Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => Build Diaries => Topic started by: woz on July 04, 2017, 06:29:54 PM
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After many years of flying in from Indiana to watch the races, we decided to take the plunge and buy something to tow out there and run, initially plan to try 130 club and then who knows. Got vehicle for very little with Northstar engine full of oil that looks like a Wendy's Frosty. It goes straight, shifts good and gets hot very quickly. Plan is for a donor vehicle with a good motor (hopefully with head stud update) recalibrated computer with speed limiter removed, etc. Have done cursory research and would love to hear from anyone familiar with the 4T80 transaxle in regards to at some point making less electronic, or engine swapping down the road. Ours is an ESC model so 275 HP and 3.11 gear with .68 overdrive. I am always somewhat skeptical but I hear of pretty high speeds observed with computer mods. Any observations appreciated...will post some photos soon. thanks, Woz
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Woz - sounds like a great project. Two questions; 1) what do you mean by 'less electronic', and 2) for future engine swap do you intent to remain with transverse arrangement or RWD?
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It will stay front wheel drive. The engine and transaxle are electronically controlled, I was referring to the possibility of modifying down the road if changing from Northstar or using a power adder of some kind. I am used to carburetors, distributors and MSD boxes. Woz
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Here are some pictures
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Factory specs: 3800 lbs... 300hp... power everything... I'm going to follow this build!
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Where in Indiana?
Terry
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Southern Indiana, across the river from Louisville.
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I would love to speak with the owner of the FWD Cutlass with the police car paint job seen in the photos from the test and tune. It was believed to perhaps be an ex-Feuling car from San Diego? Thanks, Woz
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Is this the car you're referring to?
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Could possibly be same but appears to be a lot of detail differences from pics on test and tune photos. Thanks, Woz
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We got in in the garage, ready to move forward.
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A few more pictures....was thinking maybe the BBC I have for another project might fit, not looking so good in that regard plus far too heavy with a cast iron budget. I'm still looking at replacing with a "good" Northstar and having the computer modified to remove speed limiter. I'm also pretty sure I can make Buick V6 driveline from Riviera work but open to anything going forward. Woz
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This has been for sale for years, and I always thought it would be a good choice for a lakester, but a FWD Caddy could make for a good home as well. Trick would be a transaxle tough enough to make it go without scattering.
But it is in Indiana.
http://www.race-cars.com/engsales/other/1348602323/1348602323ss.htm
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A few more pictures....was thinking maybe the BBC I have for another project might fit, not looking so good in that regard plus far too heavy with a cast iron budget. I'm still looking at replacing with a "good" Northstar and having the computer modified to remove speed limiter. I'm also pretty sure I can make Buick V6 driveline from Riviera work but open to anything going forward. Woz
Woz... could you explain how you posted pics? Did you pay the ransom?
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It's easy to post pictures directly on this site from your computer. You just have to resize then first so the site will accept them.
Pete
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(http://)
Woz - I'm hoping this picture posts... I too am failing miserably to get pix to post despite the simple to follow 3rd grade instructions (the pic is on my computer, the file type is correct, the file size is less than 500K, etc).
GW
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Sigh... the picture did not post... just a link posted... I am ashamed and embarrassed.
GW
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Click on the link. It comes up perfectly.
Pete
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If you want the picture to be visible in your post I suggest saving it as a .jpg (rather than .pdf).
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Did this work . . .
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I don't use Photobucket, just took pictures from phone and emailed to home computer as "medium" size. I couldn't do from phone directly. Woz
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The quest for a strong running proper year/version Northstar replacement has begun, I've read a lot about the head stud upgrade that makes them "bulletproof" according to many. Anybody with some real world Northstar experience that can offer any advice? They are dirt cheap for sure, especially the ones that overheat (like ours) I know the early generation 10 Eldos (early 4.9 non-NS) used the weaker but much lighter 4T60 trans as opposed to the much stronger and heavier 4T80 for the Northstars. I have found a couple of Buick Rivieras with the 3.8 supercharged engines and the weaker transmission at the right price but the electronic complexity keeps me thinking that the NS is the way to go. Thanks for any input! Woz
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Did some internet trolling... let this be your inspiration...
GW
(http://)
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Woz - perhaps you've seen this.
"Northstar Swaps - What years are interchangeable and the differences"
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/northstar-engines-system-technical-discussion/199946-northstar-swaps-what-years-interchangeable-differences.html
GW
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Is RWD an option?
GW
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Thanks for the links, some good information. I think I might have found a donor car, it is a 2000 Seville with the same code engine that has been "rebuilt" I am waiting for some sort of documentation regarding what exactly "rebuilt" means. Thanks, Woz
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The Northstar in all it's glory. I drained the oil, filled the water and ran as a test.
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This is the result, it would appear that the heads are separated from the block. It actually fires right up and sounds ok! Hardly noteworthy, but I also bought 2 used $10.00 tires to replace the 2 that wouldn't hold air. It is now much easier to move around and I don't have to inflate every day. I am still searching for a replacement engine that has had mods to heads done or might just tear down this one and see where we are at. Woz
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We have decided to ditch the Northstar and install a conventional aluminum block 4.9 with a non-electronic 4t60 transaxle. We will be using a single-wire distributor and modified intake with carburetor and aftermarket cam. This will keep cost low and car much simpler. I'm hoping to get significant weight out of car once we start stripping out electronics after getting to run. Woz