Northstar

[CTX-SLPR]

Yes Bruce, this is for you.

What do ya'll think of the Northstar? Buick's going to be getting one in the ne Lucerne. Honestly I think its an awesome motor if they could get around the maintance issue that seem to crop up especially with the early ones, but 300hp out of 4.6L isn't anything to sneeze at NA. The new LC3, yes they brought back the LC# for the new boosted 4.4L Northstar that makes 440hp. If I dare to say it, if I had to build a GN right now with new stuff.... its be a good body on the STS platform and a turbo, or even a pair, instead of the roots blower on the current LC3 with the same 6L80E transmission.
We are all carnut on here so I'd like to see what other nuts have to say about the Northstar.

Thanks,

 

[Quick Turbo V6]

I have driven the STS-V with the 440 HP and it moves . Its a nice car but with a BIG price tag. The 6L80E is going to be nice once they get all the bugs worked out of it. This would be a cool package in a early Nova 62-67. Thats what I would build.

Scott

 

[87 Pete]

My brother did GM tech support and says some northstars had issues with headgaskets/ coolant leaks.

Sometimes too, after replacing the heads the bolts would strip, there is a repair procedure, but it seems like a PITA.

That being said, it does seem like a cool motor

Pete

 

[INEEDAGN]

Good power, light weight, royal pain in the arse to work on. They had to "engineer" it to fit in a relatively small area (considering the size of the motor/tranny combo), and they are just a b!tch to do almost anything to. Starter is under the intake, water pump is belt driven on the back side of the motor (needs special tool to remove), from the factory they more or less had to put stop leak in them to keep the water leaks at bay. Go to a GM dealer and ask for "cooling system seal tabs", they won't seal without them. My boss owns an aurora (similar engine) and you couldn't give me that damn car. Battery is under the back seat, and it's of course a special battery with a special vent. Holds 8 quarts of oil so even the routine maintenance is expensive. I am the R&R man at a tranny shop so you can imagine my excitement when they come in the door. I could go on and on but you get the picture. They aren't any less reliable than anything else, but when they do break, it's usually gonna cost you LOTS more to fix than a traditional 3.8. I will never own one, under any circumstances.

 

[turbojimmy]

I like mine. I have the 300 HP Northstar in an '01 DTS. The water pump is really no big deal - it's actually easier than a 'regular' pump to replace. The starter really isn't a big deal either. The intake comes off very easily.

The battery is under the rear seat, which doesn't bother me. You never really need to get to it anyway.

I think the headgasket thing is blown out of proportion because of the early problems with them. The 2000+ Northstars have been completely redesigned. What is interesting is that when they added the blower to the STS-V they decreased the displacement to 4.4L. I heard it's to provide more sealing area for the heads.

I put a Corsa exhaust system on my car and it sounds really mean. It's not 'fast' but it does okay for a big car.

Jim

 

[Lee_Burough]

My '94 SLS is powerful. I think it was 270 horse.

But, I have major oil leaks from above the oil pan. Have to pull the engine to repair it....I add oil. With 105k miles now, its starting to take some maintainance. Water pump, harmonic balancer, A/C pulley, alternator, all in the last 10k miles.

A C+ for reliability. They can do better. I suppose later versions of the northstar are improved?

 

[NCTURBOS]

As the Parts Manager at one of the largest Cadillac dealers in the southeast I've seen it all in the last 10 years with these engines. Lots of good points, some bad points.

Most "shade tree" mechanics don't have any idea about the Northstar. We get alot of work from what they destroy!! If you are mechanically inclined and are meticulous about your work you'll have a nice car.

When our techs re-seal/replace a water pump they very rarely come back with a leak. The same goes for a case 1/2 re-seal. They need to be done correctly. And if you have a "friend" at a GM dealership, parts aren't all that bad either.


K.

 

[gn4u2c]

Good engine Heck it's been on wards 10 best forever. older ones need a reseal a a decarbon if pops has been driving it. No harder than any other IMO. every work on a 12 cylinder jag. After you do that everything is easy. would be very sweet in a early camaro/ nova / bird shell.

 

[bruce]

Originally posted by CTX-SLPR

What do ya'll think of the Northstar?

The newer the better....
I've driven a few, and like them from that point of view.
Caddie seems to have held onto this one, and is trying to get it right.
I think it'd make a great mid/ rear engine powertrain.