GM 3.8 forced induction

[Z28]

My father has an automatic ‘98 Park Ave with the 3.8 series 2 and about 125,000 miles. I am curious to know, if a supercharger or turbo were bolted on what other modifications would be required to maintain reliability? I do know forced induction isn’t good for longevity; perhaps the car has too many miles? As you may know GM supercharges the 3.8 as a factory option.

[T-Bird]

there's your answer right there GM does it from the factory just look up the specs of the GTP Engine and chagne what is necessary I have personally seen the GTP at over 350WHP reliable so it is possible but that is alot of miles to be toying with just find a wrecked GTP and pull the engine or for like $5 grand you can buy a decent used GTP and stick with that since putting a blower or Turbo would cost about that much if not more.

[Z28]

In other words you are saying the stock automatic transmission will be fine if a supercharged engine is swapped?

[T-Bird]

yeah as long as the transaxle has been taken care of over those 125,000 miles it will be fine that tranny and engine is the same from an assload of GM cars just on a few they threw in a blower for kicks I've done the tranny swap on that platform before and I can tell you it's no big deal to remove the engine from the car if you went that route...

[graywolf624]

The transmission will take it. As for the engine, the gtp has forged internals the non supercharged version doesnt. So a swap would be a better bet.

(former modified grandprix owner.... till the thing decided to blow a tire and oversteer into a ditch as a result(ironic a fwd car that oversteers))

[ZfrkS62]

(former modified grandprix owner.... till the thing decided to blow a tire and oversteer into a ditch as a result(ironic a fwd car that oversteers))

that was my first wreck :lol: 93 Grand Am hydroplaned in the ass end through a series of S-turns off 405. swung back and forth 3 times before hitting a rock and rolling over :?

[GTO]

there's your answer right there GM does it from the factory just look up the specs of the GTP Engine and chagne what is necessary I have personally seen the GTP at over 350WHP reliable so it is possible but that is alot of miles to be toying with just find a wrecked GTP and pull the engine or for like $5 grand you can buy a decent used GTP and stick with that since putting a blower or Turbo would cost about that much if not more.

Or a crate engine but it might be too expensive
http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpartsjsp/partlist.jsp?section=ce&cat=9274
http://www.fordracingparts.com/crateengine/main.asp

Why tune an auto 3.8 anyway? Better off statring fresh with a sports car, like T-bird said a used GTP (I dont know what that is BTW :lol:)
Modding cars are a money pit, espically old/high miliage cars. I wouldnt bother, in the end it will costing you more than a new car.

I think a turbo kit would be cheaper than an engine swap, unless you did it yourself.

Turbo kit; http://www.jdsperformance.com/hpperformance.asp

But if you are determined, I'd put on a supercharger, turbo lag in an auto is beyound frustration to drive. Especially since the gear ratio isnt set with a turbo in mind.

[T-Bird]

well GTO the GTP is the 2nd to the top on the Pontiac Grand Prix range behind the GTX they are both Supercharged 3.8's the only problem with the whole car is the FWD Auto Transaxle. A V8 crate motor won't fit very well in that car.

[RC45]

Uhm - it's a Buick Park Avenue... who in their right mind will do anything expect end it's misery in a car crusher? :P ;)

[graywolf624]

A V8 crate motor won't fit very well in that car.

Don't need it though either. The 3800 series 2 has about as many customizable parts for it as the old 5.0. Its been around in some form or other for almost 30 years in more cars then I care to think about.. Hell of an engine.. Its the fwd that kills you. The engine use to come in the v6 camaros too.

[Z28]

Uhm - it's a Buick Park Avenue... who in their right mind will do anything expect end it's misery in a car crusher? :P ;)
lol The Park Avenue driving experience is…geriatric. As they would say on Top Gear it’s a sofa on wheels. The car is and will be used for nothing more than a daily driver.