is lifter tick which could cause problems down the road.
If you're talking about engine design, then the two engines are completely different. The 3400 is a 60* v6 while the 3800 is a 90* v6. No parts are interchangable between the two and like nitehawkjcb said, the aftermarket for the 3400 is MUCH smaller then the 3800's aftermarket. The advantage though about the 3400 is that it has better flowing aluminum heads whereas the 3800 has cast iron heads that only flow so-so. Also, if you have a 3400, you can swap a 3500 in with little modifications to the car and engine. The 3800 powered cars don't have a direct swap that improves performance like that.
If you're talking about engine design, then the two engines are completely different. The 3400 is a 60* v6 while the 3800 is a 90* v6. No parts are interchangable between the two and like nitehawkjcb said, the aftermarket for the 3400 is MUCH smaller then the 3800's aftermarket. The advantage though about the 3400 is that it has better flowing aluminum heads whereas the 3800 has cast iron heads that only flow so-so. Also, if you have a 3400, you can swap a 3500 in with little modifications to the car and engine. The 3800 powered cars don't have a direct swap that improves performance like that.
#4
01-25-2012, 11:44 AM
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mentor, Ohio
Posts: 12,156
I know this is not about the 3100, but I will bring that up in this....
The 3400 is based off the earlier 3100. From my experiences, the 3100, 3400 and 3800 are super reliable drive trains (as stated, all three have problems with the lower intake gaskets, sometimes the head gaskets).
3100/3400 have a lot of interchangable parts (some n-body guys top swap a 3400 heads/intakes to a 3100 or driect swap a 3400 into a 3100 car). All 3 drive trains have one part I know that is interchangable, the coil packs.
3800 models are you best performance option and aftermarket performance parts.
As for the life span, they are great. I have a '94 Grand Am with a 3100 and over 214,000 miles, I drive it hard every day. I did the LIM gaskets at 90K miles and at 180K miles in 2009 I did the LIM and head gaskets. Very few problems (biggest issue is rust from northern Ohio winters).
I've worked on a bunch of 3100/3400/3800 engines for my friends and family, well maintained, they will more then likely last a long time. I know some people with over 150K on 3400/3800 engines.
As Zipper mentioned, the 3100 and 3400 do have/develop a lifter/valve tick. In my experience, it's never been a problem in the reliability or performance of the engine. My '94 Grand Am does it. I've worked with one that had a LOUD tick when started cold and using Rislone or Motor Honey for about 3 oil changes and it corrected itself.
The 3400 is based off the earlier 3100. From my experiences, the 3100, 3400 and 3800 are super reliable drive trains (as stated, all three have problems with the lower intake gaskets, sometimes the head gaskets).
3100/3400 have a lot of interchangable parts (some n-body guys top swap a 3400 heads/intakes to a 3100 or driect swap a 3400 into a 3100 car). All 3 drive trains have one part I know that is interchangable, the coil packs.
3800 models are you best performance option and aftermarket performance parts.
As for the life span, they are great. I have a '94 Grand Am with a 3100 and over 214,000 miles, I drive it hard every day. I did the LIM gaskets at 90K miles and at 180K miles in 2009 I did the LIM and head gaskets. Very few problems (biggest issue is rust from northern Ohio winters).
I've worked on a bunch of 3100/3400/3800 engines for my friends and family, well maintained, they will more then likely last a long time. I know some people with over 150K on 3400/3800 engines.
As Zipper mentioned, the 3100 and 3400 do have/develop a lifter/valve tick. In my experience, it's never been a problem in the reliability or performance of the engine. My '94 Grand Am does it. I've worked with one that had a LOUD tick when started cold and using Rislone or Motor Honey for about 3 oil changes and it corrected itself.
#5
01-25-2012, 11:58 AM
A 3400 will have a similar lifespan as a 3800. One thing though that the 3400 seems to be more prone to when compared to the 3800 is lifter tick which could cause problems down the road.
If you're talking about engine design, then the two engines are completely different. The 3400 is a 60* v6 while the 3800 is a 90* v6. No parts are interchangable between the two and like nitehawkjcb said, the aftermarket for the 3400 is MUCH smaller then the 3800's aftermarket. The advantage though about the 3400 is that it has better flowing aluminum heads whereas the 3800 has cast iron heads that only flow so-so. Also, if you have a 3400, you can swap a 3500 in with little modifications to the car and engine. The 3800 powered cars don't have a direct swap that improves performance like that.
If you're talking about engine design, then the two engines are completely different. The 3400 is a 60* v6 while the 3800 is a 90* v6. No parts are interchangable between the two and like nitehawkjcb said, the aftermarket for the 3400 is MUCH smaller then the 3800's aftermarket. The advantage though about the 3400 is that it has better flowing aluminum heads whereas the 3800 has cast iron heads that only flow so-so. Also, if you have a 3400, you can swap a 3500 in with little modifications to the car and engine. The 3800 powered cars don't have a direct swap that improves performance like that.
#6
01-25-2012, 12:01 PM
Either are great engines, with the 3800 having more power (obviously). I've been around more 3400's and they've been great. The only thing we ever did to them was change the intake gaskets. My dad had a 3400 in a Chevy Venture van that went over 250,000. I can't remember the exact mileage. I believe it would have gone further, but he always ran the wrong weight oil in it.
