Northstar engine swap
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2016 5:27 am
- TOA Membership Number: 0
- Years Owned: 1983 Olds Toronado convertible
Northstar engine swap
I would like to upgrade my 307 engine on my 83 Toro convertible. Has anyone seen any info on transplanting the whole eng/trans/ECU FWD Northstar into a third gen Toro? Thanks
- Otto Skorzeny
- Posts: 1716
- Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:41 pm
- TOA Membership Number: 0
- Years Owned: 1966 Toronado
Re: Northstar engine swap
I wouldn't consider a Northstar engine to be an upgrade. They are notorious leakers from every orifice and suffer from a host of other maladies.
I think you would be better off doing a proper rebuild of your original system(s).
I think you would be better off doing a proper rebuild of your original system(s).
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2016 5:27 am
- TOA Membership Number: 0
- Years Owned: 1983 Olds Toronado convertible
Re: Northstar engine swap
Thanks for your response. Yes, I have heard they had coolant, head gasket problems. The upgrade would be increasing the horse power by a factor of 3 with a tranny that is designed to handle the power. I have considered a big block Olds but clearance problems and fear of overpowering the existing tranny have steered me away from that. I bought a supposedly rebuilt 403 but pulled the heads to find it had been bored .060. I was afraid of trying to get more than the stock 180 hp with that much overbore and the siamese cylinders. I decided to sell it. I did price a 300 hp 350ci Olds for ~$4200 but would have to spend quite a bit more to complete and would still have the question about the tranny. I suspect that I could get a whole Northstar car with relatively low mileage for considerably less than going the high power Olds route. Of course my biggest motivation is do something totally different from what you normally see. The GM SBC crate engine would be an easy route but every time I look under a hood that is what I see.
- Otto Skorzeny
- Posts: 1716
- Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:41 pm
- TOA Membership Number: 0
- Years Owned: 1966 Toronado
Re: Northstar engine swap
I'm not familiar with all the N* variations among makes, models, and years, but my brother's Buick (low mileage, babied, and regularly serviced according to factory specs) has valve cover leaks, oil pan leak, ps leak, a coolant leak somewhere).
Transmission has to be removed to replace oil pan gasket. That repair alone is $1500 at the dealer. Talk about a royal pain in the ass.
I'd look into polishing and porting the heads on your engine and any other rodder's trick to get better performance. At that age you probably don't need a yearly emission test so maybe ditching all the pollution crap will help?
I'd consider everything else before attempting the N* downgrade.
Transmission has to be removed to replace oil pan gasket. That repair alone is $1500 at the dealer. Talk about a royal pain in the ass.
I'd look into polishing and porting the heads on your engine and any other rodder's trick to get better performance. At that age you probably don't need a yearly emission test so maybe ditching all the pollution crap will help?
I'd consider everything else before attempting the N* downgrade.
-
- Posts: 307
- Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2012 12:25 pm
- TOA Membership Number: 378
- Years Owned: 79 Toronado or Eldorado
Re: Northstar engine swap
bob23069 wrote:Thanks for your response. Yes, I have heard they had coolant, head gasket problems. The upgrade would be increasing the horse power by a factor of 3 with a tranny that is designed to handle the power. I have considered a big block Olds but clearance problems and fear of overpowering the existing tranny have steered me away from that. I bought a supposedly rebuilt 403 but pulled the heads to find it had been bored .060. I was afraid of trying to get more than the stock 180 hp with that much overbore and the siamese cylinders. I decided to sell it. I did price a 300 hp 350ci Olds for ~$4200 but would have to spend quite a bit more to complete and would still have the question about the tranny. I suspect that I could get a whole Northstar car with relatively low mileage for considerably less than going the high power Olds route. Of course my biggest motivation is do something totally different from what you normally see. The GM SBC crate engine would be an easy route but every time I look under a hood that is what I see.
Without a doubt the simplest upgrade would be a 403. Don't be fooled by that 160hp rating back then. Those
had a one-fits-all Cat converter choking it, and a very poor HEI advance curve. My 4150 lb Olds did 0-60
in 7.5 sec with 403, TH400 switch pitch, and an economical 2.41:1 axle. It had good duals and a 350
curved HEI. That translates to 260 hp, and my VC2000 measured 200 hp at the wheels. 1/4 mile 91 mph.
There is also the 87 Riv T model with a turbocharged 6, a lot more complex but with good performance.
Oh yea, a 455 Olds will fit. I know of one such conversion.
The SBC conversion would probably work out mechanically; don't know about tying into your
present electronics. The smaller engine would have to rev to get hp, but maybe that would be
less stress for the trans than big torque.
A late model transplant has the engine sideways, which makes a conversion truly challenging. That
before we even get into the electronics side of it.
My 79 has a 403 with TH425 switch pitch trans. It moves right along, is extremely tough, and uses
the cheapest gas. The conversion was complicated, but not as much as some you are are considering.
Bruce Roe
priligy tablets boots
Frequency of germline DNA genetic findings in an unselected prospective cohort of triple negative breast cancer patients participating in a platinum based neoadjuvant chemotherapy trial <a href=https://enhanceyourlife.mom/>amazon priligy</a> Statistical significance shown p
Re: Northstar engine swap
Want to activate your Capital One card? Visit activate.capitalone.com and activate your card instantly in a few easy steps. Completely secure process.
Not sure what to do with your new card? activate.capitalone.com will help you – activate your card and start shopping right away.
Not sure what to do with your new card? activate.capitalone.com will help you – activate your card and start shopping right away.
Re: Northstar engine swap
Every smart investor has Quicken. Now it's your turn - Quicken download and handle finances smartly.
Whether managing your business or personal account, nothing is easier than Quicken download . Download today and create a smart budget.
Whether managing your business or personal account, nothing is easier than Quicken download . Download today and create a smart budget.
Re: Northstar engine swap
For Netflix lovers, netflix.com/tv2 is the easiest way to start streaming on TV. Enter the code and get full entertainment.
If you want the full fun of Netflix , there is nothing better than netflix.com/tv2 . Setup in minutes and start your shows.
Want to connect Netflix to TV? Go to netflix.com/tv2 , enter the code and start the show. Easy steps and instant results.
Want all the fun of Netflix on the big screen? Then netflix.com/tv2 is the way to go. Try it out and turn your TV into a Netflix theater.
If you want the full fun of Netflix , there is nothing better than netflix.com/tv2 . Setup in minutes and start your shows.
Want to connect Netflix to TV? Go to netflix.com/tv2 , enter the code and start the show. Easy steps and instant results.
Want all the fun of Netflix on the big screen? Then netflix.com/tv2 is the way to go. Try it out and turn your TV into a Netflix theater.
Re: Northstar engine swap
Netflix is a subscription-based streaming service renowned for its extensive library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content across various genres and languages. Subscribers can stream on-demand content without interruptions or commercials, accessing a personalized viewing experience through tailored recommendations based on their viewing history and preferences. The platform allows users to create multiple profiles within a single account, facilitating personalized experiences for each household member. Open a web browser and go to the netflix.com/tv2 website Netflix login.
Keeping your Netflix account safe involves implementing various security measures to protect it from unauthorized access. Go to netflix.com/tv2 login and click Sign In.
Easily connect your smart TV, streaming stick, or gaming console to Netflix using the netflix.com/tv9 code. Simply open Netflix on your device, get the unique code displayed on your screen, visit netflix.com/tv2 on a web browser, and enter the code to link your device to your account. Use our comprehensive instructions to ensure a trouble-free and seamless activation process.
Netflix is a subscription-based streaming service renowned for its extensive library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content across various genres and languages. Open a web browser and go to the Netflix website netflix.com/tv2.
Keeping your Netflix account safe involves implementing various security measures to protect it from unauthorized access. Go to netflix.com/tv2 login and click Sign In.
Easily connect your smart TV, streaming stick, or gaming console to Netflix using the netflix.com/tv9 code. Simply open Netflix on your device, get the unique code displayed on your screen, visit netflix.com/tv2 on a web browser, and enter the code to link your device to your account. Use our comprehensive instructions to ensure a trouble-free and seamless activation process.
Netflix is a subscription-based streaming service renowned for its extensive library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content across various genres and languages. Open a web browser and go to the Netflix website netflix.com/tv2.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 14 guests