I am planing to put a motor in my 82 Olds Cutlass that currently has a normally aspirated 3.8. I would like to build a 4.1 or possible buy a 4.1 short block. Will everything from the 3.8 bolt on to the 4.1 or will I be out in the junkyard looking for little bracket or ? Oh and for now I plan to keep the 2 barrel intake and carburetor (maybe upgrade later) and I have a set of good 3.8 heads from a 79. What about a new (rebuilt) 3.8 or 4.1 turbo lower end?One last thing is there a particular year lower end that is stronger or better than another is?
I have a 3.8 with a 4.1 intake manifold and the 4 barrel carb.
My e-mail address is cubswin@att.net if you wish to contact me offline you are welcome.
Guess what?
the 4.1 and 3.8 are the same motor. The heads on the 4.1 flow 10% more air than the 3.8. The crank in that block (4.1) is the "turbo" rolled filet. Everything from the NA or tubo 3.8 will fit the 4.1. ( if you are going turbo then you have to make an oil return from the turbo.) I stress that education for that build is key.
Hmmm... most of the time the heads on the 4.1 are the SAME as on the 3.8 (late model 8445 style).
The earlier style ones have the same port design, but lack some of the cooling passage bridges on the ends.
Is the 10% figure due to the bigger bore of the 4.1? I don't think the heads are different?
I currently have a 4.1 in my GN and to my knowlege the 10% more air flow is due to the bigger bore. Also if you need a set a pistons for the 4.1 you may have trouble finding them because the 3.8 is a much more common motor and most vendors only have 3.8 pistons (one of my current problems).
-Don