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Oldsmobile Aurora

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Comments

  • mrdubyamrdubya Member Posts: 200
    rjs, you seem like your trying to talk us into buying a aurora, we already have one! you should sell cars! lol
  • hammen2hammen2 Member Posts: 1,284
    ...is RJS talking to Bob Lutz and trying to talk some sense into the man (yeah, I know that he came on board after Wagoner et. al. had pulled the plug on Olds. Nevertheless, Lutz' decontenting ideas do not go over well with me at all, and he seems more interested in making more trucks and small RWD vehicles (Solstice, Nomad, et. al.).

    Of all of the vehicles GM makes which I can afford, after the death of Olds the only 3 I'm attracted to are the CTS (probably too expensive the way I'd want it configured), the Aussie-made GTO, and a used 2001-2003 Aurora :-( My last 7 cars have been GM, and my mother-in-law's a GM retiree, and I'm not looking to replace my Aurora for another couple of years (I'm not selling it), but other than those three, the cupboard's bare if you're a "car" (not truck) guy like me...

    --Robert
    who can't wait for the weather to be better so he can detail his Classic
  • rjs200240rjs200240 Member Posts: 1,277
    I didn't mean to talk down the Regal or Intrigue. They are nice cars for what they cost. I am just always impressed by the extra detail in the Aurora. I mean, the more solid chasis, the better engine and tranny, and the more features would be enough to justify the Aurora's cost over a Regal or Intrigue (especially as a GS or GLS could option up over $30,000). But then the interior details are so much better, and the exterior, in addition to being more stylish (IMO), seems better executed as well. There don't seem to be the cost-cutting touches that change the exterior flow. There are curves everywhere there should be curves, and edges everywhere there should be edges. When you really examine the Regal you can see some things where you know the look was altered a bit to make it easier to manufacture the panels. It doesn't change the overall look, but it is stuff you notice when you really get in and detail it.

    Mrdubya, my intention was not to sell you on an Aurora. Just to share my joy in owning one... ;) I couldn't be a salesman because there are no Auroras to sell anymore... :(

    Hammen, I hear you. The only cars that appeal to me are the CTS-V (the CTS doesn't have enough cylinders), maybe the GTO though I doubt it because it doesn't have a lot of typical GM content, and because it's a two-door, and of course the Corvette. The Bonnie GXP mildly appeals to me because it's sort of like a hideous Aurora with more power and sharper handling. Sort of like an Aurora that they were experimenting with, but which got mangled and scarred in one of the experiments. The exterior styling and lack of interior refinement are a pretty big turn-off.
  • mrdubyamrdubya Member Posts: 200
    id like to see a gxp in person, i think they may have toned it down a bit too much from the concept, after all "gxp" is the performance line. still looks like a nice car, i actually like the interior on the 2003 ssei's i sat in at the car show. cant beat the torquer 4.6 (the sls version) WITH the 3.71's, that would make for a fun drive - i want torque!!

    i love the cts, i hated it at first. even the "base" now that it has the 3.6 vs the old 3.2 has some pretty good get-up, much more than the aurora. id love a pearl white 2003 aurora, but id love it more if it had a 4.6, but im sure the newer are a little more spunky than my 95 autobahn, but not enough. (goes back to dreaming of a 4.6 swap......)

    i was just busting your :edit: "chops" about selling cars rjs. aurora's are a hugely underated car.
  • rjs200240rjs200240 Member Posts: 1,277
    Man, sorry you all. I can't help gushing about the car. My commute is sooo much better now, and I can really exercise the Aurora!! It is a freaking awesome car! Acceleration is so instantaneous it really impresses me. I think my car has gotten faster than it used to be. I guess its been breaking in, but I've had such a short commute I rarely ever got to floor it, so I never really noticed. And when I did get to, it was usually because I was going somewhere which meant the wife was in the car with a bunch of stuff. She doesn't mind the occasional flooring, but she's understandably not a big fan of overly active driving.

    Anyway, the car is a monster! I mean, it's not gonna be beating any muscle cars or anything, but it really feels satisfying when you push the go pedal. And that sound sends goosebumps up my spine.

    Again, sorry, I just can't help it. My drive into work today was so fun that I just wanted to turn around, drive back home, and do it all again! This car is as fun to drive as the Corvette was, though in different ways.

    Dubya, I wouldn't be so quick to say the CTS with the 3.6 has much more get-up-and-go than the Aurora. I think the Aurora could hang with one pretty well in spite of the similar power and extra weight. Also, I hear you on the 4.6. Man would that be sweet in this car. Or just some headwork and such. Shelby got 320hp from the Aurora V8, though by raising the redline and at the cost of some low-end torque. I think some mild head polishing and mild cam work could really wake the engine up without any need for other changes (maybe an adjustable fuel pressure regulator), and could keep the power peak below 6,000 rpm. But who knows... My car's still under warranty, so I wouldn't even consider such a thing. Maybe GM Performance Parts will come out with a 4.0 to 4.6 swap kit that has a warranty, but I seriously doubt it... :(
  • kayaman420kayaman420 Member Posts: 207
    Anyone catch a TV show on TLC Tuesday night called
    "Rides"? Its kind of a reality show about a Hot Rod shop.

    I caught it by accident and they were building a 33 chevy? hot rod from scratch. When they get ready to do the engine low and behold it is a 4.6 Northstar motor. And they put a supercharger on the top of it. Funny thing was that they seemed very familiar with the motor and the mods they were doing to it. Caught me by surpirise becasue of how hard it is for us to get performance parts. They didnt show them working on the motor for a long tome they really just skimmed over that segment, but here are some things I noticed.

    First the motor was put in the car straight and not sideways like in our cars.

    I assume they made custom belts or something becasue they moved the location of the alternator from the normal spot to right on top of the motor where the power steering pump is at in our cars.

    They also must be able to get some kind of custom PCM or something because they didnt have all the sensors and such going into the throttle body area like our stocks.

    The supercharger seemed to bolt right onto the top of the engine. As if it were a common aftermarket part. But It is big and we would need to have a scooped hood or something for it to fit in our cars I would think. The only real mod they did was put the supercharger on and make a larger air intake. No boring or polishing that they mentioned. They said this would create betweeen 400-450 HP.

    Sorry for the long post guys. It just really surprised me how easily these guys were making this engine. I always thought it would be rocket science to make a Northstar hot rod engine. It seemed like the supercharger and other custom parts they used were readily available and bolted right on. Just as if they were working on a Chevy 350 or something.

    Im going to check the TLC website and see if any info is on there regarding this hotrod. From what I seen it looked like if you dont mind a scooped hood you could have a 400 HP Aurora.
  • mike98cmike98c Member Posts: 293
    I know the shop won't mind if I borrow the Dominators supercharged Northstar for a while, and while I'm using it the guys in the shop might as well whipup a custom hood to go over it. Now where's that telephone number..
  • mike98cmike98c Member Posts: 293
    It seems like every application or software upgrade recently has a spam and pop up blocker which successfully blocks the posting buttons until the blocker is disabled!
  • kayaman420kayaman420 Member Posts: 207
    Thats right the Dominator. I see you caught that episode as well. lol

    Didnt it seem like that supercharger went on pretty easily??? Im sure its not as easy as it looked , but it sure looks like we could put one on if we wanted. The hardest thing would be modding an air intake.

    How bout the nice 7 degrees today mike. Gotta love March in MN.
  • rjs200240rjs200240 Member Posts: 1,277
    Cadillac Hot Rod Fabricators? They do a lot of custom work on Northstar motors: http://www.chrfab.com/Engines.htm

    The Northstar seems to be pretty big in dune-buggy cars and such. They also see duty in Fieros and DeLoreans.
  • kayaman420kayaman420 Member Posts: 207
    Why hasnt this translated into a lot of aftermarket perforamce stuff for us.
  • 95mushroom95mushroom Member Posts: 230
    In front of my community there was an accident that backed the hell out of the traffic trying to get in the community.

    First, lemme inform you guys of my community. The turn to get into it is across a 6 line road that the oncoming traffic we have to cross is coming off an expressway. People often continue on the highway speed and not the 45mph limit.

    Anyways as I sat in line, I noticed a red car in the grass. It was a red cavy that had the hood, bumper and everything else smashed. Then I saw it (I was behind an expy).... A classic cocked sideways in the middle of the road bleeding to death. The only damage was to the right front. The bumper and headlight got it. Maybe the wheel/suspension too but I dont think so. I only saw the two cars and i guess the Aurora had to pull out in front of the cavy and the cavy just nailed the Aurora. I'm just surprised at how little damage the Roara got.

    P.S. I saluted it too as I went by.
  • mike98cmike98c Member Posts: 293
    Still sounds like the cheapest, easiest way (aside from the minor problem of no space!) to change our Northstars into SUPERstars, lol.

    Well time to go out and climb into the winter beater (Taurus wagon) for a couple grocery items I forgot when I tried shopping without my list last night.

    Kayaman, I especially liked how in the space of five minutes when I was running around last night it went from no snow, to enough snow on the streets to to push around!
  • aurora5000aurora5000 Member Posts: 168
    2001 Oldsmobile Aurora IRL Pace Car—One of two cars built for IRL series pace duties will be up for sale. Includes custom paint and graphics package. Production 4.0-liter DOHC V8 engine features aluminum construction, four-valve combustion chamber design, chain driven dual overhead camshafts and advanced electronic engine management. NO RESERVE
    VIN: 1G3GS62C314101241
    (Note: replaced wheels and tires with production equipment.)

    Barrett-Jackson Auction Company announced it has received from General Motors a confirmed list of the 39 Special Vehicles that are to be sold at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction – Palm Beach Auction, March 19-21 at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach, Fla.

    The cars, all of which will be sold at No Reserve, include a number of Indy 500 and Daytona 500 Pace Cars.

    The auction, which will be broadcast live on SPEED Channel, runs 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday, March 19; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, March 20; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, March 21.
  • aurora5000aurora5000 Member Posts: 168
    2001 Oldsmobile Aurora IRL Pace Car—One of two cars built for IRL series pace duties. Includes custom paint and graphics package. Production 4.0-liter DOHC V8 engine features aluminum construction, four-valve combustion chamber design, chain driven dual overhead camshafts and advanced electronic engine management.
    VIN: 1G3GS62C714100089

     2001 Oldsmobile Aurora Indy 500 Pace Car #3
    VIN: 1G3GS62C514101175

     2001 Oldsmobile Aurora Show Vehicle—Represents production model except for custom high metallic finish.
    VIN: 1G3GR62C6140006EX
  • rjs200240rjs200240 Member Posts: 1,277
    That's interesting they are selling them. I couldn't imagine driving something with that paint scheme, though.

    I saw one at the GMs headquarters last year. The pictures are pretty dark because the lights were off:

    image

    image

    image
  • aurora5000aurora5000 Member Posts: 168
    Pat,,
     I sorry but I have nothing to gain other that sharing info. with other Aurora owners of the rarity of GM selling IRL PACE cars. How often have you heard of this?
       I do not have ANY affiliation with GM or Barrett-Jackson auctions. I own a 2002 Aurora and think it is very special that the cars will be available for public sale. This is for FYI.
    But if you feel the post is improper, by all means remove it.
     
    Thanks,
    Steve
  • stickking1stickking1 Member Posts: 247
    Boy, that would be a wild ride. A collector's item for sure.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Your posts are not improper at all - that's quite a find!

    I just replied to your email before I saw this.

    Thanks!
  • HenryHenry Member Posts: 1,106
    Where would I drive the thing? Not exactly a go to the supermarket kind of car.

    Not to mention the fact I have to believe that you are more llikely to be pulled over driving a car that reads Indy 500 on the side.

       ((Officers - Start Your Ticket Books!))
  • mike98cmike98c Member Posts: 293
    Discussion board has heated up again if you need to get your blood moving a bit. Lol.

    The police following me when I drove my special factory edition turbo Eclipse was one reason (beside the drunk hitting me and the car not feeling the same afterwards) I decided to sell the car.

    The last straw was when I was eating my lunch in the parking lot of the store I worked in (East St. Paul Phalen) listening to the stereo and reading the paper when I looked up and I was surrounded by five squads and a unmarked gang task force car.

    It seemed they were trying to make things hot for the gangs and the car and location fit the profile!

    By the time they had sorted everything out and I got out of the back of the squad they had already towed the car! Grr. Even better I had to pay to get the car back and found out it would cost more in lost work to go downtown and fight to get re-imbursed than to let it slide!

    Watch me get into an overstyled, overmodded car. NOT!!!
  • rjs200240rjs200240 Member Posts: 1,277
    You forgot this one:

    1996 Oldsmobile Aurora IMSA GTS Race Car—Duplicate of the 1996 Aurora GTS-1 driven by Darin Brassfield that raced to eight victories in its first year. Key features include fabricated chrome-molly steel tubing frame, carbon fiber/Kevlar honeycomb composite body, four-wheel independent suspension and a 5-speed manual Hewland SST transmission. Interior equipped with racing instrumentation. Vehicle has no motor. Pearl off white over bright gold/purple paint treatment.
    VIN: 000000000OLDS0017

    It's kind of sad that GM is selling this stuff, but I guess the new owners will probably take more attentive care of them. I guess I should be glad I got to see all that stuff on display before GM sold it all. And I guess it's good GM isn't just scrapping it all.
  • mike98cmike98c Member Posts: 293
    Now with a subdued paint job this will be the perfect commuter. Yep, it will blend right in...
  • zinc1zinc1 Member Posts: 133
    nne3jxc - Welcome! The VIN breakdown is here.

    joeolds - I think you asked a while back what the RPM was at 139mph. Verified last night, it's 4400.

    henry - I'll take 09/01. Just before Labor Day they might want to do some labor.
  • langodlangod Member Posts: 33
    Attention -- Aurora recal announced yesterday.
    The fuel rail leak problem that has been discussed here was just turned into an official recall. GM will be notifying owners of 1995-1997 Auroras later this spring.
    More detail here.
    You can see the official recall notice by the NHTSA if you search for "04V110000" as the ID number on their search page

    Regards,
    Jim
    ("langod" formerly "nne3jxc")
  • sdasda Member Posts: 7,577
    Took my 01 4.0 in for repair last thursday. Extended warranty took care of majority of bill except $260. I am very thankful for this. Hit list: A/C required a new hose that connected to the compressor. Hose $93, labor,etc $300, total $400. ABS,'Service Stabil System' warning lit. Right front wheel sensor failed. Couldn't replace sensor, but required complete new wheel hub. Hub $401, labor 200, total $600. Check Engine light on. Both crank sensors failed. Sensors $110, labor $290, total $400. Steering clunking, required ISS lube. $146, not covered by warranty. Oil Change $30, regular maintenance. Total bill was about $1600. Whew. Car runs and drives great. Drove a '03 DTS while they were working on my car. Though more powerful, and ofcourse larger, the Aurora gives up nothing in regard to interior quality and style and driving enjoyment. The DTS more powerful, but also got 2 mpg less in similar driving. I'm glad to have mine back. Enjoy!

    2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech

  • kayaman420kayaman420 Member Posts: 207
    My fuel rail just went a few months ago. MAN!!!

    I new this would happen. Anyone know if you can be reimbursed if you have your reciepts.
  • HenryHenry Member Posts: 1,106
    A scream like that should be followed by the words

    KHAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    KHAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    {obscure Star Trek reference)
  • hammen2hammen2 Member Posts: 1,284
    "I'm laughing at the superior intellect" <obligatory STII reference>

    So, I'm wondering what, if any, engineering change there was to the 98 and 99 cars that preclude them from being part of this recall. I've tried to search for an Aurora fuel rail on both GMPartsDirect and RockAuto, to see if the part numbers are different, but I can't find the part number. Anyone have the p/n from an invoice?

    --Robert
  • stickking1stickking1 Member Posts: 247
    "...Not so wounded as we were led to believe...So much the better".

    Not so obscure Henry ;)

    You made my day with that one. :)
  • aurora5000aurora5000 Member Posts: 168
    They now have photos of the cars up for auction. FYI

    http://www.barrett-jackson.com/events/florida/GMCars.asp
  • gisomgisom Member Posts: 144
    Hey guys,

    I called GM about the recall to inquire about a refund on the service I had done 2 years ago. The guy on the phone said to wait for the recall notice in the mail and if you already had the service, you would be refunded as long as you have paperwork. He could not give much detail because the recall notice was not yet released in their computers. I will keep you updated as soon as I get my notice in the mail.

    Greg
  • rjk813rjk813 Member Posts: 4
    who makes the supercharger for the 4.6 L. what kind of modifications would you need to just swap a 4.6L northstar?
  • 95mushroom95mushroom Member Posts: 230
    If I need to get the recall done, do I have to wait for the letter in the mail?
  • HenryHenry Member Posts: 1,106
    I called my Olds dealer (yes he still has the sign up) and the service guy told me that there was no official recall on the car from GM. Therefore, if the repair is done before the notice is in the GM system, I will have to pay for it and then get my money back when the recall becomes official. So it is not receipt of the letter that is the issue, GM must have the recall in its system. -- Henri
  • gisomgisom Member Posts: 144
    I forgot to mention, back in February, I went to the auto show and GM had the nerve to have floor space for Oldsmobile even though it is phasing out in June of this year. They had the Alero, Bravado, and the Intrigue there.
  • blk97aurorablk97aurora Member Posts: 573
    Robert,

    My parts microfiche shows three part numbers for 1995-1999:
       1995 17113262 list $292.15
       96-97 17113210 list $203.83
       98-99 17113516 list $242.74

    The list prices come from the Van Chevrolet web site; RockAuto also lists the same part numbers.

    The diagrams for the three versions show differences where the rails connect to inlet and return. My guess for the recall is that the nylon tubing hardens and cracks.
  • javidoggjavidogg Member Posts: 366
    I attended the Auto show here in Chicago and yeah they had all that floor space, but only had 3 Final 500 Oldsmobiles.

    On top of that it was in the back of the McCormick Place, left like a forgotten child.

    Http://www.cardomain.com/id/javidogg
  • rjs200240rjs200240 Member Posts: 1,277
    The zebra Olds Aurora went for $14,000... And the first 2000 Indy 500 Aurora Pace Car went for $18,500. I coulda scraped up $18,500 for a piece of Olds and Aurora history... I thought it would go for over $20,000 easy. I mean, it was the actual pace car, not some support vehicle like the Bravada or something...

    I was paying attention when they fired it up to see if the Corsa exhaust was extrodinarily loud, but there was no sound. It could be the feed wasn't playing the sound from the camera right by the car, though.
  • hammen2hammen2 Member Posts: 1,284
    http://www.indypacecars.com/2000.html

    http://www.indypacecars.com/1997.html

    --Robert

    P.S. Happy 5000th post to all Aurorians...
  • mike98cmike98c Member Posts: 293
    Went for almost the same price I bought my 98 for (14,600). I could have had a matching piece of history! Lets see, dump the Bonneville, oh well day late...
  • rjs200240rjs200240 Member Posts: 1,277
    They'll have another one for sale on Sunday (the Barrett-Jackson website claims two more for sale). But, I think they only make 3 pace cars, one goes to the race winner, one to the manufacturer and one to the Indy museum. So I wouldn't think they'd have more than two to sell. There were some Aurora's done up in reverse colors that were support vehicles back in 2000. I think they were 3.5L cars. Only one of the cars for sale on Sunday looks like it is was one of the pace cars.

    I wonder if they have the speed limiters lifted? Or possibly any other performance gains? The cars could have been production-line, though since the 2000 Indy 500 would have been in July, and the Auroras started rolling down the line in March 2000. I did notice the car for sale last night had Goodyear RS-A's, which are the same tires GM uses on the 155mph-limited STS. Just a thought...

    And WOW, 5000 posts! I had no idea we were that far along.
  • HenryHenry Member Posts: 1,106
    We are further along than 5,000. Remember this board was split twice. This is the 3rd thread. We are probably closer to 7,000 posts not counting the other discussions in aROARa owners club.

    The aROARa board was started wayyyyyy back in 1997.
  • cwiley1cwiley1 Member Posts: 82
    The other day when I had my '97 in for the water pump replacement, I asked how much it was going to cost to replace the rear shocks since they were leaking oil. The service manager called to the parts department and asked the price of the shocks for my '97 and then gave me the price!!!! They wanted $600 for the shocks and labor, $530 for the shocks alone. I asked why so much because I had the Olds dealer replace both rear shocks on my '95 and the total cost for shocks and labor was $360. The service managers response was my '97 had the autobahn package that has a special "sports suspension" with it. My '95 also has the autobahn but it requires just regular air shocks. Has anyone heard of the "sport suspension" on the '95-'99 Aurora's?????
  • rjs200240rjs200240 Member Posts: 1,277
    I've never heard of any Aurora suspension options. Though it is possible the shocks changed from 1995 to 1997. I really wish I had one of those parts lists. You might check gmpartsdirect.com as they often have GM parts a lot cheaper than the dealer.
  • cwiley1cwiley1 Member Posts: 82
    Thanks for the info. I will try gmpart---. When I had my rear shocks replaced on the '95 I told them it had the autobahn, they said it didn't make any difference, they were all the same shock. I usually look in the parts catalog directory at the auto parts stores and I have only seen one shock offered. Never any options because of the "sport suspension".

    Thanks again.
  • hammen2hammen2 Member Posts: 1,284
    I do remember reading somewhere (Zinc's site?) that Olds changed the suspension for '97 (on all cars, not just the Autobahn editions, possibly to be firmer/sportier), then changed it again for '98 to be more of a compromise of the softer 95-96 ride and firmer 97). I'm guessing that a one-year parts change like that may have led to some part scarcity and thus price-gouging, but I'm just speculating on the latter...

    --Robert
  • blk97aurorablk97aurora Member Posts: 573
    C.C.,

    Your Olds service manager is either poorly informed or trying to rip you off. My parts microfiche shows the same rear shocks for all Classics, 1995 through 1999. Part number for left side is 22064664; right side is 22064665. Current list prices are $151.72 and $145.84, respectively, according to the Crown Cadillac/Olds web site; OEM parts are available at 20% to 30% off list from several web dealers.

    I have been interested in suspension differences across the five model years for Classics. Information has been difficult to come by. Here&#146;s what I have been able to piece together; the 1995-1999 GM parts microfiche is my biggest source of information, but it is frustratingly cryptic and sometimes inconsistent.

    To answer some questions from previous posts &#150; there were no factory suspension options for Classics. The Autobahn option was transaxle ratio (3.71 vs. 3.48), V-rated vs. H-rated tires, and higher speed limiter (~138 mph vs. ~110 mph) &#150; nothing in suspension except the tires.

    There was a (major?) suspension upgrade for 1997 model year. Front suspension parts that carry different part numbers compared to 1995-1996 are: cradle, lower control arms, springs, struts, anti-sway bar (29mm vs. 27mm), steering knuckles, brake rotors (278mm vs. 2__mm) and calipers. This suspension was indeed called &#147;suspension system, sport&#148; and &#147;FE3.&#148; But it was standard equipment &#150; not an option &#150; and a far cry from the FE2 and FE3 suspensions of &#147;my father&#146;s Oldsmobiles.&#148; Part changes in the rear were minimal. The compressor part number changed, but I have no idea what the difference is.

    There were additional changes in the front suspension for 1998 vs. 1997. With only part numbers to go on, it&#146;s impossible to know what the effect of the changes was intended to be.

    The parts microfiche references a 2nd design for 1999 front suspension. The only difference from the 1999 1st design I can find is the front anti-sway bar bushings, apparently softer. There is also mention of &#147;FE1 suspension system, soft ride.&#148;

    If anyone has additional or contrary information, please post it.

    Les
  • cwiley1cwiley1 Member Posts: 82
    Les--

    Thanks for the information. These figures are just about what my shocks cost for my '95, plus the installation. I was going to another Olds dealer at that time. They sold their business when Olds declared the were going out of business. They were the ones that told me that all the rear shocks were the same for '95-'99.

    Thanks again.
    C.C.
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