Northstar Engine – How (Not) To Overengineer An Engine

by Conner Mckay

Over-engineered. If you have not heard of this term, a dive into the history of GM’s Northstar engine should help. On sale for two decades, the Northstar engine has mustered a reputation for itself. What kind of reputation, you might ask. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Allow us to clear it up for you.

Northstar V8

Northstar engines were performance engines developed and manufactured by General Motors in the ’90s. Mostly revered for its applications in many Cadillacs, the Northstar engine is considered the most complex GM engine ever.

The Northstar engines were quite complicated for their time. In its initial years, it was considered to be engineering on the bleeding edge. But as it munched years, its intricate construction morphed into a convoluted puzzle for the mechanics.

Northstar Engine History

General Motors started scribbling on the drawing board for this engine in the ’80s. With banks filling up and people flaunting goldies, the luxury car market was about to blow up.

With European makers already in the game and Japanese manufacturers like Lexus cooking up a revolutionary recipe like the LS400, GM had to act. It was not a knee-jerk reaction though. It took almost a decade for GM to imagine, design, engineer, market and roll out this mill.

With Oldsmobile’s R&D facility, GM started building a sophisticated engine that would stand its ground against the modern rival units. This was, on paper, a very good decision.

Their aging Over Head Valve (OHV) engines were on their deathbed and would not have lasted the fight. The existing OHV engines were also plagued with reliability issues, which also would not have helped the cause.

Northstar Engine Specs

The Northstar engine was an engineering feat that was quite impressive as an idea. They were 90-degree V engines. The original Northstar engine was a V8 that came with a displacement of 4.6 liters (4,565 cc).

1. V Configuration

The first Northstar engine was a 4.6-liter V8 unit. In a V-engine, the cylinders are arranged in cylinder banks, angled against each other on a common crankshaft. In a V8 engine, for example, each of the two cylinder banks will have 4 cylinders placed in line. Each of these banks will be placed on a crankshaft at an angle from each other, forming a V.

The Northstar V8 had the same configuration and the angle between the banks was 90 degrees. These V8 engines were inherently balanced, and offered a smoother drive, compared to an inline engine.

2. DOHC Design

Northstar engines did away with the old Over Head Valve configuration. In the old OHV engines, pushrods and rocker arms were used to control the valve motion. This proved to be ineffective as modern cars demanded more power. For more power, gasoline engines needed to rev higher. An Over Head Valve engine was not capable of reaching higher revs.

Northstar engines rectified this issue by shifting to an Over Head Cam design. In this configuration, the camshafts are moved from the engine block to the cylinder head, controlling the valve from above. This made the valve motion quicker, ergo faster throttle response, and more power.

The Northstar engines employed four valves per cylinder. Instead of a single camshaft, they utilized two separate units. This is called a Double Over Head Cam engine (DOHC).

While one camshaft actuated the intake valves, the other took care of the exhaust valves. With both camshafts working in tandem, these engines could rev even higher, producing more power.

DOHC engines also provided more control over the valve motion, paving the way for better power delivery and fuel efficiency. The Northstar engines benefited from this technology, as it was a huge leap from their old pushrod engines.

3. Aluminum Block/Aluminum Head

Northstar engines were modern engines. A modern move in automotive engineering of that time, which still runs strong now, is saving weight. Northstar engines utilized aluminum for the construction of their block and head, saving a considerable amount of weight.

4. Power Outputs

With all this modern technology, the Northstar engines were expected to produce a decent amount of power. And it did.  The first naturally-aspirated models (fun fact, go check out our guide on what does naturally aspirated mean) churned out respectable power outputs ranging from 275 hp to 300 hp. This got hiked up as high as 469 hp in the supercharged variants that arrived later. The supercharged versions were also de-bored, with the total capacity reduced to 4.4 liters.

5. Interference Engine Design

Northstar engines were interference engines. Interference engines are made with no clearance between the top of the pistons and the valves. Non-interference engines leave room between the valves and the piston when it reaches the top dead center of the cylinder.

Interference engines are built to tighter tolerances. This allows the engine to make use of most of its volume, rev higher, and produce more power. But, on the flip side, interference engines could be an absolute headache. Unfortunately, Northstar engines were known mostly for this trait of their interference design.

In any engine, a failure in the timing belt will cause the engine to stop. But the clearance between the valve and the pistons in a non-interference engine prevents a collision and saves itself.

But in an interference engine like the Northstar, if the timing belt fails for some reason, it can bring in some catastrophic outcomes. If in the middle of a drive, a failure in the timing belt can cause the pistons to crash into the valves. A bang, a pop, and a clatter are all you will hear before the engine finally let go. If this happens, an extensive rebuild will become necessary.

Sadly, Northstar engines’ interference design was just another nail in its coffin.

6. Limp-Home Mode

There were some features that made the Northstar engines peculiar, and the limp-home mode was one of them. This was a fail-safe method. These engines were capable of running without any coolant. In this worst-case scenario, the engine will route the fuel to only one cylinder bank. Meanwhile, the other bank will be air-cooled.

The Northstar engines had a massive oil capacity as well as an aluminum construction. These helped in better heat dissipation. With this tech, the Northstar engines could run for a maximum of 100 miles without any coolant in them.

Northstar Engine Updates

During its life of almost two decades, the Northstar engine range received a bunch of updates

Northstar Engine Future Updates #1: Supercharger

The later Northstar engines were supercharged to squeeze out more power and torque, from a lower engine size.

Northstar Engine Future Updates #2: Variable Valve Timing

A modern tech that allowed altering the valve timings. This helped the engine to adapt to the fuel demand, depending on the environment, throttle input, and a myriad of other factors. In the Northstar engine, it was capable of varying the intake valve by 40 degrees and the exhaust by 50 degrees.

Northstar Engine Future Updates #3: Direct Coil-On-Plug Ignition

Each spark plug was hooked up to an individual coil. This arrangement helps the Engine Control Module (ECM) control the ignition to a closer degree. Achieving better power, fuel efficiency, and emissions were possible with this technology. It also eliminated the spark plug wires, a weak link in the spark plug assembly.

Northstar Engine Future Updates #4: Air-Cooled Alternator

This was supposed to be a downgrade. The original models of the Northstar engines had a liquid-cooled alternator in a bid to prolong their life. But this posed the risk of coolant leaks and additional tubing. To improve reliability, GM swapped it for air-cooled units.

Northstar Engine Future Updates #5: The Final Roll-Out

The Northstar engine made its debut in the Cadillac Allanté, in mid-1992. The Allanté featured a V8 model of the Northstar, with an output of 295 hp. This was also accompanied by a healthy reserve of torque, at 290 lb-ft. The Allanté’s engine was the genesis of the long-range of engines to be used by Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Buick, including a cameo in a Shelby.

Northstar Engine Variants

Here are some of the numerous unique variants of General Motors’ Northstar engines…

L37

The original Northstar engine plonked in the engine bay of the Cadillac Allanté was the L37. The 295 hp output in the Allanté went up to 300 hp in the STS, DTS, and ETC Cadillacs, from 1996 through 2004. The L37 was transversely mounted for a front-wheel-drive layout. The Northstar engine was a rarity as V8s are normally reserved for rear-wheel-drive cars.

LD8

The L37 was a Northstar engine built for outright performance. The LD8 on the other hand focused on churning out more torque. It did not rev as much as the performance-oriented L37.

Most of these LD8 Northstar engines produce 275 hp and 300 lb-ft. This engine was used in the 1994-2002 Cadillac Eldorado, 1996-2005 Cadillac Deville, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, and 2006-2007 Buick Lucerne.

LH2

This was the first longitudinally mounted Northstar engine. While originally designed for transverse-mounted front-wheel-drive applications, the LH2 allowed rear-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive applications. This Northstar also received updates including continuously variable valve timing.

With this improvement, the LH2 Northstar V8 produced more power, 320 hp. It also churned out more torque, at 315 lb-ft. Developed in 2004, the LH2 Northstar engine found its home in the Cadillac STS, SRX, and XLR models.

LC3

This was a major update in the arena of forced induction. While all the previous versions of the Northstar engine were naturally aspirated, the LC3 came with supercharging.

Featured in the 2006 Cadillac STS-V and XLR-V performance models, the LC3 Northstar was capable of producing 469 hp and 439 lb-ft of torque in the STS-V. In the XLR-V, the outputs were slightly lower, at 443 hp and 414 lb-ft. As we mentioned before, this engine was also de-bored, dropping the capacity from 4.6-liters to 4.4-liters, in favor of additional strength.

L47

This engine may not always be called a Northstar engine, but is largely based on it. Dubbed the Aurora engine, thanks to its application in the Oldsmobile Aurora from the year 1995 through 2004. It is an even smaller engine, at 4.0 liters, with outputs of 250 hp and 260 lb. ft.

This is also the Northstar engine that went on the racetrack. A 650 hp version of the L47 Northstar used in the Oldsmobile Aurora GTS-1 and Riley&Scott LMP prototypes entered the 1995 IMSA sports car competition by the GM racing division. It also raced in the 1997 Indy Racing League competition. In 2000, a twin-turbo version was seen being used in the Cadillac Northstar LMP program.

The L47 version of the Northstar engine was also featured in a Shelby. The Shelby Series 1 made from 1999-2005 featured the L47 under its hood, with a decent output of 320 hp and 290 lb-ft.

LX5 Shortstar

We are straying even further from the familiar V8 Northstar engine formula. The LX5 Shortstar was based on the L47 Aurora V8 engine but it was a V6. It was technically a short Northstar engine, later called the Shortstar engine.

But do not be mistaken. This was not the exact L47 with two fewer cylinders. The entire cylinder block was engineered from the ground up, despite which it retains the 90-degree V-angle of the Northstar.

Dropping two cylinders brought down the capacity of the engine as well. The Shortstar displaced just 3.5 liters and produced 215 hp. The torque was also lower, at 234 lb-ft.

This engine debuted in the 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue. It was also found under the hood of the Oldsmobile Aurora, playing second fiddle to the L47 Northstar V8, a.k.a the Aurora engine. The Shortstar was finally discontinued in 2004, making way for the newer High Feature Engine.

But before it died, the Shortstar found its place on Ward’s 10 Best Engines list for 1999 and 2000. The V8 Northstar engines also found a place on this list, in the years 1995, 1996, and 1997.

The Final Northstars

After a long run spanning almost two decades, the Northstar engine came to its final leg in 2011. The last cars to sport a Northstar engine were the Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS, and the Cadillac STS. The Northstar was later replaced by the GM LS small-block OHV engine, switching back to the pushrod design.

Northstar System

Northstar engine was way ahead of its time, we have all read about it. But with this new engine, GM also rolled out a package of features that made their cars even more modern. The Northstar package was introduced in the 1993 Cadillac Allanté and then in the 1993 Cadillac Seville and Cadillac Eldorado.

The Northstar system consisted of components for different areas of the vehicle. Engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, steering, the lot. With this package, GM planned to make the cars as modern as possible. This was to create an offensive against the upcoming Japanese and European luxury cars.

The Northstar system included:

  • The Northstar engine: It was either the original L37 or the LD8 engine that was featured in this package.
  • Variable Valve Timing: These engines offered continuously varying valve timings, for better fuel efficiency.
  • GM 4T80-E 4-Speed Automatic Transmission
  • Road Sensing Suspension (RSS): This system uses sensors to measure the shock absorbers’ damping rates every 15 milliseconds. Depending on the road surface, the damping was changed between the two settings. There was an advanced CV-RSS system available in some cars.
  • Bosch Anti-lock Braking System and all-wheel disc brakes
  • Speed-variable power steering from Magnasteer

Northstar Engine

Northstar Engine Problems

So, if the Northstar engine was an example of modern engineering, why is it so heavily criticized on online forums? Simple answer, it was a bad take on modern engineering. But it is not that easy to say. As the Northstar engine was used in a flurry of GM cars, it will be a blanket statement if we say that it was an unreliable motor.

If you have the habit of sifting through Craigslist for used cars on a dismal budget, you may have come across a bunch of Northstar-equipped models. For so many cars with the same engine to fetch such little resale value, there should be a common issue with the engine.

And yes, there is. But unlike a modern unreliable GM car like the Chevrolet Cruze, the Northstar engined machines mostly faced one key issue.

1. Head Gasket Issue

This is the major issue everybody highlights in almost all forums when they talk about the Northstar engine. This was a prevalent issue in the engine and this was one of the major reasons that brought down the popularity of the Northstar.

If the Northstar engines run too hot, the head bolts would easily pull out of the engine block. These single-use torque-to-yield bolts were too slender and smooth. These bolts, permanently stretch once they are tightened to place. In an overheating scenario, this stretching increases, causing them to pull out.

When the head bolts pull out, coolant could leak out. This reduces the amount of coolant that cools down the combustion chamber, overheating the engine. Even when the engine cools down, the stretched bolts retain the stretch, permanently leaving a gap. This can blow the head gasket.

The limp-home mode would have helped the Northstar save the engine from some bit of overheating but when it does overheat, the engine had such tight tolerances, paving the way for a colossal repair job.

How To Spot This Issue

Like any other vehicle, the engine temperature gauge and coolant level indicator are the primary indicators of an overheating engine. Plumes of smoke from the exhaust pipe or needing to top up the radiator constantly are also bankable warnings.

If you spot any of these warnings, it is advised to stop the vehicle immediately. Forget not, do not trust the Northstar’s limp-home mode. That may not help you in this scenario.

Northstar Worst Engine

The head gasket issues were most prevalent in the Northstar engines from 1997 to 1999. In 2000, Cadillac tried to address this issue by increasing the lengths of these bolts. This actually helped to reduce the chances of blowing a gasket but it did not eliminate it.

In 2004, they finally replaced the notorious bolts. They were swapped with LS6 head bolts which were longer than the original bolts and featured a coarser thread. Due to this modification, the 2005-2011 Northstar engines had fewer gasket issues. In fact, it was no less reliable than other aluminum V8 engines.

Cadillac Northstar Repair

The only sensible repair job is to replace the head gasket and the dreaded TTY bolts. This, in a regular car, costs a bomb to carry out. But in the “over-engineered” Northstar, it cost the bomb and its launcher.

The Northstar engines were packed so tight in the engine bay. Thus, the only way you could change these components is by dropping the engine. This would cost the owner an arm and a leg. Exact estimates are hard to find, but ballpark figures hover around $4000-$5000. This can be more than the actual value of the whole car in the used market.

Apart from the head gasket issue, Northstar engines used to have some other minor issues as well.

2. Oil Consumption

Northstars are known for their excessive oil consumption. Pre-2000 Northstars may drink up to a quart of oil in just 500 miles. The piston rings in these cars can have carbon buildup in them, leaving an incompetent seal. This increases the oil consumption

3. Oil Leakages

The earlier Northstars can develop leaks around the seals and valve covers. It goes without saying that oil levels can drop in this engine. The owner may have to replace these seals and gaskets.

4. Carbon Buildup In Cylinders

The carbon buildup in the piston rings was solved by GM by 2000. But this job created yet another carbon-related issue. The 2000 and 2001 Northstar engines are found to develop carbon buildup inside the cylinders. This causes the engine to underperform during hard acceleration.

5. Cooling System Failure

The cooling system of the Northstar engine has been another significant concern. Failure in the cooling system can lead to the engine overheating, which in turn, could cause the head gasket to fail. Leaks can occur in the radiator or the water pump, which can lead to the engine running hot. It’s important to regularly check the coolant levels and the condition of the radiator and water pump to prevent this issue.

6. Throttle Body Issues

Another common problem with the Northstar engine is the throttle body issues. Dirt and grime can accumulate on the throttle body and the throttle position sensor, causing erratic idle, hesitation, and overall poor performance. It is advised to clean the throttle body and replace the throttle position sensor if necessary.

7. Ignition Coil Failure

The Northstar engines are equipped with an ignition coil pack instead of traditional spark plugs. The coil packs are known to fail, which can lead to misfires, poor fuel economy, and a rough-running engine. Replacing the faulty coil pack can solve this issue.

8. Fuel Injector Problems

The fuel injectors can get clogged or fail, which can lead to poor performance, rough idle, and decreased fuel economy. Regularly using a fuel system cleaner and replacing faulty injectors can help prevent these issues.

9. Transmission Issues

Some Northstar-equipped vehicles experienced transmission problems, such as slipping, hard shifting, and transmission fluid leaks. It is important to regularly check the transmission fluid levels and get the transmission serviced as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

10. Engine Mount Failure

The engine mounts on the Northstar engine are known to fail, causing the engine to vibrate excessively and leading to other components getting damaged. Regularly inspecting the engine mounts and replacing them if necessary can help prevent further damage.

11. Starter Motor Problems

The starter motor on the Northstar engine is located inside the engine, which is a unique design. This location can cause the starter motor to get hot and fail. Replacing the starter motor can be a labor-intensive job, but it is necessary if the starter motor fails.

12. Alternator Failure

The alternator, responsible for charging the vehicle’s battery and powering the electrical system when the engine is running, is known to fail on the Northstar engines. Symptoms of a failing alternator include dimming headlights, a weak battery, and a battery warning light on the dashboard. Regularly checking the alternator and the battery can help prevent this issue.

13. Power Steering Leak

Power steering leaks are another common problem with the Northstar engine. This can lead to difficulty in steering and potential damage to other components if not addressed promptly. Regularly checking the power steering fluid levels and inspecting the hoses and connections can help prevent this issue.

14. Intake Manifold Leak

The intake manifold gasket is known to fail on the Northstar engine, causing a vacuum leak. This can lead to a rough idle, poor performance, and decreased fuel economy. Replacing the intake manifold gasket can solve this issue.

15. Timing Chain Problems

The timing chain on the Northstar engine can wear out or stretch over time, leading to poor performance, misfires, and engine damage if not addressed. Replacing the timing chain, tensioners, and guides can solve this issue.

16. Catalytic Converter Failure

The catalytic converter, responsible for converting harmful emissions into less harmful gases, can fail on the Northstar engine. This can lead to poor performance, decreased fuel economy, and failing an emissions test. Replacing the catalytic converter can solve this issue.

In conclusion, while the Northstar engine has its share of problems, with regular maintenance and addressing the issues as they arise, it can provide good performance and reliability. It is always advised to get the vehicle serviced by a professional and use quality replacement parts.

Regularly checking the engine oil levels, coolant levels, transmission fluid, and other vital fluids can help prevent many of these common issues. Additionally, using a quality fuel system cleaner can help prevent clogs in the fuel injectors, and using a quality oil additive can help reduce oil consumption.

Northstar Engine Problems: Facts You Need to Know

  • The Northstar engine is a technologically advanced engine produced by GM from 1993 until 2011.
  • It is a traditional 90-degree V8, double overhead cam, with four valves per cylinder, and had numerous variants, including a supercharged 4.4L V8 and a 3.5L V6 version.
  • The Northstar engine is the first production GM V8 with overhead cams, and it won the Ward’s 10 Best Engines three years in a row from 1995-1997.
  • Some of the most common problems with the Northstar engine include blown head gaskets, rear main seal oil leaks, valve cover oil leaks, excessive oil consumption, carbon buildup, and water pump failure.
  • Northstar engines are known to consume up to 1 quart of oil every 500-1,000 miles, and this is mostly caused by engine design.
  • The cost of maintenance and repair for the Northstar engine is high due to its transverse design and engineering, making simple repairs labor-intensive and expensive.
  • Symptoms of Northstar engine problems include rough idling, poor performance, lack of acceleration, milky white residue in oil, white smoke coming from the exhaust, overheating, bubbling radiator and coolant reservoir (for more insight, check out our explainer on the Ford Focus coolant reservoir), oil dripping from back of the block, and burning oil smell.
  • The best way to prevent Northstar engine problems is to prevent the engine from overheating, turn it off immediately if it ever gets above normal operating temps, and always top it off with coolant.
  • Cadillac redesigned the rear main seal by pressing it into the block in 2000, which solved the premature wear issues.
  • While Northstar engine problems might seem minor, the biggest problem is the cost of repairs, and keeping the engine reliable requires proactive and tentative maintenance.

Northstar Engines Good Or Bad

So, what do we know? Back when it was launched, Northstar engines were not like the hardy, iron-block engines that everybody was familiar with. It was made to tighter tolerances, making it a finicky, high-maintenance engine to live with.

It had its own fair share of problems, the most acute of which is the head gasket issue. This could have been easily solved by swapping the bolts out for stronger ones. But dropping the engine to replace the bolts and gasket made it an unnecessarily expensive affair.

The unreasonable expense for the repair job was almost always higher than what the whole car is worth. Hence, most owners chose to dump the car instead of funneling money into it. This only worsened the already notorious appeal of the Northstar engine.

The Northstar engines are definitely expensive to live with. But if you are in the market for a modern American engine, stick to Northstars beyond 2005.

Northstar Engine

Northstar Mods

The Cadillac Northstar V8 engine is an engineering marvel, but with any high-performance engine, there’s always room for improvement. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the best modifications and tuning options for a Northstar engine.

Northstar Mods, Option #1: Intake and Exhaust Upgrades

The first step in any engine modification journey is upgrading the intake and exhaust systems. A high-flow air intake system will allow your Northstar to breathe better, increasing its horsepower and torque. Similarly, an aftermarket exhaust system with larger diameter pipes and a free-flowing muffler will help to expel exhaust gases more efficiently.

Northstar Mods, Option #2: Throttle Body and Mass Air Flow Sensor

The throttle body and mass airflow (MAF) sensor are essential components for optimizing air-fuel mixture and engine performance. Upgrading to a larger throttle body and a high-performance MAF sensor can provide significant gains in horsepower and throttle response.

Northstar Mods, Option #3: Fuel Injectors

Upgrading your fuel injectors is crucial, especially if you plan on making other significant modifications to your Northstar engine. High-flow fuel injectors will provide a more precise fuel spray pattern and allow for increased fuel delivery.

Northstar Mods, Option #4: Forced Induction

Adding a supercharger or a turbocharger to your Northstar engine can yield significant horsepower gains. A supercharger provides a steady boost across the entire RPM range, while a turbocharger uses exhaust gases to provide a boost at higher RPMs. Both options have their pros and cons, so it’s essential to consider your driving style and performance goals.

Northstar Mods, Option #5: Ignition System

Upgrading your ignition system can improve your Northstar’s throttle response and fuel efficiency. High-performance spark plugs, ignition coils, and ignition wires can provide a stronger spark and more precise timing, leading to better combustion and increased performance.

Northstar Mods, Option #6: Engine Management System

An aftermarket engine management system can provide complete control over your Northstar engine’s performance parameters. A programmable ECU will allow you to adjust air-fuel ratios, ignition timing, and boost levels to optimize performance.

Northstar Mods, Option #7: Cooling System

Keeping your Northstar engine cool is crucial for maintaining optimal performance. Upgrading to a high-performance radiator, water pump, and cooling fans can help to dissipate heat more efficiently and keep your engine running at its best.

Northstar Mods, Option #8: Transmission Upgrades

If your Northstar engine is linked to an automatic transmission, you’ll want to consider upgrading your torque converter and valve body. A high-stall torque converter will provide better acceleration off the line, while an upgraded valve body will provide quicker and firmer shifts.

Modifying and tuning a Northstar engine can provide significant performance gains, but it’s essential to approach the process with care and consideration. Each modification should complement the others, and it’s crucial to have a clear performance goal in mind. Additionally, regular maintenance and proper tuning are vital to ensure the longevity and reliability of your modified Northstar engine.

Northstar Engine: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you’re still curious to learn more about the Northstar engine, our FAQs here might help…

What Year Northstar Engines To Avoid

GM and Cadillac’s Northstar engines were widely praised back in the day for their cutting-edge design. As well as, the use of then-innovative and ground-breaking tech. However, all that added complexity also meant that there were more points of failure should things go wrong. For example, the Northstar engine was notorious for head gasket failures, among other issues such as oil leaks, heavy oil consumption, and carbon build-up. These problems were especially prevalent back in its earlier years from 1993 to 2005. If you want to get a car with a Northstar engine, it’s recommended to avoid these model years in particular. You’re a lot safer to spring up for something past 2005, although the later engines from 2006 to 2009 also had some (albeit, not as serious) issues.

What Year Did Cadillac Fix The Northstar Head Gasket Problem

Among the most prevalent reliability problems that plagued owners of Cadillacs that had Northstar engines were head gasket failures. They were among the top complaints in its early years since the Northstar engines were first unveiled in 1993. However, Cadillac and GM continued to slowly and steadily fix those head gasket issues throughout the 90s. It’s hard to determine precisely when the head gasket problems were fixed for good, but sometime after the 2000s should be a good guess. Many say that the major revision of the Cadillac DeVille for the 2000 model year had fixed the head gasket issue. Meanwhile, others say that it wasn’t until minor updates came along in 2002 and 2004 that the Northstar’s infamous head gasket problems were solved for good.

What Engine Can Replace A Northstar Engine

Something that certain Cadillac Northstar owners have contemplated over the years is a complete engine swap. Given how problematic it can be to undertake simple repairs on the overly complex Northstar engines, some find it perhaps easier to simply replace it with another engine entirely. The most common route is replacing a worn-out Northstar with a brand-new and fresh Northstar engine. Sometimes, even different generations of Northstar engines can be swapped around relatively easily. However, for those thinking about an engine swap with something that isn’t a Northstar, it’s not going to be that easy. Most folks who’ve tried it say that non-Northstar engines are practically impossible to be swapped into a Northstar-based powertrain without first doing significant mods to the electronics, transmission, and so on.

Is The Northstar V8 A Good Engine

Cadillac’s Northstar V8 was a great engine in some ways, but it’s also a terrible one in other regards. It was great in that GM and Cadillac didn’t pull any punches while they were developing the Northstar. Instead, they opted to include every piece of new innovation they can. Thus, the Northstar is well-regarded as a super-high-tech motor. However, this tech-focused approach is also what made the Northstar a bad engine in some ways. It was far too complicated and over-engineered. As such, any form of repairs and maintenance work was a nightmare. In some cases, needing to work on the engine would cost owners more than what the rest of the car was worth. If they’re reliable, it’s a fantastic engine. But just pray that issues don’t appear, as fixes will be very expensive.

How Long Will A Northstar Engine Last

Despite suffering from numerous issues and being well-known as a difficult (and expensive) engine to maintain, Cadillac’s Northstar engines can be long-lasting. Albeit, you’ll have to be mindful of keeping it serviced and maintained regularly. At the very least, most Northstar engines should make it past 100,000 to 150,000 miles of use before it needs some serious rebuilding, inside and out. However, there have been some people who’ve driven it past 200,000 and 300,000 miles. Although, those same owners say that it would need a bit of rebuilding and reconditioning once it passes 200,000 miles to keep it going. Apparently, rumor has it that GM test engineers were able to get a Northstar engine up to 1,000,000 kilometers (around 620,000 miles) during their stress tests before it died.

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