</>Hi,


I'm interested in buying a used Lesabre from the 2000-2005 generation. I had an 05 last year as a rental car and fell in love with it. I think I'd pretty much be happy with one from any of those years if it was in good shape with low miles.


I have 2 questions though:


1) Was the 3800 engine pretty much the same throughout the 00-05 production years or did it receive any upgrades? For example,if I knewin 03 it got better heads, I'd avoid pre-03 models.


2) From what I read they seem to come with either a 2.86 or a 3.05 axle ratio. The 05 Lesabre I had was pretty hot off the line, but the Lucerne I had after thatseemed to begeared really flat, so I assume the Lesabre had the 3.05 and the Lucerne had the 2.86... how can I know I'm getting one with the steeper ratio? Are there RPO codes in the glovebox, like on my truck?


Thanks


Garnet Edited by: Garnet

 

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the rpo codes are in the trunk. but if you call the dealer with thte vin, they can tell you the final GR.


and the lesabres saw the series 2 3800 till 03. the later years was the series 3. they are essentially the same engines with slight differences. the main difference is that s2 had the composite (plastic) UIM. where the 04s saw the aluminum intake for the first time since the 92 series 1 3800s. if you find a 00-03, you can change the UIM, with a redesigned intake and egr tube for about $120.





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_V6_engine


this wiki article will have more detail on the engine differences. heres a quote from it


"The Series III motors include many changes. The upper intake manifold is now aluminum on the naturally aspirated models. Intake ports are mildy improved, 1.83" intake valves (instead of 1.80" as on Series II) and 1.52" exhaust valves were introduced in 2003 engines, just before switching to Series III. Electronic throttle control is added to all versions, as is returnless fuel injection. Stronger powdered metal sinter forged connecting rods are used in 2004+ supercharged, and 2005+ naturally aspirated engines, instead of the cast iron style from Series II engines. Emissions are also reduced. In 2005, it was the first gasoline engine in the industry to attain SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle).


Also note that Series III engines are the base for any 3800 produced for the 2004 year and up. This means the same block, heads, &amp; connecting rods apply to any remaining Series II engines made after 2004 also. The difference is that Series III engines received the new superchargers (Generation 5 - Eaton m90 - if equipped), intake manifolds, fuel systems, and electronics."
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Thanks for the info. Any rhyme or reason as to which cars got which axle ratios?</>Edited by: Garnet

 

that i don't know. i know thte ser1 L67 (sc) had 2.97 gr. but even that wasn't set in stone. idk what makes them decide what car get what on any particular day.