I have been juggling the idea of putting a Cadilac Northstar motor in my 67 skylark to replace the 300 that is currently in there. I know this would take a lot of fabrication work for mounting it and plenty of rerouting, all of which is possible given my circumstances. I was just wondering if anyone has a story to tell or some other forewarnings before i get myself in over my head.
Thanks
Kevin

I would say you're gonna have to do a LOT more work than fabrication and rerouting.
Firstly, you're obviously going to have to take the PCM from the donor car so the engine will even run.
Your biggest hurdle is going to be the fact that the northstar is a FWD engine, and is balanced accordingly. I don't know if Cadillac puts a Northstar in its RWD platforms, or if they even have a RWD platform, aside from their SUV, which has a 350 in it. If you install a FWD engine in a RWD configuration, you'll get all sorts of crazy vibrations.
The 2nd big thing is getting the transmission to mate with the motor. if the northstar is only FWD, then there's only FWD tranny's that will bolt up, namely the 4T80E. The other issue with the transmission I think will be getting a torque converter to match up with the flywheel on the northstar and fit onto the input shaft of your existing transmission.
I think you'll also need to update your fuel system (new high pressure fuel pump, new lines). Also the exhaust will have to be changed to run with cats and O2 sensors unless you can reprogram the PCM to run without that part of the emissions system.

That's all I can think of right now, I don't mean to sound like I'm shooting down your plan, because I'm sure with enough time and money it's very do-able. But it's going to be hard man! I think if you wanted to upgrade to a newer style motor go with a late 80s 350 TPI motor from a camaro/'vette or other small block chevy, these motors will bolt up to your transmission and would already be balenced properly. The northstar is a seriously complicated engine, which is hard to work on and very expensive to repair. I've heard of guys paying $1100 CDN to replace the starter!
If you want to though, go nuts with it, your car will definatly be original!

Good luck!

Ben

Wow! That will be some motor when it's all put together. Probably the easiest way to go about it is to start with a Caddy which is a rear end write-off. Major challenges will be: Transmission, mounting, exhausts, fuel tank, and possibly sump ( oil pan! ). In terms of transmission it will probably be easier to go manual box with trans adaptor if necessary. use the standard GM manual gearbox mount so that you can then use a standard propshaft. Engine mountings are going to have to be fabricated - try to do it so that you use standard rubber mounts to the GM K-Member. Exhausts will need to be fabricated, your local race shop should be able to do this for you. The fuel tank will need to equipped with return line(s) to suit the fuel injection. Finally, the sump may be ok, but you may have to cut and shut it to suit. It is going to be a hell of a job, but then when you are finished you will have a hell of a car!
Best of luck
Malc

In addition to the previous post:
graemlins/sad.gif
Cadillac does have a RWD N* inthe XLR. It is specific to that vehicle though (ie C5 chevy corvette chassis) Therefore, you would need the engine and transmission since it is a rear-mounted transmission, plus the chassis to handle the rear-mounted transmission. Where could you find a XLR as a donor??? In all honesty, I don't see this project take much shape. Maybe if you had a XLR as a donor and somehow cut the body of the skylark and find a way to mount it to that particular chassis.

graemlins/clonk.gif
Not to kill your dreams...
Be a visionary, once the automobile didn't exist.

Kevin,
This swap is a lot more popular than you think. There are a lot of adapters available to put the engine in almost any car you want. I know of several in street rods with 700r4 transmissions. DO a "google" search on "Northstar engine conversions" and you will find more info than you want. Be forewarned...it is not cheap.

Kevin,

Seen nit done - in a rod - in a few magazines.
We have a Northstar in my wife's '94 STS. Runs like a train, was faster than my L98 'Vette! Sounds fab and growly on accelleration but is one of those 'modern' engines that needs to be up in the rev band to work well. Not an old lazy huge torque low rev motor.
Good luck with the swap - let us know how you go!