Northstar?

[xmind2006]

Just completely a theoretical question, but has anyone attempted a Cadillac Northstar transplant? Is it even compatible with the Porsche or Getrag transmissions? I would guess not.

Anyway, it doesn't seem like too bad of a deal to have 496 hp with a pretty refined engine and a 1 year 12,000 mile warranty for less than 6,000 USD...

Info:
www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpartsjsp/

Buy:
www.gmpartsdirect.com/ (search for P/N 19156265)

edit: I know the Northstar is pretty compact, but does the DOHC make it too wide?

Edited by xmind2006 on Sunday 10th September 20:19

[Boosted LS1]

I've read this is a very good engine, as is but hugely expensive to tune aftermarket due to it being a very sophisticated cammer. If it will fit and run with a stock ecu it could be a nice package. Not as nice as an lsx though imo.

Boosted.

[xmind2006]

Boosted LS1 said:

I've read this is a very good engine, as is but hugely expensive to tune aftermarket due to it being a very sophisticated cammer.

I just threw that out there as a possible alternative to those that were thinking of the Audi 4.2 v8 as I can't imagine that the Audi would be that much cheaper to buy and tune that this Supercharged Northstar.

[Boosted LS1]

xmind2006 said:

Boosted LS1 said:

I've read this is a very good engine, as is but hugely expensive to tune aftermarket due to it being a very sophisticated cammer.

I just threw that out there as a possible alternative to those that were thinking of the Audi 4.2 v8 as I can't imagine that the Audi would be that much cheaper to buy and tune that this Supercharged Northstar.

There was a link I found to a US tuning firm about this engine. It's a gem but has very sophisticated management. It can shut down individual cylinders, run without oil, shut down hot cylinders, advance it's cams and do all sorts of really good stuff. Once you get into the tuning I suspect it's a very expensive option. I don't know of anybody with one of these engines but it is a good unit. Maybe worth researching it's width.

Boosted.

[crafty]

I remember seeing a mention of one of these in an Ultima in the USA.... I never found any photos of it though.

[therighthand]

Well considering the LS7 is 17,000$ 6,000$ Leaves you ohh say 11,000$ to compensate for those extras. Looks interesting.

[gtr-tt]

I planned to use the northstar concept with turbos. But after measuring it I thought that the width of that engine would cause to much problems. There was just no way it would fit without major cutting and welding on the frame.

[therighthand]

Speaking of which could someone give me the dimensions in the frame for the engine, W*D*H?

[egomeister]

Isn't the Northstar designed for a transverse installation - is it designed differently from a "conventional" V8 to take into account different packaging needs in the original car?

[xmind2006]

egomeister said:

Isn't the Northstar designed for a transverse installation - is it designed differently from a "conventional" V8 to take into account different packaging needs in the original car?

Yes the main application of the Northstar has been in use in a transversal installation. However, it is also used longetudally (~sp?).....see the Caddy XLR.

This was the Northstar's biggest feature, to me one of the first transverse FWD v8s in production. In order to do this, it is shorter than the normal small block. I would guess along the lines of the Audi V8 size.

[ezakimak]

Have they got direct injection on those yet, I’ve red a little about the plans to install DI on the other "high feature" GM engines, apparently its worth 15% more power and less fuel consumption to boot. can only be a mater of time if the architecture is the same ?