I was looking through my factory service manual when I was looking through the specifications section and came across something interesting. All sources I've seen have said that the LX5 V6 is 215 horsepower and 230 ft-lbs of torque.. but the service manual states that it has 225 horsepower, and 238 ft-lbs of torque. The service manual seems to be pre-production days because of some pictures that dont' quite resemble my car completely. I"m just wondering if the engine was purposely underrated for some reason, or if it was just later detuned for whatever reason. Which do you think it is?

The N*'* seem to keep the same engine code even as they evolve. Because of powder coated valve guides and seats, super thin steel liners in aluminum block and some other issues; GM considers them disposable. If you screw something up internally- the fix is replace. Dont trust a manual unless your sure its both your year and MODEL Also paper horsepower is for reference. Sometimes they change valve sizing and cam profile and get more torque with less horse. Also the rev limiter can hold back a Hp. rating as well.
i've found 3 versions of my LD8 and it was tough to figure out just what valve sizing and cam profile is correct for my model. I'm sure the detuning is a prime reason for changes when going out of the Caddy stable. Warranty issues with a throwaway motor being put in a sporty car instead of a luxury sedan.

Thanks for posting the specs....Finally know for sure the limiter shuts off fuel not spark. I asked in an earlier post and we couldnt decide.

if your talking about your N*, he'* talking about the 3.5 V-6 in the Auroara

The 3.5 is definetely a stong motor, so it woudnt surprise me if it was underrated.

Weve seen for a fact that some of the 3.8 engines were severely underrated havent we? rated for 280ft lbs of torque at the crank and instead putting out close to or over 300 at the WHEELS.

When driving around town the 3.5 doesnt seem that powerful, seems almost underpowered to me at times, going from an L36 to the 3.5, you will definetely notice the lack of bottom end.

BUT its when you decide to put the rubber to the floormat that this thing comes alive, and puts down some power...definetely seems faster than an L36, and i dont think you could really notice a simple 10hp difference. But 20hp and and almost 10 lbs of torque when compared to an L36? I think you could definetely notice.

duh ....is it a northstar? and what else does it come in?

I think technically it is considered a N* engine, I know it was derived from one of the N* V8s if i recall correctly, which is why its so often dubbed the "Shortstar".

It made its debut in '99, originally intended to replace the 3.8, but it never did, my opinion was that it was too expensive for them to make compared to the 3.8.

It went down in 2003 when Oldsmobile was cut.

It was only featured in two cars, the Intrigue and the Aurora. Essentially they should be the same engine, i know the intake and exhaust configurations are different, and oddly enough the part #* for the alternator is one thing ive seen diferent for them. I guess due to engine bay layout and stuff.

Custom has a good article about the 3.5 somewhere, about its origins and components and whatnot.

Thanks for the background Hoov and I guess I should read more and drink less.
So where do you guys stand on engine replacements? Will a 3.8 retrofit into a OLDS?...Mounts and tranny wise? Sounds like a bummer if ya fold it up!

I would say that a 3.8 could definetely fit into an Intrigue, its a w-body just like the GP, Regal, Monte Carlo, and Impala, and a few others i think.

Those cars have the 3.8 in them, as well as the 4t65-e which the Intrigue also has. And as a matter of fact the 98 Intrigue actually did come with the 3.8. So it would be very feasible as far as im concerned.

Im strictly talking NA here, i dont know how easily an L67 swap could be done.

i would think the wiring and pcm would be the hardest. there was a L67 intrigue on ebay a month or so ago. it sold for 1500 or 2000.