<VV> Re: 3800 motor (little tiny bit Vair)

[Sethracer at aol.com]

In a message dated 4/26/2007 7:36:04 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  pp2 at 6007.us 
writes:

However  the 3800 (really my favorite engine) has reached the end of its 
design  life (particularly since it is an iron engine) and is now being 
phased  out.





I had the good fortune to pick a conversation with one of the chief  
powerplant engineers at GM during the SEMA show a few years ago. I complained  about 
them discontinuing the DOHC Olds V6 "Shortstar" motor. He compared it to  the 
3800 motor, then used in transverse applications in the same cars as the  Olds. 
He told me it cost GM several hundreds of dollars more to build  the Olds 
than the 3800. Money which buyers seemed unlikely to pay. He  said the real 
reason for the discontinuation was the inability of the motor to  accept variable 
valve timing via the camshaft controllers. The  replacement/redesigned 
Northstar V8 had just been released with that feature,  necessary to meet the 
performance and mileage specs. I am reasonably sure that  is the reason that the 3800 
motor will finally be put to rest. For the  single-cam V8 motors, cylinder 
deactivation will be the only solution, at least  for now. AS far as the Corvair, 
an updated controller and FI system could  probably do the same for the Vair. 
It will likely remain a challenge. Can you  imagine the hub-bub on Virtual 
Vairs when someone announces he has done this and  the car gets XX percent 
better mileage. If you think electric fans get  scrutinized!!! - Seth



************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.