# GM 3800 V6 Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 5, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gm-3800-v6-question/191003 "2023-06-05T23:58:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![paullovestheUP\_185516](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/85e7bf/32.png) [@paullovestheUP\_185516](https://community.cartalk.com/u/paullovestheUP_185516)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gm-3800-v6-question/191003/1 "2023-06-05T23:58:57Z")
Hello, Brand new member here. I want to build a motorcycle trike, I see V8 trikes everywhere and it just seems like overkill to me, to each their own. My question is about the 3.8 V6 or some called it the 3800 series. I won’t be held to the automotive standard for smog so I was wondering can you remove most or all of the smog components? I will be setting this up in the same area a Vwin would be mounted, with a reinforced custom frame of course. How bare can you make that engine? Thanks for any input. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 12:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gm-3800-v6-question/191003/2 "2023-06-06T00:06:12Z")
Yes you can remove the smog stuff. That is the least of your issues. You might want to look to a lighter engine with an aluminium block Sorting the driveline… clutch to primary to transmission to the secondary to the wheel with the engine mounted sideways is big challange. That’s if you insist on Harley style cross crank mounting. The Boss Hoss bikes use an automatic transmission to a shaft drive style rear. ---
**Author:** ![paullovestheUP\_185516](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/85e7bf/32.png) [@paullovestheUP\_185516](https://community.cartalk.com/u/paullovestheUP_185516)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 12:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gm-3800-v6-question/191003/3 "2023-06-06T00:24:29Z")
Mustangman, Thanks for the reply. I was interested in the 3800 because of reliability. Just looked up the weight, wow, you’re right. Looking up engines that are lighter now. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 1:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gm-3800-v6-question/191003/4 "2023-06-06T01:40:54Z")
Weight aside I would go with the 4.3L V6, it is basically a 350 with 2 cylinders cut off and the aftermarket is huge for them, and they may pretty good power and vey reliable and easier to find carb intakes and distributors for… And if it doesn’t make it run or go faster it’s not needed… lol ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 1:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gm-3800-v6-question/191003/5 "2023-06-06T01:44:27Z")
Consider using a Subaru engine and automatic trans without the awd output or an Audi A4 longitudinal 4 cylinder (turbo or not) mounted to its auto trans and fwd drive and suspension. Smaller lighter and unique for a trike. Use a Harley front frame piece and forks. Custon fab in the middle. With that thought, a complete 3800 drivetrain mounted transversely behind the riders in a bit of a “trunk” to cover it all up. ---
**Author:** ![JayWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@JayWB](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JayWB)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 4:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gm-3800-v6-question/191003/6 "2023-06-06T04:20:15Z")
Everybody built a VW based trike in the '60s and '70s. You use the entire Beetle drivetrain as the rear axle. There’s gotta be some group around that still supports that. And there’s bound to be a million beetle motors / transaxles floating around, too. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 5:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gm-3800-v6-question/191003/7 "2023-06-06T05:26:27Z")
> [@JayWB](#): > > Everybody built a VW based trike in the '60s and '70s That’s the problem, everybody has done that, @paullovestheUP_185516 wants to be different. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 8:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gm-3800-v6-question/191003/8 "2023-06-06T08:04:42Z")
Take a look at the buick, olds, pontiac aluminum 215 V8 of 1961-1963. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 12:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gm-3800-v6-question/191003/9 "2023-06-06T12:32:59Z")
> [@It\_s-Me](#): > > That’s the problem, everybody has done that, @paullovestheUP_185516 wants to be different. Something you may never hear me say again, put an electric motor on/in it coupled to a VW based transmission… or just a plain boring electric motor set up like an EV… Custom builder Ian Roussel did it to a Dune Buggy years ago… Running the motor through the transmission would still give you the feeling of changing gears… ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 1:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gm-3800-v6-question/191003/10 "2023-06-06T13:08:46Z")
What about a Toyota 3.5L? You won’t need a turbocharger or supercharger but they are available. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 12:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gm-3800-v6-question/191003/11 "2023-06-07T00:14:51Z")
On a recently broadcast tv episode of _Counting Cars_ they made a custom built trike-motorcycle for a disabled fellow. Might get some ideas anyway. ---
**Author:** ![cwatkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@cwatkin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cwatkin)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 7:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gm-3800-v6-question/191003/12 "2023-06-07T19:08:07Z")
How about a GM 5.3L? They are quite a bit lighter than the LT1 and there are lots of builds that use these things. I am guessing there is a GM V6 that would bolt right up the same way the 5.3L V8 does if you would rather have a V6.