don't know if this has been asked yet, but is it possible to swap out the 3.8L v6 in a 2001 firebird for a 4.6L DOHC Northstar v8? if so, what all is needed for the swap?

 

possible, yes. practical, I think not. Have you seen under the hood of an LS1 or LT1 car? there is practically no room left for anything, and the northstar is a really wide engine with the dohc heads and all. You could probably make it fit with enough cutting and fabrication, but it's gonna take a heck of a lot of work.

The next question is why? If you're doing it to be unique, that's one thing in and of itself, but you could make a heck of a lot of power out of the LSX series of engines with a whole lot less hassle.

 

It has been done

 

I remember in an old issue of GMHTP, they crammed an LS6/T56 combo into a Cadillac Catera. I'm pretty sure you could do something like that vice versa.

 

I've seen pics of a Northstar in a 3rd Gen, but why would you want that maintenance NIGHTMARE in a 4th Gen???

The engine bolts up to a 60 degree bolt patterned tranny, so that's doable, but those engines are finicky...

If you thought tweaking an LT1 was bad, well, go for it if you want the challenge.

The Northstar spun off of the 3.4L DOHC v6, and we all should have an idea what a nag that is to keep up.

 

thanks to all of your replys and quick responses. as of right now i was only contemplating a motor swap. i thought of using the northstar motor b/c it was smaller and put out close enough numbers to a LS1 with less the displacement?! wasn't sure if it could be done to begin with though. so thanks again for the help...one more question though...is it possible/practicle to put a T56 up to the 3.8L in the 4th Gen F-Body? just another curiousity. thanks in advance~

 

Look on www.LS1tech.com under the LS1 hybrid section... someone has a page where they did a Northstar swap in a 4th gen Camaro.