northstar
northstar hey guys, i am somewhat planning on swaping to an ls1 in my 2000 blazer and i got to wondering tonight on what needed to be done and how hard would it be to swap a northstar motor into it. please let me know if anyone has anything on them or any other pages or forums thanks.
TECH Resident
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD.
I've heard that dimensionally, the Northstar will be a bigger pain, because the engine is taller and wider, due to the DOHC setup. Probably means you'll have to work on the AC box and probably the brake booster.
I've also heard that the PCM stuff is a royal pain in the butt. That the controls aren't supported in the aftermarket, and that it is expensive. That's just what I've heard, I don't have any concrete info about it. But I'd definitely check out the controls portion of the swap before worrying about the mechanics of making it fit. No sense making it fit if it takes $5k worth of PCM / harness work to make it run.
The only other drawback to the Northstar is its size / power output. At only 4.6L its a bit short compared to some of the LSx based offerings (like the 5.7's and 6.0's, some of which make 400hp+ stock). And aftermarket support for that motor is not nearly as strong (which means its more $$$) than the LSx platform.
It certainly would be different which is what I expect you're interested in, but then again so would swapping in a Turbo'd 1.8L Honda motor or 2.0L Ecotec. It's your truck and your $$$.
'JustDreamin'
I've also heard that the PCM stuff is a royal pain in the butt. That the controls aren't supported in the aftermarket, and that it is expensive. That's just what I've heard, I don't have any concrete info about it. But I'd definitely check out the controls portion of the swap before worrying about the mechanics of making it fit. No sense making it fit if it takes $5k worth of PCM / harness work to make it run.
The only other drawback to the Northstar is its size / power output. At only 4.6L its a bit short compared to some of the LSx based offerings (like the 5.7's and 6.0's, some of which make 400hp+ stock). And aftermarket support for that motor is not nearly as strong (which means its more $$$) than the LSx platform.
It certainly would be different which is what I expect you're interested in, but then again so would swapping in a Turbo'd 1.8L Honda motor or 2.0L Ecotec. It's your truck and your $$$.
'JustDreamin'
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Quakertown, PA
I started a Nstar swap into a Fiero many years ago. Still have the car, and some day I will get it done. The Nstar is a big motor. The heads are huge. The older OBD1 ECMs can be reprogrammed, but not very well. Check out www.chrfab.com. They are the only site that I know of that caters to the Nstar crowd.
I don't see the point of using one in a truck. At the time I started my swap, the LSx engine didn't exist (yes, I am a procrastinator
). With a cam change (make that 4 cams...) the stock Nstar bottom end can handle 8k rpm. Thats fun in a little sports car, but maybe not so much in a truck?
I don't see the point of using one in a truck. At the time I started my swap, the LSx engine didn't exist (yes, I am a procrastinator
). With a cam change (make that 4 cams...) the stock Nstar bottom end can handle 8k rpm. Thats fun in a little sports car, but maybe not so much in a truck? well the reason i was wondering is becuase it would be different for one. two it is a great motor. it is just detuned ALOT and with cams and a tune alone you can easily get 500hp or more
