engine swap help

[retard7117]

i have a 92 deville. I havent had any troubles since i bought the car.. i got it cheap due to the miles. It is a 4.9l. I am almost at 140k miles, i know it will hopefully last for quite a whie still. I have thousands of dollars into the sound system and 20" rims. Tinted the windows and added a lot of little things. If the engine goes, how much will it cost to replace with a brand new engine? Is it possible to get a brand new engine for this car? Could i add a northstar system? I am just trying to get a price range, i would love to replace the engine and almost have a brand new car again.. Thanks for the help from anyone. Im new to the forum, im looking foreward to the info sharing. Thanks

[caddydaddy]

Only 140k miles, and you're worried about it! I hope you realize that the 4.9 was the LOWEST warranty claim engine Cadillac ever made! They are great engines and can easily go 200k or 300k or more miles with basic care! My 1994 Deville has the 4.9 with 124k miles and runs as good as a new car! Heck, I just out dragged a new Scion with it!
But if you insist on replacing the engine, rebuilts are available. There are no new ones, only rebuilts or junkyard ones.
But with only 140k miles, I would just enjoy the car, it's got lots of life left in it! Just remember to change the engine coolant every 2 years and add the GM engine coolant supplement tablets! That part is very important to long life for aluminum engines!
And no, you can't add the Northstar engine easily. It would cost WAY to much to get the computer controlled engine AND transmission of the Northstar system to work in your Deville.
Is there anything wrong with your 4.9, or are you just scared because of the mileage? What you should be worried about is the transmission. If the fluid hasn't been changed recently, get it changed with a new filter as well. The 4T60-e transmissions that were on the 4.9s tended to have problems after 130k miles, but some did not. So if yours is fine, just keep it in mind that the trans is more likely to need replacing than the engine!
Good luck with your Deville, enjoy it!

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by caddydaddy

Only 140k miles, and you're worried about it! I hope you realize that the 4.9 was the LOWEST warranty claim engine Cadillac ever made! They are great engines and can easily go 200k or 300k or more miles with basic care! My 1994 Deville has the 4.9 with 124k miles and runs as good as a new car! Heck, I just out dragged a new Scion with it!
But if you insist on replacing the engine, rebuilts are available. There are no new ones, only rebuilts or junkyard ones.
But with only 140k miles, I would just enjoy the car, it's got lots of life left in it! Just remember to change the engine coolant every 2 years and add the GM engine coolant supplement tablets! That part is very important to long life for aluminum engines!
And no, you can't add the Northstar engine easily. It would cost WAY to much to get the computer controlled engine AND transmission of the Northstar system to work in your Deville.
Is there anything wrong with your 4.9, or are you just scared because of the mileage? What you should be worried about is the transmission. If the fluid hasn't been changed recently, get it changed with a new filter as well. The 4T60-e transmissions that were on the 4.9s tended to have problems after 130k miles, but some did not. So if yours is fine, just keep it in mind that the trans is more likely to need replacing than the engine!
Good luck with your Deville, enjoy it!

Excellent advice, one comment, I see you list a 79 Sedan Deville, this was one of Cadillac's best, but it did not have a 472, it was a 425.

[caddydaddy]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

Excellent advice, one comment, I see you list a 79 Sedan Deville, this was one of Cadillac's best, but it did not have a 472, it was a 425.

Good call! My '79 Deville DID have a 425, but it now has a 1972 472 with many modifications to it!

[maxwedge]

Right, great engines, I was a troubleshooter for Cadillac Motor car in the NYC area for 20 years, boy I'd have trouble with todays cars. How was the conversion, trans bolted up I assume, what about the rest?