Northstar Swap/Vortec 4200 Swap

[Orpedcrow]

My experience with A single northstar was so unpleasant, I won’t even give the “I don’t really want to work on it “ price quotes. You just can’t pay me enough.

My interpretation of Northstar engineers reenactment:

E1 “ok we got the engine designed and it just fits in the engine bay”

E2 “what about the power steering pump?”

E1 “uuuhhhhh…. Ok, I’ll find a spot for it…”

E2 “ you’re also missing an alternator”

E1 “ dangit, ok I think I can squeeze it in somewhere”

E2 “ you’re really going to send this off without air conditioning? What about a starter? Where is it gonna go?!?”

E1 “ Jeeziz man, how much stuff do you want on this thing? I ran out of room a long time ago! I’ll have to start over!”

E2 “ you already spent too much money on the engine alone, you have no more budget left. Just make it happen”

E1” hey bubba, watch this!”

 

[Scooterwrench]

I've had this wicked thought of a Coyote swapped OBS.

You're gonna put a Ford motor in a Chevrolet truck;

Are you on drugs?

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[454cid]

I studied up a bit on the Northstars when I was looking at a Cadillac Allante. The lateer Northstars are supposed to be fairly reliable, as they have larger head bolts. The PCMs are locked though, so tuning is out, unless you go with an aftermarket system. I don't know about bolt patterm for the bell housing, but I'd guess it's the 60 degree V6 pattern, or something else entirely. I would be super surprised if it was standard Chevy/LS.

I would go for the Atlas Inline 6 or 5. The sixes have other's messing with them too, so you'll be able to share/learn in a community.

 

[Scooterwrench]

Y'all know my vote,
6V53TT

 

[Drunkcanuk]

Y'all know my vote,
6V53TT

They have supercharged Detroit 2 stroke diesels for the firewater pumps at work, test them once a year....you know when they are running!!! Sound wicked!!!

 

[CumminsFever]

The ONLY reason I'd support a Northstar swap is because it's different. I applaud the unique and different stuff... even if I wouldn't do it.

 

[Schurkey]

Lord knows I respect the Atlas six-popper. Have one in an '03 Trailblazer. Had to replace the original spark plugs at 160K miles. Had to replace the ignition coils starting at 250K, but changed all the rest of them at ~280K.

Oil filter every ~13K, and the oil topped-off. Oil actually changed at ~26K. Never had the valve cover off. Zero engine repair other than plugs, coils, a couple of O2 sensors, and too many exhaust manifolds--the worst part of an Atlas six popper is the exhaust manifold/heat shield.

Still runs like a dream.

There's another one in my "parts" Trailblazer EXT, also an '03. Never heard it run. One of my projects I didn't get to this summer.



Would I put one in a full-size pickup? Hell, no. Heaps of work, a bunch of fabrication. The bellhousing bolt pattern is unique, so you'd either need Johnny Cash's A-dapter Plate, or you use the 4L60E trans out of the GMT360/370 that donated the engine.

And for what? Fabulous power...for a six-popper, IF (big IF) you're willing to rev the thing. In a full-size truck, It'd get eaten alive by a 5.7L.
For the record, CamKing has some aftermarket camshaft cores that can be ground to "hot-rod" specs.

GM 4.2L I-6(Vortec4200), Trailblazer / GMC Envoy - Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

 

[GrimsterGMC]

Y'all know my vote,
6V53TT

Only thing better than a screaming Detroit is one with the air starter. We had a truck parked next to a factory I worked in years ago and there was something about the sound of an air starter followed by the 8V71 Detroit every morning that just sat right with me.

 

[Scooterwrench]

Only thing better than a screaming Detroit is one with the air starter. We had a truck parked next to a factory I worked in years ago and there was something about the sound of an air starter followed by the 8V71 Detroit every morning that just sat right with me.

Put air brakes and a big honkin' air horn on it and you have all the cool truck sounds.

Breaker-breaker,any takers?

 

[tayto]

i think north* uses 60 degree bolt pattern. you could find a 4L60e with that pattern and swap over the 4x4 stuff to it if you have. i personally would go to a LT1 myself