Thread: p38 info

You cant use an Lt230, the diffs are on the passenger side, not the drivers. As for changing diff`s, Why. The P38 has very strong 4pin diffs in the rear, Thor / Bosch cars with 4 wheel traction control have the same in the front. Gems a 2 pin
The Bosch changeover started in late 1999. The Gems oblong plenum chamber on top the engine is replaced with a bunch of bananas chamber, easy to spot. Better fuel and more torque.
Radiators clog over the years and do cause overheating. Slipped liners are also not uncommon. Tread carefully if you suspect problems however a god run in stop start conditions should expose any weakness.
Factor in $1000 for new airspring, radiator and valve block / compressor re-build on any car that has not had them replaced.
Thor cars are more $ and those with air springs changed for coils less $. If you want the EAS dont bother with any car that has had it removed the bits that remain will not doubt be knackered just find a car with it there and working

Milky deposit under the filler cap= RUN.

I have never had any trouble with my fuel injection in 13yrs and I have a 95, If the Thor system is better it must be perfection, the only negative I can see on the Thor is that it has o2 sensors.
If you put a blind fold on and drove both an early and later model the only difference you would see/feel is more torque and slightly smoother running of the later model....assuming they are both in the same condition and milage.

The GEMS is much easier to work on than a Thor.

Try changing a coil pack!

Or a rocker cover gasket!

The P38 is starting to appear on the road in modified form more and more these days! Most people are trying to pioneer their own mods, the LT230 swap would be a big one - yet to be done (probably due to $$). If your pockets are deep then you can do anything!

My best advice if buying one that you plan to modify, get one with a very clean service record and no mods. Lucas or gems does not seem to matter as I've not heard any major reliability differences on this forum.

Not exactly sure that it was late '99 that the Bosch motors came out as mine is a Feb '99 build and it's a Bosch 4.6.

Good luck mate!

Originally Posted by RR P38

If you put a blind fold on and drove both an early and later model the only difference you would see/feel is more torque and slightly smoother running of the later model....assuming they are both in the same condition and milage.

The Thor cars in addition to the Bosch engine management has four wheel traction control with a stronger 4 pin front diff. The brake modulator does not suffer the same catastrophic failures as the gems being a different part.
I believe the gearbox is slightly different but not sure in what way. Front and rear lights have colour changes and foglights have changed lenses from 2000

Gearbox was the same but with uprated software.