Hello and Goodbye (Got stranded)

[bambam89]

I am a new owner of a 2003 Aurora as of November 20, 2021. Purchased it from a member here with 91k miles. However, this b*tch left me stranded in Virginia yesterday 1000 miles away on my way home to New Orleans with 97k on the clock. To be fair, I blame myself for disregarding the "low oil pressure" warning for a bad sensor (read they go out a lot and wishful thinking) and the kept checking the oil until I slept at a motel (must have leaked overnight). Engine and bearings seized during WOT pull on highway and had to pull to the side.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda, lesson learned either way...now I'm deciding what the hell to do with this very expensive paperweight. Sell it, junk it, or put another motor in? Car is in great condition otherwise...what would y'all do? Especially considering several shops I called so far do not even want to deal with replacing the engine let alone repairing it.

[quixote]

Welcome to the Forum, although it's kinda awkward, when you call your thread "Hello and Goodbye..." and post your car for sale, 10 minutes later.

Second guessing: a bit of research would have told you that the 'low oil pressure,' warning is one you really don't want to disregard on a Northstar engine. That said, I'm not sure even having a mechanic immediately take a look, when you saw the warning, would have left you much less stranded. Having the engine tested for exhaust gases in the coolant regularly (and before a long trip), also would have been a good idea.

You didn't say if you have the v6 or the 4.0L (which you should say, if you are selling). There are generally salvage yard and rebuilt engines to be had (although I'm referencing pre-Covid, as I have not checked lately). There are versions and model years that will work and some that don't without more modification than a lot of mechanics will want to do.

Generically, there are similar conformation GM engines that should be a good fit (or near fit).  We have had members who had bigger Northstars put in, members who thought they had another GM alternative... For the alternatives, at least, you need a mechanic who is willing to experiment and do the Frankenstien thing, and/or a willingness to go big-budget.

The reason I'm speaking up quickly, instead of waiting for someone who might have a list of engines to recommend, frankly, because you don't sound like you are looking to double or triple your investment in your car.  I don't mean to belittle you or your misfortune, there's just a reality to buying and owning a car with no aftermarket that's getting rarer to see going down the road, every day.

If you are interested, there's a lot you can learn, reading the old threads here.  (Although you do need to double-check parts lists, as occasionally a member will report a part is "a fit," and it will turn out to 'fit, only after modification.'  I've found a couple that seemed to be passing 2nd or 3rd-hand experience, & it was nothing I'd call "a fit.") 

There was a member way back, who claimed to have successfully transplanted the supercharged v6 from a '90s Buick Riviera... but was that the real deal or photoshop?  Was it still runnig 6 months or a year later?  We know the mechanic has to be willing to go the extra mile to make the installation work, does it need regular/extra TLC to keep it going?

I'm sorry if I'm discouraging or not too 'welcoming.'  I tend to write long posts.  I don't want to eat up your time, if you just want to rid yourself of "a problem car." 

[bambam89]

No worries. The 2003 only had the 4.0 aka baby Northstar...no 3.5s for that year. I would actually like to keep the car very much and even committed to buying a used motor off eBay for 1200 shipped with 48k miles from an 03 Aurora but didn't realize it'd be so difficult to find someone willing to put it in. I am open to suggestions and like I said I will man up and admit my f*ckup.

[Marc]

If you really want to hold onto it, keep looking around for a shop that'll do the swap.

[bambam89]

That is the plan for now but I am keeping my options open. How much would ya'll pay for a white 03 Aurora with 97k miles in excellent condition with a bad engine?

[kbpickle]

The shop I use for all repair and maintenance tells me that about half their business is in support of the local racing scene (I'm not talking about NASCAR). Even working as the pit crew. So my guys are not afraid of anything. They are stand-up guys who will make it work right. In contrast I get the feeling that many other shops are happy to do mini-vans and SUVs all the time.

So I just stumbled onto these guys, but if I were looking again I think I'd try to find out about the local racing scene and ask for recommendations. I would expect that a major city like New Orleans will have such shops.

Good luck!

[bambam89]

You may be onto something, I'm going to start reaching out to performance shops since they are less likely to be scared of working on these things. I've also been trying to find information about swapping in the 4.6 from the 01-03 Deville or Seville. From my understanding, both the 300 or 275hp versions with 9 or Y VIN will be a direct plug and play and work with the existing Aurora PCM. Would there be anything else needed to make the swap work? I would ideally want a Northstar newer than 2004 with the coarse thread head bolts but I'm assuming those are not a plug and play on our cars...

Happy New Year!

[AUROD X]

Interesting topic, Happy New Year my AURORA Friends...

[quixote]

I'm glad to hear I was not a complete wet blanket. We all love these cars, but it takes a bit more commitment as time goes on. I am very glad I didn't drivee you away.

[bambam89]

Anybody have any answers to my questions? How much can I expect to spend realistically to get this on the road? Perhaps I should have posted this in another area. I would really like to keep the car but if it will cost much more than what I paid ($4k) then I will have to start considering the Lincoln Town Car.

[RCA1186]

Dec 31, 2021 19:35:06 GMT -6 quixote said:

There was a member way back, who claimed to have successfully transplanted the supercharged v6 from a '90s Buick Riviera... but was that the real deal or photoshop?  Was it still runnig 6 months or a year later?  We know the mechanic has to be willing to go the extra mile to make the installation work, does it need regular/extra TLC to keep it going?

I know a 3800 has been done. I can't remember if there had been a supercharged one

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C3nX01N1Yk&ab_channel=lovesnowmobiles