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#1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,229
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anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
i've been watching out for a few, and they seem to cost a little less than the 5.3 liters from gm trucks/tahoe/suburbans. there was one on evilbay that was a high output from a seville. i liked the looks of it, and think it would look great in the engine compartment. does it require the same bracketry/modifications as the 5.3, or is there something more complicated? i would think it could use the same kit, such as the one from ECE, but i'd like to know for sure. there's a pic of one below. it looks like it's transversely mounted, but i assume it could be put axially into a '72?
thanks!
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"Anybody who would paint his truck like this, would go to a minister's funeral dressed in feathers!" - Big Enis Burdett '72 Blazer Restoration Blog: http://sportchicken.blogspot.com/ Last edited by cstanley; 04-25-2006 at 06:23 PM. |
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#2 |
The LuvShack Garage
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side)
Posts: 30,477
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
My buddy works on them all the time, I wouldn't and I only have one
reason for saying this, they are pretty sweet motors, but the oil pan is part of the motor, it cost like $2K to have it resealed w/ out a oil leak guarantee, no one here in my area will guarantee it from leaks.
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Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T |
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#3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Birmingham,Alabama
Posts: 260
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
Quote:
not true, oil pan is its own piece, but its a 2 piece block.
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1969 c10 stepside 250 inline six, 4speed granny tranny, 4.11 posi rear end |
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#4 | |
The LuvShack Garage
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side)
Posts: 30,477
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
Quote:
He told me it was the pan, maybe he meant the block ? Nobody around here will even touch one, and the dealers will not guarantee them not to leak after they fix em ? ![]()
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Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T |
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#5 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Birmingham,Alabama
Posts: 260
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
Quote:
Well the head bolts run into the mains, the motor's set up is weird, the starter sits under the intake manifold, they use oil, dont burn, but use oil. They make an interesting motor, but if you want something that will last with out problems, id prob steer clear of the northstart.
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1969 c10 stepside 250 inline six, 4speed granny tranny, 4.11 posi rear end |
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#6 |
Dave's not here, man
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Winder, Georgia
Posts: 2,000
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
I used to work as a tech for a Cadillac dealership. These motors are a nightmare. The motors leak from the pan, and to get it fixed and remove the pan you have to pull the transmission, which also means you have to pull the subframe. I saw them use as much as 4 quarts in the first 3000 miles of life. The pan has an 8 qt. capacity, and that's probably why. They have good power, but they're not designed all that well IMO.
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- 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250 Last edited by dave2953; 04-25-2006 at 07:51 PM. |
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#7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,229
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
that's kind of strange, didn't know that. if it's part of the engine, how does it leak? is the reason because it's very difficult to remove, or that it truly is integral to the engine?
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"Anybody who would paint his truck like this, would go to a minister's funeral dressed in feathers!" - Big Enis Burdett '72 Blazer Restoration Blog: http://sportchicken.blogspot.com/ Last edited by cstanley; 04-25-2006 at 06:28 PM. |
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#8 |
what happened to flint mi
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: san diego
Posts: 437
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
i heard terrible stuff about the head gaskets on these motors
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71 swb 2wd fleet frame off in progress 72 4x4 blazer daily driver 70 olds cutlass s mint condition owned by a grandma 56 gmc 2wd project waitng 97 fiance mobile |
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#9 |
DON'T TREAD ON ME
![]() Join Date: May 2005
Location: Crosby County, TX
Posts: 989
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
During the course of ordinary bench racing with my engine builder we discussed the merits of a Northstar engine in a truck. Oil leak issues asside, he thought it would be a pretty cool engine to put in a truck and had already figured out what kind of transmission would bolt to it. I think he said the bellhousing bolt pattern was the same as one of the engine/tranny combos that came in a Chevy S-10.
There are some other issues that I remember mainly regarding cosmetic issues, such as the engine covers. Since it sits transversly then once it's turned front/back the cover is not symetrical and would have to be ditched or a new one fabricated. He had one dissasembled in his shop. It was really interesting to look at. Besides the modular design and overhead cams, it also uses hemispherical heads. I thought that was interesting considering that Dodge Hemis make lots of power, which explains why Cadillac went that direction. But the old Dodge Hemis aren't known for fuel economy or meeting emissions requirements, but the Northstar does both. Even the new Dodge Hemis when compared on a HP/Cubic inch basis aren't all that great. I'll bet there is some Northstar guru out there who has figured out how to beat the oil leak problem. It's a matter of doing the research to find out who.
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Old Yeller |
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#10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,229
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
thanks guys, i think i'll scrap that idea. no wonder they seem to be less expensive. for once in my life, i'm trying to go the reliable, trouble-free direction with this build. this doesn't sound like it.
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"Anybody who would paint his truck like this, would go to a minister's funeral dressed in feathers!" - Big Enis Burdett '72 Blazer Restoration Blog: http://sportchicken.blogspot.com/ |
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#11 |
DON'T TREAD ON ME
![]() Join Date: May 2005
Location: Crosby County, TX
Posts: 989
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
Since trouble free is your aim, what about a fuel injected 350?
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Old Yeller |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 3,728
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
I thought about the northstar, but I like the idea of the LSx motors now that I've seen a few engine/trans combos sell for less than $2k.
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#13 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
Even though the Northstar has it's issues... it kicks SERIOUSE ass in a Fiero. Try high 12's in the 1/4 mile hitting the govonor bone stock... burn a custom chip to just get rid of the govonor and mid 12's all day long and 30ish MPG.
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#14 | |
DON'T TREAD ON ME
![]() Join Date: May 2005
Location: Crosby County, TX
Posts: 989
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
Quote:
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Old Yeller |
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#15 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: WV
Posts: 227
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
Quote:
![]() Shane
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1993 K1500 350 5 speed ![]() 1985 K10 Silverado Vortec 406 5 speed (in body shop) "I been drivin' this '85 pickup truck Them buddies of mine call it a bucket of rust She's a little beat up but she still runs like the wind Yeah, kinda like me I been banged and bruisedBeen around the block a time or two But I'm runnin' like new goin' places I never been No, I ain't broke I'm just broken in" 1963 Dodge Townwagon(its amazng what 30 years and zero miles will do to a vehicle ![]() Member#20327 |
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#16 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
If I had the keys, i wouldn't be here talkin to you guys.
I'd already be dead. |
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#17 |
hmm...
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Culver, Indiana
Posts: 1,631
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
www.CHRfab.com
Go there. I thought about sticking an Aurora 4.0L in a late 70's starfire, but scrapped the idea due to too many projects. CHR builds everything for these things, and if you wanted, you could even get a carbed intake for it! In stock form, even the Aurora motor puts out 250 hp. Apparently they bolt right up to a 700-4R tranny if you move one of the mounting ears. Being an Olds guy, I'm around the Aurora more, and to this day, I haven't heard a bad thing about them, and they're in the Northstar family as well. Another perk is if you get an Aurora/N'star, they'd probably be cheaper in the boneyards, as everyone is wanting 350 chevies and the like. Plus, they've probably been babied, because honestly, who drives caddies? Not the younger crowd, and if they do, it'd be a relatively high performance car, like the CTS. Problems that I saw putting it into a Starfire are the following: 1. no headers. That company builds them for sand rails, so yu'd have to make your own exhaust 2: mounting points - the engine mounts would have to be totally fabbed, and with the 700 as opposed to your stock tranny, the crossmember would probably be moved too. 3: ignition - they don't have dizzys, you know. You have to have at least a partial computer system to get the thing running with spark. 4: electrical - if you go with EFI, you need the entire harness and computer, which you can't get except out of a donor car. Imagine pulling an entire wiring harness out of a car without killing it. If you go carbed, it makes it much easier, but you still have to deal with the new-style ignition Personally, if I were to stick one in anything, it'd be a relatively small, lightweight, rear-wheel drive car. I'd love to use a manual transmission for it, but don't know what would bolt up to it...an 80's camaro tranny maybe? After all, they did come with the 700-4Rs too...
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1983 Oldsmobile Delta 88 1967 Chevy C-10 stripper www.fcrperformance.com - wanna go...faster? talk to FCR. Last edited by shortymac83; 04-26-2006 at 01:01 AM. |
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#18 |
Divorced .....WITH KIDS
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: mississippi
Posts: 619
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Re: anyone used a caddy northstar motor?
I cant remember but it was a member in texas witha northstar in a gray stepside with a web page describing the build. It was in texas because I remember estimating the travel time for a set of wheels he was selling.
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1969 GMC SWB 1975 Chevy Malibu 80k 1963 Ford Galaxie 63k (inherited) 2005 Nissan Armada (wife's idea) |
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