has anyone thought of possibly swapping in a northstar motor from a caddy? they make 320hp out of a 4.4l motor so they have to be really good. what would you have to do for the swap?

 

OK, I'll go first

nope, never thought about it nor any other engine than a SBC or BBC

It makes no sense to me unless I have more money on my hands than I know what to do with and for some reason I think it would be cool to say I had that as an engine. And, good luck finding aftermarket parts because you never have enough torque or HP.

So, back to the question, nope, never thought about it nor would even consider it.

 

Anything is possible with enough time, money and fabrication skills but if you have to ask if it can be done then it then it probably isn't a swap for you.

 

in spite of all the flack this might stir up , IT HAS BEEN DONE . several years ago i returned to key largo to visit friends (i used to live there) . cruise nite at local Arbeys , a young s/sgt from homestead a.f.b. had an 89 camaro with one . he had bought a caddy SUV that had been rear-ended & totaled . did not have a chance to talk long as we had a designated driver so i had to leave with them . he had not quite gotten it to daily driver status , but it was roadworthy . he still had a few electronic gremlins to chase down . i really was impressed , i liked it , just wish i could have picked his brain more for details . bottom line , it has been done . i would love to see a fully documented thread on a project with a northstar . good luck .

 

Uncle Tom is correct - it has been done. I'd do the for you, but you need to get familiar with the process yourself.

Most of them were rated well below 320 HP, and those that were required 6400 RPMs to get there. Meaning poor low-RPM behavior. The supercharged version might get interesting, though.

It has the same bellhousing pattern as the 3rd gen V6. Hope you're willing to live with the consequences of that.

While it may get high marks for "different"-ness, in practicality it falls short of your basic LS1 swap. I know, I know, "everyone has done a 3rd gen LS1 swap - I want to be 'different'." As in, "I spent more money to go slower so I could be 'different'."

Your car, your money. We'll help where we can if you really want to go through with it.

 

there out there

http://www.chrfab.com/

heres some of these guys work


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA7uk...ature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvrFe...ature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhoAR...ature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDrFf...ature=youtu.be

pricey sure, but possible, sorry to kick a dead thread but just had to say it

 

Is that why the Fiero guys like it?

 

North stars are based off of LT5 right I read that some where I think wiki

 

The northstar has nothing in common with the LT5. It's somewhat similar to an lt1 in some ways.

I think Uncle Tom may be mistaken about what he saw. The Northstar was never used in an SUV. The newer Cadillac SUVs use ls-based motors, so swapping one of those into a thirdgen is common and well documented.

 

Jim, They did put Northstars in the SRX from 2004 to 2009. It is a rwd SUV.

 

Oh yeah. I forgot all about that. Sorry about that!

 

For what it's worth, I drive an 04 Bonneville GXP right now. 4.6L Northstar V8. I love the exterior styling of the car and the fact that I can get out of the way of 18 wheelers in a hurry, but my passion for the car stops there.

If you want any life from the engine, you need to mash it to WOT. And then, it's likely that you'll be disappointed if you're used to ls or even lt cars. I won't even ride in my buddys' ls1 formula, lt1 z or 6.0 gto for fear that my next destination in my car will be a dealership to trade in.

It is, however, the first v8 that I've owned. It sounds beautiful pulling away from a stoplight and the FF setup is nice in the western ny snow.

Oh, and did I mention I love the exterior styling?

Bottom line-- I would do a swap with the engine from the impala ss or supercharge it if I wanted performance. The engine is a bit of a dog.

 

this may sound hash but that is one of the worst engines gm has made top 5? . those things leak and blow head gaskets. Im not sure what the actual failure rate was ever defined at but it was very high. if the half block wasn't leaking oil the head bolts loosen and or pull from the block and result in HG leaks and combustion gasses in the cooling system. dont believe me? (as I know just telling you this will result in someone with a northstar hard on to freak out and tell me im so wrong ) .. go ask some local shops... heck even the dealer who saw the issues at low miles too.

 

Not one of the best motors for a swap at all.. Id rather see you swap in a twincam 4.6- 5.4 ford mod motor and I HATE those..