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Old 11-06-2013, 11:46 PM   #1
TchncnDen
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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?
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Old 11-06-2013, 11:55 PM   #2
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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.
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Old 11-07-2013, 09:32 PM   #3
71chevystep4x4
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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!!
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Old 11-07-2013, 10:49 PM   #4
68GMCCustom
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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.
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Old 11-08-2013, 11:03 AM   #5
Wasted Income
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Re: LS or Northstar

Sell the Nstar and build a nasty LS
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Old 11-08-2013, 11:35 AM   #6
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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.
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Old 11-10-2013, 08:44 PM   #7
TchncnDen
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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!
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Old 11-10-2013, 10:34 PM   #8
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Re: LS or Northstar

Quote:
Originally Posted by TchncnDen View Post
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.
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Old 11-11-2013, 09:45 AM   #9
Wasted Income
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Re: LS or Northstar

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Originally Posted by clinebarger View Post
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.
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Old 11-11-2013, 10:25 AM   #10
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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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Old 11-11-2013, 09:25 PM   #11
clinebarger
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Re: LS or Northstar

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Originally Posted by Wasted Income View Post
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 View Post
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.
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Old 11-14-2013, 11:31 AM   #12
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Re: LS or Northstar

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Originally Posted by cableguy0 View Post
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!!
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