Posted by Tim Keith on Friday, October 07, 2005 at 9:03PM :
In Reply to: Re: OT Dakota question posted by Kaegi on Friday, October 07, 2005 at 8:49PM :
I think Buick's 3800 is an excellent motor,
it is based on Buick V8, which has long since been discontinued. The Chevy Vortec 4.3 V6 is based on a 350 V8, also a good motor.
I don't think there are any major problems with the 3.9 but I don't think Mopar's 3.9 had the refinement as the GM 6s which derive from v8s. The 3.9 was adopted as a cost savings measure when the slant six was dropped. The early 3.9s had carbs and then
shoddy EFI systems. The 318 is a very good motor, the 3.9 does not get the same level of praise. On the surface it is a 318
lacking two cylinders, but the crankpins
are offset, as are the GM designs.
My personal opinion is any even-fire V6 with offset crankpins is not the best design for a truck motor. I'd rather
see a good strong inline motor as the
base truck motor, even if it is only
a five.
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