Thread: Caddilac Northstar engine in a 48 Chev 3100 PU

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I am starting to look at my 48 chevy 3100 pu. I am considering placing a caddlac northstar engine in it. Trans of choice would be a 700 r4. There a quite a few on ebay.
Here's my question...................... What are your thoughts on installation? Will it work? Any thoughts and opinions welcomed.
Will I run into any problems?
Thanks
Tom

Don't even know where I can find one .Maybe too much electronics.

Originally posted by BigTruckDriver
Don't even know where I can find one .Maybe too much electronics.

They can be found at any salvage yard. They've been built for almost 15 years. Not hard to find at all. As for the electronics, that isn't really an issue. Many aftermarket wiring companies sell stand alone wiring harnesses that don't require sorting thru the OEM harness.

Tom, the best thing to locate would be a Northstar from either an XLR or STS. These are both RWD. With both of these cars coming out in the last 2 years, they'll behard to locate. I'm not sure if the blocks are the same, or if the blocks are different for motor mount purposes, but the accessory drives I would think should be interchangable. GM does sell a Northstar crate engine, but again, I'm unsure how it's configuired. I would think that logically it would be a RWD engine, but again, don't know that to be a fact.

If you go the crate engine route, many GM dealers would sell for their cost plus 10%. Shop for your best deal.

I have a Northstar engine out of a 99 sedan deville with "low mileage"(according to previous owner). It ran before removing from the car. I don't have any pictures here ( Its in storage about two hours north of my place) but could try to get a few pics from my buddy.
I was going to put it in my 48 plymouth, but opted for a more traditional engine. I'm not in a real hurry to sell, but make me an offer if you're interested.

Here's a couple good info sites for you, lots of potential.

http://www.chrfab.com/

http://members.tripod.com/~grannys/enginescadillac.html

i used a caddy northstar in a 55 nomad back in 99. we used a s10 2.8 liter 700 r4 trans , plus a spacer between the flywheel and torqe converter . keep in mind the water pump in on the front of the motor when in a front wheel drive , when you mount it rwd the pump in on the lh rear of the motor ! wiring harness was made by street and performance .
major problem is they are UNDER POWERED !
good luck

There are various versions of this engine. One makes 270 HP, the next is 300 HP, and the latest and greatest is 320 HP. The thing to remember is that this engine is roughly the same size (4.6L) as the Ford Mustang GT (300 HP).

Now the new version, available this spring, is the superchaged version which makes 440 HP. Again, I'd look for a newer version already set up for RWD. The cost difference will be offset by the savings of buy parts to switch things over.