I have been offered a 4.6 Cadillac Northstar 90*
Should I consider an engine swap? I have browsed the boards and understand it's not a cake walk.

I am getting items together for top end swap so considering all options.
My 3.1 (Cheap build ) research is stalled at the moment.
I am wanting to build a responsive strong HWY runner.
I plan on body mods so exact fit on the top end is not an issue.
I have come across a couple of Buick supercharged top ends. But the boards say no fit.

What would be my best option?

3x00 heads?? and plan for turbo?
I think I've read too much and have now thoroughly confused my last two working braincells.

I found the Hybrid posting very informative.

What I need is a little advice on what to focus on for my application. I.E.
HWY long distance Not looking to build a 1/4 miler but it needs to be responsive and strong. Of course the more HP the funner the ride.


Does anyone know if the heads and upper plenum will fit my 91 3.1 60*
I was told yes. But I don't believe the guy as they are not the same motor
they may be sixes from GM but they are far from the same.

 

are you getting it for free? and are you getting the harness and tranny as well? that wouldnt be a horrible thing to try i hear they are pretty strong motors.

nothing from your 60* and 90* are interchangeable...except maybe the oil

 

The Northstar engine would not be a cheap or easy swap.... If it's the transverse mounted Northstar as most are, the intake will be pointing the wrong way when you put in in lengthwise... not sure what tranny you would use, though there must be some adapters on the market somewhere... When it's all done, at most you'd have about 300 horse.

I've given some thought to a 3.8 Supercharged Pontiac into a Camaro, even have a customer considering it...

Whatever you do, other then another bolt in Camaro V-6 is going to require some extensive fabrication, custom built headers, considerable knowledge on adapting the electronics, and a host of other unforseen complications.

The first question to ask yourself, how are your fabricating skills? Do you have the necessary tools and equipment? Are you sure spending that much time and effor on a V-6 is really what you want to do?

 

If you think you can adapt it go for it. I've driven a few and I always thought they would be great in a car with less heft.

 

While I appreciate the N* for it's technology, and some advanced features, for the time it has, I would never swap one into another car.

There are some inherent problems that they have, that would keep me from using one.

There is a Hot Rod shop in the states that has many N* swap parts, I don't recall the name of the place though. I bet a Google/Bing/etc search would turn up some results.

I would stick with the 660 and build it up with the gen3 top end and a turbo.

If you want to try something a little different, and something I almost started, swap a 3900 into your car. It starts with 240 HP Naturally aspirated.

 

chrfab.com is the website for northstar hot rod parts. what problems do they have that make them bad motors for a swap?

 

Thanks for all the advice folks.
After reading your posts and listening to my BS-o-Meter regarding the person making the offer. I think I will pass on the motor. He wanted $900.00 in trade for services.
No ECM the motor itself was so clean I was skeptical of its origins,
you could tell it was used all the harnesses and lines were cut. Plus the fact that he was adamant about the fact that all GM V6 were the same basic block.
Time to walk away. Thanks guy's

 

N* is not a V6, it is a V8

 

If it is a 6 it is the (Shortstar) LX5 that first came out in the Olds Intrigue in '99 then into the Olds Aurora in '01 . In both cars it is a DOHC 90* v6 that is rated at 215 hp @ 5600 rpm and 234 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm . I thought I heard of a " Northstar v6 " so I went to Wikipedia to look it up and this is the one I was thinking of . Another interesting fact is that this is one of the first GM engines with coil on plug . Also to agree with Six_Shooter it isn't a Northstar it is a Shortstar but from the same family .

 

I had contemplated a northstar swap at one point in time, but have since moved on...i think.

The original FWD northstar did have the same transmission bolt pattern as the 60° V6 engines, which lead swappers to use T-5's and 700r4's from F-body's and S-10's...I'm unsure if the RWD northstar engine uses that same bolt pattern, or if it's shared with the V8 model 4L60's/T56's...I think the XLR was offered with the Northstar as well, and i can't remember if the CTS ever got one...i think the V model always had the LS derivative.

There was a company who swapped a N* into a 4th gen camaro, and it looked balling!!! Which was what originally got me curious, especially since it would already use the 60° transmission, but he did mention that for the horsepower they netted the cost of the swap was very time consuming and not really financially smart planning for anyone on a budget. That becomes especially true when LS series engines/transmissions are offered complete in the 3k mark from F-bodies...and truck motors can be had for less than a grand.