OK did the 3.8 only come in the SS and are all 3.8s supercharged? The reason I asked about the engine swap is because my dads a mechanic and I priced one 3.8 at a junkyard for 800 but Ill just get one first off. I would get a 06/07 but right now seems a lil out of my price range im trying to get something cash but if I come across some insanely cheap.

 

2000-2003 ALL SS were N/A
2004 - Some SS were Supercharged and some were N/A
2005 - ALL SS were Supercharged

 

Just expanding on what Mike posted above, and your question about the 3.8's.

The 3.8 litre engine came in the 2000-2005 SS models only.
The 3.4 came in the 2000-2004 LS and 2005 LT models.

The 1999-2005 3.4 litre engines have a history of problems. They were largely used in the 1999 and up Pontiac Grand Am. A look on any Grand Am forum will confirm the engine's history of problems. Plus, I bought one brand new. It cost me over $8,000 in engine repairs over the 8 years I owned it. UN-MODIFIED AND NEVER RACED.

Admittedly, I have not heard anywhere near as many complaints from 3.4 litre 6th gen Monte owners. But it's not an engine you would want to build on. Because of it's problematic history, there's not a lot of mods for the 3.4 litre engine.

 

ok so basically my best bet is to go with a 3.8 supercharged or not. So what basic mods should I do to the 3.8 in both cases. Would I swap cams or something to that effect. What should I do to get some more power? Also, is there less mods for the non supercharged 3.8?

 

ok so the l36 vs l26? which ones better

 

There are a few web sites where you can buy bolt on performance parts for the 3.8 engines. Such as zzp.com.

Most Monte owners with the 3.8 in their cars know the "U" bend delete pipe is one of the must do upgrades. It allows the engine to exhale better.

 

There is a decent about of mods you can do to the N/A 3800 engine and if you want you can do a top-swap and make it supercharged. If you go the supercharged route from the get-go then for a small cost ($400 to $600 depending on what deals you find on used parts) you can do a 3.4 drop and get a noticeable power gain. I would also suggest having a plan of action when it comes to modding. If you get a downpipe but want to get headers later...then you should just save for the headers in the first place.

Also 00-04 SS Montes came with the 3800 N/A engine. From the outside of the car you can see the badges on the side of the car...lower behind the door and it will say Monte Carlo SS. In 04 it was an option for the supercharged model and in 05 all SS was supercharged. The supercharged models badges had Supercharged in place of the Monte Carlo and on both it was followed by the SS. That is on stock cars of course. If someone top-swapped it then that is a different story. I hope this helps.

 

The 3.9L is reliable, but a dog. You must rev the hell out of the 3.9L to get into the (242hp@6000rpm, 242tq@4800) power-band. The supercharged 3.8 has 260hp from 5200rpm and plenty of torque (280ft) from 3600rpm on up. The 3.9 simply does not have low end power, thats why almost no vendors support 3.9L engine modding. Even a slightly modded 3.8L N\A (HV3, ER rockers, PLOG, DP) wipes the floor with it. But it's reliable.

http://forums.finalgear.com/general-...d-in-us-10811/

 

Thanks Christopher, great link on Engines : )

 

Thanks to everyone for the useful info but Chevy Commando what does a 3.4 drop mean? I really dont want to do supercharged because I dont want to pay for premium gas because it would be my daily driver but If I just wanted to slighty mod it what should be my game plan....HV3, ER rockers, PLOG, DP? about how much would that be? What are those parts