Cadillac Northstar RWD manual transmission options

As the title states what are the manual trans options for the northstar. Specifically the 4.6 RWD.

Looks like factory about 320 hp. 

Wikipedia says it is close to a gm metric pattern. But what flywheel etc? 

And what manual metric pattern trans will hold up under the 320hp?

You need to handle 310ish ft*lbs which an Fbody T5 "should" be able to do. Some of that comes down to how heavy the car is and what the intended use is.

It's very close to the 60 degree V6 pattern.  That might limit you to a pretty small clutch, like 9" or 10"

These guys at CHRFAB might have more info.  They sell a kit to put a 700r4 behind one.  You'll likely have to cut whatever bellhousing because the Northstar starter sits in the valley.

Good info from the Fiero guys about adapting to the common GM Metric pattern: http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/000182.html#p5

Flywheel info: https://bloozeown.weebly.com/powertrain/post-18-a-featherweight-flywheel

Since the design has already been done, looks like SPEC will sell you a copy of it now: https://specclutch.com/spec-my-car/conversions/ (search that page for SC94AN)

I don't know whether all the dimensions would be the same for a RWD transmission, but probably close enough to make it work.

As for transmission, yeah, I think you're looking at a WC T5, which has some well-known, um, durability limitations.

Find a trans that is good at absorbing leaking fluids.

looks like it came in the XLR in front of a 5l80 or a 6l80. but that is a c5 torque tube set up.

https://www.gmpartsgiant.com/oem-cadillac-xlr-bellhousing.html

I know we don't normally ask "why" around here, but rather "why not", but I gotta ask. Why?

In reply to maschinenbau (I live here) :

Cliff Notes: I like looking a random salvage cars  

Randomly noticed that the Cadillac STS's, and the RWD  SRXs with the north star 4.6 go for seemingly pretty cheap on IAAI. 
 

Then saw somewhere that with just springs they will rev to 8,500?

In the sts looks like 320hp and maybe around 300 torque. 
 

Also seems like people use the rear differential for Miata V8 swaps. 

I am kinda shopping for a drivable donor for a future project if I could do it cheap enough and I like the idea of a higher reviving V8. 
 

The SRX also looks kinda like a station wagon, only higher. Which I like. 

In reply to obsolete :

Thanks for the good info. 

In reply to Somebeach (Forum Supporter) :

Don't know about the STS/SRX, but the XLR has two flavors of computer control.  One is hacked by HPTuners, one is not.  The ones that are not are really cheap, the ones that are are really uncheap.  (Something like 05-down and 06-up?)

Of course, the computer change came with cam and crank sensor changes, so you can't just use the hacked computer on the cheap engine.

I had that thought... "Wow, you can get XLR complete engine dropout packages for $1000 on eBay!"  Which is great except HPT can't hack the computer to run standalone.

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

Good call, if it is on the supported vehicle list is it usually pretty easy to remove the vats? Or does it still vary by car?

Looks like you really do have to pay attention to which years. 

In the early aughts, the V6 "Shortstar" had its 15 minutes of fame as the hot ticket in W.E. Rock, most folks were using automatics in their buggies though.  Specifically the Jeep version of the TF904 (30RH) since thanks to AMC's decades of parts bin engineering from other manufacturers, the Jeep 2.5l has the same GM Metric bellhousing pattern as the early GM 2.8l V6s that powered the 1st XJ Cherokees.

The AX5 manual used behind the 2.5l is pretty weak, but there's a rarer AX15 version used in the 2.5l powered Dakotas, the Jeep AX15 behind the 4.0l is a different bellhousing pattern.  Further mixing and matching can be done, as the AX5 is an Aisin transmission with a removable bellhousing, and said bellhousing can be used on a number of Toyota transmissions.

I've seen the 3800 V6 swapped into a Toyota pickup mixing and matching the AX5 bellhousing with a Toyota R series trans.

Seems like the simple option though, would be a T5 from a 3.4l or 3.8l F-body, or maybe a 2.8l S-10.

Can't help you with any transmission suggestions but I did drag this home this week. Although I plan to fix the engine issues and drive it. It's a 2005 STS with the rwd 4.6.

In reply to Somebeach (Forum Supporter) :

On the LS and LS-type computer I have tuned/swapped, it is literally just a radio button to turn VATS off.

All important things the computer needs to work are wired directly to the computer, no need for separate modules.  Speed sensors go to the computer, not through ABS.  Sometimes this is things you may not think of like air conditioning pressure senders (needed to control the A/C clutch, cooling fans, and idle control) and fuel tank pressure sensors (evap monitoring) and fuel level senders (evap monitoring and ignition timing - the computer switches to the high octane ignition maps after a certain amount of refueling happens, and then either stays there or reverts to low octane maps depending on how much knock is detected)

Cruise control is the only gotcha I can think of, that has been going through the BCM on newer computers, depending on chassis.  I know someone who LS3 swapped a Solstice, and to make the cruise work, there had to be a certain OS in the PCM, and he had to swap to a different BCM that was compatible with both the PCM and the rest of the car.  Most people just live with no cruise, but he wanted as OEM like a swap as possible...

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

thanks 

In reply to untchabl :

What engine issues does it have and what did it cost you?