CD (Class Diplomat) = automatic transmission and GSi (Grand Sport Injection) = manual transmission
Spec
https://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=24057
- Spark Plugs – NGK BPR5EFS-13 / +-R40.00 from Autozone
- Oil Filter – GUD Z229 / +-R140.00
- Air Filter – GUD AG839 / +-R250.00
- Fuel Filter – GUD E18 / R
- Front Brakepads – Safeline D973
- Front Brake Disc/Rotor – Alfa FL-DR6802 – Autozone / Midas tend to say it’s not available anymore
- Rear Brakepads – Safeline D3036
Car Spares Dealers
Pietermaritzburg
- Key PMB: 033 345 2542
- Midas: 033 345 3401
- Autozone: 033 392 4500
- Goldwagen: 033 345 1537
- Europarts: 033 342 0669
- Alert Spares: 033 341 6000
- Diesel Electric: 033 345 1411
Durban
- Echlin Durban: 031 312 1030
Local 2nd hand
OCT TRADING: 031 402 0837 – Durban
Door Seals for all 4 doors +-R1200 from OCT
Spark Plugs
NGK BPR5EFS-13 or NGK BPR5EFS-15, gap seems like it should be 1.6mm
http://www.ngksparkplugs.co.za/?s=17735&s2=&page_id=
http://www.ngk.com/learning-center/article/225/heat-range-conversion-chart
NGK BPR5EFS
- Thread: 14mm
- Reach: 19mm
- Hex: 16mm – this is your spanner size
- Seat: Flat
Compatible
http://www.sparkplug-crossreference.com/convert/NGK_PN/BPR5EFS-13/
Bosch H8DCX
IAC -Idle Air Control Valve
- ACDELCO 217422
- GM 17112649
Aftermarket part available from Goldwagen for R160 and Europarts R400
DELPHI: ICD00127
HELLA: 6NW009141121
HOT-STAMP: 59524
OPEL: 817254 17112027
PIERBURG: 407501510
SHORT CODE: C1351
SIEMENS: A95160
VDO: AT-59524R
TPS – Throttle Position Sensor
Aftermarket part available from Goldwagen for R180
Parts Pricing from Key
Coil Pack (11508061) R4,200 excl VAT – 21/01/2014
- GM 10472401 replaced by 19353734 alternate OEM Part No. 10482928 or ACDELCO D555
- GM 10482928
- Alternate Part:
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS DR-39 WAI global CDR39 STANDARD T-SERIES DR39T STANDARD MOTOR DR-39 AIRTEX 5C1058 WELLS C849
Doesn’t look like these are available from any of the parts suppliers, tried Europarts, Autozone, SA Parts
2nd-hand +-R400 per pack (need3, 1 for each pair of cylinders)
Engine
Looks like a Buick L27 with LN3 intake, similar blocks come up all over the place as GM 3800, Holden also did a similar engine internally named the EV6
| Engine of Opel Rekord 380 GSi | |
| • Engine type | naturally aspirated petrol |
| • Engine manufacturer | GM |
| • Cylinders | V6 in 90° vee |
| • Firing Order | 1-6-5-4-3-2 |
| • Capacity | 3.8 liter / 3791cc / 231.341 cu in |
| • Bore x Stroke | 96.5 x 86.4 mm 3.8 x 3.4 in |
| • Bore/stroke ratio | 1.12 |
| • Engine properties | overhead valve (OHV) 2 valves per cylinder 12 valves in total |
| • Max engine power | 177ps / 175bhp / 130kW @ 4800 rpm |
| • Specific output (ISO) | 46.2 bhp/liter 0.76 bhp/cu in |
| • Max torque (ISO) | 290 Nm (214 ft·lb ) (29.6 kgm ) at 3200 rpm |
| • Specific torque (ISO) | 76.5 Nm/liter 0.92 ft·lb/cu 3 |
| • Sump | wet sumped |
| • Compression ratio | 8.5:1 |
| • Fuel system | MPFi |
| • Bmep (brake mean effective pressure) | 961.3kPa / 139.4psi |
| • Crankshaft bearings | 4 |
| • Engine coolant | Water |
| • Unitary capacity | 631.83 cc |
| • Aspiration | Normal |
| • Intercooler | None |
| • Catalytic converter | N |
GM 3.8L Ignition Coil Pack Tests
http://easyautodiagnostics.com/gm_3800_coilpack/coil_pack_test_1.php
High Energy Ignition (HEI) Spark Tester
http://www.amprotools.net/Product/ProductDetail/1976/HIGH-ENERGY-IGNITION-SPARK-TESTER
Interesting Info
- http://www.britishv8.org/Other/PeterLinn.htm – Neat picture
- https://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/131948742-holden-commodore-3-8l-v6-engine-performance – Holden Commodore 3.8L V6 Engine Performance Bible
- http://www.otodata.com/cars/Opel/Rekord-380-GSi/135258.html – Great specs on the GSI
- http://www.wheels24.co.za/Your-Wheels/Reader-test-1992-Opel-Rekord-20081118
- http://www.senatorman.de/Rekord_e2.htm
GM 3.8L List of Articles
- There is a Car Magazine Road Test of the Opel Rekord 380i CD from Sep 1992
- http://www.carmag.co.za/road_test/from-the-archives-opel-rekord-380i-gsi/ – Car Magazine Road Test of the Opel Rekord 308i GSI from Nov 1992
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_V6_engine – Description of the different engines
Ignition Leads
http://adcoach.co.za/Ignition%20Lead%20Sets%20-%20Eurocable.PDF
Spares, this listing is for Buick LeSabre, same motor as 3.8
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/buick,1990,lesabre,3.8l+231cid+v6,1019540
Fuel Pump
- 160 litres per hour @ 3 bar
- Bosch 0580464051
- Opel 903 49994
- OEM 90323006
- http://pabokay.en.gasgoo.com/auto-products/1741259.html
Water Pump
- QCP7348
- GMB Part No.: GWG59A
- OEM: 12338842
Radiator Cap – Echlin TP2-18 – Echlin Catalogue +-R80 from Europarts in PMB
Oil Filler – Echlin OFC-79
http://www.gud.co.za/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=110
Select AUTOMOTIVE>OPEL>REKORD>
Where is the fuse box for the CD V6 vehicle and how many fuse boxes does each vehicle have?
2 fuse boxes, 1 under the dash on the right hand side of the steering wheel and 1 in the engine bay on the left rear of the engine bay if you are standing in front of the car facing the engine.
Ek soek part vir my opel record 3.8 voor lugte en agter lugte voor en agter stuvner
Kan iemand my help met on derde le soos ligte speedo cable speed sensor and many more plz
Hi All
im down in cape town building a 3800 to race stock cars with can any one show me in a direction that i can get more out of the opel 3800 with out putting a blower nos or a turbo on it
i have the rekord 3800 GLE
would appreciate all the help i can get
my email : clint@customsigns-sa.co.za
thanks guys
Ek soek n cranck sensor vr my opel record 3.8 gsi 0826935602
Awesome page, thanks Grant.
@clint – you can search for parts for LN3 in the States and Australia, these motors were used extensively in various configurations. For racing, you get high compression pistons (up to 9.5:1 is what I’ve found online) and I even found a website that offers aluminum heads (think it was a site focusing on Buick Regal GNX cars).
can somebody please help urgently looking for crank shaft pulley for 1991 opel rekord 3.8DC vin nr S554865 from Klerksdorp north west can somebody please help
hey Innocent am looking for the whole engine gaskets set and crankshaft bearings for my Opel rekord 380i Gsi v6 1992 model please help
Hi all..im looking for a Chev Rekord 2.3 manual gearbox, its 4 spd. Will anyone know if the 2.0 litre box fits onto the 2.3 engine?
Hi Grant, my bush in the flywheel keeps on wearing out quickly, how fo i solve that
I am looking for a propshaft centre bering of a opel record gsi 3.80. 0608789998
Looking for a Fuel pressure regulator on a opel 3.8v6 1992 model
Halo Guys.
I have an Opel Rekord 380i V6.
Does anybody know where a can get a 2/5 coil for the car???
Thanks.
Hi there I need a crank sensor for my gm v6 can you help please?
Wow ! Great site thanks ??
Hi i just want to know wich gearbox does the opel rekord cd v6 got. 1993
Is it a good box?
I dont have any trouble with it but want to change the oil in box but dont see any place where you can drain the oil
Hi. My speedo is jumping all over the place. Does it have a cable or a sensor…or both? And where could I find these parts? Please help. If it has a sensor, where is it located on the car? I have a 1993 Opel Rekord 380i
It has a cable. Jumping suggests the cable is slipping. Cable might be worn or the speedo might have stripped teeth.
Spares are a nightmare for this car. Try the agents, otherwise, remove it and then see if you can get something to match.
@Mone – Don’t waste your time and money looking for a cable, it’s the air friction clutch on the speedometer that gets dirty, actually. All the facelift models suffer from this. I have not tried it yet, but you should be able to open it up and blow it out with a compressor.
Hi. Where can I buy a crank pulley sensor for an Opel Record 3.8 v6 motor?
Hi there! Where can I get a full set of 3.8 gsi or cdv6 rims
Hi where is the temperature sensor located on a 1996 380 v6
Hi Guys,my 380i V6 has some fuel pump problem.Is it caused by the fuel pump relay?
Hi GRANT.
I AM LOOKING FOR THE STD MAIN BEARINGS ON THE OPEL V6 3.8 IF YOU CAN HELP PLEASE
THANKS
Power steering pump anyone? where can I get it. 3.8 Gsl
Hi. Can anybody please help. We’re can I buy a crank sensor from. It’s for a v6 3.8i opel rekord engine.
Hi Sam. Best is to get it from Australia. I didn’t know which to get – apparently our engine codes doesn’t match with theirs – and they said there was an update in and around the time of our motor, so I got both. They’re dirt cheap over there, though, so it wasn’t an issue. Best is to contact an online retailer and discuss it with them and buy one from there. Here’s an example, though I don’t guarantee that this is the correct one. They look similar, but I can’t remember which one fitted, and it was over a decade ago.
I suspect it’s the update happened from the LN3 to the L27, and no-one seems to be sure if we have a LN3 or a L27 with the LN3 plenum. I suspect it’s the latter, though.
https://www.onlineautoparts.com.au/products/Engine-Crank-Angle-Sensor-suits-Holden-Commodore-V6-6cyl-VN-VP-VR-VS-VT-VX-VY-Calais-Berlina-Caprice-Crewman-Statesman/ZPN-24257
Thanks JD, I think your are correct L27 with LN3 intake
Hi are there a Computer box in the car ceeps on mising
Good Day. Can anyone help me with a fuse layout for both fuseboxes.
Yes there is a computer box but it is unlikely the cause of the miss. Missing is usually due to weak spark, so more likely a bad plug, plug lead or coil pack.
Hi, I am looking for a replacement Airflow meter for Opel Rekord 3.8 V6. I can’t find the original
As far as I am aware it does not use an airflow meter. Are you thinking of the Idle Air Control Valve?
Hi Grant,
I have just stumbled across your online site with info, spares, queries and fixes for the Opel Rekord 380 v6’s !!
Not sue where you are based and whether you originally worked for Delta or GM !!
I have been involved with GM products since 1980 and I am an Opel Specialist based in Roodepoort Gauteng. I have repaired and serviced many of these vehicles and still have a lot of spare engine parts available, electrical and mechanical, both new and used !!
I have the original Delta service handbook with the engine specs as well as all the circuitry diagrams !!!
Personally converted a VW Caravelle 2.6 as well as a KB250 diesel to run on this 3.8 v6 engine !!
This engine is originally a Buick 231 cu in, which in our case, was manufactured and sourced from Holden in Australia !!
Correct Spark plugs are Champion RS-12YC6 and the gap is 1.5mm
My contact details are as follows
Mike Philip
0828840650
0116737965
Regards
Mike Philip
I’m looking for speedo cable insert for a manual 5 speed box, it is the Borg Warner box for the GSi
Hi people. Nice active community here if you have any questions as well.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/193273101309035/
Hi. JD. Hi Mike. I was not able to get a crank sensor. However I did mange to get another motor.
I got the second motor start. Please keep in mind that I am using this engine in a Mazda drifter.So the problem now is that it starts but once I select drive it cuts out. It’s also auto. I have used both computer boxes. But have the same result. It some times ideal and not. It’s is now at the performance garage for a management system. But they to have failed….. Please advise me. I think the performance guys are missing something. We have not wired the management system yet.
Hi can anyone tell me what is the valve clearance for the opel record 3,8 v6 1991 model…….
I’m looking for the clutch kit part number here in SA.Luk or Valeo type.Opel Rekord 380i Gsi V6 1992 model.
hi can anybody tell me where i can find a steering rack for my 380i. Thanks can contact me on 0665462414
hi guys/X opsoek na n crank and oil pump v my rekort CD my watsappnommer 0736227165 Francklin
Hi guys,I am Nick from east London,I have an Opel record 3,8 CD which is in very good condition just looking for right hand front headlight and both indicator lenses for front.would also like to know what can coz the car to be so very heavy on fuel consumption ,please advice
Hi everyone. If you’re looking for parts, there’s a very active community with cars and parts trading on the Opel Rekord owners facebook page here.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/193273101309035/
Just have a scroll through, there are a few being stripped for spares.
Hi I’m seeking technical advice on the rear wheel bearings removal not getting the hub off 3.8 rekord can someone assist
Hi guys does anyone have any idea where on the cd v6 380i the fans thermo switch is located. my fan does not kick in. But when i short it on the relay it goes on. I know it is not on the radiator like my Calibra’s. Will appreciate it if some help.
Hi There,
I see that quite a few Rekord 380 v6 owners have been trying to locate crank sensors for their engines. There are 2 different crank sensors for these engines and can not be interchanged between models without changing the crank damper pulley as well as they are a matched pair !! The earlier 1991 — 92 model uses a white/ black plastic sensor that locates into an aluminium mounting bracket and needs to be adjusted and then locked in place. The later 93 – 94 model is an all in one black plastic sensor that does not need to be adjusted once it has been secured to the front timing cover !!
I have a few Brand new sensors of the older type and 1 of the newer all in one type available for sale.
I also have numerous other electrical, electronic and mechanical parts available for these engines !!
I can be contacted on 0828840650 / 0116737965
Regards
Mike Philip
Info for Daniel Nel
The radiator cooling fan in the Opel Rekord 380 v6 is activated via a relay which is triggered by the engine ECU pulling a signal to GND when a specified temperature is reached !! If the fan works when supplied direct power then it is either the relay that is faulty or your engine ECU !! I have a working 2nd hand ECU available for sale if you need it .
Regards
Mike Philip
0828840650 / 0116737965
Also check the fuse box itself. Mine has burned twice, once with previous owner, and once with me. It seems that if the fan runs too long, the wiring can’t deal with the continuous current draw.
The reason that it does that (burns/ melts the engine bay fuse box) is due to 1 of 2 reasons !!
1 — the wiring connector contacts for the fuse are not tensioned enough or due to the wiring connector being dry criimped and not soldered you get oxidisation on the old wiring / connector joint and both cause arcing !!
2– the fan is old / starting to seize up and requires more current on startup which loads the fuse/ wiring connectors which causes them to arc and melt / burn the fuse box !!
My motto having come from the computer service industry is that if you want a joint / contact to last, you NEVER dry crimp any connector that carries a signal, power or Gnd !! That way you NEVER suffer from oxidisation or arcing !!
In reply to Jan Daniel !!
The fusebox in the engine bay is also kown to give problems, but not due to the wiring not being able to handle the current draw from the radiator coolig fan !!
It burns / melts due to the following 2 reasons:
1) The wiring connectors that the fuses plug into do not have enough tension on them or due to the connectors being only dry crimped and not soldered as well, you get oxidation and hardening of the wiring over a period of time which due to the poor contact in the crimp causes arcing !! Hence the burnt / melted fuse box !!
2) The other contributing factor is the cooling fan motor which by the way is exactly the same fan assembly that was used in all the 2.0 L 8v and 16v Opel T car range as well as in the Astra F 2.0L 8v and 16v range, due to
age and usage starts to bind / drag initially on startup , but eventually continuously which in turn puts more load on the contacts / wiring !!
After having been in the computer industry for +/- 20 years on the technical side, you NEVER dry crimp / join a wire and then cover it with insulation tape !! You 1st crimp, then solder the joint and use heatshrink to cover / protect the joint or crimp !!
I have repaired / built harnesses out of 3 different Opel vehicles harnesses spliced together using the above method aespecially for conversions and NEVER had burnt / melted wiring or fuse boxes !!
Your relays carry the load of the fan, the fuse is only there for protection of the circuit !!