Is the northstar v8 a good engine

Guss put the engine back together perfectly, the first time, no returning for re-fix, ready to run for years and miles to come. My Northstar engine, that has known head gasket problems, has gone from the most negative part of the car to the most valuable. I now have a true performance gem of an engine with strong reliability.

Is the northstar v8 a good engine. Engine: Northstar 4.6L V8 (LD8/L37) Report; Share; Posted September 28, 2009. ... Before I took the engine out, the bottom end would give a good rattle when you first started it up, and I was hoping that the new bearings would eliminate this. Unfortunately, it still does it, and I think it's just the nature of the beast. ...

Oct 15, 2008. 16. 9K. Dec 30, 2023. by adriansimple. 1 1 of 252 252. Discussions relating to the Northstar System and various drivetrain mechanical/electrical/sensor problems.

Jan 18, 2022 · The 32 valve V8 Northstar was not an option - it was IT in one of two performance ranges - the ~275 hp 3.11 final drive economy cruiser version and the ~300 hp 3.71 final drive performance version. The 8th character of the VIN gives the powertrain - VIN Y is the cruiser, VIN 9 is the performance. FWIW, after going back through the OP's past posts, he drove a pre-2000 Northstar vehicle so his choice of a 10W-30 oil was correct for his flat-tappet engine. Quaker State is also a good oil, part of the SOPUS (Shell Oil Products U.S.) umbrella of Shell, Pennzoil. Quaker State, others. Premium Member.Performance Options. Cadillac DTS V8. The Cadillac DTS V8 is a front-wheel drive sedan with all-speed traction control and a Northstar 4.6-liter DOHC V8 engine with 275 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm and is fit with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The baseline DTS also comes with 4-wheel antilock brakes and 4-wheel ...Used 2007 Buick Lucerne pricing starts at $4,490 for the Lucerne CX Sedan 4D, which had a starting MSRP of $26,265 when new. The range-topping 2007 Lucerne CXS Sedan 4D starts at $5,342 today ...The Northstar is a perfect example of an engine that was slightly over-engineered for its own good. It's finicky, high-maintenance and expensive to repair if anything breaks. Fortunately, its most common problems are easily dealt with -- and savvy buyers have been known to get great deals on engines sellers thought were toast, but were really ...231. Name: Jeff. Location: Las Vegas. Joined Jan 2008. Posted September 2, 2016. I am posting this for a buddy that has a new Northstar V8 crate engine for sale. The engine is complete from throttle body to oil pan, has water pump, p/s pump, coil packs (not pictured, but included) starter, etc. It does NOT have a stand alone pcm / harness with it.

This was also due to the intricate engineering. You should consider avoiding the following models from the Northstar engine lineup: 1993 - 1999 Northstar L37. 1994 - 2002 Northstar LD8. 2004 - 2005 Northstar LH2. 2006 - 2009 Northstar LC3. Oil leaking was a major problem with the initial Northstar V-8 from 1994 to 2001.However, overall, the 4.4 Northstar is a good engine option for those who want a powerful and reliable ride. What are the Problems With the Northstar Engine? The Northstar engine was introduced in the early 1990s and was GM’s first attempt at a premium V8 engine. The engine was very powerful and had a lot of potential, but it also …The Northstar powertrain is phenomenal. It is completely worth the HG repair, in my opinion. The 4.9L may be less expensive to repair, but it is on the same par as the N* when it comes to reliability, and the N* trumps it by 100hp. If I were you, I would dish out the extra cash for a new rebuilt N*.Following on exhaustive development program, Cadillac's long-awaited Northstar V8 takes on the world with advanced technology. At just 403.9 pounds (without accessories), the 4.6L Northstar engine ...Northstar lineage can get a mite confusing. The Seville SLS model actually came with the RPO LD8 (VIN Y) Northstar. Rated at 275 hp and 300 lb-ft, it was designed to provide more low end than the ...The 32-valve design of the Northstar's engine head gives it a serious advantage when it comes to upper rpm breathing as compared to a more traditional 16-valve pushrod motor. In fact, the factory lifters are good for 8,500 rpm, but in order to get there safely you're going to have to swap in a set of stronger valve springs.Search the performance threads and do a good throttlebody cleaning with toothbrush, rags, and TB cleaner (NOT choke cleaner). As posted, use a good 10W-30 oil from whoever you like/prefer. Use a WIX or NAPA Gold oil filter. Run your tires at 33 psi COLD, and torque the lug nuts to 100 ft/lb in a star sequence.The STS V8 is a much cheaper option for GM fans who want a V8-powered, RWD sports sedan when compared to the G8 (which holds its value damn well). 2005 Cadillac STS V8 - 61,000 miles. 2005 Cadillac Deville Base (Limited Edition) - 131,000 miles. 2006 Chrysler 300C - Totaled.

5. Oil leaks. Promar Precision Engines have been pioneers in remanufacturing the 4.6 DOHC 32 Valve Cadillac Northstar Engines. We were one of the first remanufactures in the country to offer remanufactured 4.6 Northstar engines to the public, even before oversize pistons were available. We have made multiple enhancements and longevity ...The Dyson V8 Animal vacuum cleaner is known for its powerful suction and efficient cleaning capabilities. However, some users have reported issues with the dustbin door detaching f...Pros. Northstar V8 power, spacious and comfortable cabin, two tons of traditional American opulence. Cons. Frumpy image, techno-wizardry could prove expensive to repair when the warranty runs out.We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us.

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F. FCSLEVIN Discussion starter. 29 posts · Joined 2018. #1 · Feb 23, 2018. Just recently purchased my 2008 Cadillac STS with Northstar V8 I'm currently at 83,000 miles and was wondering what type of preventive maintenance I can do to keep this car running good other than oil changes and doing the transmission fluid and filter at a hundred ...The Northstar V8 is one of the most advanced American V8 engines of its time, built to go head-to-head with the Europeans and their technology. However, all those advancements made the Northstar more complicated, and consequently, it had some inherent issues.Prior years relied on a "normal" 4.1 or 4.5 liter V8, which weren't noted for any real go power and were rated at just 170 and 200 horses, respectively. However, the Northstar V8 displaces 4.6 liters and 295 horses, which equates to a full 95 horses more than the prior year's 4.5 V8.The 4.5 and 4.9 are upgraded versions of the 4.1. They are responsive and provide adequate horsepower, and tend to be very reliable and long-lived engines. In fact, they remain two of the lowest warranty claim engines Cadillac ever produced. If the transmissions held up better, these cars would run to 300k and beyond.Structural engineers have a different fee structure than an architect and home inspectors. We outline the difference in cost, so check it out! Expert Advice On Improving Your Home ...What about the L47 4.0 Liter Olds Aurora V8? ~250hp out the box, race proven (650 horsepower in twin turbo LMP trim) and was good enough for Carroll Shelby. The Aurora was FWD, works for your transverse setup. It should be lighter than the 4.6 Northstar. Not sure on price or availability on your side of the Atlantic.

The Northstar V8 engine family is General Motor's top-of-the-line luxury power plant. Introduced in 1993 in the Cadillac Allante, Eldorado and Seville STS, the 4.6L 32-valve dual overhead cam all-aluminum V8 engine was a quantum leap forward for U.S. automakers. ... The cure, says Cadillac, is to do a ring cleaning procedure (seems those …Given that the official recommendation from Cadillac for leaky Northstars is to literally remove the engine from the car and replace ALL seals and gaskets in one operation (and this is a 20-30 hour job depending on which specific YMM), that will get real expensive real fast.Advertising supports this site . News. Latest News Videos Business Listings Desert Racing Press Releases Press Releases (legacy) Rally Raid Short Course Racing Product Reviews Featured Vehicles Showroom Shop Tours Story TimeEngine: Northstar 4.6L V8 (LD8/L37) Posted September 26, 2011. My 2006 is 5.5 years old with 107,865 miles on it. So far so good. I had the coolant changed back in the early summer at about 95.000 miles. Also had the transmission fluid changed at the same time.Dealer will be at 6,000 plus. The SC 3800 is a much better choice if dependably is a factor. Close in performance to the Northstar, great fuel economy, very easy to service, will easily go 300,000 miles running used fryer oil, yes that unfinicky and resilient of an engine. It was an absolute tragedy GM quit using the 3800.The Cadillac Northstar was so beloved at the time that it was considered one of the ten best engines in North America by Ward’s Auto. In fact, it made the list three times. The 4.6-liter V8 engine was rated for 295 horsepower. However, it got more powerful as the years progressed and even clocked in at almost 500 horsepower. Which Northstar engine years to avoid? Northstar is a trademark Cadillac car, and the engine is a 4.7-liter V8. It has 32 valve configurations, and its 4.0-liter versions are available on different Cadillac variants. General Motors produced these high-performance V8 from 1993 to 2011. You would start with the #1 cylinder at TDC, crankshaft sprocket timing mark at 12:00, intermediate sprocket timing mark at 6:00 so the both timing marks match. Then you are left with the cam timing marks which all need to be 90 degrees from the surface of the head. Some Northstars have special exhaust cam sprocket at bank 1 due to CMP.E/K Body Engine Mounts. Camshafts (replacement) Gaskets & Seals. PCMs / ECMs / ECUs. Flywheel Bolts. Gasket Sets. Intake Manifolds. Bearing Kits - Crank & Rod. New Crate Engines.

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Cadillac DeVille: The Northstar V8 was a common engine choice for the DeVille, offering luxurious performance and refinement. ... These 10 colleges may be as good as the Ivy League, according to ...The Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve of the Northstar engine is designed to help remove the gases from inside the intake manifold to help the engine run smoother. The Northstar engine is used in Cadillac vehicles and sits sideways inside the engine compartment with the intake manifold sitting behind the engine near the firewall. You ...Combining a V8 engine with a FWD car is bad enough, but the STS took it a step further with the engine itself; it used Cadillac's infamous Northstar V8. Specifically, a 4.0-liter version. Remember, this car came out in the 90s, at which point the Northstar was known for simply refusing to work after a while.A problem with the Crankshaft Position Sensors can cause the vehicle to not start. The cost to repair the Crankshaft Position Sensors is $55.31 for each sensor, there are two sensors, and $97.50 for labor to replace both sensors. The cost to replace the Fuel Pressure Regulator is $42.62 for parts and $39.00 for labor.What about the L47 4.0 Liter Olds Aurora V8? ~250hp out the box, race proven (650 horsepower in twin turbo LMP trim) and was good enough for Carroll Shelby. The Aurora was FWD, works for your transverse setup. It should be lighter than the 4.6 Northstar. Not sure on price or availability on your side of the Atlantic.As all Spider-Man comic book fans know, with great power comes great responsibility, and being a great manager isn't just about being good at telling people what to do. It turns ou...STS-V Northstar reliability. As a casual observer who will be on the hunt for an STS-V in a little over a year, I am impressed with the lack of "Northstar issues" reported here in comparison to the older, FWD engines. As a former owner of a self-destructed Northstar, I was a bit hesitant to get back in the game, but the early returns seem very ...not cheap The Northstar looks viable once I get around the water pump relocation - and mating the engine to the 2004 Lexus 430 6sp. automatic I got off eBay -. Since I have to make some sort of headers - I MIGHT stick a Turbo on the end for that 7lb boost - thanks for the Intake reco. As I recall - Northstar came in a longer stroke engine - so ...The 2007 Cadillac DTS is a full-size luxury sedan, powered through its front wheels by Cadillac's 4.6-liter Northstar V8. Show full review. 4.0. Owns this car. Car is great for a family or if you ...

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NorthStar V8 rough idle/misfire (newer northstar) Hey all I bought a Lucerne with the 4.6 v8. I drove it home 2 hours no issues, no oil leaks, seemed to be running fine. Well once I got home, engine started running rough and stalled out once. There is no knocking or oil leak, so thankfully I think I've eliminated head gasket."The Northstar V8 is an interference engine, which means if a chain fails or is disconnected when the engine is cranked over, the valves will hit the pistons. That's something you don't want to happen with an expensive engine like this!" ... and the tensioner shoes were worn pretty good compared to the new ones. the car ran much better after ...The Northstar engine is a family of high-performance 90° V engines produced by General. These LS V8 engines were the only V8 engines used by Cadillac for the next eight years, until the new Blackwing V8 was introduced in 2018 in the. Cadillac's premium offering is now called just "STS," and is available with a 3.6-liter, 255-horsepower ...The Northstar also has an increased 10.5:1 compression ratio. While premium fuel is recommended for maximum performance, it can be operated on regular unleaded fuel. The Northstar V8 is a 90-degree, DOHC, four-valves-per-cylinder engine featuring an aluminum block and cylinder heads, and a valvetrain configuration with roller finger followers.Nov 11, 2007 · Cadillacboy. 4419 posts · Joined 2003. #9 · Nov 12, 2007. I think w/ a good maintenance it should last longer than 150 K miles . It's not about how fast you go,it's about how you go fast - Enzo Ferrari. If you can produce the best road cars in the world,no one ever will forget them-Ferruccio Lamborghini. Like. Cadillac DTS Northstar Engine: The Cadillac DTS is a very popular luxury sedan that General Motors built from 2006 until 2011.Every model during the five-year run had a Cadillac Northstar V8 engine providing good power. A well-maintained DTS holds its value relatively well on the used market and often comes with an engine that has good life left in it.Order yours today! Engine Mounts. They don't last on the 98-04 Cadillac Seville/STS, the 2000+ Deville/DTS, or the other Northstar cars - Auroras/Bonneville GXP, Lucerne... That's why we developed a what we call the PRC Engine Mount (positive-rubber-compression). Instead of pulling rubber apart when you accelerate, like the OEM mounts are ...The 2007 Cadillac DTS is a full-size luxury sedan, powered through its front wheels by Cadillac's 4.6-liter Northstar V8. Show full review. 4.0. Owns this car. Car is great for a family or if you ...We have a limited number of reviews for the 2009 Lucerne, so we've included reviews for other years of the Lucerne since its last redesign. Pros. comfort. interior. appearance. handling & steering ... ….

STS-V Northstar reliability. As a casual observer who will be on the hunt for an STS-V in a little over a year, I am impressed with the lack of "Northstar issues" reported here in comparison to the older, FWD engines. As a former owner of a self-destructed Northstar, I was a bit hesitant to get back in the game, but the early returns seem very ...A higher-output, higher-revving Northstar L37 V8 is available with the Performance Package rated at 300 horsepower but yielding less torque than the LD8. 4.6-liter V8 LD8 275 horsepower @ 6500 rpmBesides the 1uz'fe motors, I really think this motor and the Q45 V8 motors are a good buy and good bang for the buck... Just entertaining the ideas of decent 300hp motors for cheap to toy around with... Looking for input I guess... I remember these Northstar motors were the main competitor to the early model Lexus 1uz-fe's..06 STS4, V8 Northstar, 5 speed auto, all the options. Just bought the car a couple days ago. I love it so far. Has 86,000 miles on it, owned by a doctor, one owner dealer maintained car. 98% ...FWIW, after going back through the OP's past posts, he drove a pre-2000 Northstar vehicle so his choice of a 10W-30 oil was correct for his flat-tappet engine. Quaker State is also a good oil, part of the SOPUS (Shell Oil Products U.S.) umbrella of Shell, Pennzoil. Quaker State, others. Premium Member.141 posts · Joined 2014. #10 · Feb 22, 2015. Anybody with any sense will see the Northstar engine is a very well engineered masterpiece. There isn't one thing under the hood of a N* powered vehicle that is junk. Actually theres nothing that isn't bad ass IMO.NORTHSTAR HEAD BOLT REPAIR #1: The early 2000's Cadillac Northstar engines have had a bad reputation for a long time. The CAR WIZARD 🧙‍♂️ knew he was taking...I was wondering if the V8 Northstar engine 2005 and up models has the same issues as the earlier model V8 Northstar engines? Far as having the overheating, heads separating from the block from bad threads on mounting bolts. Are the 2005+ model Northstar engines more reliable than the earlier models?No, Sport compact car did a story on a northstar vw and said the engine was a great swap, only weighting about 50 lbs. more then the vr6. Don't quote me exactly though. I do know it isn't much heavier then the vr6. Is the northstar v8 a good engine, But the engine started burning a quart of oil every 1000 miles and this went to a quart every 500 miles at about 110,000 miles on the car. The Northstar is a POS IMO, my 84 Corvette with the the 5.7 liter pushrod burns no oil and runs like a clock at over 90,000 miles. Stay far away from a used car with the Northstar engine., The Northstar V8 engine family is General Motor's top-of-the-line luxury power plant. Introduced in 1993 in the Cadillac Allante, Eldorado and Seville STS, the 4.6L 32-valve dual overhead cam all-aluminum V8 engine was a quantum leap forward for U.S. automakers. Initially rated at 295 horsepower, the Northstar V8 has been ranked as one of the "10 Best Engines in North America" by Ward's Auto ..., None of the major production engine rebuilders are doing Northstar V8s, and some rebuilders told us certain critical internal parts are unavailable (such as oversize crankshaft bearings). Add to this the fact that the cylinder liners can't be replaced or overbored and it doesn't leave much to rebuild. Even the heads are throw-aways, …, Published by Dustin Babich on 29 May 2023. A 4.6l v8 dohc engine from general motors can replace a northstar engine. This is a common solution for those who need to replace their northstar engine. The northstar engine was a popular choice for luxury cars such as cadillacs in the 1990s and early 2000s. However, over time, these …, The Northstar V8 engine family is General Motor's top-of-the-line luxury power plant. Introduced in 1993 in the Cadillac Allante, Eldorado and Seville STS, the 4.6L 32-valve dual overhead cam all-aluminum V8 engine was a quantum leap forward for U.S. automakers. ... The cure, says Cadillac, is to do a ring cleaning procedure (seems those …, Timing chain problems on Northstar engines are virtually unheard of. Head gaskets, on the other hand, are a much more common problem. Specifically, broken head bolts and stripped threads in the block. However, the symptoms accompanying a head gasket failure don't include dark grey smoke. Dark smoke is a sign of excessive fuel., So Cadillac always called the 292 HP Northstar a 300 HP engine even though it really wasn't. The statement that the 275 and the 292 HP Northstars are identical except for cam timing is correct. The lower HP version (275) does have a little more torque. When the Feds stopped the roundup game, Cadillac quit talking about the 300 HP engine (which ..., The valve springs were different on the 93-96 Northstars. The L37 engine had slightly higher tension springs because the L37 engine is set up to shift at 6500 where-as the LD8 shifts at 6000. The LD8 engine had the softer springs for reduced friction and improved fuel economy. Small but directionally correct friction reduction for the fuel ..., 2329 posts · Joined 2004. #20 · Dec 2, 2005. Speaking of which, you *may* want to consider waiting a little while for the new northstars coming out... 4.4L 32V supercharged V8, piston oilers, fortified bottom end, M122 supercharger with integrated intercooler, 440hp stock, with a LOT more potential., Find CADILLAC Cadillac Northstar V8 Intake Manifold Gaskets and get Free Shipping on Orders Over $109 at Summit Racing! Save up to 10% on the Powersports Parts you Need! Vehicle/Engine Search Vehicle/Engine Search Make/Model Search, The Northstar V8 VIN Code 9 or Y is a 4.6L engine. The cylinders are arranged in 2 banks of 4 with a 90 degrees included angle. The left (front) bank of cylinders are number 2-4-6-8 and the right (rear) bank cylinders are 1-3-5-7. Engine firing order is 1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8., According to Cadillac Jim on Caddyinfo, apparently Car and Driver, upon finding out about limp home mode in 1997, drained a Northstar of its coolant and beat the living piss out of the V8 in a torture test of sorts. a 0-60 MPH time of 18 seconds and a quarter mile time of 25 seconds was recorded. Extrapolating from those numbers, C&D estimates ..., An automotive YouTuber is swapping a Cadillac Northstar engine into a Ford Fairmont to annoy purists. The Northstar LH2 engine fits better in the Fairmont than a Coyote V8 would., After taking a ride in Johnson's Northstar-struck '32 highboy. I'm amazed that so few of these modern, 280ci, all-alloy, four-cam V-8s have found homes in today's street rods. They're readily ..., Our remanufactured units are among the best available if you are looking for a better-than-new Cadillac Northstar V8 engine or another popular Cadillac motor. Each engine receives a complete fix of all known manufacturer defects created at the factory. ... Because our rebuilt and remanufactured Cadillac engines are as good as new or better, we ..., Besides the 1uz'fe motors, I really think this motor and the Q45 V8 motors are a good buy and good bang for the buck... Just entertaining the ideas of decent 300hp motors for cheap to toy around with... Looking for input I guess... I remember these Northstar motors were the main competitor to the early model Lexus 1uz-fe's.., The Northstar V8 engine. Lots of negativity surrounds them in the facebook groups, but true Northstar enthusiasts look past some repairable issues that present themselves as the vehicles age. There..., Details. 4.6 L Northstar Cadillac DOHC V8 engine for sale. This part number fits 1998-1999 Seville only applications. Engine VIN code 9, high output. This Premium Longblock engine includes block, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, timing set, oil pump, camshaft, lifters, bearings, cylinder heads, valves, springs, timing cover, oil pan, and ..., The Northstar is a perfect example of an engine that was slightly over-engineered for its own good. It's finicky, high-maintenance and expensive to repair if anything breaks. Fortunately, its most common problems are easily dealt with -- and savvy buyers have been known to get great deals on engines sellers thought were toast, but were really ..., Thanks Jesda for that link to "Anatomy of a Northstar V8 engine" Fantastic insite as to all the inside stuff of the engine, and why's ! ... pull the engine and properly stud it. That's no good, the cars woulds last forever, or until the person gets sick of it. Having to buy a car every 5-7 years when it's just paid off is just BS., Stay away from the 01 and prior. 2006 is very good year for the NorthStar. It was the first year for 292 hp and was the basis for the 4.4 supercharged version in the STS-V. It is the best offering. 02 and up are pretty good, They get a bad rap because people heard of the earlier engines blowing head gaskets., Which Northstar engine years to avoid? Northstar is a trademark Cadillac car, and the engine is a 4.7-liter V8. It has 32 valve configurations, and its 4.0-liter versions are available on different Cadillac variants. General Motors produced these high-performance V8 from 1993 to 2011., Cadillac 4.2 liter twin-turbo V-8 LTA engine. The 4.2 liter V8 engine (GM RPO code LTA) is an eight-cylinder, dual overhead cam (DOHC) twin turbo engine produced by General Motors specifically for use in Cadillac luxury vehicles. The engine is the result of a new clean-sheet engine design as well as Cadillac's first twin-turbo V-8 engine. , Cadillac Northstar engine problems. A cornerstone of older Cadillac models, the Northstar engine was hailed for its cutting-edge technology, becoming synonymous with the Cadillac brand. However, the complexity of Northstar engines meant they quickly became notorious for head gasket failures. And with the ‘Northstar Condition’ affecting ..., A higher-output, higher-revving Northstar L37 V8 is available with the Performance Package rated at 300 horsepower but yielding less torque than the LD8. 4.6-liter V8 LD8 275 horsepower @ 6500 rpm, The 32 valve V8 Northstar was not an option - it was IT in one of two performance ranges - the ~275 hp 3.11 final drive economy cruiser version and the ~300 hp 3.71 final drive performance version. The 8th character of the VIN gives the powertrain - VIN Y is the cruiser, VIN 9 is the performance., Northstar V8 power, spacious and comfortable cabin, two tons of traditional American opulence. ... so the inclusion of the Northstar V8 engine is a welcome sight. Standard DeVilles and the DHS get ..., Northstar blocks and rotating assemblies are fairly stout for factory engines. The blocks essentially split in half at the crankshaft centerline-the lower half acts like a huge, strong girdle with ..., The big news for 1996 is the addition of the Northstar 4.6-liter V8 to the De Ville. The new engine puts out 275-horsepower; a whopping 38 percent increase over the old 4.9-liter V8 under the hood ..., As soon as the engines would be in a overheating situation, the bolts would come off like squeezing a ripe banana. It took many years and many pissed customers but they eventually fixed the problem by using longer bolts with coarser threads (same bolts as the LS6, if I remember correctly). Northstars ftom 2005.5 to 2011 are reliable engines., The engine was a 4.6 liter 32-valve DOHC Northstar V8 rather than an LS V8. It produced 320 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. As with the Corvette, the XLR included a transaxle in the rear, but only a five-speed automatic transmission was available as a premium vehicle. ... Related: 10 Surprisingly Good American Performance Cars People …, The Chevy 5.3 L V8 engine, also known as the Vortec 5.3 or the EcoTec3 is generally looked at as a reliable and trustworthy engine. The Vortec 5300 is a small block V8 that was produced in 1999 for the first time. Across several different generations the 5.3 engine was used in many popular Chevy models such as the Chevy Silverado, the …, Northstar Engines and System Technical Discussion. ... The two things that provide gains in a stock vehicle are exhaust and a GOOD CAI. Other than that the Northstar is what it is unless you want to spend a good chunk of change. ... I wouldn't be surprised if it was a generic V8 cal. Mine wouldn't even stay running. Holley commander, and ...