Okay!!!
Here are a few notes for anyone thinking of doing the late model Northstar conversion (using the 282 transmission of course). Not everything is listed, but if you are seriously considering the conversion after reading this, then you can probably handle the other stuff. Also notable is that this is an expensive conversion (budget lots of extras), the last thing you want is to start a world class conversion just to skimp later on something important because you ran out of money, so don’t run out of money.
The Getrag 282 transmission does not bolt right up. Northstar uses 4 bolts on the top and 2 bolts on the bottom. Getrag uses 6 bolts on the top, and just for fun the top rear bolt does not line up! However special brackets can be made for the bottom two bolts, and the miss-aligned bolt can be fixed.
There is a proper bracket that will soon be available. a Friend has been running it on his northstar car for 5 years and will be making copies
A flywheel is hard to get, and I recommend making or buying a new one instead of plugging and re-drilling an old one. My concerns here are with stress concentration.
Flywheels are easy to get. KFG makes a nice aluminum one. I got mine about a week ago. Setup perfectly for the northstar, not some redrilled home brew crap
Expect problems from the electrical system. Don’t attempt this conversion if you don’t have some background in electronics.
If you want a good setup , take the stock ECM and harness and throw them as far away as you can. I bought CHRFAB's Holley commander system and their 288 cams , all pre programmed for the new 7800 rpm redline. A little dyno time and it should be a solid 375 RWHP. I also had to swap larger injectors. I chose some nice off the shelf Z06 Vette units. Pricey...but worth it. Alan @ CHRFAB does a beautiful job with the harness , everything is labeled and easy to setup. Worth the $2000
The engine cradle will have to have it’s front cross member cut out and moved forward at least 125 mm. Then you get to figure something out for the front transmission bracket (fun).
Again brackets are out their that work , you just have to know where to look , or the right people
The engine starter isn’t where you’d expect it to be. Expect instead, to have to modify your transmission casing (that means cutting it because there it's much easier than moving or changing the starter).
5 min with an open shoe grinder, you cut out a minimal amount. Or you can go William Capmans route and fab up an engine adaptor.. it's probalby a better way of doing it , but your looking at $1000. It takes the stress of the tranny case
You must (okay not must but should) cut out the bottom of your trunk (to rout the exhaust). You will lose approximately 1/3 of your useable trunk space.
Chris Moore has built 6 Northstar cars using stock exhaust setups.
William Lucke used 2 Left side manifolds (like shorty headers) you get a full trunk everytime and a much better exhaust setup. William and I have a gentleman building us some nice stainless headers 4 into 2 . There designed with a good strong streetable powerband in mind , not too peaky, shorty desing., there also designed with the 288 cams in mind. about $600US for the set of stainless units. 1 set is almost finished.
You will have to modify you computer code! (unless you are using the 5 speed and you don’t need all the functions to work properly, and again only if you are using tha Cadillac computer).
Howell will sell you the harness and modified 5spd computer for $800
Once you have the car all finished and you feel like showing off for your friend, remember this. If you rev up the engine to 4000 rpm and drop the clutch you will brake something! You can accelerate as hard as you want as long as you don’t spin the tires.
the clutch will break before the tranny. Try and get a 9/11/16" clutch and pressure plate. I have gone with a spec stage 3 ceramic unit that has been lightened
So keep in mind that you will have to weld, cut, modify, innovate and re-do things. This is one of the most involved conversions you can do. Expect between 100 and 500 hours to get it right (depending on skill level). Also expect no help from those that offer this kit professionally. They want to sell you their whole kit or nothing at all (some may cooperate, like CHR-Fab, ie. get your computer there).
Could be me , but I have found it pretty straight forward. Little things your missing, use 4cyl fuel lines , they come out on the left side of the car , instead of the 6cyl ones which come out on the right.
swap the rear spindles , and hubs to Pontiac 6000HD units 5x115. They are a lot stronger than the weiner 5x100 units. you will only get 3000 miles out of the stock bearings with a northstar behind them. This isn't fiction..it's a proven fact from about 7 guys who have been running N* 5spd and auto's since 1995
I should be done my kit sometime in Oct. I’m willing to produce any info needed at that time. Due to the lack of cooperation from the conversion industry (which has ticked me off) I may very well offer all the information for free online (posted and open to the public, including computer code and wiring diagrams) (still thinking about it though, it’s a lot of work to do just because no one else offers it).
I would say 90% of the info is already out there. there is a northstar mailing list, there are dozens of pics on file. it's a pretty easy swap when all things are considered. Some go with the stock type setup. Some (like myself) go a little further.
I started with a 96 N* engine VIN 9 . bought some spare heads , 5 angle (yes 5 ) valve job and a nice street port. CHR cams , springs and retainers. Had the heads magnafluxed. Stock GM gaskets (there the best) new ARP bolts. That alone with the computer should make near the 400hp mark. I will be running a 100 shot this season on the car (dry , NOS brand kit) and I have a nice little Vortec S trim tucked away for next winter. As I mentioned before I have z06 injectors , the spec clutch and KFG aluminum flywheel. The heads are kind of gravy , but there stainless and have been meticlously designed for the northstar , were not shooting in the dark. Ed @ ""HeadersbyED"" helped with the design. Alan @ CHRfab has been great in the entire process as well. Chris moore and Will Lucke are the real gods of this conversion. Both will and chris drive there cars everyday, Chris has had his running for 7 years without a problem.
The tranny is an issue for some. But you won't break it with clutch dumps and spinning the tires. The breakage will occur between gears during hard shifts. The getrags gearing isn't the greatest for a v8 , but it's a manual tranny. Right now I am looking at Saab 93 vector and ARC trannies as a good alternativer. Gives you a nice spacing (close ratio) as well it is a 6spd.
for belt setup...gut the power steering pump , or relocate the one idler pulley. keep life easy..don't get into odd sized belts.
My car should be going by January.
Jonathan McCreery
86 GT , 5spd , northstar , 288 cams , nitrous , big brakes , koni's , you name it ...it's in there.
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