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So I was thinking about engine swaps... not just LSX or SBC
But the really unique stuff that I've seen.
I've seen a turbo regal swap into a C4, I've seen an LT5 swap.
Of course we have the fantastic LSX swaps of Ch@0s and quite a few others.
I've seen people stuff Duramax turbo diesels into Gen 2 F Bodies.
Northstars into Fieros
3.8s (NA, Turbo, and SC) into Fieros
LT1s into fieros, Gen 1 SBCs, LSX all into Fieros of course.
Big block swaps into C4s, etc of course.
I don't think I've ever seen or heard of anyone putting a Northstar into a C4 though.
Has anyone done it?
What's the most unique swap and conversion you've ever seen done? What's the coolest?
(Yes you can say your own cars if you want)
So post up your engine ****, or share your stories.
Northstar Fiero. Looks kinda like it belongs there doesn't it? My dad did one of these for his Fiero. He's got another Fiero chassis and extra bodywork that I keep trying to pry out of him so I can do a 3.8 SC swap...
I would stray away from Northstar engines. I've never once heard anything good about them. All bad.
I had one fail. Google search for Northstar head gasket issues.
Basically the threads corrode and fail in the block. Some try helicoils with bad results, many scrap the motor. There have been some recent successes with drilling them oversize and retapping the block larger for studs. However, any of these are expensive and relatively difficult. Just look at the unusually low prices for nice used Cadillacs (probably due to this issue).
Most interesting one I've seen (don't know which forum it was on though) was someone replaced the engine with an electric motor. Quite a bit of work and expense I'm sure, but it was an impressive conversion.
....What's the most unique swap and conversion you've ever seen done? What's the coolest?
(Yes you can say your own cars if you want).....
I like different engine swaps too. I have done a bunch. Some of the memorable ones are:
Pontiac 421 tripower into a '68 442 (when the '70 W-30 broke). It looked stock since the Olds hood even had an oval reinforcement that looked like it was made for the tripower clearance.
Pontiac 400 into a Buick LeSabre. The Buick broke and I had the motor in the garage from my Firebird.
Olds 350 (built) into an '81 Olds Delta 88 diesel car. It actually came out pretty good. It would easily outrun the stock turbocharged DSM cars (Laser, Talon, Elipse) Surprised a few. I also kept the two battery setup and the diesel starter. In the winter at 20° below, the car would crank over like it was summer.
And a few more common swaps basically to put in a bigger or stronger motor.
Chevy 350 into a 6 cylinder Nova car.
Pontiac 455+.030 into a '68 Firebird.
Pontiac 455+.030 into a '69 Firebird.
Chevy 350+.030 into an '86 Monte Carlo SS
Chevy 427 L88 (crate motor) into a '69 Camaro 350 car.
Chevy 454 LS6 into a '70 Chevelle SS.
Several motors into a '64 GTO
Several motors into a '69 Z28
Several motors into a '69 Firebird
Several motors into a '71 Trans Am
Currently, my wife wants me to put a V8 into our S10.
For our C4's though, I think keeping a small block Chevy or maybe an LS would be my choice. They fit and they can run pretty well.
I had one fail. Google search for Northstar head gasket issues.
Basically the threads corrode and fail in the block. Some try helicoils with bad results, many scrap the motor. There have been some recent successes with drilling them oversize and retapping the block larger for studs. However, any of these are expensive and relatively difficult. Just look at the unusually low prices for nice used Cadillacs (probably due to this issue).
Ehem, so like if I already had a perfectly good northstar (that I picked up in a bone yard a long time ago, the caddy it was came out was rear ended horrifically.) and transaxle just sitting around already, restudding the heads before it goes into anything would be a good idea?
(It was for my First Car, my 1985 Gen 3 Camaro that had the 2.8 V6 The Camaro isn't here anymore, but that northstar's just sitting in my shed...)
You should try researching it a little bit first and see what you find for the frequency, the repair costs, etc, then decide if you want to spend the money up front or try what you have and hopefully get lucky with it. It would be a lot easier to do the studs while out of a car.
For me it would be a tough call to try it or not. At the very least make sure you stay current with your coolant changes on it if you use a Northstar.
You should try researching it a little bit first and see what you find for the frequency, the repair costs, etc, then decide if you want to spend the money up front or try what you have and hopefully get lucky with it. It would be a lot easier to do the studs while out of a car.
For me it would be a tough call to try it or not. At the very least make sure you stay current with your coolant changes on it if you use a Northstar.
Good luck.
I know there's not a great deal of speed parts out there either. Doing some research on what's out there for the northstar. I might well end up just leave it sitting, until I can pry the second Fiero away from my father. I definitely would like to see it used in something. I think it's wrong to have an engine just sit like an ornament you know? Especially an engine that at one time was hailed as a Ten Best engine.
I had one fail. Google search for Northstar head gasket issues.
Basically the threads corrode and fail in the block. Some try helicoils with bad results, many scrap the motor. There have been some recent successes with drilling them oversize and retapping the block larger for studs. However, any of these are expensive and relatively difficult. Just look at the unusually low prices for nice used Cadillacs (probably due to this issue).
yes a few of them have failed from the head bolts. that is why GM changed the required antifreeze and the head bolt design. there is a head bolt repair kit that works great for those that need it.
northstars are great motors and damn brute. just look for the years 2002 - 2004. these don't have the head bolt problems the earlier ones do. and like you say, you can pick them up cheap because the rest of the car is crap. wouldn't waste my time putting it in a vette but great for some other things like a fiero.
Ford Coyote 5.0 would be sweet. Don't know how you would connect the trans to the c-beam, but probably you'd have a 12.50 quarter mile car with a stock engine.
Ford Coyote 5.0 would be sweet. Don't know how you would connect the trans to the c-beam, but probably you'd have a 12.50 quarter mile car with a stock engine.
Talk about a total inverse of the usual! (usually it's an SBC going into a Ford!)
07-15-2014, 08:38 PM
So I was thinking about engine swaps... not just LSX or SBC
Northstar Fiero. Looks kinda like it belongs there doesn't it? My dad did one of these for his Fiero. He's got another Fiero chassis and extra bodywork that I keep trying to pry out of him so I can do a 3.8 SC swap...
