3800 Vs. Northstar

[TheNewLMHDesign]

After being told that the Northstar engine only ways 60 lbs. more than the regular engine of the vw gulf, a problem has come into play.

I originally was discussing with my friend that we were going to do a 3800 supercharged swap. But now that we figured out that the engine was that light, we've hit a bump in the road.

So we both agreed that we would ask the people here on GAOC which they think would be the best.

Vote for the Supercharged 3800 or the Supercharged Northstar, and tell me why.

I know its been discussed a thousand times, but I would really love your guys opinions.

Thanks,
Lee.

[TheNewLMHDesign]

Snap, if the mods or administrators could put a pull at the top I would be greatful, accidently hit send before I had the chance to correct it and add the poll, thanks.

[doobiess]

northstars are extremly good engines and if your looking for power northstar hands down... but fit one in your GA .. well i hope your a good fabricator or welder because you will have to do heavy modifications for it fit.. but power wise.. you would be on top

[mthegodfather]

For the money you would spend transplanting the northstar you could make your engine just as powerfull.

[30thAnnGAGT]

^ agreed.

However I have seen the northstar swap been accomplished in an Alero. Heck of a conversion!

[mthegodfather]

Coolness factor it wins hands down but for performance stick with what was available in the GA.

[TheNewLMHDesign]

How about I just the 3800 conversion and just custom SLA a Northstar Engine cover, lol.

[Duster]

well dropping a 3800 would be sweet and all but your looking at motor mounts firewall modification and alot more head aches! Taking a 3400 or a 3600 motor into your grand am would be just as close if not the same with maybe alittle difference! And from what ive heard there will be motor upgrades coming threw for them soon! If not turbos can be modded for them! Just my opion!

[RocketFast321]

I say wait for the 3900 ;)

[TheNewLMHDesign]

Haha, 3900.

As for the 3800. I have been talking with a few mechanics around here, as well as my friend, and they all say it'll fit fine. They said its the same size block and everything. But I guess we'll just have to wait and see after I make the final decision on what to do.

[Duster]

its fine and dandy its the same size yes but its mounting is completly different and alot of modification will go into putting the motor in plus moting points!! And not even metioning your gonna need a tranny rebuild to if im not mistaken right?

[TheNewLMHDesign]

Here is what I will need:
-New Mounting Brackets
-Drive Train
-Computers
-New Transmission to hold the power of the Jackson Supercharger.

Possibly (depending on how mine are now)
-New suspension
-Shocks

And that's about it.

[Colin]

Originally posted by TheNewLMHDesign
Here is what I will need:
-New Mounting Brackets
-Drive Train
-Computers
-New Transmission to hold the power of the Jackson Supercharger.

Possibly (depending on how mine are now)
-New suspension
-Shocks

And that's about it. If you think that's all there is to it , you're in for a surprise . :lol:

[Duster]

^true that!!

[TheNewLMHDesign]

Oh, not at all. That is all I have to get from the junk yard. Aware there is so much more.
Custom exhaust and everything, well aware, just making a short list. Anyone here actually done it, nope, so we won't know exactly until it happens. By the way Duster, don't think you know to much about it, i bet Colin does, but you have a four banger, enough said.

[Colin]

If you swap a 3800 into a GA you'll have to use a 4T65 trans ( tight fit ) and the wiring harness and computer program that goes with that . Custom halfshafts and mounts . Also , fuel system , cooling system , exhaust , sensors , brackets , A/C ? , etc . Interfacing the computers and wiring will be a pain but i never said it couldn't be done . Good luck with the swap . :D

[TheNewLMHDesign]

Colin,
I'll just say this. I have the time, I have the patience, and I have the $$, so I think it might be cool to ry something new for my generation of Grand Am's.

I'll keeps picks posted when I find another car to use during the swap. I'll keep everyone up to date.

[matts]

actually, i believe there is someone on here that's made the swap. don't remember his name, and it's been a while ago, so you shouldn't be so harsh on Duster. not to mention i know of a 4 banger that will probably wipe the floor with your car even after the conversion. number of cylinders don't always have an effect on how well a car runs.

but good luck with it. and if you've got some money to just throw around i'd love to have a 572 to shoehorn in my ride :P

[TheNewLMHDesign]

Well, I apologize to Duster. Those who know me (not many on here actually) but those that do know I am having some problems with my ex of two years, and it's been getting me riled up (enough of the soap oprah shitz). So to him I apologize.

Just work my @$$ off at work, and thus the extra spending cash. I just think it would be fun and keep me busy for a while until I can get the exterior finished. The interior has so so so much work, that I think it would be best to just leave it in its naked (completely stripped) state until the engine is put in. Just to make sure no rewiring needs to be done to the dash and such.

[Duster]

Well not to be rude and i avoid this site for a bit some school problems ( burnouts are not cool with security:roll2: ) But yea New i understand alittle about a engine swap dude cause im in the process of swapping from a 4bangger to a six right now and im rebuilding the 3400 motor that im dropping into my car so i dont get "FOUR BANGGER REMARKS" like yours anymore:P just playing, but yea i know alittle more then you may think i do about motor swapping espacially ga's. And for who did a motor swap it was Dave IC goodness i think he was called here on the fourms he swapped from a 3200 to a 3400turboed, he's gonna be helping me in the swapping process! The computer swapping is whats got me thinkin it might be alittle tricky, so im taking my interior out as u said just for wireing safety!

So if you wanna talk later about motor swapping storys i got a bunch from my stang and a chevy 1500 thats eaten 4 motors to count, damn hoopty truck:lol:

[vainot4u]

I'm not real up an up on all this but it seems to me that rice burners have it easier when it comes to transplants. What's up with that?

Another gripe I have is the imoprts having thier own performance parts sold and installed at the dealer and warrantied for the durration of the vehicle warranty. Although GM and the other two companies of the Big 3 are starting to catch on they are just still behind. :(

Hopefully that will change in the near future. ;)

[TheNewLMHDesign]

Well, they have more of a market than we do. They are cheap, inexpensive cars that you can modify the heck out of for next to nothing.

[DowmaceWH99]

Originally posted by TheNewLMHDesign
Well, they have more of a market than we do. They are cheap, inexpensive cars that you can modify the heck out of for next to nothing.

yea but if you put 5k into some of those cars your still running 16s!!
1.6l=poopstick

[vainot4u]

yea but if you put 5k into some of those cars your still running 16s!!
1.6l=poopstick

And still look like crap! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[TheNewLMHDesign]

HAHAHA...couldn't agree with you more, lol.

[matts]

they might be running better than 16s if they'd take the coffee cans and park benches off. oh, and we can't forget the 75 lbs. of vinyl stickers they put on there. but i guess if they start taking too many stickers off they'll start losing power :P

[DowmaceWH99]

you know those Injen stickers add 15hp per sticker

[vainot4u]

This is how we like our Civic's

http://www.stoapfalzer.de/crash.jpg

LOL:lol: :lol:

[BBT]

Looks like the whole front end has been opened up for that 'ram air' effect. :lol:

[vainot4u]

Dude love that body kit!:D :D :lol: :lol: