What ever you do after awhile you will always have the need for more speed. One gets so used to their car and it's leaving you wanting more and more to go faster and faster. So enjoy what you have and sock away some big money till your ready to act on your final plan. And GO BIG or you will be unhappy pretty quickly when STI's, Evo's,SRT8's and simple Mustang GT's roll up on you.

 

Im really contemplating just saving up my money to get a 7th gen. but i thought the after market for the 7th gen was much smaller than the 3800.

im either going to get an 6th gen ss or save up to get a 7th gen ss. i could probably sell my car and put a nice down payment on a 7th gen but i dont want payments.

 

yea i feel you on that i gotta stick with monte carlos though they look so good!!

 

The aftermarket for the 3800 is huge because the engine was used in so many cars. But especially the Grand Prix. And it was used for a long time. But one thing about the 7th gen SS. With the LS4 V8 engine, you're starting at 303 hp. With the 3800, you start at 200 hp (naturally aspirated) or 240 hp (supercharged). To match the 300 hp of the LS4, you need to mod the 3800 engine.

That's money you need to think about. Buying a 2004 or 2005 with a 3800 will be a cheaper purchase price. But then you need to spend money on mods to reach 300 hp. The purchase price of a 2006/2007 LS4 powered SS will be higher, but you're getting 303 hp right from the start.

Another thing to consider is the transmission. If you start pushing 300 hp out of an L36 or an L67, your stock tranny isn't going to last long. Because let's face it. If you're building a 3800 powered Monte up to 300 hp, it's not to drive it leisurely to the super market. You're gonna beat on it occasionally. And the transmission will be a weak point.

Not to say it can't be done. You can do some work to beef up the transmission too. But again, is it worth the money to do that much modding?

Many people mod their 3800's just to see how much power they can get out of them. Also because they love their car, and to them modding and wrenching on their car is what they enjoy. If that's what you're like, then I don't need to tell you what to do. You'll want to get in there and get your hands dirty, and install mods on the car as money comes available. But if you're just looking for the most power for the money right out of the box, then the 7th gen SS is the way to go.

 

sounds like a plan! im gonna save up to get a 7th gen monte carlo ss. thaks for all the info and input taz! im probably gonna save up until i sell my car and put it all in for a down payment for one.

 

Im with ya.Gonna do simple mods to the monte then look for some real power camaro ss,older or 7th gen v8 monte,or terminator cobra