1980 Monza Spyder 3.8

[captainhowdy84]

Yeah, just wondering how much hp can I get from a 3.8 out of a monza spyder?

Also, what would i have to do to get about 400 hp from engine?

Is this a 90 degree v6 or a 60 degree

 

[charlief1]

I started in an NA 3.8L H body platform Skyhawk myself. Please come to the B4Black section for more info.

 

[Joe 1320]

Yeah, just wondering how much hp can I get from a 3.8 out of a monza spyder?

Also, what would i have to do to get about 400 hp from engine?

Is this a 90 degree v6 or a 60 degree

250-275 isn't too hard. to get 400 HP you would have to settle for a very narrow power band and at a very high rpm. Not really streetable......

 

[novaderrik]

which 3.8 engine does it have? there were two- a 229 Chevy and a 231 Buick.
it's probably a Chev 229- the distributor will be in the back on that engine. it is essentially a 305 V8 with 2 cylinders missing. the only good thing about that motor is that it's easy to replace with either a later 4.3 or a small block Chevy V8.
if it has the Buick 231, the distributor is up front. the only real thing going for that motor is that you could easily swap in a 4.1 or a later turbocharged 3.8 out of a GN or T Type.

 

[GNeric]

The H-bodies never got the Chevy 3.8. They got either the Buick 3.2 (junk) or the Buick 3.8. The 3.8 Chevy was more for the Camaro's and Firebirds. They also only got a 350 if it was a California car and ONLY with a 2bbl carb. I have personally owned 49 of these cars and have loved them since I was 10 years old. My 73 is getting a GN drivetrain very soon.

 

[forzfed]

Is this a 90 degree v6 or a 60 degree

It's a 90 degree.

 

[novaderrik]

The H-bodies never got the Chevy 3.8. They got either the Buick 3.2 (junk) or the Buick 3.8. The 3.8 Chevy was more for the Camaro's and Firebirds. They also only got a 350 if it was a California car and ONLY with a 2bbl carb. I have personally owned 49 of these cars and have loved them since I was 10 years old. My 73 is getting a GN drivetrain very soon.

i've seen a couple of Monzas with 3.8 liter Chev V6 engines in them- my cousin put a fairly built 355 in place of one. the only Buick V6 i've ever personally seen in an H body was in a Buick Skyhawk. i've also seen a 75 Monza with a 350 that had a quadrajet on it that looked pretty stock- right down to the tuneup sticker ..

 

[just plain john]

An old aquaintence of mine had a Spyder with a factory Chevy V8. I can't remember the displacement but I think it was under 300 cid. I want to say 265 for some reason.

 

[GNeric]

I have seen the Chilton manuals that list them. I have never seen any factory manuals that have them listed for the H-bodies. I would have to see one in person. The H-bodies NEVER ever had a 4bbl from the factory. Even the Cali cars. Not emission legal. Sticker would have to have the proper part number for the H-body. You can order stickers to make it look legal but check stations would have the proper info and if it is a 4bbl, it will not pass. I had a 1975 dated Q-jet on my 75 monza for a while with a factory 4bbl manifold and people thought it was stock... until I fired it up.

i've seen a couple of Monzas with 3.8 liter Chev V6 engines in them- my cousin put a fairly built 355 in place of one. the only Buick V6 i've ever personally seen in an H body was in a Buick Skyhawk. i've also seen a 75 Monza with a 350 that had a quadrajet on it that looked pretty stock- right down to the tuneup sticker ..

 

[GNeric]

That would be the 262. My 2+2 was an original 262 car. 1975 and 1976 only. Also engine for the Nova and 4dr Malibu. My grandmother had a 76 Malibu with the 262.

An old aquaintence of mine had a Spyder with a factory Chevy V8. I can't remember the displacement but I think it was under 300 cid. I want to say 265 for some reason.

 

[challengermike]

stick a 350 or a big inch small block in it and have some fun.I dont see any reason to play around with the V6 unless you have alot of time and money to throw at it.

 

[GNeric]

I dropped a 327 into mine and had TONS of fun with my Monza.

 

[Heg87t]

the only Buick V6 i've ever personally seen in an H body was in a Buick Skyhawk.

I had a '79 Pontiac Sunbird with a 3.8 Buick in it. I was my first buick v6. Car was fun to drive. Handled well and had enough grunt to be fun.
Also ran hot and had NO oil pressure on the gage at idle!

 

[gnmaster2004]

One of my first cars was a 1977 Olds Starfire. Same body as the Monza. Had a Buick 3.8
with a four speed, it had a little spunk! and a lot of rust!

 

[captainhowdy84]

Its a 231 buick powerplant

 

[fleebag]

my dad has the monza Mirage stock was a v8 2bbl and now it has a very nice 421sbc, the fun thing is the headers...

fun car though, good luck with it

 

[GNTIM]

That thing would be a blast with even a stock T/R motor. A buddy had a Monza with a mild SBC and a 4 speed, it was mad fun.

 

[GNTIM]

fleebag, funny you mention headers. Friends Monza had manifolds because headers were a known nightmare.

 

[fleebag]

yea now he's scratching his head on what to do with brakes cause the headers are so close you cant do a booster. oh yea and the steering shaft has to go between like tubes 3 and 5 ?

i think our 3.8 would be a cool thing tho

 

[GNeric]

How can you not do a booster? That is up near the top of the firewall and the headers are down near the upper control arm supports that are built into the inner fenderwells. My 75 2+2 had the Hooker Super Comp headers and I have power brakes on that car. Factory booster is small diameter. I never had to move my steering shaft either. Even the Engine swap headers use the pass thru plug for the brake line for the rear tube on the larger (1 5/8) headers. Hopefully you can see the booster in this photo.