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Oldsmobile Aurora: Modifications
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I've done the air box mod with a K&N. It's the only way to go. You won't screw up the intake air temp and it flows just fine. I've done the RSM throttle body and of course the Corsa exhaust. The exhaust is the best. I did this at least a couple years ago and love it every day. I got it for the power, but ended up loving it for the sound.
Off the line the car is not much different, but once you are moving it pulls really nice. I took on a Mustang GT (260 HP 300 torque) convertible from a roll of about 30 to 40 mph and we both just hammered it. I stayed glued to that GT. He couldn't pull an inch away from me. So, from a roll, I could equal a GT - not bad for a nearly 4,000 pound cruiser. The extra weight on the convertible probably helped me a little too. From the line I would have been toast however. The Aurora V8 produces a lot of power over a very wide rpm range, so from a roll the car is pretty strong.
Oldsmobile's IRL Aurora V8 engine has competed in 50 Indy Racing League events since its introduction in January 1997. The following is a summary of its Indy Racing record to date:
Victories: 48 of 50 (96%)
Pole Starts: 50 of 50 (100%)
Fastest Laps: 46 of 50 (92%)
Laps Led: 9,708 of 10,175 (95.4%)
Miles Led: 13,473 of 14,108 (95.5%)
Total Racing Laps: 185,524 of 198,774 (93.3%)
Total Racing Miles: 259,595 of 278,963 (93.1%)
Starters: 1,203 of 1,299 (92.6%)
Finishers: 710 of 755 (94%)
How can I get an Aurora IRL Engine? Is it possible? Can I bore mine out to match that of the IRL version? Mmmmm, methanol sounds fun? Right? I dunno.
Production Aurora V-8 - Indy Aurora V-8
Displacement: 4.0 liters (244ci) - 4.0 liters (244ci)
Cylinder Angle: 90 degrees - 90 degrees
Cylinder Bore Spacing: 102mm - 102mm
Valvetrain: Dual overhead cams - Dual overhead cams
Valves per Cylinder: 4 - 4
Camshaft Drive: Chain - Chain
Cylinder Head Material: Aluminum - Aluminum
Cylinder Case Material: Aluminum - Aluminum
Cylinder Liners: "Dry" iron - "Dry" iron
Crankshaft Design: 90 degrees - 90 degrees
Fuel System: Sequential EFI - Sequential EFI
Engine Controller: Delco Electronics - Delco Electronics
Maximum rpm: 6,400 - 10,500
Horsepower: 250hp @ 5600 - rpm 600+ hp
Fuel: Unleaded gasoline - Methanol
Bore Diameter: 87mm - 93mm
Crankshaft Stroke: 84mm - 73.4mm
Deck Height: 8.84" - 8.1"
Compression Ratio: 10.3:1 - 13-15:1
Throttle System: Throttle Body - Individual Runner
Lubrication System: Wet Sump - Dry Sump
So how can I get my engine close to its IRL cousin without completely ruining it?
:shades:
I have read that no one rebuilds Northstar engines -- the expense is too high. 0.010" oversize pistons and rings may be available. But boring out from 87mm to 93mm is not going to work. New iron liners would be required, and I do not know if that is possible for less than megabucks.
As you probably have already found out, available performance equipment for Aurora is minimal. K&N filter and airbox mods are cheap and will give you a few horsepower. Corsa exhaust will cost about $1000 and give you ~10 horsepower. The RSM 80mm throttle body may be good for 3-5 horsepower. Altogether, you may be able to get 20-25 horsepower increase from these intake and exhaust mods.
In the 5 years I have owned my '97, I have thought a lot about performance increases. I think that swapping in a 4.6 liter Cadillac engine may be reasonable, although expensive. The late 1990s STS output is 300hp at 6000 rpm and 295 lb-ft at 4400 rpm; the SLS is 275hp at 5600 rpm and 300 lb-ft at 4000 rpm. Our Auroras (250hp at 5600 rpm and 260 lb-ft at 4400 rpm) fall between the two Cadillac engines when normalized for the displacement difference. People have claimed that the Cadillac-to-Aurora swap cannot be done because of motor mount differences. May be true; I do not know of a proof of existence. Swapping in the STS cams may be possible for a few hp at higher rpm, but the expense and labor of 4 cams would likely be prohibitive.
If you are adventurous, nitrous oxide is an option.
On one of the Cadillac forums there was talk of developing a turbocharger kit. I do not know if that ever happened.
I wonder if the new Impala/Monte Carlo 303-hp motor is a possibility.
Les
The engine is a 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged aluminum 32-valve V8. GM Motorsports has taken the experience from successful IMSA and IRL efforts and created the new Northstar. Key partnerships with McLaren racing engines and IHI turbos will advance the expertise in turbo package development. Boosted to 1500 mbar (44.3 in. Hg), testing has resulted in very high torque, and a wide flat maximum power range.
:confuse:
Les
Classics have the type that uses a 3-1/2 digit code that can be used to secure the radio. I suspect the newer ones use the type that is specific to the vehicle's VIN. Can anyone verify or not?
The reason for my question is that I want to install a 2001+ Aurora radio in my 1997. There's a high probability that this swap will not work, but I'm going to give it a try. My reason for wanting the newer radio is the RDS (radio data service) feature. I have looked into after-market units, but none that I have found will maintain functionality of the steering wheel controls without a clunky add-on that works through the after-market unit's remote control port.
Les
I love it, and am really looking forward to fixing it up over the winter.
I plan on doing the K&N Airbox mods right away. Thanks for posting the instructions.
However, I've already replaced the plugs, and stupidly bought the most expensive ones I could (Bosch Platinum 4s) before I read in this forum that you recommend staying with Delco. I'm getting some hesitation when I accelerate now. Should I switch the plugs back to new Delcos?
Any help will be appreciated.
Cheers
finding after market accessories and parts for this vehicle
such as the Lighted L E D turn signal for the side mirrors,does anyone know where I can find some?
I bought a pair (not Muth) on eBay, but have not installed them yet.
Les
Is there a Way to override the Governor, such as a new computer? once this is done does anyone know the top speed of these things?
Also I read all these posts about Corsa Exhuast yet when I hit their website I see nothing about Olds, where can I get my hands on this?
Also do you have to do the K&N airbox yourself or is it sold as a kit?
Thanks
Mark
Corsa never offered a system for the Aurora, so you won't find it on their site. The STS system can be made to fit.
The K&N panel filter is a drop-in replacement just like if you changed the paper one.
Take your car to an exhaust shop get two pipes made of the same lenght and bend of your stock muffler, bring them home, cut off your stck mufflers and put on the pipes in place with a some clamps and put on new tips if you wish. Your car will sound better than any car you meet.
That is if you want an exhaust that is mellow sounding at idle and just roars from 2-3k rpm then just screams from then on. Believe me its the best you can buy.
I woke up one morning about 2 months ago to find that everything in my car had been switched to metric sometime in the night. (Most likely by some Canadian ninja out to ruin my ability to tell what my mpg is.) Now I can only determine my liters per 100/killometers or some stupid metric thing like that. Everything from the computer and thermostat to the odometer is all in metric. (Except the time date funcion on the cumputer, those crafty Canadians still haven't found a way to ruin that yet.) So My question is, how the hell do I switch it back? There's no button in there and no info in my owners manual.
All I can say is that I'm lucky that canadian hocky playing ninja didn't sneak into my house and change my zip-code to a postal code. Pheww :P
Les
SO FAR, I would recommend this. other then the fact that it is an illegal in most cars, im not sure anyone will notice since the 01 has the projector headlamp. I guess it will be trial vs error
I seem to recall you were also going to do some stereo stuff, how has that worked out for you so far? I hav just tried to install a kenwood deck and it's insane how difficult it is to install. I will probably have to pay for a custom install or some crap like that. Let me know if you had a better time installing yours.
Henri
So far, no luck. The different physical connections can probably be overcome but it's a moot point if theftlock cannot be overcome. I looked at aftermarket, but found none that would allow me to continue to use my trunk-mounted CD changer and steering wheel controls (without a clunky add-on box).
If there is such a radio, please reply with car model, year, RPO code, and part number if you know.
Les
'97 Aurora
Also how does the factory projectors hold up aganst the 9006 HID bulbs?
I looked for years for KYB struts for my '97. Are you sure KYB lists them now?
I still have an STS strut brace that I have not installed because the holes do not line up both side-to-side and front-to-back. I could file larger holes but that would not leave much metal. Did you have that problem with your '99?
Les
I'm contemplating buying a new set of wheels for my classic. They are 18s but what I am really interested in is what you guys think about the tites. They are 225/40/18 Lexani. I know this is a bit narrower than stock with a smaller sidewall. Will this end up being a problem with handling, tranny, or speedo? Any input will be greatly appreciated. By the way I will be selling the stock chromies that I am replacing. They are in flawless condition if you guys are interested.