3.9 vs 3.6

[Gemmer]

Was lookin at these new engines and wondering why GM made two new V6s. What are the big advantages and disadvantages to these bad boys?

[bszopi]

Ones a DOHC, the other is a pushrod...

[v6h.o.]

ones big the other is small :P

the 3.6L is based off the V6 from the Catera/CTS engine family.

where as the 3.9L is based off of our beloved 60v6 family tree.

[SappySE107]

It based off those? I thought it was built from scratch, not based on any particular engine.

[RacerX11]

You are right, Ben..the new 3.6 is a clean sheet design.

Marty

[bszopi]

So the truth comes out... most of the stuff Colin says really does come straight from his ass!!

[v6h.o.]

So smart asses. explain to me this:

SPECIFICATIONS:

2004 Buick Rendezvous - AWD document ID#1493939
Engine Mechanical Specifications
Application
Specification

Metric
English

General

Engine Type
V-6

Displacement
3.6 Liter
217 cu in

RPO
LY7

VIN
7

Bore
94 mm
3.7008 in

Stroke
85.6 mm
3.37 in

Compression Ratio
10.2:1


2004 Cadillac CTS Document ID#993183

Engine Mechanical Specifications
Application
Specification

Metric
English

General

Engine Type
V-6

Displacement
3.6 Liter
217 cu in

RPO
LY7

VIN
7

Bore
94 mm
3.7008 in

Stroke
85.6 mm
3.37 in

Compression Ratio
10.2:1


Hmm. same bore same stroke, same displacement, and same RPO code..

now maybe i worded the "Family"thing wrong for the 3.6L but as far as i was told it was a continuation of the 3.2L engines...

[SappySE107]

hahahaha I was pretty sure it wasnt based on the current 3.2. Thats what threw me off last year at the car show cause I was taking pics of the 3.2 stuff cause I knew there was a 3.2 version of the 3.6 mentioned. Of course they didnt have a 3500 there or a 3.6 DOHC to look at.

[SappySE107]

um colin, they are the same engine only different variations (the engine is available as FWD, RWD, or AWD). Thats like saying the 3900 is based off the 3900....

[v6h.o.]

um colin, they are the same engine only different variations (the engine is available as FWD, RWD, or AWD). Thats like saying the 3900 is based off the 3900....

argh.. point i was trying to make was its the CTS engine.. however i guess its a "clean slate" engine. but i was under the impression it was a variant of the 3.2L engine....

[SappySE107]

The 3.2 is 58 degrees I thought, or something like that. Its an opel design.

[v6h.o.]

The 3.2 is 58 degrees I thought, or something like that. Its an opel design.

yes. guess i'll have to take a closer look at the 3.2 to 3.6L cts' at work...

[bszopi]

http://subscribers.wardsauto.com/files/1004/yearly/Mahle03.pdf

Its actually a 54º with an RPO of LA3. So Colin is... WRONG!

HAHAHHAHA!!!!

[RacerX11]

Man, I get in late on the Colin bashing party...you guys need to invite me sooner next time.

The 3.0/3.2 Catera engines are the Opel 58 degree design, like Ben says. Is the CTS even available with the 3.2? I thought it was only the 3.6. BTW, I got a chance to drive a new CTS-V last month...pretty freakin sweet car.

Marty

[bszopi]

Marty... look at the above PDF. The 3.2 (listed for the 03 CTS) is a 54º, not 58º.