LT-5 and Northstar, Compatible Parts?
10-02-2009, 10:24 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
LT-5 and Northstar, Compatible Parts?
I was wandering thru a junk yard here in Albuquerque and came across a number of "Cash for Clunkers" Northstars. A few of these had been ravaged and were in pieces.
I noticed a number of very interesting things.
1. The Coil packs appear to be identical to the LT-5, they are just mounted in line.
2. The starter is in the same place as the LT-5 and appears to be the same one.
Has anyone ever looked to see if they are the same or could be substituted for the one used on the LT-5.
With GM dumping all of the LT-5 supplies and after market companies charging a premium for these parts it would be nice to have another option!
I noticed a number of very interesting things.
1. The Coil packs appear to be identical to the LT-5, they are just mounted in line.
2. The starter is in the same place as the LT-5 and appears to be the same one.
Has anyone ever looked to see if they are the same or could be substituted for the one used on the LT-5.
With GM dumping all of the LT-5 supplies and after market companies charging a premium for these parts it would be nice to have another option!
10-03-2009, 05:35 PM
#3
Race Director
I was wandering thru a junk yard here in Albuquerque and came across a number of "Cash for Clunkers" Northstars. A few of these had been ravaged and were in pieces.
I noticed a number of very interesting things.
1. The Coil packs appear to be identical to the LT-5, they are just mounted in line.
2. The starter is in the same place as the LT-5 and appears to be the same one.
Has anyone ever looked to see if they are the same or could be substituted for the one used on the LT-5.
With GM dumping all of the LT-5 supplies and after market companies charging a premium for these parts it would be nice to have another option!
I noticed a number of very interesting things.
1. The Coil packs appear to be identical to the LT-5, they are just mounted in line.
2. The starter is in the same place as the LT-5 and appears to be the same one.
Has anyone ever looked to see if they are the same or could be substituted for the one used on the LT-5.
With GM dumping all of the LT-5 supplies and after market companies charging a premium for these parts it would be nice to have another option!
Never head but if your right there with some close to you why not check it out and let us now.
10-04-2009, 10:08 AM
#4
Team Owner
Coil packs are super common. Every 3800 V6, 4.3L V6, Northstar V8 and likely more have used the same coil packs. They will always be available from GM. The starter is used on many, many import vehicles as well as some GM vehicles, so they will always be available as well.
10-04-2009, 10:28 AM
#5
Le Mans Master
Coil packs are super common. Every 3800 V6, 4.3L V6, Northstar V8 and likely more have used the same coil packs. They will always be available from GM. The starter is used on many, many import vehicles as well as some GM vehicles, so they will always be available as well.
Also, I'm pretty sure the N* ignition module will not work with our systems.
10-05-2009, 05:59 PM
#6
Great timing for this post, I was going to ask about the Northstar also. I have never seen a Northstar motor but know it is somewhat similar to the LT5.
I have a chance to buy a complete car dirt cheap and was thinking of buying it just to take the motor apart to see how the LT5 is built. Would I gain any insight by doing this with this motor? I would like to acquire some working knowledge on these motors but I would rather learn on something besides my ZR-1!
Thanks, CJ
I have a chance to buy a complete car dirt cheap and was thinking of buying it just to take the motor apart to see how the LT5 is built. Would I gain any insight by doing this with this motor? I would like to acquire some working knowledge on these motors but I would rather learn on something besides my ZR-1!
Thanks, CJ
10-05-2009, 07:15 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
I have both, a 4.0L Northstar and the LT5. I'm no expert on either, but I don't think there's much that would interchange. The coils are similar but not the same, though I don't know what all the differences are on coils for the N*, Buick V6, LT5, and others. They have different part #'s though, maybe the size is different.
The N* crank timing is totally different, it's a 23-slot reluctor, and I think 56-slot on the 2nd gen (2000+) motors. I believe all of them used the PCM for ignition timing, no external ignition module was used. Maybe some fasteners could be interchanged?
The N* crank timing is totally different, it's a 23-slot reluctor, and I think 56-slot on the 2nd gen (2000+) motors. I believe all of them used the PCM for ignition timing, no external ignition module was used. Maybe some fasteners could be interchanged?
10-05-2009, 07:47 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
marc haibeck did a great article on the design similarities but the northstar is a completely different engine
for the MY95 ZR-1 project they were going to go to a northstar computer and a single injector to save the ECM retooling costs and share more of the electronics
as far as the hard parts, I don't know but I doubt much stuff beyond the common sensors, coils, and things like that interchange
would be cool if it did! there are a zillion northstars out there
I've seen a few twin turbo northstars in hot rods, and they put out some decent power
I'd like to see chevy bring back DOHC v8s
a new block and crank and a pair of ecotec direct injection heads with the twin turbos comes to mind. would be ez for GM to build and put out some decent power and economy
for the MY95 ZR-1 project they were going to go to a northstar computer and a single injector to save the ECM retooling costs and share more of the electronics
as far as the hard parts, I don't know but I doubt much stuff beyond the common sensors, coils, and things like that interchange
would be cool if it did! there are a zillion northstars out there
I've seen a few twin turbo northstars in hot rods, and they put out some decent power
I'd like to see chevy bring back DOHC v8s
a new block and crank and a pair of ecotec direct injection heads with the twin turbos comes to mind. would be ez for GM to build and put out some decent power and economy
10-06-2009, 08:44 AM
#9
Le Mans Master
10-06-2009, 11:26 AM
#10
Le Mans Master
yes, chevy had the "big" northstar replacement designed and ready to go. unfortunately due to the financial challenges, they pulled the plug
looked like it would have produced well over 400 HP
I remember the "aurora" and "indy" motors
lots of good work (illmor) went into those
there are quite a few DOHC "haters" out there, but I can't help but think that a relatively compact DOHC could be a great engine
no doubt GM has refined the pushrod LSx into very efficient and powerful, lightweight (and cheap!) packages, but I believe the DOHC to be superior in many ways, and variable cam phasing is pretty cool stuff
hope to see gm get back on that track and build a big displacement DOHC engine to compete with the "furreners" again
looked like it would have produced well over 400 HP
I remember the "aurora" and "indy" motors
lots of good work (illmor) went into those
there are quite a few DOHC "haters" out there, but I can't help but think that a relatively compact DOHC could be a great engine
no doubt GM has refined the pushrod LSx into very efficient and powerful, lightweight (and cheap!) packages, but I believe the DOHC to be superior in many ways, and variable cam phasing is pretty cool stuff
hope to see gm get back on that track and build a big displacement DOHC engine to compete with the "furreners" again
