Aurora/other V8 engine swap?

That's a GREAT idea. The Lucerne is my 2nd favorite Buick. They have portholes, nice wheels, and a V8... and they don't look bad... and they're uber quiet.

Or, maybe I'm just getting old.

Optioned out Lucernes look awesome! The only problem is the same problem the Riv has - fwd auto. Oh, and 2 extra doors.

With the G8 and rwd Impala I think I'd pass on the Lucerne though, unless I needed the FWD (but I've already got it in a better looking car).

Back to the GTO...

Actually, they came with the 4T80-E. The 4L60-E and 4T80-E were used in GM's trucks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Premium_V_engine#LD8

I'm planning on a northstar for my riv when the time comes. The Caddy and Olds are nearly identical save for the displacment difference. Since the Aurora and Riv are on the same platform, the subframe of the Olds should be mega close to the riv, the Caddy should bolt right into the Olds subframe. It's to my understanding that the northstar and the sc3800 also weigh nearly the same. The Caddy is however an oil leaking freak! I worked for Cadillac as a tech for several years and hardly ever saw one that didn't leak at the half case. even low mileage cars seep oil there. Also beware of head gasket probs. I think an eldo with very subtle mods would totally serve my riv. But mine still looks better any day!

It's probably not too far fetched to think that with an aurora subframe, the caddy engine and trans could probably be a near bolt-in, requiring little modification?

Try and snag one of the supercharged 4.0L out of a Shelby Series 1.

I had a dream. O.K. I'll share. A V8 Riviera with a 327 or maybe something a LITTLE bigger! Getting behind the wheel and starting up a mean ass V8! I have heard of someone possibly putting a Northstar in. If this were to be done I feel it would have to be RWD. Could this really be done? I heard somewhere that a body could be dropped onto another with the same wheelbase. I have an opportunity to get another 95 Riv and now have the room to build a street rod. I was thinking about a 65 or 72 boat tail but if I was convinced this could be done I'll go for it. There's a wealth of experience here and thought it be wise to receive counsel before embarking on such a journey!

Our wealth of experience regarding converting to rwd is about two bucks, but you're welcome to them. The only guy to convert to RWD built a full on drag car with Riv body panels bolted onto a custom tube chassis. The rest of us are all talk, no do.

Maybe you could grab the drivetrain and axle of a 911 and weld it on. Then you'd have two engines and AWD. I wonder if it would sound like a V12 with one six on each tailpipe?

I'm sure it'd fit in the trunk! But you'd have to replace the backseat with a gas tank. Hey, that's not a bad idea, as long as you link the throttles and make sure they're making the same horsepower and torque at the same time.

AWD would be sweet!!!!!!!

Find a Four wheel drive truck tranny with the transfer case that will bolt to the desired engine, and then find a rear end to go with it....

a good one would be the LSx truck engine, it comes in a 5.3L and a 6.0(I think)

and it can be boughten from a junkyard for about 600$.... grab the rear end too and the transfer case, and pretty much everything out of it, and go at it....

IBx1 wrote:

I'm sure it'd fit in the trunk! But you'd have to replace the backseat with a gas tank. Hey, that's not a bad idea, as long as you link the throttles and make sure they're making the same horsepower and torque at the same time.

Why would the two engines need to be making the same power at the same time?

Jack the R wrote:

IBx1 wrote:

I'm sure it'd fit in the trunk! But you'd have to replace the backseat with a gas tank. Hey, that's not a bad idea, as long as you link the throttles and make sure they're making the same horsepower and torque at the same time.

Why would the two engines need to be making the same power at the same time?

well if the rear engine is making more power, wouldnt it be pushing the front engine? therefore rendering the front engine useless kuz its not even helping + extra weight?

No assuming shift points and gearing are equal it would merely be lightening the load on the front engine. In many AWD setups now torque is sent more to the rear wheels than front.

You can do anything with enough cash in the bank, the right tools, or the right shop to do the work. But I wouldn't waste that kind of money on a Riv conversion to RWD/V8.

Also i forgot to put my input to the OP.

Putting a riv on another chassis is wrong IMO. Part of what makes this car great is its wondefully engineered chassis. I honestly don't mind the FWD now. If you want an awesomely powerful riv , i'd go turbo or stay supercharged and go cam/IC. Just my $.02.

I agree, it's not worth doing unless you want to build an unusual showcar. The 6 can be modded for plenty of power and all the parts you need are readily available and well worked out. IMO the best way to put power to the rear wheels is with an electric setup, when the batteries and other tech come down in price. Then you've got an AWD car and can really go fast.

TonySmooth89 wrote:

No assuming shift points and gearing are equal it would merely be lightening the load on the front engine. In many AWD setups now torque is sent more to the rear wheels than front.

My expertise in this area is practically non-existant but I think this is correct - as long as the transmissions don't force the wheels to rotate at a fixed wheel rpm per engine rpm (must not or you'd have a huge problem letting off the throttle at high speed) using two unmatched engines shouldn't be a problem.

Heh maybe it would even be better - one could be built for low end power and the other for high end power. SC in front, VTEC in back!

What about the northstar option and staying with fwd? How difficult a swap would that be?

Why bother? The N* isn't as moddable.

I think the sound from a v8 would be cool. I have also read about 400hp being fairly easy to achieve with the n*. Plus it would be something different.

sqrivi wrote:

I think the sound from a v8 would be cool.

go buy a 94-97 camaro for 3-5k$.... it will cost less in the end, and give you less problems....

I thank you all for your input on this subject. I think I will start the 1927 Bugati kit car I have. It's ready for a little VW motor and some paint and she'll be good to go. Thanks again.

Nix the RWD and 8cyl idea and find out how to put a manual into our cars! The G6 manual transmission can be done but it won't support over 300whp.

vendetta wrote:

sqrivi wrote:

I think the sound from a v8 would be cool.

go buy a 94-97 camaro for 3-5k$.... it will cost less in the end, and give you less problems....

The camaro won't look as cool.

taking the 94-97 camaro chasis you might be able to dropped the riv body on top. i believe that both cars ar the same in length. both come with a 3.8. this has been an idea of mine for a while also.