Bentham Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 Hey there. Seems I am one of the few who haven't experienced driving a caddy with the Northstar engine. Is there a noticeable difference [not maintenance, but performance] wise? Also, was curious as to what other cars you guys have driven [ferraris, BMW, benz] All I have under my belt is a 93 Seville, 02 Tiburon, 95 Blazer, 96 Blazer, 95 Cutlass Supreme, 94 Celica..oh and a 92 Century Now, I'm sure some of you 'experienced' people can't remember EVERY car you've driven, but I'm just getting started -Eric Eric 93 Cad Seville 100K 95 Chev Blazer 143K [garaged summers] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenD Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 I've had a whole slew of cars also, and I can honestly say that the Northstar is all it's hyped up to be. The only other car that I owned that I can say came close to a nice smooth engine response would have been my 97 Honda Prelude. That car had never ending power also, even when I was cruising at hwy speeds. My 98 Nissan Maxima SE was a close second, but doesn't come close to the roar and acceleration that my Northstar has. 1994 STS Pearl White 260,000 KM (163,000 miles) <img src="http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v137/caesar/caddycaesar.jpg" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjtjwdad Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 I'll second what Ken said. Nothing quite like it. The best of both worlds! Jim White Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonA Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 Seems I am one of the few who haven't experienced driving a caddy with the Northstar engine. Is there a noticeable difference [not maintenance, but performance] wise? Without a question. The power curve is just plain FAT...you get power EVERYWHERE! It's very flexible. It'll climb hills at 1000 rpm in 4th gear (if you let it), and lope down the Interstate getting 30 mpg in the process. Or you can kick it and really let the engine sing, all the way north of 6000 rpm. We had a '92 Mustang 5.0 LX (stick shift) that was fast. The Cadillac doesn't feel as fast because you're surrounded by opulence and a creamy automatic transmission. But in actual performance, it's too close to call without doing instrumented measurements. The Mustang felt more "primal". The Cadillac feels more "civilized". Both will nail the quarter mile in under 15 seconds. Both will just flat MOVE down the Interstate. Only one will give you a rush of 32 valves spinning at 6000 rpm, and with an exhaust quiet enough to let you enjoy every second of it! In case you can't tell, I REALLY love the Northstar engine and THOROUGHLY enjoy driving the heck out of it! Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond) "When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc6t Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 I have had my '98 for a year now and love the car - my daily hi-lite is the dirve to and from work. I have had a few minor repairs and still need to do a few more - but nothing too excessive from the other 30+ I have owned over the years. The only car I may have enjoyed more for its performance and engine response was my 1999 Camaro Z28 IROC-Z 5.7 litre. It had a much throatier sound with the IROC and much better throttle response and downshifts. The engine wasn't as smooth and produced 55 less horsepower - but the car was a little faster that my STS. All in all, I prefer the STS - but would love another 50-100 horsepower.... Tom R. 1998 Cadillac STS with 102K Miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjtjwdad Posted February 14, 2004 Report Share Posted February 14, 2004 All in all, I prefer the STS - but would love another 50-100 horsepower.... In addition I would rather have another 100 - 150 lb/ft torque myself. Jim White Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyG Posted February 14, 2004 Report Share Posted February 14, 2004 I feel for you. You'd better get that fixed right away! Never underestimate the amount of a persons greed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg P. Posted February 14, 2004 Report Share Posted February 14, 2004 Take the Northstar for test drive. I'd think you'll find it fairly impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie Hank Posted February 14, 2004 Report Share Posted February 14, 2004 The power curve is just plain FAT...you get power EVERYWHERE! It's very flexible. It'll climb hills at 1000 rpm in 4th gear (if you let it), Not sure I agree agree with a FAT powercurve, ... or powerband, as most call it. Everything is relative, but the smaller V8 displacement yields a smaller low-end torque. This, coupled with an automatic transmission, its a little slow out of the hole, but it will catch up with most small performance cars in a hurry (5.0L mustangs and such), which is admirable for a car of its mass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormtrooper1 Posted February 14, 2004 Report Share Posted February 14, 2004 Nothing Runs Like a Northstar. Cars I've Had? 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 1996 Cadillac Deville 1993 Ford Mustang LX 1989 Ford Mustang LX 1976 Cadillac Deville 1983 Chevy Celebrity Cars I've Driven? (Parents, Friends cars) 95 Pontiac Grand AM (wifes current car) 95 Chevy Blazer 95 Volvo 850 2002 Chevy Silverado 1991 Chevy Blazer 1994 Mercury Sable 1997 Ford Tarus 1992 Buick Regal 1995 Chevy Lumina 1985 buick centuary 1985.5 Ford Escort 1995 Chevy S10 1993 Ford f150 1997 Grand AM 2000 Pontiac Sunfire Rentals I've driven 1999 Chevy Astro Extended 2001 Dodge stratus 2003 Chevy Malibu 2003 Dawoo 2003 Chevy Cavilear 1997 Jeep Cherokee And Countless Test Drives..... Oh and by the way I'm only 23. Mike 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 1976 Cadillac Coupe Deville Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjtjwdad Posted February 14, 2004 Report Share Posted February 14, 2004 Stormtrooper1 Posted on Feb 13 2004, 11:30 PM Nothing Runs Like a Northstar. I don't know if I would go that far. There are other motors past and present that will out power a Northstar. From a poerr perspective it's darned good but it ain't no Dodge Viper. But it is probably the best of both worlds ... power and smooth plus (what I really like) all the safety features ... limp home mode .. run without coolant ... etc. Jim White Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonA Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 Stormtrooper1 Posted on Feb 13 2004, 11:30 PMNothing Runs Like a Northstar.I don't know if I would go that far. There are other motors past and present that will out power a Northstar. From a poerr perspective it's darned good but it ain't no Dodge Viper. But it is probably the best of both worlds ... power and smooth plus (what I really like) all the safety features ... limp home mode .. run without coolant ... etc. That's probably what he meant. Go out in the parking lot and drain the coolant out of all the cars and the Northstar is the only one that's gonna get you home. In that case, I'd indeed agree, "nothing runs like a Northstar!" Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond) "When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmac-etc Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 FAT powercurve, ... Not 'FAT' enough?? ... I have spent some time with mid 90's Mustang GT's (not svt's or saleen), but factory gt's real time. I felt that there was something akin to actually riding a thoroughbred racehorse, point and jab the ribs and it gallops to your command. The driver to the motor, the jockey to the horse. The name 'Mustang' really seemed to embody the vehicle/experience. My '95 NS powered ETC, has a different feel. Its not like riding a thoroughbred and kicking it into gallop, its more like having the power of a locomotive, but without the train behind. In any case, if you are in the one, or the other, or a few other vehicles, you are probably the 'alpha dog' of the group. Yeah to me the powercure is darn sure FAT. Not the FAT'est thing possible, but in the top 2 %? If there were a mensa for automobiles, NS powered vehicles would be in it! I have raced (ie stoplight to 1/2 mile stoplight ) recent Corvettes and not won, but was close behind, good enough for me. A big Japanese rocket motorcycle once took the 'challenge' and of course, it won, but it's rear wheel was off the ground at the next red light, cause it had to work so hard to 'take the NS ETC', oh, darn. I did not feel in the least bettered..... Given unlimited funds there are a number of faster vehicles. I would go for the new Bentley Continental GT (550 hp+, 4.7 0-60 and top speed 198), yeah I know there are a couple that may be faster or better at this or that, so effing what!. Although these few cars are way faster than my ETC, some are a bit more comfortable, but the ETC is paid for and I am driving a top 2 percentile vehicle for a pittance. Vive la Northstar!!! (excuse my french) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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