More Project Fodder
It would be great if you guys could do a topic on the 4.6-liter Northstar engine. I have a 1997 Cadillac STS, and would like to see a rebuild or some kind of mod to that engine that could give me and other Cadillac enthusiasts some ideas to work with.
The Northstar engine has been in production from the early '90s and is still in production today. So there are plenty of 4.6 engines out there that can be worked on. It would also be great if you could give some literature on the engine and some info on places that work on the 4.6 engine.
Sean Zimmerman
Bronx, New York
Hello, I'm a new subscriber but I have been purchasing your magazine for about a year now. I have a 2006 Silverado SS with the LQ9 and minor mods, and was wondering if you guys are ever going to do an article on the new LS-based trucks besides the TrailBlazer SS. A lot of the information that your magazine puts out applies, but it would be nice to see a full-on truck project. I know from personal experience there have been many a Camaro and Firebird surprised that they got beat by a 5,500-pound truck. Anyways, you have a great magazine, keep it up.
Eric
Via Email
A Soldier's Third Gen
First of all I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read this. My name is Sgt. Jason Jacobs and I am currently deployed to Afghanistan. I am writing today because after two deployments to Iraq I finally found a 1991 Chevy Camaro Z28. Unfortunately it needs quite a bit of work before I can use it as a daily driver. What I am asking for here is a recommendation of what I should do to the partially modified 350 small-block (LT1/LS1). I'm not sure of what exactly has been done to the engine; however, there is a tapping noise which I believe to be the lifters and there is no smog pump which I noticed left all connection points open. My wife tells me I'm wasting time and money. Do you have any suggestions? I would appreciate any help that you can render.
Thanks again,
SGT. Jacobs
Hey Jason,By your letter we're not sure if you mean to say that you are interested in a possible LT1 or LS1 swap or not. However, the later '91-92 TPI Z28s like yours were the pinnacle of third-gen design and performance. It is a great little car, but the first thing you need to do is get the TPI engine up to snuff. Get it to your mechanic, have him look it over, and get it running right by fixing the smog and tapping issues (hopefully just lifters!).
If you decide to keep your TPI engine, you might consider a nice heads, cam, and intake upgrade with all new valvetrain parts. Ray Bohacz has done some great TPI stories; check out his "Something Old, Something New" series from 2005-2006 issues of GMHTP. This is a complete build, including machining, a stronger bottom end, cam, heads, etc., but it made over 400HP and nearly 500 lb-ft of torque!
If you want to roll with new technology, an LS1 swap would add tons of streetable power to your third-gen and you could avoid machining a block, etc; however, there would be some fabrication to get the LS1 to work.
Keep us posted on which direction you plan to go in, and please be safe over there, and get home soon. You're doing us all proud!
Please send all letters to:
rick.jensen@sourceinterlink.com, or mail to: GM High-Tech Performance, 365 West Passaic St., Rochelle Park, NJ 07662. All letters are presumed for publication and GMHTP reserves the right to edit all letters.