1997 Cadillac STS engine swap

Sinerviz · #1 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 05:20 PM

Hi, does anyone know if a 1995 STS is a good candidate to do a straight engine swap into a 1997 STS? I'm not sure if there are any little differences that would cause any problems. If these cars are not compatible, does anyone know which years/models would be suitable as a donor for me?

Thanks for any help..

Kevin Lawrence

clarkz71 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 05:33 PM

That will work, just swap over your intake manifold and MAF, ect. The knock sensor might be in a different spot, I believe the 97 is under the intake and the 95 is on the rear of the block. Just move it to the correct location. 95 to 99 will interchange, just the 95 has a different intake (no MAF). Make sure both cars are vin 9, which they should be STS to STS. An SLS would be a vin Y.

CadillacSTS2003 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 05:48 PM

SEARCH

Sinerviz · #4 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CadillacETC1997

SEARCH

you feel it absolutely necessary to post this? I've tried searching and keep coming up with nothing. I figure putting some faith in other Cadillac owners knowledge is not a horrible thing to do...

CadillacSTS2003 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 06:40 PM

northstar compatibility is something we have covered many a times before
other topics to avoid
headgasket testing....
pulling codes
etc etc etc

Sinerviz · #6 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CadillacETC1997

northstar compatibility is something we have covered many a times before
other topics to avoid
headgasket testing....
pulling codes
etc etc etc

well then I guess it would be just as simple for you to quickly jot down what can go with what, rather than be a jerk and tell me to search, assuming I havn't already done so. Perhaps I am not the best at searching... so sue me. I searched the forums on this topic again and still just find mostly swapping the northstar engine into other cars etc...

clarkz71 - thank you very much for the information! That is exactly what I needed to know...

clarkz71 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 08:22 PM

No problem.

CadillacSTS2003 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 08:29 PM

if your not the best as searching then perhaps you shouldnt of searched yahoo or google or whatever engine you did where this place came up as a result
perhaps if you would of searched in the correct venue the Northstar part of the forum being this is a non model specific question you would of came up with the answer which has been

with that im done playing lets be two and argue with you...

Sinerviz · #9 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CadillacETC1997

if your not the best as searching then perhaps you shouldnt of searched yahoo or google or whatever engine you did where this place came up as a result
perhaps if you would of searched in the correct venue the Northstar part of the forum being this is a non model specific question you would of came up with the answer which has been with that im done playing lets be two and argue with you...

Your english is painful to read and/or understand. Perhaps you should settle down and figure out what you are trying to say before you start typing gibberish.

Yes, I use Google to search, as it is probably the best starting point of any search. This is definitely how I found the CadillacOwners.com site... you are a sharp one! I did some searching on this site and then posted the question, which was replied to quite quickly by someone with some helpful information and then by someone who has nothing better to do than be an ass.

Now, go find a new poster to be an ass to and have a good life!

jadcock · #10 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 08:52 PM

Kevin, you have a '97 with a bad engine? Have you gotten that verified by a second/third opinion? An engine swap is a lot of work if the problem can be fixed by something simpler. Otherwise, Clark pretty much said what you need to know about compatibility.

I would suggest Timeserting a new engine before installing it. It'll ensure 100% durability down the road. If you need more help or have other questions, let us know, we'll be happy to help! Welcome to the forum.

CadillacSTS2003 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 08:52 PM

ooo great comeback
and my english makes perfect sense just a lack of punctuation
how about you learn how to search and use a forum before you make yourself look like a complete idiot by posting something which has been answered many times before
instead of being lazy and expecting us to do the work for you of course but what was i thinking, you said it yourself your in idiot, you do not know how to search the forum, so pratice a little self education
take this time to ponder how to type in "northstar compatibility" and press the blue search button, i realize this may be a daunting task, but you could of spent all this time which you wasted on your oh so witty comebacks on answering your own question

Sinerviz · #12 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jadcock

Kevin, you have a '97 with a bad engine? Have you gotten that verified by a second/third opinion? An engine swap is a lot of work if the problem can be fixed by something simpler. Otherwise, Clark pretty much said what you need to know about compatibility.

I would suggest Timeserting a new engine before installing it. It'll ensure 100% durability down the road. If you need more help or have other questions, let us know, we'll be happy to help! Welcome to the forum.

Awesome, thanks you very much for a great reply. And thank you for the welcoming to the forums.

There are a couple issues with my engine, including a blown head gasket. I am also having an issue with the transmission not going into overdrive. I have found a 95 STS that has low km's that was involved in an accident. I am able to get this car as a donor for cheaper than the cost to replace the head gasket alone. I would still have the labour costs on top of that, but I still think I would come out on top this way... although I definitely could be wrong.

Thanks again for the info. If you still think I am making a big mistake by looking into doing the swap, please let me know.

jadcock · #13 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinerviz

If you still think I am making a big mistake by looking into doing the swap, please let me know.

Oh no, not at all...I was just making the suggestion to make sure you can verify the problems as legitimate instead of one shop possibly having the diagnosis wrong.

That swap actually sounds relatively "easy". Just swap the entire powertrain cradles, if the '95 was hit in the rear.

Raze · #14 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 10:06 PM

Sinerviz,

First of all, WELCOME! Second of all calm down, you have to understand, if you frequent these boards and look at many topics on this forum especially, most have been started by people who only want free advice on a major problem. If they were to spend an hour or so searching and reading they would find it has been covered a number of times. Now I know it's easier to spend 5 minutes posting a question, waiting 24 hours and gathering in the results and running to your mechanic with it and forgetting this board ever existed but many of us here actually take the time and effort to help people who want to help themselves and learn about their cars. What's more we all genuinely care what happens to you and your ride, but if you're going to continue on a tirate with a well respected member you'll find we won't care the next time you need a hand or want some advice.

That being said, CadillacETC1997 continued arguing with you when he should know better

We don't want you to be turned off by your experience here, you could easily have simply said "sorry, I'm new" instead of continously arguing, I mean realize CadillacETC is simply egging you on and you haven't caught on to the fact that you're being 'tried out' as much as you're 'trying out' this board. There's obviously no requirement to join the board except an email address, but arguing for the sake of arguing is frowned upon...

As per your origional question, an engine swap between these years is fairly straightforward, just make sure to swap the critical parts as has been mentioned. If you have access to an engine crane you could do this swap in a couple days but if you have the 95 engine out you should look into timeserting the block as a maintenance item, look in this forum and the northstar technical section about this procedure, you can get the Timesert kit for one head for less than $400 including the tools, multiply by 2ish for both heads (you'll only need the 10 inserts for the second head). If you plan on having a shop doing it for you, it will get pricey as labor is not cheap on these since the whole front subframe must be dropped, in your case removal of the engine and tranny. We just want to make sure you're ready for the shock of the shop saying, btw that's $1500 in labor...

Sinerviz · #15 (**permalink**) 03-05-07, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raze

Sinerviz,

First of all, WELCOME! Second of all calm down, you have to understand, if you frequent these boards and look at many topics on this forum especially, most have been started by people who only want free advice on a major problem. If they were to spend an hour or so searching and reading they would find it has been covered a number of times. Now I know it's easier to spend 5 minutes posting a question, waiting 24 hours and gathering in the results and running to your mechanic with it and forgetting this board ever existed but many of us here actually take the time and effort to help people who want to help themselves and learn about their cars. What's more we all genuinely care what happens to you and your ride, but if you're going to continue on a tirate with a well respected member you'll find we won't care the next time you need a hand or want some advice.

I understand that some may come to this forum and do as you explain, however for one to assume that is what everyone is doing is quite foolish and ignorant. Thank you for the lecture, but quite frankly I don't care for it. I got the help from one user and I'm quite certain he did not mind helping me out. Perhaps there are things I know about these cars or other things that I will be able to help him with in the future. I was never going on a tirade as you say... just defending myself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raze

That being said, CadillacETC1997 continued arguing with you when he should know better

We don't want you to be turned off by your experience here, you could easily have simply said "sorry, I'm new" instead of continously arguing, I mean realize CadillacETC is simply egging you on and you haven't caught on to the fact that you're being 'tried out' as much as you're 'trying out' this board. There's obviously no requirement to join the board except an email address, but arguing for the sake of arguing is frowned upon...

haha.. one person acting like an idiot is not going to make me think an entire forum is the same way. Someone else sticking up for that person and speaking for the forum as a whole might change that. Who you are, I don't know... if you speak for the forum, I feel for it as you don't make a new user feel welcome (no, the WELCOME at the beginning doesn't do it) I am being "tried out"? Are you kidding me? This guy has no purpose other than to try and make a point about an issue he obviously feels strongly about. That I don't mind... it is his approach that stinks...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raze

As per your origional question, an engine swap between these years is fairly straightforward, just make sure to swap the critical parts as has been mentioned. If you have access to an engine crane you could do this swap in a couple days but if you have the 95 engine out you should look into timeserting the block as a maintenance item, look in this forum and the northstar technical section about this procedure, you can get the Timesert kit for one head for less than $400 including the tools, multiply by 2ish for both heads (you'll only need the 10 inserts for the second head). If you plan on having a shop doing it for you, it will get pricey as labor is not cheap on these since the whole front subframe must be dropped, in your case removal of the engine and tranny. We just want to make sure you're ready for the shock of the shop saying, btw that's $1500 in labor...

Thanks for this info... this much I do appreciate.