LS or Northstar - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TchncnDen · 11-06-2013, 11:46 PM

I have a new build started and I'm trying to decide between another LS or a Northstar. I know how easy it is to do an LS because I already have one in a truck, but the Northstar just looks so cool. Also, I already have a brand new Northstar in the crate, it's the rwd version with vvt, but I think it will cost me almost as much to get that in and running as it would to just go with an ls from scratch.

Decisions, decisions. What do you think?

cableguy0 · 11-06-2013, 11:55 PM

I would choose reliability and cheap parts not to mention a simple design that's easily serviced. The northstar is an overcomplicated pile of garbage as far as Im concerned. Everything is expensive and the engines have their issues. The LS is much cheaper and easier to upgrade as well. Obviously that engine is the newer design but I probably see at least 3 caddys a month with the northstar that have blown head gaskets or other catastrophic problems. I would go with an Ls and not think twice.

solidaxel · 11-14-2013, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cableguy0

I would choose reliability and cheap parts not to mention a simple design that's easily serviced. The northstar is an overcomplicated pile of garbage as far as Im concerned. Everything is expensive and the engines have their issues. The LS is much cheaper and easier to upgrade as well. Obviously that engine is the newer design but I probably see at least 3 caddys a month with the northstar that have blown head gaskets or other catastrophic problems. I would go with an Ls and not think twice.

.................. 10 - 4 ................ too many moving parts!!

71chevystep4x4 · 11-07-2013, 09:32 PM

Its your truck, engine, time, and money. If you already have a LS truck, than put the Northstar in something. Your right, it's cool, and you don't see any Northstar conversions. Do it fool, do it!!

68GMCCustom · 11-07-2013, 10:49 PM

If I had one....I'd probably put it in something. A truck tho? I think I'd lean more towards a hot rod or car of some sort...even an old caddy.

Wasted Income · 11-08-2013, 11:03 AM

Sell the Nstar and build a nasty LS

Jon01 · 11-08-2013, 11:35 AM

There's a reason you don't see northstars in anything.
They're overly complicated and nowhere near as potent as LS motors.
What Wasted said. Sell it and use the $ to fund a rude LS motor.

TchncnDen · 11-10-2013, 08:44 PM

I was leaning toward another LS for the ease of it and it looks like most agree. If I was building a caddy it would be a no brainer, it's a shame GM didn't put more effort in the Northstar design as from an engineering standpoint it should be a better platform.

Oh well, the Northstar is up on craigslist, time for the big nasty!

clinebarger · 11-10-2013, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TchncnDen

I was leaning toward another LS for the ease of it and it looks like most agree. If I was building a caddy it would be a no brainer, it's a shame GM didn't put more effort in the Northstar design as from an engineering standpoint it should be a better platform.

Oh well, the Northstar is up on craigslist, time for the big nasty!

That is not the same Northstar everyone is putting down, The VVT RWD 4.6L isn't that bad. If you had a '99 Sedan Deville with a 100K.....I would be very concerned

A STS/SRX transmission (5L50E), Harness, PCM, Pedal, MAF, Shifter...Can be had cheaper than LSX stuff because of demand.

Wasted Income · 11-11-2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clinebarger

If you had a '99 Sedan Deville with a 100K.....I would be very concerned

It's not just the engines....the cars are junk too.

My wife used to have a 2001 Seville....ugh.

chevy-fun · 11-11-2013, 10:25 AM

i have a 99 seville with blown head gasket. trying to decide to sell or pull motor out an replace gasket an head stud. anyone know if anyone has put a ls in a seville

clinebarger · 11-11-2013, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wasted Income

It's not just the engines....the cars are junk too.

My wife used to have a 2001 Seville....ugh.

Agreed!

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevy-fun

i have a 99 seville with blown head gasket. trying to decide to sell or pull motor out an replace gasket an head stud. anyone know if anyone has put a ls in a seville

Not that I'm aware of, That would be a huge undertaking......There is a FWD 5.3L that can be made to work.

11-06-2013, 11:46 PM	#1
TchncnDen Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 232	LS or Northstar I have a new build started and I'm trying to decide between another LS or a Northstar. I know how easy it is to do an LS because I already have one in a truck, but the Northstar just looks so cool. Also, I already have a brand new Northstar in the crate, it's the rwd version with vvt, but I think it will cost me almost as much to get that in and running as it would to just go with an ls from scratch. Decisions, decisions. What do you think? Attached Images __________________ Another 71 My truck In tank fuel pump how to LS factory gauges wiring how to-post 18

11-06-2013, 11:55 PM	#2
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: LS or Northstar I would choose reliability and cheap parts not to mention a simple design that's easily serviced. The northstar is an overcomplicated pile of garbage as far as Im concerned. Everything is expensive and the engines have their issues. The LS is much cheaper and easier to upgrade as well. Obviously that engine is the newer design but I probably see at least 3 caddys a month with the northstar that have blown head gaskets or other catastrophic problems. I would go with an Ls and not think twice. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

11-07-2013, 09:32 PM	#4
71chevystep4x4 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Milwaukie OR Posts: 135	Re: LS or Northstar Its your truck, engine, time, and money. If you already have a LS truck, than put the Northstar in something. Your right, it's cool, and you don't see any Northstar conversions. Do it fool, do it!!

11-07-2013, 10:49 PM	#5
68GMCCustom Truck and auto performance nut Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: McKinney,Texas Posts: 3,848	Re: LS or Northstar If I had one....I'd probably put it in something. A truck tho? I think I'd lean more towards a hot rod or car of some sort...even an old caddy. __________________ Kurt - '68 GMC short step - NIB '09 LY6 6.0L crate motor w/mods, NIB '12 crate 4L85e w/billet 3k stall Circle D, 3.73 posi 12 bolt, DynaTech f-swap headers, 3/4 drop, handling mods, etc. - my toy '72 Chevy LWB C-10 Highlander - 350/350 ps/pb/tilt/ac - not original but close '06 Chevy TrailBlazerSS - LS2/4L70e - little black hot rod SUV - my DD '18 Kia Sorento - wife's econo-driver '95 Chevy S10 - reg cab shortbed, LS, 4.3, auto... my '68's powertrain and chassis build -links broken A surprise phase - carb to efi -links broken

11-08-2013, 11:03 AM	#6
Wasted Income Boosted Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Mackinaw, IL Posts: 2,200	Re: LS or Northstar Sell the Nstar and build a nasty LS __________________ 1972 2wd K/5 Blazer Turbocharged 370 LSx - 941 rwhp / 1093 rwtq 1969 Chevy K-10 L33 5.3 / 4L80E / NP241 / 4" lift 1964 Buick Skylark Twin TURBO 383 LS pro-touring project 2014 VW Passat TDI - Daily Driver Turbo diesel 2015 Sierra Denali HD Duramax Turbo diesel 2023 Ford Explorer ST - Twin Turbskis 2023 Ford F150 RCSB - Whipple Supercharged 2017 Polaris RZR Turbo 2014 Nor-Tech Center Console - Twin Supercharged Outboards *TURBO ALL THE THINGS!!*

11-08-2013, 11:35 AM	#7
Jon01 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: West Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 450	Re: LS or Northstar There's a reason you don't see northstars in anything. They're overly complicated and nowhere near as potent as LS motors. What Wasted said. Sell it and use the $ to fund a rude LS motor.

11-10-2013, 08:44 PM	#8
TchncnDen Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 232	Re: LS or Northstar I was leaning toward another LS for the ease of it and it looks like most agree. If I was building a caddy it would be a no brainer, it's a shame GM didn't put more effort in the Northstar design as from an engineering standpoint it should be a better platform. Oh well, the Northstar is up on craigslist, time for the big nasty! __________________ Another 71 My truck In tank fuel pump how to LS factory gauges wiring how to-post 18

11-11-2013, 10:25 AM	#11
chevy-fun Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Arlington, Tx Posts: 338	Re: LS or Northstar i have a 99 seville with blown head gasket. trying to decide to sell or pull motor out an replace gasket an head stud. anyone know if anyone has put a ls in a seville

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