The older Northstar in the FWD cars is more or less matched by the V6 and I6 engines of GM and the competition.

The newer VVT Northstar in the STS is matched by the 5.3l V8 in the new Tahoe. The 5.3 beats the Northstar in torque, and I'm sure it would beat it in fuel economy with the DOD feature. It also runs regular versus premium. Then there are the various 6.0 and 6.2 variations that compete well against the latest Japanese and Euro V8s (new Lexus 4.6 and MB5.5 come to mind). Meanwhile, the Northstar, which is supposed to be the premium engine, falls further and further behind.

I know that GM has stated that people who buy luxury cars count valves and camshafts, but I think they'll also count HP and torque.

A premium STS model with the 6.2l V8 from the Escalade would be such a cool car and would match up very well against the forthcoming E550 and GS460 as well as the current 550i, being 10-40hp ahead instead of 40-70 behind.

How expensive is it to have two completely different V8 engine families? Does anyone else? Oh yes, Ford. Is it a coincidence that the Jaguar V8 and Ford Triton V8s are both at the bottom of their classes, stuck at 300hp in NA form while the competition pushes the high 300s?

If people really insist on 4 valves and DOHC, then what about developing a set of 4-valve DOHC heads for the LS engines? Of course, the engine would then be bigger and maybe not much more powerful.

 

I think GM was more afraid back in the day of a luxury car without multiple camshafts being taken seriously, and didn't want to risk any backlash. Honestly, I think the Northstar has run its course, and GM could get away with many of it's pushrod v8s in their luxury vehicles. It would be cheaper to rid themselves of the Northstar line, and just concentrate on making its pushrod engines run smoother for the luxury cars.

GM still seems to spend too much of it's time often in trying to make their cars just like everyone elses. Nothing says American like a pushrod v8, and today's OHV engines could be very competitive with a luxury competitors engine, especially with the money saved from the Northstar line. Someone who disdains a car just for the fact that it's engine uses pushrods is not likely to be buying a Cadillac in the first place.

 

This would be MUCH larger than the compact OHV LSx engines, even larger than the current 4.6 N*. Think LT5 territory on size, nothing short of HD trucks would hold it.

 

There would be a backlash. If not immediatley with consumers, definately with the auto press. Also, besides the valve and camshaft count, it prevents the premium Cadilliac line from having all the same engines as the "budget" Chevrolets. It's viewed as a premium engine for a premium brand.

 

If the vehicles were good, the auto press would eventually turn to love it. I don't believe the auto press how it out specifically for GM, as many on here seem to, and if GM could turn out an awesome vehicle, with a smooth engine, it wouldn't matter how many camshafts it has. GM could also change the engines in some way to give them a new moniker, and differentiate them from the Chevies. Maybe a slightly different displacement or something? Obviously the Caddy engines would also have more of an attention to balance while being built.

 

Right. That "Crappy, old dinosaur" pushrod V8 doesn't seem to have harmed the Escalade's sales (correct me if I am wrong - but that's an LSx right?). Though I suppose the "dub & bling / get out of my way or I'll drive over you" Canyonaro crowd is a little different from your average luxo car buyer.

NothStar is heavier, more complicated, more expensive to produce, less fuel efficient and less powerful than the LS2. GM should nix the NorthStar, use the proven LSx engines and spend that money on improving the other aspects of Caddy's line-up.

 

It's simple. The Northstar has the smoothness and refinement that luxury buyers expect in a luxury brand. Not that the small blocks aren't smooth or refined, but GM would be quite foolish to go back to SBC's in their "standard of the world" brand.

Sure, the Northstar could use some more power, and I'm sure it will get it, eventually. Those motors are by no means "maxed out".

 

how sensitive are they to mods?

 

Yes I agree with Z28wilson, my Deville's Northstar is still smoother and more quiet running then any pushrod gm moter, and that is what count in a brand like this, not all out power, and 300hp is still enough to most people eyes.

 

Find me a significant group of STS and DTS owners who are modifying their engines.

 

So could a different assembly line with tighter tolerances or whatever produce an LS2 variant that's as smooth as the Northstar? I don't see why not. You might sacrifice a bit of power, but you could lose a lot and still be ahead of the Northstar.

 

uuhhm....you can advance the stock cams on a northstar and pump out 440tq ......also ....the stock northstar rods are the same rods they use in the caddie racing engines...its a great engine...they run smooth...and the love the **** of of n2o...I know this because I had a ETC with the dope on it..not bad for a mid 12 second boat

 

I personally love northstars. both my father's and mother's eldorado ETC's northstars are great engines. so smoooooth. they will get up and move too. plus they sound awesome un-muffled.

thats cool, do you have any more info on your northstar? 440 tq out of a 4.6L engine? did you mean 340 tq?

 

A pushrod powered luxury car would be laughed off the map by 90% of luxury car buyers, regardless of the HP numbers, regardless of the technical arguments you can make for it.

 

bingo. that's why it still around.