Performance upgrades for the G80 3.8 engine

[RevNight]

I am reading alot about the K&N air filters and JB4 tuner, but they are only available for the Kia Stinger (2.0T, 3.3TT), G70 (2.0T, 3.3TT), and G80 (3.3T). Basically, every flavor except for the 3.8 Naturally Aspirated engine.

So for those of us who may buy the lower end G80, what recourse do we have to upgrade the engine performance?

 

[bthor]

Not getting much response on this issue. Did see on you-tube a guy placing electrical tape over airflap magnet that opens above 4k - to open sooner. Not really sure it does anything??

 

[Redrazor]

Not getting much response on this issue. Did see on you-tube a guy placing electrical tape over airflap magnet that opens above 4k - to open sooner. Not really sure it does anything??

It works pretty well. See my post from last November.

 

[Redrazor]

Aug. 26, 2018. Sorry.

 

[Phenix3st]

Going to have a look at my 5.0. Changing the air filters here pretty soon.

 

[TinsleyC]

Kinda sad when the only 3.8 engine mods recommend are a piece of tape and a new air filter.

Oh well, if we really wanted more power we could have bought the more powerful engine.

 

[Tanninhyde]

Kinda sad when the only 3.8 engine mods recommend are a piece of tape and a new air filter.

Oh well, if we really wanted more power we could have bought the more powerful engine.

 

[Tanninhyde]

I dont think you're missing too much. How often do any of us really open up the full capabilities of our vehicles? Most mods are an exercise in satisfying our desire to tinker. You have all that extra income at the end of the month to spend elsewhere.

 

[e.han]

I am reading alot about the K&N air filters and JB4 tuner, but they are only available for the Kia Stinger (2.0T, 3.3TT), G70 (2.0T, 3.3TT), and G80 (3.3T). Basically, every flavor except for the 3.8 Naturally Aspirated engine.

So for those of us who may buy the lower end G80, what recourse do we have to upgrade the engine performance?

You have the option for a K&N air filter (33-5019).

 

[MorrisGray]

I did the airbox trick on our 2012 but have not really noticed any difference but my wife drives it most of the time and she never notices much about the way it runs as long as the tires provide a comfortable ride. But I never noticed the hesitation that some people talked about either that led to the air box mod.

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[e.han]

I did the airbox trick on our 2012 but have not really noticed any difference but my wife drives it most of the time and she never notices much about the way it runs as long as the tires provide a comfortable ride. But I never noticed the hesitation that some people talked about either that led to the air box mod.

I suspect the design intent for that flap in the airbox is to allow the car to start easier from cold. I don't see how it'll help performance since at speeds, the flap will open anyway.

On my karts, when they fail to start on the 1st crank, we basically cover the air intake and crank again basically allowing it to run a little richer.

 

[JoshuaGrooms83]

Just bought a 17 G80 3.8, and am looking at what performance or upgrade there are for the engine or anything else for that matter. Have been reading a lot about the Lambda II RS engines which seem to be pretty capable little engines, I mean 311 hp out of a V6 is pretty awesome! Coming from LS1 land, this is a pretty good starting point for a V6. I did come across a video on a turbo system for the 3.8 coupes and the guy made 500hp on a stock 3.8L engine. I'm wondering if anyone knows where I can learn more about these engines so I can figure out what can and can't be done. 2019 3.8 has a 13:1 compression ratio which is insane! and not boost friendly lol the 17 3.8 I think is somewhere between 10 or 11:1 but I can't verify the engine model years for the Lambda II RS engines. 11:1 would be "OK" on boost but would be severely limited at how much can be thrown at it. Fueling and tuning alone I feel would be difficult as these cars haven't been around that long so not much aftermarket support yet on the sedans, while the coupes seem to get more love.

 

[TinsleyC]

I've had the same questions... but also like to keep my warranty.

If I wanted more power, it would be cheaper and easier in the long run to just trade my 3.8 G80 for a 3.3t or 5.0 model, and keep the warranty.

Then again, if you just like to modify engines, tinker, and don't really care about taking it in for warranty service, go for it. But I have not researched serious mods for the reasons above.

 

[Bill in Alexandria]

I was on the fence about the 3.3T vs. the N/A 3.8, but realized my driving style is one of relaxed comfort. My previous car was an Infiniti M35x (300hp and lighter than the G80) and I rarely needed the extra punch, but was nice to know it was there. Then I test drove the G70 3.3T. Quite a beast. It was a fun toy until I got my G80 back.

I'm perfectly pleased with my 3.8 and hopefully you'll be too.

 

[G-424357]

Kinda sad when the only 3.8 engine mods recommend are a piece of tape and a new air filter.

Oh well, if we really wanted more power we could have bought the more powerful engine.

negative that's how they rob you it's the same motor w/o the turbo just get it tuned to unleash the power and to release the govenor for top speed

 

[bthor]

3.3 vs 3.8. Not the same motor.

 

[TinsleyC]

negative that's how they rob you it's the same motor w/o the turbo just get it tuned to unleash the power and to release the govenor for top speed

As said, the 3.8 and 3.3 are different motors. You can buy all sorts of tunes for the 3.3, show me some for my 3.8. I wouldn't do it anyway, in the original owner and want to keep my 10 year warranty.