LS4 or N* swap?
 

I am about tired of putting pistons in the twin-charged Bonne. I know I need to build a real engine, but b/t pistons and rods, machine work, etc, I could ditch the twin-charged project and swap in either a N* engine (I have one) or a LS4 (I don;t have one).

The car is already set up for the N* transmission, so that one would be easy, but the 5.3 will work better with the turbo I am running on it now. Really, either engine would respnd well to the turbo I guess. The N* is not a big (4.6 vs. 5.3), but might get better gas mileage AND has a higher power potential due to the 16v heads. I would guess weight would be about the same.

What do you guys think?

Is the northstar able to be tuned now? I thought the biggest drawback to the N* was that you couldnt do any modding due to the inability to tune it?

I think the LS4 is gonna be a much better bet though..if you have the time and money I would do the LS4..much more potential there I would think.

I don;t know, that's why I am asking. I just emailed a guy who is making about 480whp with a turbo N* in a '98 Seville. That's on like 12psi! I'll find out what he is doing for tuning.

HP Tuners has one for the LS4. I already tune with HP, so that would be a no-brainer.

If you ripped the N* apart, did the bolt kit to make it bulletproof, then it's whatever you wish. If not.....N* probably isn't going to hold up to the added abuse you intense to toss at it.

From my standpoint and looking at the nature of how you operate, an LS4 is almost too easy to obtain power from. You seem to like the challenge and fight.

The LS4 has the ability to be tuned, bigger displacement for more potential and aftermarket headers. I believe most LS parts are interchangable. I'm a HUGE fan of the LS series engines. I'm not as sure about the N*'s and their potential. My vote is a turbo'd LS4, twin rear mount turbo's?