Supercharged Northstar? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*ksjh1316* · 02-13-2008, 06:51 AM

I have a friend who called me today and offered me his complete drivetrain from his totaled Caddy. This is the supercharged Northstar with about 65k on it. The car was rear hit so the engine is fine. He bought the car back from insurance to use the interior on his Scout Burb and will give me the drivetrain for help pulling out the interior.

Has anyone done this conversion I see alot of 500 Caddy conversions haven't seen if this one is even worth it.

PanelDeland · 02-13-2008, 06:57 AM

I don't know much about the torque curve but I met a fellow with one in his dune buggy.The pic he showed me was of him getting about 30 ft of air.You should probably take it for the labor.If nothing else it will make good trading material.There was also a write up in "Hot Rod" (I think) on putting one in a Fiero.I remember the builder was talking about a kit for the swap.Maybe do a search and see what else is up with the Northstar.

Luvlegs · 02-13-2008, 07:32 AM

.... maybe in my 280z.... hmmmmm

**SactoJim** · 02-13-2008, 07:40 AM

For what that motor may lack in torque because of the overhead cam configuration, it will be made up by the blower.

I'd grab it and make it work......would be a cool setup.

.....and like others said, worst case is you can sell it and still be ahead.

shelby987 · 02-13-2008, 08:40 AM

For free it is worth it, if it is just a toy, fine.....personally from the headaches I have heard about with northstars.....I would steer clear of putting one in my vehicle (too much required technology with the DOHC)....that being said, definately worth the price of labor for trading potential.

69halfton · 02-13-2008, 09:41 AM

DONT DO IT

buy it and then just flip it as you could probably get some decent money from somebody who doesn't know.

my dad's friend is in the used car buissness and owns the 3rd largest lot in north america.

when he boys go to the auctions to buy cars, he says not to buy a cadillac with a northstart in it, unless its got about 10,000-20,000 km of GM warenty on it.

he says that when these break...they cost ALOT OF MONEY to fix.

500 caddies are much better

oldspowered67C10 · 02-13-2008, 09:55 AM

The northstars arte pretty reliable, biggest problem is that they pull the headbolt threads out of the block but if yours is a supercharged then it has to be out of one the newer "V" models and that problem has been fixed. What kind of car is it out of? The FWD northstars have the waterpump on the back of the engine while the RWD models(XLR-V) have it on the front. Its possible to use a FWD one but its a little tougher. Anyways wether you use it or not its definately worth the labor to get it.

spudly · 02-13-2008, 11:38 AM

I'm not sure if the newer RWD supercharged motors out of the V series are the same block, but the main problem I've had in my STS is the half case seal.

I've had it repaired twice under warranty and it let loose again, so at this point the car is basically totaled since it's going to run about 4K to get it fixed. But having the motor in a truck might not be that big of a deal since it's a heck of a lot easier to pull it when the seal does go.

02-13-2008, 06:51 AM	#1
ksjh1316 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 1,599	Supercharged Northstar? I have a friend who called me today and offered me his complete drivetrain from his totaled Caddy. This is the supercharged Northstar with about 65k on it. The car was rear hit so the engine is fine. He bought the car back from insurance to use the interior on his Scout Burb and will give me the drivetrain for help pulling out the interior. Has anyone done this conversion I see alot of 500 Caddy conversions haven't seen if this one is even worth it.

02-13-2008, 06:57 AM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Supercharged Northstar? I don't know much about the torque curve but I met a fellow with one in his dune buggy.The pic he showed me was of him getting about 30 ft of air.You should probably take it for the labor.If nothing else it will make good trading material.There was also a write up in "Hot Rod" (I think) on putting one in a Fiero.I remember the builder was talking about a kit for the swap.Maybe do a search and see what else is up with the Northstar. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

02-13-2008, 07:32 AM	#3
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	Re: Supercharged Northstar? .... maybe in my 280z.... hmmmmm __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew!

02-13-2008, 07:40 AM	#4
SactoJim Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,970	Re: Supercharged Northstar? For what that motor may lack in torque because of the overhead cam configuration, it will be made up by the blower. I'd grab it and make it work......would be a cool setup. .....and like others said, worst case is you can sell it and still be ahead. __________________ 72 Cheyenne SWB Fleet Nut & bolt frame off in progress...99.9999% - supercharged 383 - 4 wheel discs - relocated fuel tank - My Build Thread

02-13-2008, 08:40 AM	#5
shelby987 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Just outside Durham, NC Posts: 894	Re: Supercharged Northstar? For free it is worth it, if it is just a toy, fine.....personally from the headaches I have heard about with northstars.....I would steer clear of putting one in my vehicle (too much required technology with the DOHC)....that being said, definately worth the price of labor for trading potential. __________________ 1969 SS 350 Camaro Sold 2008 1970 3/4T K20, stock height with 33's, 250 I6, 3 on the tree, and locked front and rear 4.10's 1980 Chevy Malibu 2 dr Sold 2007 1993 Olds. Cutlass Ciera Wagon Traded 2006 2003 Saturn L200 w/5pd. D/D My list spans 5 decades with One common thread.....GM!

02-13-2008, 09:41 AM	#6
69halfton Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: King City, Ontario, Canada Posts: 974	Re: Supercharged Northstar? DONT DO IT buy it and then just flip it as you could probably get some decent money from somebody who doesn't know. my dad's friend is in the used car buissness and owns the 3rd largest lot in north america. when he boys go to the auctions to buy cars, he says not to buy a cadillac with a northstart in it, unless its got about 10,000-20,000 km of GM warenty on it. he says that when these break...they cost ALOT OF MONEY to fix. 500 caddies are much better __________________ - Jason If you can turn, Youre not going fast enough. Favorite caption: first car to 200 mph in the 1/4 mile, no parachute, drum brakes all the way around.. ..back when men were men.

02-13-2008, 09:55 AM	#7
oldspowered67C10 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cherry Valley,Ca Posts: 468	Re: Supercharged Northstar? The northstars arte pretty reliable, biggest problem is that they pull the headbolt threads out of the block but if yours is a supercharged then it has to be out of one the newer "V" models and that problem has been fixed. What kind of car is it out of? The FWD northstars have the waterpump on the back of the engine while the RWD models(XLR-V) have it on the front. Its possible to use a FWD one but its a little tougher. Anyways wether you use it or not its definately worth the labor to get it.

02-13-2008, 11:38 AM	#8
spudly Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Newark, CA Posts: 127	Re: Supercharged Northstar? I'm not sure if the newer RWD supercharged motors out of the V series are the same block, but the main problem I've had in my STS is the half case seal. I've had it repaired twice under warranty and it let loose again, so at this point the car is basically totaled since it's going to run about 4K to get it fixed. But having the motor in a truck might not be that big of a deal since it's a heck of a lot easier to pull it when the seal does go.



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