06 3.9L VS SC3800 - Page 2

Well there's the problem, you drove a 3.5 and not the 3.9. I know you wouldn't feel that way after driving the 3.9...it's way more powerful.

Bigg J,

I think the SS would more than change your mind! I have had very minor issues with the vehicle as far as comfort or performance. First off, the gas pedal is soft if anything, I get a twitch in my ankle and I'm pushed back into my seat by the thrust. I had some concerns at first with the whole Displacement on Demand: when it drops to 4 cylinders, what is the reaction time if I get on it? well, that question was quickly answered, and I mean quickly! When I push on the gas, it GOES, whether I'm still in 8 mode or even from 4 mode making a quick shift back to 8. I agree, the rear view is quite large and oddly placed for the vehicle, it did get in my way for a while, but I got used to it. The cab is VERY comfortable as far as the seats and console, I am 6'5" 350 lbs. and have no problem climbing in and out or manuevering once I'm in there, including buckling the seat belt. And handling, wow, I've driven some small import cars, I've driven some sedans, NOTHING compares to the ability of this suspension! I've taken a corner at 50 mph without even hesitating.

All in all, the new SS, its got comfort, definately got the styling, and good lord does it have the balls!!

*pics to come shortly*

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bigg J


On the positive side, however, MAN...can that thing handle!!!!! I took it up into a windy mountain road doing 15 over the limit and barely even heard any tire squeel. The seats are pretty comfy too.

Ahhhhheeemmm!!! I knew I wasn't the only one fantasizing about the great handling of the 06.

i've drove many 3.8l and they are doggy to me, the 3.5 has more topend and the 3.9 would wax it. any way the reason for the gas pedal being so easy to push and very responisve is that in 2006 the went to "drive by wire" so there are no cables running from the gas pedal to the thorttle body, the cables had to pull the spring action lever to open the thorttle plate making it harder , the "drive by wire" is all electronic. so it is more responsive,

i would say the mirror is big, but i havent notice the power steering to be very hard u drove a rental and you know what that means. but i have had trans am's and the steering to turn those is way stiffer, the handing is good, the ride is good, and in my opinion the 06's look better inside and out plus have better rims.

quote:

ORIGINAL: 2006MonteCarlo

i've drove many 3.8l and they are doggy to me, the 3.5 has more topend and the 3.9 would wax it. any way the reason for the gas pedal being so easy to push and very responisve is that in 2006 the went to "drive by wire" so there are no cables running from the gas pedal to the thorttle body, the cables had to pull the spring action lever to open the thorttle plate making it harder , the "drive by wire" is all electronic. so it is more responsive,

i would say the mirror is big, but i havent notice the power steering to be very hard u drove a rental and you know what that means. but i have had trans am's and the steering to turn those is way stiffer, the handing is good, the ride is good, and in my opinion the 06's look better inside and out plus have better rims.

Actually I don't find the mirror to be too large, as it is the same size as my own, the problem is where it is placed. the '06+ models have the mirror too low on the windshield almost in the centre of the windshield.

Yes, yes, yes...Dave. You were right about the suspension, but stand by my opinion that it will not out-maneuver a Porsche!! In and out of those mountain curves, the little "06 LT that could" was putting my wife to sleep with the smooth rocking motions.

I forgot to mention that I saw my life flash before my eyes: I was following my friends back from their son's football game, and I had to gun it to get across the oncoming traffic. I slammed the pedal to the floor, and NOTHING happened. I'd had difficulty with the accelerator before, but this was scary!! As far as drive-by-wire, my 3.8 is MUCH more responsive than that thing, and I drove the hell out of it as well. I believe my '05 LT would smoke it...even my wife thought it was lacking in power and she was shocked when I told her that it actually had more hp than mine. The LTZ, yeah I believe it would pull pretty hard on mine, but not the LT...sorry.

Then again, it WAS a rental...so who knows what may have been done to it. This was an '06 and as many miles on it as my '05 (around 23K).

Again your talking about your 3.8 against a "3.5". Drive a 3.9 and it will blow your doors off guaranteed. I can officially say I raced one the other day and that won't happen again......for the other guy that is. He was obliterated by my car. TRY the 3.9 Bigg J before passing judgement on ALL the '06s.

No, no...don't get me wrong. I haven't written off the '06's at all. I am anxious now to try an LTZ. I just disagree with the comment that 2006MonteCarlo made that the 3.5 has more top end than the 3.8. Sorry, mate...just don't see it, man. The more time goes by, the more I wonder how happy a turbo would make me. I just think that at almost 4.0 litres, this V6 has so much more potential for power, know what I mean?

Can't wait til I get some of the home improvements out of the way so the missizz will let me spend a little on the mistrizz.

Yes, I agree with that statement. Top end on the 3.5 may not be that great, HOWEVER, I've not driven an '06 with that motor. And in regards to your 3.8 definately there is more potential at this time. I used to own a GTP with the s/c 3.8 in it. I had a smaller pulley, borla cat back, cai, u-bend delete, and several other performance pieces on it. It was insanely fast for a v-6.

This has become a very interesting thread & I enjoy reading everyone's post & opinions. (Thanks Jason (Bigg `J)

I traded my 05 LT for an 06 LT w/3.9L for less then $1 K difference. I wrote before, that I was really happy with my 05, but that I am happier with my 06.

*The 3.9 engine was only an option in the 06 & I hope that it is as bulletproof and as the reliable 3.8. I fully realize that my Monte was not built as a MUSCLE CAR, but the performance is `Decent for it's size & powertrain. (Exception the V-8 SS). I like the improvements in the 06 over the 05, but it's still not a sport car, but GM did a good job on improvements to handling, power and features over my previous 05 model.

There are some super deals on Certified used 06 Monte's. Check E-Bay & Auto Trader or if you see one on a lot....Go for a test drive & give the forum your review. I posted a reply in Off Topic Forum Post "Why did you ?"

http://www.montecarloforum.com/m_13364/mpage_3/key_/tm.htm

EnJoy your `journey in a `Monte.`Space

good looking car space. my friends malibu with the 3.5 might be a factory freak but it would diffently pull on a stock 3.8, now i havent drove a 3.5 in a monte so it might be a new ball game. the 3.9 has great perfromance, but the way it set up depending on where u punch it at it is very doggy anyone with the 3.9 have this problem?

I would have to diagree that the malibu would pull on a 3.8 because maybe a week or two ago i raced one with subs and another person in my car and i am no small person my self (6'2" 260) and i beat him by a full car length easy and this was from a dead stop. and it was a malibu maxx and we went for a third of a mile before he gave up.

FYI - Award for the 3.9

General Motors' new 3.9-liter V-6 has been recognized for ground-breaking technology by the editors of POPULAR MECHANICS in the publication's first "POPULAR MECHANICS Breakthrough Awards." The announcement was made today at the Americ The POPULAR MECHANICS Breakthrough Awards recognize ten individuals and teams, including one winner of the Breakthrough Leadership Award, that are helping to improve lives and expand possibilities in the realms of science, technology and exploration. Additionally, POPULAR MECHANICS highlighted a separate group of ten consumer products that represent milestones in design and engineering.
The 3.9 V-6 has been awarded for the innovative adaptation of variable valve timing, an industry first for overhead valve engines.
"General Motors keeps finding ways to advance overhead valve engines and the 3.9-liter V-6 used in the Impala reaches new levels," said James Meigs, editor-in-chief, POPULAR MECHANICS. "For their continued success and innovation, we're proud to recognize GM with a 2006 Breakthrough Award."
The 3.9 is part of an all-new family of advanced overhead valve, 60-degree V-6 engines. The engine is designed new from the block up and in addition to variable valve timing, incorporates a host of advanced, premium features, including a variable intake manifold, piston-cooling oil squirters, and an advanced 32-bit engine controller.
"The breakthrough development of variable valve timing for the 3.9 demonstrates the continued relevance of the elegant overhead valve engine design," said Dr. Gary Horvat, assistant chief engineer, V-6 engines. "We're honored that the editorial team at POPULAR MECHANICS recognize the significance of this technology."
The variable valve timing system incorporates a vane-type camshaft phaser that changes the angular orientation of the camshaft, thereby adjusting the timing of the intake and exhaust valves to optimize performance and economy, and helping lower emissions. Within its range of operation, it offers infinitely variable valve timing in relation to the crankshaft. The cam phasing creates "dual equal" valve timing adjustments. In other words, the intake valves and exhaust valves are varied at the same time and at the same rate.
The award-winning, 240-horsepower 3.9 V-6 is available in the 2006 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo, Malibu SS, Malibu Maxx SS and Uplander; Pontiac G6 GTP and SV6; Buick Terraza; and Saturn Relay.

P.S. Thanks `Josh for the compliment...`Space
EnJoy your `Journey

well that is good to know about the 3.9 yay!!! like i said about the 3.5 in that malibu it might just be a factory freak to be honest it suprised the hell out of me

hey cain did your 3.9 wax that 3.8 bad?? want to here the story. i love that 3.9 its pretty potent. oh and mods out for the 3.9 yet?

quote:

ORIGINAL: 2006MonteCarlo

well that is good to know about the 3.9 yay!!! like i said about the 3.5 in that malibu it might just be a factory freak to be honest it suprised the hell out of me

hey cain did your 3.9 wax that 3.8 bad?? want to here the story. i love that 3.9 its pretty potent. oh and mods out for the 3.9 yet?

I wouldn't touch that 3.9 with mods until you reach the 36k, 60k, or 100k warranty. Just my 2 cents.


BTW Space, nice car. It was the white 06 Monte that originally sparked my interest in these cars.

No mods yet for 3.9 other than a drop in K&N filter. Yes it waxed the 3.8 really good. Considering the 3.9 has 42 hp over a stock 3.8. It was fun and made me like mine even more.

well that sounds good that the the 3.9 waxed the 3.8 really well, the reason i ask this, is i came from a really fast car to a more of a gas saver and to be honest the 3.9 is weak to me i mean it runs great for a v6 but it still doesnt give me a great thrill besides knowing that it is a bad ass super nice car,
i was wondering what it would run in the quarter mile and what cars it would outrun so i could race some and get a good thrill but i havent raced anything in the 3.9 but a new 2006 5.3 z71 and a older chevy with a fresh hopped up 383 i left the z71 like it was standing still and i pulled on the 383 decently.

quote:

ORIGINAL: 2006MonteCarlo

well that sounds good that the the 3.9 waxed the 3.8 really well, the reason i ask this, is i came from a really fast car to a more of a gas saver and to be honest the 3.9 is weak to me i mean it runs great for a v6 but it still doesnt give me a great thrill besides knowing that it is a bad ass super nice car,
i was wondering what it would run in the quarter mile and what cars it would outrun so i could race some and get a good thrill but i havent raced anything in the 3.9 but a new 2006 5.3 z71 and a older chevy with a fresh hopped up 383 i left the z71 like it was standing still and i pulled on the 383 decently.

Really?!? Good run, man. I thought that it was strange for me a couple weeks ago to run a Silv. 5.3 reg. cab/short bed and him not to be able to leave me. We stayed neck and neck the whole time. Guess that speaks to aerodynamics, eh?

yea you should pull on him if you have the 3.9 i traded in my 5.3 extendcab chevy half ton two wheel drive on this montecarlo. the truck ran good it was fast from a roll intill it hit second then it slowed down, intill it revved up again. from a dead stop the monte would kill my old truck, but from a roll the monte would walk it slowly intill second and third gear then it would pull.

My 1990 Silv. 5.7 4x4 would show this monte who's boss, though. The only thing she lacked was top end. 0 - 60 was no contest for most cars back home. I took it to the track a few times, tried to race an f-150 lightning, but he wouldn't race me. Too scared from the sound of my fully dual straight pipes to thrush glasspacks (cats are not required down there). She was loud to say the least. Lots of add-on goodies. I miss her.

every one has a old hot rod that they miss dearly, i guess it hard to get away from losing them, i know i miss mine

i've got a supercharged 3.8l 2005 and i smoked a 5.3 silverado, and he was really trying, i dont see what the difference is because all these cars you guys are saying a monte wont keep up with or beat, i beat them, and to my knowledge there's nothing done to my car, i bought it with only 6000 miles on it with nothing done to it

quote:

ORIGINAL: wiz kidd

i've got a supercharged 3.8l 2005 and i smoked a 5.3 silverado, and he was really trying,

I expect you would beat him. Mine is not S/C and the guy in the truck couldn't leave me, so yours with the supercharger should pull on him pretty hard. That setup is almost as strong as the LTZ. I messed around with a guy in a 2004 S/C SS one day, and I couldn't keep up.