In 2014 I decided to go for a completely new engine and to install a limited slip differential in my 930 transaxle. Being a glutton for punishment, I chose a Cadillac Northstar 4.6L, dual overhead cam, 32 valve, all-aluminum V8. I also decided to go for the later RWD version with variable valve timing. I have always admired that engine, though installing one into my car is much tougher than an LS1 or other GM V8 option. The main obstacles have turned out to be after-market parts like headers and wiring harnesses, which simply don't exist.
As a starting point, I had to get the front accessories, wiring and transaxle adaptor sorted out before trying to fit the engine in the car. I made a template for the transaxle adaptor and Kennedy Engineering got it perfectly right the first time. Thanks Bret!
The wiring was a job! I ended up removing more wires than I kept due to all the body and dash harness wires I no longer needed. I found a guy to reprogram my ECM and learned that if i'd picked a two year later model, I could have used the same ECM as used on LS series motors. I could then tune it myself. I soldered over 100 pins to build the custom harness and connector plugs. I had to install a fly-by-wire accelerator out of the donor vehicle as well. Lots of wires on this car!
Headers simply don't exist, but Magnaflow makes a stainless replacement exhaust manifold that comes close. I cut the catalytic converters off and reworked them to fit the existing exhaust system.
As a starting point, I had to get the front accessories, wiring and transaxle adaptor sorted out before trying to fit the engine in the car. I made a template for the transaxle adaptor and Kennedy Engineering got it perfectly right the first time. Thanks Bret!
The wiring was a job! I ended up removing more wires than I kept due to all the body and dash harness wires I no longer needed. I found a guy to reprogram my ECM and learned that if i'd picked a two year later model, I could have used the same ECM as used on LS series motors. I could then tune it myself. I soldered over 100 pins to build the custom harness and connector plugs. I had to install a fly-by-wire accelerator out of the donor vehicle as well. Lots of wires on this car!
Headers simply don't exist, but Magnaflow makes a stainless replacement exhaust manifold that comes close. I cut the catalytic converters off and reworked them to fit the existing exhaust system.
