"My Cadillac XLR's Northstar engine is bad!" So the CAR WIZARD is permanently fixing the head bolts!

[@jameslandi4688]

I owed an XLR for 6 years, and just sold it to a local GM dealer for almost exactly what I paid for it. It is an ABSOLUTELY superb car, and with the magnetic ride, it's almost impossibly smooth on any road. I always receive comments, because these cars are so rare, and I'd often have an audience watch the top fold down-- it's an amazing piece of engineering. Now at age 77, it's time for a younger person to drive and enjoy the XLR.

[@kevinbarry71]

Yes; somebody 70 years old should get it

[@ClassCraZeTV]

Any advice for a 20 year old?

[@sch4074]

@@ClassCraZeTV ALWAYS max out your 401k contributions that your company matches. It’s free money. At 20 you don’t think about that but at 65 you will be set. Also don’t be like me and think you’ll die before you get that old like I did. I’m 69!

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

@@ClassCraZeTV Fagedabaddit kid. Ya gonna be nudged into an EV by the time ya thirty.🤣🤣j/k Still gives you ten years to raise hell though.

[@SVSky]

@@ClassCraZeTV Camry

[@reddrw1]

We rebuilt a 4.6 Northstar Engine . My friend was a Machinist. And he showed me how to make the head stud inserts, and all the work that it required so this engine would never loose its thread tightening ability in this engine. That was about 12 years ago. And the engine is still going strong. The GM kit has 2 flaws in the head kit. Talk to anybody that has used the GM it. Two or three months later the head bolts loose its grip again. Just because a kit has a patent does it mean it's good.

[@AlBundy-n4q]

He doesn't use the Gm timeserts

[@brian5o]

The fact that one salvage yard has 39 XLRs in their inventory just makes me sad. What a unique and beautiful car the XLRs are. It's sad that so many have been permanently taken off the road.

[@adamhayden5152]

Yep and turned into parts cars, but that did make the cars one the road more valuable.

[@mikeripley3266]

About 32 of them just got totaled in florida. About half sill get washed and resold. The rest will part out and anything mechanical or ekectrical will bevtrash. Jand J are great sellers avoid anything coming out of NC east coast. Trash, junk

[@DetroitMuscle440]

Always loved it and I'm a Mopar guy, just can't afford a Viper.

[@grandchamp7783]

Ikr!! It's sad Cadillac didn't put the time in on this car that they should have and discontinued it!! I read about this car back in the 90's!! They were originally gone to call it Evoq!! They were supposed to put the Corvette engine in it!! I wish they would revamp and bring it back!

[@jda79]

Yeah but those wrecked cars will help keep good xlrs on the road for longer

[@Pseedholm]

I was expecting him to say “by putting an LS in”

[@Jushwa]

I thought these were just vetts in a fancy body I didn’t realize they gave them a v6

[@samholdsworth420]

@@Jushwa LS swap it bro do the right thing

[@toothrestorer6588]

Shwa. None of them had 6 cylinders.

[@brandenjones192]

That’s what I would’ve done.

[@connoisseuroftigolbitts]

That would’ve been sick content too see Wizard build a LS XLR

[@KevinSmooove]

Hey Wizard I just bought a tuned ECU for my L37 Northstar from Jake at Northstar Performance for an 06 DTS Performance - the last of the big FWD ones and without the variable valve timing. He does a really nice conservative tune for these engines and claims it gives them like 40 plus HP & TQ at the crank and removes the speed limiter and torque management while also increasing MPG and improving the powerband. Since you have undertaken the motor pull, Jake also recommends the replacement of the primary timing chain tensioner aswell as the intermediate sprocket along with it's bushing. They're as you well know, critical components for the engine's timing (and not blowing up) and these particular parts just exposed to the most amount of wear during it's life and replacing them now would be a breeze. Also, from personal experience, it really would do some good to change out the valve stem seals now to since its out and easily accessible and shouldn't be that big of a deal to address and will insure less oil consumption for the years to come.

[@RexerYTRexer]

Damn you wroteall that and he doesnt even care

[@houseofno]

@Rexer did you miss the heart icon he put on it? What do you want, a PARADE?? I can see all the comments this video got, unless your agent happens to be Stevie Wonder.

[@YuppieSkumGarage]

Yeah you would think if this was a promotion for Northstar performance, why not throw a set of cams and a tune into it? No clue what’s out there for headers but those cast manifolds look like trash and Northstars sound amazing if you let them breathe.

[@johngatsby1473]

Would that tune apply to my 05 XLR? Also...how much do those parts cost?

[@brayannexon4613]

That's crazy you actually got a PCM from Jake. I ordered mine months before this video came out. I had to fight the dude via email to get mine. Only for it to damage my car. I wouldn't trust the guy again.

[@lifewater989]

I'm glad you're doing this job Car Wizard. There's so many of these cars out there with a Northstar and some are certainly worth saving. Too bad GM didn't do it right the first time.

[@keithkenney587]

That mindset of just wanting to get it done has saved my a** so many times working on my own vehicles. When i found out that the damn radiator had to come out of my Nissan Murano to replace the alternator I almost flipped out, but in the end although a bit time consuming, it was less than a days worth of work (albeit ridiculous when i can change an alternator on the side of the road in 15 minutes on a GM Smallblock). I've also learned that shortcuts usually will take more time in messing around. Sometimes it's easier to just pull it all apart and put it all back together.

[@markharpinejr8799]

Cool fun fact about that junk drive train...a manual transmission from a 4cylinder s10 will bolt up behind the Northstar, I recommend this because that stupid 5l50e forces you to literally physically burn yourself on the exhaust in order to do fluid service, also it would be super easy to swap an ls into that car as the platform is extremely similar to the corvette which already housed an ls

[@Xearin]

Had an '02 Seville STS with a Northstar. Loved the engine for what it was. Great power, loved to rev, and amazing economy (better than my current Merc 230K). It was helicoiled, but leaked a bit, and drank 1L of oil every week. Didn't fix it and sold it because the car itself was ratty. Still miss that car every day.

[@scottimusgarrett15]

"If you disregard the bottom end, the top end, and the back end, it's a reliable engine."😂 Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Wizard! ✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

[@Blue_Flame_Raptor]

You know an engine has a bad name when it is listed on the very front of a head gasket sealer bottle

[@Nudnik1]

😂

[@michaelbaka4777]

I know what you mean!!! My dad wanted me to put some stuff in his 99 Sedan, went with me to the parts store and ALL the head gasket sealers had NorthStar on the labels!! But the stuff he chose actually WORKED, it sealed it up enough to be "town drivable" , his words. Umm, he was cheap....he needed an engine.

[@777jones]

Haha pretty sure Land Rover has such a product

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

The later Northstars are pretty bulletproof.

[@MajorOutage]

@@user-tb7rn1il3q Yeah but are you gonna trust a random one you come across?

[@NGMonocrom]

39 !?!? Okay, genuinely impressed. 👍👍

[@reallyemptypockets6509]

About 15 years ago there were a lot of mechanics that only did northstars, they had a system to complete the repair with the engine in the car in about 3-4 hours and charged $700

[@turnne]

@Really empty Pockets Interesting... many years ago I had a 2005 Cadillac STS I used to see the 90's cars come through the Cadillac dealer with overheating issues The dealer I went do didnt even do head bolt fixes. They just did rebuilt engine swaps.....$4-5K is what they charged if I remember correctly

[@toothrestorer6588]

It didn’t hold up though. They need new head gaskets and either studs or bolts and thread inserts.

[@resetgang6638]

@@turnne My 98 STS overheated constantly, eventually threw a rod and destroyed the engine. Cost $1500 for a used Northstar and $1700 to have it replaced. Huge waste of money.

[@CarWizard]

These were temporary repairs to get you by. The full job with studs cannot be done “in car”. And its way more expensive than $700

[@turnne]

@@CarWizard The $700 repair sounds like something that you would do if you were trading it in shortly

[@IgoByaGo]

My dad has the STS-V that has a supercharged Northstar in it. It has almost 200,000 miles and still runs well.

[@Brucelovesjulie]

XLRs are one of the most aesthetically pleasing to look at vehicles in my opinion.

[@alskjflaksjdflakjdf]

If you meant ascetically like you wrote, (a life without pleasure) then I agree with you. If you mean aesthetically, I disagree. They remind me of an American Honda Prelude that ate too many double big macs. It's trying to be young and hip when it's really an old man car. That being said, I'm not American and I'm probably not the target market for these cars. I can't criticize too hard.

[@Brucelovesjulie]

@@alskjflaksjdflakjdf Ah, thanks I wondered why autocorrect showed me two, I thought I picked the one with the H. D: I did not mean to write ascetically lol

[@Brucelovesjulie]

@@alskjflaksjdflakjdf It doesn't look like a 5th gen Prelude or any generation Prelude to be honest (big mac fat or not lol, but that's good). The Prelude looks like a short two door accord. The XLR is a Cadillac'd Corvette.

[@Khun_Tim]

As someone who's seriously considering an XLR, I'm thrilled that you're doing this XLR Series!

[@rocks-if6uh]

Got one for sale in Colorado Springs 2006 XLR with only 2,800 actual miles clean title

[@Khun_Tim]

@@rocks-if6uh How much? Color?

[@P1983sche]

I was amazed by the size of the XLR’s brake system. Before becoming a teacher, I used to manage an auto parts store. In the store we turned rotors/drums and flywheels. A customer brought in some XLR rotors; they were HUGE! I had a small struggle getting them on the machine properly.

[@carlsegerstrom3989]

This is the first time I have heard someone say “it rides like a Camry” and it be a good thing…

[@haze541bsn]

When he said that the first thing I thought was "sooo you can't stop it?”

[@shephusted2714]

it is good to see you working on engines that aren't necessarily your favs - being a mechanic is a rough job - lots of swearing and busted knuckles are not optional - I know!

[@maxwellcrazycat9204]

A service manager I worked for called swearing technical language. I guess because he heard so much of it.

[@robertmaybeth3434]

Compared to when I started wrenching in the 1970's, cars gradually became more and more impossible to fix. I worked 30 years for a fleet that had over a thousand, mostly American cars and trucks. I'd like to own Detroit iron but after everything I saw on how badly they are all built, I just can't anymore, it's a fool's errand now.. nothing but Toyota for me

[@Nickword1]

This is why i love this channel so very much!

[@rocnnrollbus]

I had a 2001 Seville STS that the head gaskets went at 98000 miles. Got the engine bulletproofed at Midwest Cadillac Repair in Palatine, IL. This was back in 2013 and my brother is still driving the car today with 240000 miles. That Seville would do 155mph all day long on the Autobahn when I was stationed in Germany back on the day

[@seancase71]

I had 2 early 2000s Eldorados, I absolutely loved them and never had problems with them over heating but repairs where always a pain. Having to take the radiator out to change the alternator and the starter was under the upper intake which involved removing fuel and coolant lines. It did have 300hp with Cadillac style and got almost 30 mpg.

[@1DEADBEEF1]

Coolant lines? The intake job is dead simple - it was my first car repair on a parking lot when i was in my early 20s, just a couple screws and disconnecting the fuel rail... all gaskets were reusable - only need two tools (socket/ratchet and a fuel line tool)

[@somersetlax]

You don’t have to take the radiator out. There’s a small port underneath the alternator meant to slide it out. Rip all the $$ wasted on coolant and time you spend doing that.

[@seancase71]

@somersetlax lol I'm not a mechanic and struggled for hours trying to get it to slide out underneath. I gave up and went with the sure thing, sounds like it wasn't the most efficient way, but I got it done myself!

[@JC7119]

LS swap isn't that bad as long as you get the wire harness' and know your way around HPTuners since the ECM in the XLR and C6 are the same part. The main extra step is getting the XLR engine harness out, but I agree it's definitely more work.

[@sarcastomimic2683]

I have a 2004 DeVille with 64K miles. I got it 6 years ago with 42K miles. No oil leaks yet (small seeping). I want to keep this car until the wheels fall off, it's in like-new condition and I get compliments on it all the time. I used to be a Cadillac Tech 30 years ago and saw many Northstar engine-outs under warranty. If I ever need head/main bolt work done, I would purchase an engine and request the Car Wizard to do the work. I'm no longer able to work on my cars like I used to and trust the CW. He reminds me of me when I owned my own repair shop in 1990.

[@resetgang6638]

Noooo trust me do NOT buy an engine. It will cost more than the car is worth and have the same issues. Oh and 17mpg

[@robertmaybeth3434]

I like how you decided the car drives so well you are willing to fix all its major problems (SOO many designed in problems) even more amazing is after wrenching all day you have the energy left for a pet project. A handsome car sure, not sure I could do all that re-engineering and rebuilding when there are so many Lexus around.

[@timothyharrison8953]

I had a 1998 Concours from 2005-08. It was my daily with a few long trips out of state. The only big maintenance I ever performed were the magnet ride struts. I replaced those with standard struts and resistors to fool the computer. It was a great performer, great ride, fabulous interior and if my dad hadn't given me his '06 Azera, I'd kept on driving it until it failed to the point it wasn't affordable. Mine seeped oil like they all seemed to do, but according to the forum's at the time, if you didn't add the extra 1/2 quart of oil, the leaks would be less and they were absolutely correct!

[@DailyDriver.]

I’m 32 and I remember the first time I saw an xlr. It blew my mind. Such a gorgeous thing. That and the first gen CTs V oh man so good

[@cenewton3221]

Same engine was in the STS (most of them had the N* v8, others have the v6). Little known fact, there were XLR-V & STS-V's that came with a re-tooled, re-spec'd, re-tuned supercharged 4.4L N*.They're extremely rare. I owned an STS-V up until 2019. Amazing car/engine!

[@SeanPennII]

I miss my STS V

[@Dafs193]

The head bolt problem all depends on production date. 2004 and up have upgraded heads and have a failure rate on par with any LS engine. The wizard doesn't need to do this upgrade but I'm glad he is showing how the job can be accomplished. Maybe just maybe this will save someone's cadillac from the junk yard.

[@divadyrdnal]

A “bulletproof” Northstar is good, an LS-3 with a performance cam swap is GREAT! Make that Caddie what GM should have done…

[@mightymikethebear]

It is a C6 Corvette under the body so why not LS it?

[@3.2Carrera]

Looking forward to this one too. I'm sure there's been lots of shattered dreams for non mechanical types courtesy of "The General".

[@Globbs]

You should look into how many engines Ford shells out under warranty. Ford is really good at just fixing their cars with the same shit parts until they finally revise the failure. Somehow they find it cheaper to replace an entire engine assembly than a single part.

[@jayh9635]

Fun fact! The XLR with the Northstar actually made more power and torque in it's debut than the vette! G.M. wouldn't allow it to out perform the Vette so it was detuned to be slightly slower! NorthStars get a bad rap but they are really good engines once you head and main stud them! I did that to my 98 DeVille back in 2009 as well as ported the heads and intake and ported the exhaust manifolds with clay porting. Added some aftermarket cams and a tune. Was just under 425 hp at the crank which was pretty good for a n/a Northstar! Fwd transmission failed after a couple months but it was fun while it lasted.

[@jasmidotormythrilaon]

I want to own a 7th gen deville (93-99) it'll be nice to see a very in depth video by the wizard on doing the head studs. Looking forward to this series!!!

[@ericwilson2585]

Yeah!!! Finally!!! Someone's doing an LH2 Northstar engine video!!! I've been trying to get someone to do an LH2 video for 2 years now, thank you brother man....

[@daveeggen]

Other than the problems you list, the Northstar is a good motor, the Caddy Seville STS's were pretty amazing and fun to drive. Even my Deville went plenty well until the damn head gaskets went to crap.

[@resetgang6638]

The STS was definitely fun to drive until it overheated on the freeway

[@leighfisk1344]

2004 on engines have already had new improved head bolts which pretty much fixed the head gasket problem

[@fergamis]

Man, this series of videos is gonna be awesome!

[@fergamis]

We all love watching you work on your personal projects.

[@johndever8481]

Love J&J! I have a SC430 and they have parts, mainly audio, that I can count on, whenever I need them. Great people with whom to work.

[@UncleBildo]

I've had remarkable luck with Northstars, really a fun little engine to drive around. I wish Caddy still made a BIG car, not their SUV!

[@DJKadilac]

I would say your experience was the average. Only the folks that had problems keep talking about it, I feel these engines got a bad rap! I have owned plenty with no issues, no my LS is the one with problems. 💯

[@vitocatricala5265]

Hey car wizard I have a 1997 Oldsmobile aurora with a 4 L Northstar engine so far no problems with head gaskets or anything just have to replace the starter the water pump and a few items but the car runs great.

[@MowerModdin]

I loved head studding my Northstar in my 1999 Seville STS with Northstar Performance parts. After the repair, I've been driving the car like a teenager. It's been amazing. Once you know how to work on one, you'll want to work on all of them 😂

[@LosAngelesChepes]

You’re here too. Been driving the 99 Eldo like crazy too after it’s rebirth 😂.

[@gtoger]

Have the Northstar's predecessor, the LT5, in the ZR-1 Corvette. The LT5 is fairly bulletproof though it does suffer some interesting design aspects. The starter underneath the intake plenum is a fun one. The difficulty trying to put hoses on to service the AC system is another. The LT5 also has 2 sets of injectors, with one being activated by a special key for "full power mode". When it runs like it should, it runs SO smooth. It's the same 350CID/5.7L displacement as it's SBC counterpart, but that's about the end of the similarities.

[@nellayema2455]

That XLR is pretty cool. I was floored the first time that I saw one of those back in the day. Sexy beast!

[@frankn4skeen]

YEAH ! HEAVY DUTY MECHANIC ACTION ! While you're at it, fix and bulletproof the old engine once it's removed and you'll make good money selling the old engine. You'll surely make a buyer happy when the old engine is finally bulletproof. Nothing to lose !

[@RandomGuyDan]

An LS swap shouldn't be super hard since the chassis is Corvette. The LS engine is lighter and more compact than the Northstar too. A manual swap should also be doable.

[@Jacobtheunwise]

Yeah sometimes sounds like the car wizard has no clue what his talking about. A corvette drivetrain of the era would most likely bolt right in

[@kerrylewis2581]

The XLR is a head-turner. I'm happy to see the Wizard help keep this one on the road for years to come.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

I'm glad you're doing this, it's a fun project only a mechanic can do, it's a bit involved for a diy lol

[@StreetUrchin240]

I swear. Sometimes things just work out. I literally just bought a dts with a bad head gasket that I got a dumb cheap price. Thanks for showing me the way!

[@z-man2489]

I had an 09’ STS with a NorthStar and it was a great car I miss that thing so much. Got t boned by some 16 year old in a golf R 😭

[@Tully3674]

FWIW, I own a 2008 XLR-V with about 25,000 miles. It has been mechanically superb. The interior is comfortable but not at the caliber of its competition (Mercedes SL500). But its a great car and a head-turner when the top is down.

[@EuroSpecJDM]

Unwritten rule. Northstars are as good as their owners in terms of reliability and maintenance. I love these cars as it says a lot about the owners personality. (You are your car) Best of luck!

[@RA22475]

No, these are engineered to fail, that’s on the manufacturer as this is far beyond responsible preventive maintenance expected from a caring owner. Put an LS motor in this and be done with it

[@jdrok5026]

@@RA22475 what it wasn't engineered to fail it was a metallurgy issue steel fasteners in aluminum when the fasteners are fine threaded mostly which that issue doesn't effect all model years. Weird how most higher end cars have extremely detailed maintenance schedules that includes bearings gaskets turbos if necessary at varying mileages.

[@jdrok5026]

@@RA22475 literally it was a metallurgy problem as the engines really don't catastrophically fail outside of one failure mode which was later fixed

[@EuroSpecJDM]

@@RA22475 Brother, you shouldn't talk like that when you know nothing. Please stick to your Chevy or Dodge Charger RTs and let the wise guys hang onto these Caddys. It's for real ones only.

[@RA22475]

@@EuroSpecJDM you can have em all brother lol

[@curtiscrump7153]

I have a DTS with the GEN 2 Northstar and it is an amazing engine. I make sure it is well maintained and issue when they are minor. The most expensive thing I have done is valve cover gaskets engine with. I did have the typical fuel pump burnt the under seat fuse box. That was a pain to get the right part but the labor was minimal given how easy it was to get to the items. My parents had a Gen 1 in their 2000 Seville. Never had a problem but like me, they were addressing issues before they became grenades.

[@ice44567]

I always thought these later motors had a revision to the block and head bolts and rarely have head related failures. I mean, I still get doing the bulletproofing while the motor is out anyway, but there should be some major differences between your blue beast there and a 2000 Deville. In a lot of ways the main issue as I always understood it was that the bolts didn't have enough thread, or a large enough sized thread in the block to hold onto for the life of the vehicle. Eventually the heat cycles would pull one thread at a time until a bolt popped up, and then the rest would follow pretty quick.

[@Bloodcurling]

2004.5 was the change

[@eddieidrizovic9176]

Dang Wizard! You are looking great. I can tell you have been slimming down! Good for you.

[@daveramsey2246]

"We're putting a caddy on a vette chassis!" "OH good those LS engines are really reliable" "About that...."

[@thelastmemphian]

LS engines are loud and vibrate like crazy. Wouldn’t have been appropriate for this car despite the fact that Caddy eventually did use them

[@scootypuffjr.]

@@thelastmemphian the one in my pickup is quiet and glassy smooth at 237k

[@thomasmroz]

@@scootypuffjr. Correct. An LS can run just as quiet and glassy smooth as anything else if set up that way.

[@thelastmemphian]

@@scootypuffjr. that may be true but a well running Northstar is even smoother. my 97 SLS will pass the glass of water test just like the old Lexus LS400

[@scootypuffjr.]

@@thelastmemphian too bad it won't pass the repair shop like a Lexus.

[@skrachvynl]

I'm glad to hear the Malibu project hasn't been abandoned! Can't for you to get back on that 👍

[@gryfandjane]

Thanks, I’m looking forward to this one. I’ve read a bunch about the Northstar issues, and seeing the parts and procedures involved in a fix promises to be interesting.

[@davidca96]

I had a 96 seville, that engine was great when it was working it had decent power. It always smelled like coolant, would stall out of nowhere, etc.

[@PernellHammond]

This series is going to accumulate countless views as long as Northstar's exist.

[@mihoover39]

I own a 2006 Cadillac STS 4.6L Northstar LH2. The Northstar LH2 was used in the XLR, SRX, and the STS. The head bolts on the LH2 was replaced with an LS6 head bolt.

[@archiethedog4515]

I hope you have no headaches with this, and you will have a really fun car to drive around in at the end.

[@robertchristie9434]

I owned a '97 STS for 11 years & put over 240,000 miles on it without any major issues other than needing about a quart of oil about every 2,500 miles after 140K miles. Otherwise, it was one of the best cars I ever owned & was pretty quick. I've heard of the Northstar's issues but thankfully didn't experience them.

[@wotrulke5868]

I’m looking forward to watching this series of videos on the Cadillac XLR they are the most interesting type of video in my opinion 👍🏼

[@Ryan-wk7us]

Did you head stud the starter

[@fboomerang]

It would be so great to have a bulletproof engine in the XLR Wizard. But Wow, $749 just for head stud parts! Plus labor! When an eBay Northstar 4.6 complete is about $1000 shipped! Very good point regarding how it totally makes sense on a $20K XLR but not on a $3000 deVille

[@johna.4334]

Is that rebuilt?

[@toothrestorer6588]

It still makes sense if you intend to hold on to the car. New cars are very expensive.

[@lasskinn474]

I'm interest in what part of it was patentable with no prior art. (car wizard says patent and copyright but those are different things)

[@toothrestorer6588]

@@lasskinn474 The design is patented and the name is copyrighted, so Wizard is correct in calling the product both.

[@lasskinn474]

@@toothrestorer6588 product(an item) name would be trademarked not copyrighted. Still doesn't explain whats in the patent thats not prior invented.

[@Dumbass_mechanic]

Back in the early 2000's when I worked for gm dealerships and went through gm training, we were told to time sert the head studs as well as the case half studs under warranty. I took a 3 day class just on time serts (time sert is sort of like a helicoil, but an insert)

[@dobiwon8723]

That cars design is timeless

[@jamesadams2333]

I have my 2004 Cadillac SRX and I love my V8. AWD and all its a pretty quick truck. I'm currently restoring it and getting all the systems/fluids overhauled and replaced. It's a very comfortable vehicle and I can't wait until Northstar Performance comes out with its final tune for these early years which is getting made and worked on now. They really are beautiful cars if taken care of.

[@SinSGone]

I always assumed they used a LS in these. I had no idea they used a Northstar. That explains the depreciation on them, but kind of makes it cooler too!

[@Jushwa]

Same

[@ChicanoOne760]

Bad engines are good

[@ChicanoOne760]

@Michael Curley insurance money?

[@777jones]

I thought they did an LS supercharged one.

[@somenygaard]

@@777jones no, a supercharged northstar

[@TaylorMadejdm1975]

About a year ago I saw a surplus of the brand new superchargers for this engine for sale for pennies on the dollar you should have scooped you up one..!🍺

[@jasonmartocci5013]

I have an 07 XLR love the car. Any issues I should be aware of? Thanks Wizard looking forward to watching this series

[@patturk7408]

You got the Northstar, we got the HT4100s in our shop. Thank you Caddy.

[@williamserver4332]

These repair videos are awesome. Thanks

[@kobra6660]

Im so glad they fixed all these problems of the northstar engine after 2006 have not had any major problem with my 2009 sts v and I thought buying one was a big risk a supercharged northstar engine of all things

[@Flies2FLL]

Porsche did something similar but far better on the M28 V8 engine. Instead of an "oil manifold" that distributes oil to the bearings, Porsche simply machined grooves in the block and crankshaft cradle. Far simpler and fewer surfaces to leak.

[@ericwilson2585]

From what I understand the LH2 engine has LS6 headbolts installed by the factory, and I also understand that those bolts repaired the blown head gasket problem. These engines are currently my favorite engine....

[@drsethsr]

Would swapping in an LS2 be more reliable and an easy swap?

[@cliffweinan3907]

Sometimes latest tech does not pass true ownership tests. Aluminum blocks that strip threads, split oil pans that leak, plastic engine parts, interference valve timing. It's wonderful that after market has some fixes and yes Wizard you will have good Northstar engine without Direct Injection issues.

[@t.l.robinson2162]

It is far easier to replace your studs while the engine is out than after you drop it in.

[@napalmholocaust9093]

I've seen heli coils used in three story 200 ton presses and next time the bolts broke first. Brand doesn't matter as long as its not a sleeve but a real coil. You can trust them.

[@nicksgarage9177]

Good luck your gonna need it!

[@johna.4334]

Whoa!

[@ArKay-nj2nh]

I had Jake build me a NorthStar back in 2010 for my '98 Deville which he shipped 2000 miles to the West Coast of Canada. He usually paints them black but I asked him to paint mine silver to look factory. I still have the car, engines still kickin' and I finally replaced all the dull headlight assy's and marker lights. I'm still looking for 225/60/16 White Walls, my last set of Michelins are starting to dry out, even though they still have tread, but I can't find any in Canada, of any Brand. I know Continental and Michelin still sell them in the States but nobody will ship them here.

[@kar4tube]

This looks fun! I love it when the Wizard gets to wrenching. Looking forward to the upcoming videos on this project.

[@herculesrockefeller8969]

Wizard, it would be interesting to watch you pull the old engine. I’ve never done it, so it seems complicated, as does putting the new one in. Good luck to you and Ms. Wizard!

[@GhettoFabulous99]

That's the absolute fastest car I've ever driven. Got serviced (while driving 176mph) by the girl who owned it. She weighed 145lb. I weighed 200lb. I fully believe the car could have reached 200 mph (with either one of us NOT in the car). I didn't run out of road but I did run out of motor.

[@NarattoRadians]

/r/ihadsex

[@bunkie2100]

I *loved* the Northstar in my ‘06 STS. It was exactly what you wanted ina Cadillac, smooth and powerful.

[@antonpandoursky9790]

Bullet proof Northstar?That sounds just weird, Car wizard 😁

[@derrickjohnson5219]

J and J I like because he has alot of parts that many other yards don't. I was in need of a truck bed for my Ram that I used to own and he happened to have three of them at the time but that was like three years ago!

[@lild123]

Wizard, I thought this issue was fixed in the early 2000s? I’ve heard the northstars in the V models with the superchargers have been said to be reliable, but I guess that’s a different block and head?

[@Lianpe98]

They mediocrely "fixed" it in 01 but it really was just less bad. 2005 is the year when they really fixed the problem by using the thicker bolts from the LS engines.

[@brettbridges424]

Just bought a 98 Eldorado ETC to drive back and forth to work, for fuel mileage and I'm interested in this video series. I am in South Georgia and nobody works on these cars anymore down this way and I'm having overheating issues and looked NP kit and was interested so I am paying attention and thanks car wizard for the video series. These videos might become more prevalent due to the rising cost of new vehicles and labor rates

[@rwp2418]

Does the xlr v have the same problem?

[@Bloodcurling]

I have a GXP Bonneville. First non-Cadillac application of that engine. The RPMs, power from 281ci, and mpg at 55 will make you a fan. There's (only) one guy between Chicago and Milwaukee who repairs these. Said he's done 800 and not one failed. Heli-Coil is fine for stock, studs for endurance or boosted. Doesn't make sense to open a good engine, fix the broken one or leave the good one alone.

[@lirr408]

Beautiful car.

[@SchnelleKat]

With how you explained parts are to find for that XLR It reminds me of my 1979 Pontiac LeMans, even a minor fender bender or whatever. Parts are nearly unobtainable. You will end up looking 5-10 years for the smallest of items. Thanks for sharing some informative info with us.

[@shize9ine]

0:20 - Joke’s on you CarWizz, I’m already in the bathroom.

[@TylerGamer765]

Thx wizard!!!! I can finally hopefully get mine back on the road. It’s been 6 months I’ve been looking. It’s my dads old car but we just parked it on bags of rice and put car covers on it. LoL

[@createachanneltopost]

This will be cool to see! I like seeing some of your wrenching!

[@jarriouscoleman1465]

What's funny is as soon as I heard you say the word patent I hit the like button, I just knew this episode was going to be good

[@970357ers]

That oil pan must have been designed in Germany surely!?

[@Lianpe98]

:v

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

Maybe if they had put "O" rings recessed into every oil passage between each part of the oil pan/girdle/block...there would have been no problem with leaks...you know...thoughtful engineering practise?

[@michaelquinn8618]

I had a 2003 deville and I loved that car . It did leak a little oil but it held 8 quarts .

[@shckltnebay]

Its raining in So cal as im watching this

[@GSXRDAVE]

Raining in nor cal in the Foothills going towards Tahoe Reno 👍

[@johna.4334]

Raining in the foothills of San Gabriel Valley (SoCal) as I'm watching this.