Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

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Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

Postby starfire » Tue Aug 20, 2013 7:44 pm

Has anyone here ever put an Aurora engine into a Starfire?
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Re: Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

Postby hammerdown7 » Tue Aug 20, 2013 9:34 pm

The NorthStar takes a lot of room but would be a neat conversion.

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Re: Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

Postby starfire » Wed Aug 21, 2013 4:34 pm

Is it bigger than a 305? That's what is currently in it.
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Re: Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

Postby hammerdown7 » Wed Aug 21, 2013 4:59 pm

It's a double overhead cam engine, very wide from the edge of the cam cover across to the other side, you would also have to modify its cast aluminum oil pan.

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Re: Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

Postby marco_1978_spyder » Wed Aug 21, 2013 5:35 pm

Was Doug's Yellow Monza (HiWindingMonza) a similar swap? I remember his was a Caddy engine.. Is that anything close to the OA V8?
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Re: Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

Postby hammerdown7 » Wed Aug 21, 2013 5:49 pm

Doug's was an overhead valve 431 V8, I think it was a slightly over bored 425.

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Re: Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

Postby starfire » Wed Aug 21, 2013 8:50 pm

Hmmm, when I get my car I will have to do some measuring, and then some more investigation. I was thinking of replacing the 305 with a 215 from a Jetfire, but I know someone who has an Aurora engine for sale and that has me thinking. The only thing cooler than a Jetfire engine in a Starfire Firenza would be an Aurora engine.
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Re: Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

Postby hammerdown7 » Wed Aug 21, 2013 9:01 pm

I believe the Northstar was only used in front wheel drive cars but can use the same bell housing as the 2.8 V6. I know a number of them have been put in Fiero's. Look for maybe early Camaro's that had the 2.8 V6 for rear drive transmissions.

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Re: Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

Postby 80 MONZTA » Wed Aug 21, 2013 9:27 pm

I know absolutely nothing about these motors, is the Cadillac Northstar the same thing as the Aurora?
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Re: Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

Postby hammerdown7 » Wed Aug 21, 2013 9:38 pm

I think the Cadillac is a 4.6L and the Aurora is a 4.0.

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Re: Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

Postby bugdewde » Wed Aug 21, 2013 10:06 pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_Aurora

4.0L V8 based on the 4.6L Cadillac Northstar

The early models had the 3.5L V6 called the "Shortstar".... heeheehee
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Re: Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

Postby hammerdown7 » Thu Aug 22, 2013 8:31 am

bugdewde wrote:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_Aurora

4.0L V8 based on the 4.6L Cadillac Northstar

The early models had the 3.5L V6 called the "Shortstar".... heeheehee


I think the Shortstar actually came out after the 4.0L and was available in the Olds Intrigue first in 1999, later in the Aurora, 2001-2.

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Re: Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

Postby cammerjeff » Sat Aug 24, 2013 3:43 pm

I agree that it would be a Cool conversion, but would require alot of fabrication work. Also keep in mind that all Northstar engines are prone to the head bolts "pulling out" of the block. Usually around 80,000 to 120,000 miles. There has been alot of speculation of the cause, but it seems to be disimaler metal corosion between the steel Head bolts and the Aluminum threads in the block. It can be repaired by adding inserts to the block, but that requires the heads to be removed, and many Aurora and Cadies have been junked because of this issue, as it cannot be performed with the engine in the car. So it is a $2000 or more daller repair bill. Many beleive that the "pink" GM high Milage antifreeze is a contributor to this issue.
So if you do go ahead with it, I would suggest doing the inserts while the engine is on the stand, just for piece of mind.

Just something to consider before taking the plunge on this one.
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Re: Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

Postby 72 SS PNL » Mon Aug 26, 2013 5:10 am

the northstar/aurora motor was found in only one car as a rear wheel drive , the XLR and XLR-V
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Re: Olds Aurora 8 Cyl in a Starfire?

Postby res0o7eb » Thu Sep 12, 2013 1:01 am

I like it.
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