build 3400 or swap 3.8 s/c series II

[bkathsalero]

so im stuck between building my 3400 and swapping in a 3800 s/c series II.. i know alot of guys think u can make alot of power out of the 3400 and its alot lighter.. but on the flip side the 3800 series II is a heavier motor but can be built into a beast... the first thing ill do with the 3800 is swap the pulley on the s/c... but help me out on what you guys think.. i have faith beacuse alot of u are alero veterns and ive had mine a little over a year... (and no im not turbocharging my 3400.. to much work/$/ and i dont have an idea of how to make it work )

[Redog]

Both are good motors but I say build up the 3400.

You can s/c it and do the work for the same money as the 3800. If you want a "beast" you'll want to rebuild either motor from the ground up anyway

[Spilner521]

So you don't want to turbo the 3400 becuase you don't have the money or know how, but you'd rather take on the task of purchasing and swapping in a supercharged 3800 and 4t65 tranny instead???

There's a few of us here that know how to make turbos work. Start asking questions.

[bkathsalero]

i guess im not totally against it.. but its a lot of money and i've never personally installed a turbocharger.. but i have done a few swaps.. and the i can get a 3800 s/c for 600 and install my self.. so i feel more comfortable with that... and i have the tools needed to fab everything and install.. wierd i know.. but im afraid to spend the money on a turbo and have to spend even more on having someone help install it.. cause im 18 and money gets tough... and i've heard different things bout the turbo about having to rebuild the motor and not having to.. i know on other applications u can run up to a certian amount of boost on a stock motor... thats another reason im asking for others opinions.. i guess i have more of a lack of knowledge on the turbo, rather then being totally against it ... but im leniant towards the 3800 cause its more power rite from stock and can be built... while the 3400 is still lighter and has a list of mods and potential to waste a 3800 s/c (if u have the money)... im basically just stuck between the two.. it would also be nice to have a 3800 in an alero cause not many people have it and im all about being different

[Spilner521]

You realize you'll need the 4T65HD transmission with the 3800 engine right? So you need to swap the engine and transmission, possibly fabricate new mounts, make up some new axles to fit that transmission with Alero hubs, and also a PCM that'll run that engine. I'm not saying the 3800 is a bad way to go. It's got some good power and is a very good platform to start with modifications. But it certainly won't be a $600 deal and drop it in during a weekend.

I personally think it would be easier to turbo the 3400. It's actually not hard to learn the basics of a turbo setup, and if you can install an engine and transmission and fabricate your own parts, you can cartainly build and install your own turbo kit. Just something to think about....

[bkathsalero]

i know it wont be a 600$ job and by no means a weekend job.. i was thinking more along the lines of a summer job... but if u dont mind i got a couple of questions bout the turbo..

*price
*whp made
*how much boost
*how much building on the motor?
*can the stock tranny take the power
*what other upgrades are needed?


I got to admit that ur alero looks bad ass with that intercooler!!

[Spilner521]

*There is no set price, it all depends on what you want to run.
*Again, power depends on what kind of setup you run.
*Depending on the turbo, I'd say 10-12psi on the stock engine
*Zero building of the motor
*Yes the stock tranny can take the power. A shift improver and fluid cooler are good ways to prolong tranny life.
*Larger fuel inejctors, larger exhaust piping, and some way to tune everything

BlackJack would be the one who can give you specifics about how much power it took to blow the stock transmission and how much boost he was running.

[tonyboi261]

how much power do you want to make?

[bkathsalero]

idk.. better question... how much power can i make?

[Spilner521]

In another post BlackJack said it took close to 400whp to kill his stock tranny and I believe he's still on stock internals with the engine.

[tonyboi261]

well there you go 350 with stock transmission

[alerored04]

350 will still eat a stock trans. I won't beleive this until it is done. There is a guy on gagt with the one and only 3800 n body and he has said if he could start over he would build the 3400. If you are serious about more power spend the money on a good turbo and trans setup for the 3400.

[bkathsalero]

what is a beefier tranny thats gonna fit onto the 3400? or do i just need to get mine built up? i;ve been thinkin bout it all last night and i think i will just build up the 3400.. but now im stuck between a supercharger or turbo (simps everyone ive talked to said turbos arnt as hard as i thought they were) but i cant seem to find a good turbo for the 3400 and i hear that the rsm supercharger isnt any good.. and the 1 turbo that i did find they said that they were redisigning the turbo and currently werent for sale... so any links would help.. appreciate they help guys!!

[alerored04]

There are no bolt on applications for this vehicle. I think you have a lot more research to do. Check out gagt.com, there is lots of good info there.

[blueolds01]

isnt mike at milzy making a turbo kit that will be ready here shortly??

[bkathsalero]

yea i do got to do alot of research yet.... and that would be sweet if milzy made one!!!


... hey alerored04 are u from MN those looks like mn plates

[BlackJack]

Grand Forks....."brrrr......"

[jayson_waltz]

^ ya no crap it only got to about 35 degrees here today, but its still screwed up sping enough that driving around shooting today the country roads are EXTREMELY muddy.

As for the original question, i'd go with the 3400. That way you don't have to screw with custom fabricating.

[alerored04]

I am from New Prague MN but currently live in East Grand Forks Mn for college. /\ It was a strange weekend. It was like 40* on thursday, i did a full wash and detail on the car, it was beautiful. It snowed friday night and messed it all up. Damn weather.

[Spilner521]

Originally Posted by alerored04

350 will still eat a stock trans.

Says who?