Newbie... Completely...

**TLSheff** · 10-26-2012

Originally Posted by BetterThanWalking

I am a motor head. I had 700hp BB F350 in college, i recently sold a first gen SHO Turbo. The car that was recently repo'ed was a 2012 Kia Soul. I lost my job three months ago and couldnt make the payments, life moves on. I did just get a job and start in two weeks, bills are low again and i have a car so, life is decent.

I went and started the car up yesterday and moved it back to where we live so i can tinker with it. It has a hell-a trans leak from an unknown location currently so, i know i will have to yank it and rebuild it over a weekend. I started doing research and figured i dont have ANY GM 3800 knowledge, i would ask people that do. I would like to build a motor for about 14-20lbs of boost and pair it with a manual or automatic transmission that can hold 400hp.

Ill be yanking the motor in the second car in the next week and pulling the motor apart and having it dipped and prepped for whatever i decide to put into it.

Suggestions and a Direction to go with this project would be nice. I am making it a sleeper. Stock lowered stance with wheels...

Ok.... despite how it sounds, I'm not being mean. Forget what you think you know about cars, you're about to get learned the fun way. The 3800s don't play by typical rules, they break whatever they feel like breaking if they feel like making your life hell that day. They are very particular and finicky but with time and knowledge you can maintain one right and it will last and be very solid.

400hp will mean you're pursuing a turbo build, VERY few supercharger builds have made 400whp and they had more money thrown at them than was worth it. If you want high hp you need to go solid turbo and you need to break the bank on a properly built auto tranny or you will have to go with the getrag 5-spds and swap one in.
Also 14-20lbs will not happen if you stay supercharged, proper flow won't allow for it without cracking pistons, 12lbs is the sweet spot on these cars. Again, turbo if you want high boost.

Regardless, you need to pick and path and learn the most on what to do to save yourself a hassle and ton of money.

For starters, read these so you know what to look for on fixing yours up, and a good basis for modding. Don't skim them, read multiple times, bookmark them, learn.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/ultim...0-a-49055.html

http://www.grandprixforums.net/safel...0-a-67580.html

http://www.grandprixforums.net/97-03...ems-60802.html

Also, if you register at GPONA.com they have a link to GM Service Manuals that could be helpful if you get in a tight spot.

Best of luck and Welcome to the club.