Northstar or 440

[troutbum]

For the last 5 years my build up has been based around a mopar BB. I purchased a running 440 3 years ago, it has been sitting ever since waiting for my tractor motor to die. Lately I have been thinking that maybe that is not the way to go. I can pick up a northstar with 75K for about 2K. It'll cost me about a grand to rebuild the 440, and about 300 to inject it. I keep going back and forth. Anyone want to vote? Pros and Cons?

 

[Caleb]

Northstar would be awesome...and I imagine lighter than a BB Mopar (Not that wieght is a real issue)

 

[troutbum]

northstar=413#
BB440=670#

pretty big difference

 

[mixmaster]

Just curious, where are you finding the northstar motor? I am kind of thinking of going that route in one of my cruisers and didn't know where to look first, I was thinking bone yard.

 

[troutbum]

Just curious, where are you finding the northstar motor? I am kind of thinking of going that route in one of my cruisers and didn't know where to look first, I was thinking bone yard.

Seems that they don't often make it to the bone yards, this one is from a body shop guy in vegas he buys them from the insurance companies.

one thing that kind of scares me about a northstar is the complex electronics...

 

[bobdog]

I vote 440 all the way but I would dump more than 1000 in to the rebuild. If you go Northstar replace head gaskets for sure they often have problems at about that many miles.

 

[Andy]

Northstar all the way, revs to the moon . I went for a ride in MtLogans buggy and was all smiles.

Andy

 

[bobdog]

I am betting that MtLogans buggy is quite a bit lighter than a Scout

 

[bobdog]

I also think I read where Cadilac is basing their race efforts on LS6 vette engines.

 

[troutbum]

I am betting that MtLogans buggy is quite a bit lighter than a Scout

true enough, I will be lucky to hit 4000 lbs in the end, but the northstar has great torque curve ~250+ ft/lbs throughout the range. I have seen dynos of upwards of 400 ft/lbs

 

[bobdog]

That is a very nice flat torque curve. I think the NS would be a great engine. It is such a different animal than a BB 440 that comparisons are almost worthless. The Northstar delivers 300lb/ft The 440 mildly built can deliver so much more than that it is not even funny. It can also deliver a flat curve depending on how you build it( I personally would give up some drivability and make it a little bit nasty, sometimes it needs to be fun over function). There is also a big difference in weight. You need to decide if it is an important concideration. I do know that I would have a lot more fun dropping the hammer on old school big inch muscle than new school high tech. You know that in the seat of the pants the 440 is going to be quite a bit stonger don't you?

 

[tv_larsen]

It seems like your decision is going to come down to balancing weight, torque, and cost. The 440 will more likely be cheaper, and clearly far more torquey. Stock or mild 440's can be built with an incredibly flat torque curve up to about 3500 or 4000 rpm before it starts to drop off. The Northstar would have more "bling" and would be much lighter. But don't forget to consider the trans and t-case combo that you want to run and whats available for you possible engine choices.

 

[troutbum]

But don't forget to consider the trans and t-case combo that you want to run and whats available for you possible engine choices.

This will probably be the deciding factor, I already have a built 727/rev manual valve body behind the 345. I also have the BB 727 case, so it would just entail swapping the guts. I also have a lot tied up in the 203/300 set up.

Maybe I should just sack up and realize the scout is never going to be light or bling .

big pro of the 440 is that I already have it.

 

[I Lean]

Go with the 440. As much as I like the idea of the Northstar, the big block is prolly a better choice for your rig--especially when you consider the drivetrain $$$ you DON'T have to spend if you use the 440.