Swapping the Northstar into the Catera

[Ls1 Catera project]

Thanks buddy

I am thinking is it posible to get automatic C4 tranny? For sure ha? I hope.... Well for engine I would sure get Ls1 over North or LT1. New CTS V should have LS6 so why should I put North or LT1? I think Ls1 should be very good swap with that C4 auto tranny with maybe some gear work and shift kit to get effect almost of manual tranny without having to convert to one.

Also one thing on my mind if swap at it's cheapest would be 10G's with engine and trany and labor at its cheapes doing work with friends and myself. Think this way investing some money into my engine. I alredy have some mods as intake, chip, custom exaust on my 3.0 V6 that is prob around 230HP at least not counting few other little things done to it. Custom headers can bring up to maybe extra 10-15HP which are like $1000 with installation. Improved fuel injectors not really reserch into another maybe 10HP. Getting some hight flow cats another 5 to 10HP. What about a bore to 3.2L if posible for maybe another G or 2. That can bring few extra maybe 25%. Also 2000 Catera sport torque converter can deliver some improvement. Griffit custom radiator can be also probably fit in. I am also not counting any custom ram air hood for intake induction. All those things are aprox to where 300HP mark is at. Spend maybe half of what V8 engine conversion would be and all the problems it might give.

I am not saying I am giving up on doing it it just seem more reolistic for me for now to save more and think more for later improvements for my car. Not sure what they are about to be.

Thanks for your info

any reaply would help.

Catera Project.

[ericesquire]

I see your point in wanting to just invest in the catera's stock engine - however...the biggest point of doing a swap in the first place would be to get an engine that's actually stable and reliable in that car.

The catera is such a great looking car - just not reliable. I know because I own one myself!

Eric

Originally Posted by Ls1 Catera project

Thanks buddy

I am thinking is it posible to get automatic C4 tranny? For sure ha? I hope.... Well for engine I would sure get Ls1 over North or LT1. New CTS V should have LS6 so why should I put North or LT1? I think Ls1 should be very good swap with that C4 auto tranny with maybe some gear work and shift kit to get effect almost of manual tranny without having to convert to one.

Also one thing on my mind if swap at it's cheapest would be 10G's with engine and trany and labor at its cheapes doing work with friends and myself. Think this way investing some money into my engine. I alredy have some mods as intake, chip, custom exaust on my 3.0 V6 that is prob around 230HP at least not counting few other little things done to it. Custom headers can bring up to maybe extra 10-15HP which are like $1000 with installation. Improved fuel injectors not really reserch into another maybe 10HP. Getting some hight flow cats another 5 to 10HP. What about a bore to 3.2L if posible for maybe another G or 2. That can bring few extra maybe 25%. Also 2000 Catera sport torque converter can deliver some improvement. Griffit custom radiator can be also probably fit in. I am also not counting any custom ram air hood for intake induction. All those things are aprox to where 300HP mark is at. Spend maybe half of what V8 engine conversion would be and all the problems it might give.

I am not saying I am giving up on doing it it just seem more reolistic for me for now to save more and think more for later improvements for my car. Not sure what they are about to be.

Thanks for your info

any reaply would help.

Catera Project.

[scourge]

LS1, going with the Northstar keeps the Cadillac theme going. Sure, there may be a more powerful engine but is it smoother and in the end that much of a better choice? Thats all up to the individual, but I would prefer keeping everything Cadillac that I could. Someone will always be faster no matter what....but will they be better overall? Even if they could be, I prefer to go all Caddy and enjoy knowing I have what Caddy could have and should have made to start with.

Choosing something else isn't wrong or better/worse really. But, I would say having a fully powered Caddy would shock a hell of a lot of people. If I were in the US and could find the donor parts fast, I'd send the car to www.chrfab.com and let them do their magic. Maybe someone will do such a swap....someday.

[dohcpower]

I say forget the costly engine swap and just throw a 50-75 shot on there, as well as custom headers, 3000rpm stall torque converter and you will be set. You will have one strong V6 and probably the fastest Catera around...

An aftermarket torque converter really wakes up any auto car. This will increase your off the line quickness a lot. You can have a custom one made from http://www.protorque.com. It will probably cost around $600 but it is well worth it.

[dohcpower]

I just found out that the Catera has a 4L30E tranny which is kinda rare as far as I know. So this will have to be a truly custom job, which is still worth it imo...

[Andrew60SP]

http://www.hpsalvage.com/

If you look under project cars, they put a Northstar into a '94 Camaro. Maybe someone there can offer some info.

[scourge]

dohcpower, true, but some people prefer total performance over having a car thats just a one note wonder. This is why Caddy is going after BMW - handling. I would much prefer a Northstar with a 5-speed swap and coilovers that I know will be fast in a straight line anyway but also has the correct transmission and suspension to attack the corners. I know some people like drag racing but others want more and this is why simply adding nitrous isn't enough.

[IceMan3928]

so can you give me any more info on these torque converters? Im not too sure what they are exactly, also what kind of performance gains would we be looking at with one and at what cost? thanks

EDIT: when i say "cost" i mean detrimental effect to the vehicle or its performance.

[customGTP]

i am looking to get headers for my custom RWD configuration in my car.. anyone know of a place that does it/known to do it?

Thanx Soccrplayrgtp,

1994 Grand Prix GTP
93-97 Northstar Vin 9
Tremec 3650/3550/ T-56??
1987 Grand National 10 bolt 8.5" Posi

[Ls1 Catera project]

Sup all

Happy on coming Hollidays!

How you all doing? I been 100% working, going to colledge, tuning my car and just kicking it. I am so happy with my Catera so far. I hope it keeps on runing like a German build car as it had since I got it in end of 2002 I belive.

Again it's a 97 black with: Ice Man Cold Air Intake, 2.5 Super Singal Cat Back with Magna Flow dual shape box type exaust, Resistor Mod, aprox 60 pound weight reduction, CuZo 2000 fog lights with driving lamps (old lights removed where new once installed which lets more of that fresh air to the intake with heater hose pointed to K&N filter.), dark window tint on back and light tint on from 2 windals and few more things like darken out black Caddy logo and Catera name removal to get that clean looking rear end few other etc's

Good news are: I already recieved INTRAX lowering springs by mail. Its took me some time to save up. Finaly as I got those now I am thinking on getting new shocks. I am not sure if I am going for hight performance shocks? Maybe I might just get new upgraded sporty shocks found on 2000 and 2001 Catera. It would save me lots of money because I can get up to 20% off from local Caddy since I work for dellership myself. Once car will get profecianaly lowered I am thinking on getting OZ racing Super Legera light weight racing rims in black to match my car or just some good looking racing rims under 1G with tires if I could. Then break's come first with maybe new Sloted up rotors up front and plain new once from Brembro in the back with some nice break pads.

After that if I was about to get some more HP I would get 2 Random Technology cats and some hight performance spark plug wires. Torque convertor is very good investment I belive. Can some one answer my question please. Ok what if I put the 2000 Catera Sport Torque convertor in my 97 Catera?? I belive they sad it was hight speed toruque convertor which was as an upgrade in those years. It would be way cheaper then getting other upgraded one for me because as again I would get up to 20% off the tag.

I am hope I can get some pic's soon after I am done with lowering. As of now you can find my pic's in CTS VS CATERA all known short on point tred that was so long I dont know if they still have it. And if they do would a moderator please put some of those pics in Caddy section.

Well I would keep you all posted on my project and good luck to all!