Thread: Pros and Cons

3.8 has a lot more power out of the box. More potential in the long run.

No replacement for displacement.

The 2.0 is less expensive, has a big aftermarket for parts already.

Give them a test drive and see which you like best!

I love my 3.8 Track it was well worth the time waiting for it, but make sure you get what makes you feel good i look forward everydy driving my car even if it is to work:sad:

I got a 2.0t Base, and I love it. Personally couldn't afford the 3.8 but wasn't honestly looking at it because I used to have a V6 and didn't want the gas cost since I use my car as a daily driver. Turbo lag isn't really an issue though because it seems the car doesn't always let it use boost anyways (although apparently there is a ECU update that fixes this). The 2.0t is peppy and you can drift pretty easy in it, but the 3.8 will toast it in pretty much every race.

Hey just saying hi from Canada.

I just sold me car and I'm seriously considering buying a genesis coupe. I dont really want to ticker with my next car as I think I'm done the modding phase of my life haha.

I'm looking at the 3.8, has anyone had any major issues with theirs yet?

For $500-$700 you can get the 2.0T to about 75% of the power of the V6. IMO that makes the decision pretty easy if you like to mod at all. If you want to keep it stock, do basic bolt-ons only, or are shooting for 500+HP then get a 3.8.

With tuning ($500), injectors ($700), FMIC ($1000), Intake ($200), rods ($800), pistons ($600), exhaust ($800), and a turbo ($1500) you should be able to put down about 350-400whp in a 2.0T. All the parts you'd need to build a 400hp 2.0T are on the market and can be had for less than $7000. A few of the tuning shops here in the US are running 300-350whp 2.0T's around the tracks all day without new internals, so anywhere in that range should be safe without ripping the engine apart to replace internals.

Basic bolt ons haven't gotten any 3.8's above 300whp yet to my knowledge, so getting a 3.8 to 350whp is going to take juice or boost. Nitrous is not a good long term daily driver solution and boosting the 3.8 will not be cheap. Also consider that the 3.8 comes with 10.4:1 compression and you'll see boosting it with high pressure will take some very skilled tuning.

Originally Posted by snoopy0812

The 2.0t is peppy and you can drift pretty easy in it, but the 3.8 will toast it in pretty much every race.

Reviews all say otherwise. Yea the 3.8 has the 2.0t in a straight away stock. But stock the 2.0t will beat the 3.8 in any road course/auto-x. All review says the 3.8 suspension is terrible and the 2.0t is amazing. This could be due simply to weight differnce or maybe the 2.0t has better suspension (it did come out later). Plus that whole there is no replacement for displacement holds as much water as once you go black you never go back. Tho the 3.8 would infact hold more water lol... There is a very good reason why all the racing companys are picking up 2.0Ts and not 3.8s. The 3.8 is very much more of a luxury car then a sports car. While the 2.0T is all sport. The only way a 3.8 would really have a chance would putting a turbo on it. And putting a turbo on a NA engine is a tricky task and not for the faint of heart.

3.8 has better whp and trq out of the box, and has a better weight to power ratio than the 2.0t. but it has hardly any aftermarket life.

the 2.0t is a slower, slightly heavy 4 banger, but it has a large and still growing aftermarket following. larger turbos are already available for major tuning.

Both are great cars, the 3.8 is great, but the potential for better performance right now is pointing towards the 2.0t