I'm curious why no one seems interested in the LX5 "Shortstar" engine. Seems like a much more robust engine than the 60 degree dual overhead cam conversion. For one thing, it's got chain drive to the cams. All the mechanics I have talked to have said that the cam drive belts are the biggest problem with the LQ1 - that they are a bear to change and have to be changed regularly. So, are there problems associated with the Shortstar which I don't know about? Or is it just not considered as a swap for some other reason? Are there problems mating it to available transmissions? I'm not trying to start any arguments (too late, I know!) but it seems like a really nice engine and I'm a bit surprised at the lack of interest.
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02:16 PM
PFF
System Bot
IROCTAFIERO Member
Posts: 791 From: Montgomery, Al USA Registered: May 2005
Most people do not opt for this swap because the power output is similar to the older 3.4 DOHC but it is a much harder swap. Most people that opt for a swap this complicated go for the full Northstar. RickAddy8gt (user name is something like that) did the swap and really liked it, but has upgraded to an LS4 now.
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02:20 PM
IROCTAFIERO Member
Posts: 791 From: Montgomery, Al USA Registered: May 2005
As mentioned above, no one makes a swap harness for it, and there really isn't a good solution for a computer to control it. You have to make your own mounts and everything else for the swap, which is why most people just go with a full N*. Its more power for the same amount of work.
------------------ * 97 Olds Cutlass DD * 86 Mustang SVO Rear Ended, R.I.P (Sold) * 86 Fiero GT, Soon to be Northstar
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08:24 PM
RCR Member
Posts: 4397 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
As mentioned above, no one makes a swap harness for it, and there really isn't a good solution for a computer to control it. You have to make your own mounts and everything else for the swap, which is why most people just go with a full N*. Its more power for the same amount of work.
It's more work for the shortstar I'd say due to their not being any real ECM's for it. The northstar has a few options out there, but the shortstar has only been run on its factory ECM.
I saw one of these shortstars at Pink-N-Pull last month. It was cherry. Had I wanted it, I could've had the engine complete, with trans, computer, and wiring, all for under $500. that would make it a relatively cheap swap. I saw a few TwinDualCam 3.4s, but every one of them had had some critical parts pulled already, and I'm not sure I could've put together a runner from what was in the yard. These should be more popular in the future.
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07:57 PM
qwikgta Member
Posts: 4659 From: Virginia Beach, VA Registered: Jan 2001
The 3.5L and the 3.8L are very similar in setup. The engine is different than the 3.8L, but every thing else should interchange. Trans, PCM, sensors, ect.
The 3.5L and the 3.8L are very similar in setup. The engine is different than the 3.8L, but every thing else should interchange. Trans, PCM, sensors, ect.
Mounts?
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10:47 PM
darkhorizon Member
Posts: 12279 From: Flint Michigan Registered: Jan 2006
