Jim has a good point. Many of us focus on the comparison between the LD8 and the L67, from the experience WITH our L67'*.

There are a few of us that feel GM took the wrong direction going to a V8 instead of the L32 with the Bville in 04 and 05.

After driving a GXP, I'm very firm in MY belief that they went the wrong way (even though I'm a previous LD8 owner as well).

I have a few questions concerning the Northstar that may or may not help the person that'* thinking about buying this.

You have mentioned that the Northstars warp heads and breaks the bolts and warp the blocks. Now is this like the L36'* UIM, as in UNAVOIDABLE or do you run the chance of it snapping bolts and etc (basically luck) and the Northstar is also referred as the LD8, is there more than one generation (for example the NA 3800 started in FWD cars as the LN3 then L27 then L36 and now the L26) and do they use different names like the N/A or use the same name but separted by generation (Like the S1 L67 and S2 L67)

I've never heard of warped heads and breaking bolts on a Northstar engine...ever...wow. :? (but my time and exposure to them has been limited)

I've not personally experienced any problem with the Northstar leading to a complete failure like the hydrolocking of a natural aspirated 3800 Series 2 (again based on my exposure time). The do tend to burn oil as they age, especially the early version (worst being the first in the Allante back in the day)

All Northstar engies are natural aspirated, however they have introduced an SC'd version in the STS-V and XLR-V and there are different versions of the naturally aspirated. The LD8 is the 275 HP version, there is a 300HP version in the older STS (previous gens), the L47 is the 250HP version. I dunno what the new STS-V, XLR-V SC'd is...you get the idea

you know that people have different opinions....and that is the way it is


stop reading this thread and go drive the GXP and the SSEI and make a chioice.....what ever you choose its the right one cause its a bonne

Aside from the N*, I'll have to say this:

No other Bonneville has wheels that look nicer. The 18" 5 spokes are beautiful.
No other Bonneville has such a nice suspension setup.

Fuel there are many versions of the LD8 that I know of. Caddy never made distinctions between them as far as changes. Why, I dunno. The first was a 270 Hp version of the 290 Hp L37 made in 94. along the way and I dont offhand remeber all the year to year changes but some were in 95 each of the engines were bumped 5 HP. The LD37 to 295, the LD8 to 275. In 2000 coil packs were replaced with individual coil on plugs. also along the way a new sgueeze cast process was used on the block plus cam sensors for variable timing and shift points for the 4T80e were added. Advanced knock sensors and limp home modes were added before Pontiac got the engine. As a matter of fact, the LD8 has 16 individual patent refinements before it made it'* way to Pontiac. In '04 it was the most technologicaly advanced engine made at the time. (according to GM literature) Caddy has left the LD8 behind going to a 4.4 version that uses even more refinments such as variable cam timing and turbo models on some models. Buick still uses the LD8 in it'* Lucerne.

I have read of several incidents of Northstars badly overheating and poping head bolts and warping heads.. But it is a rare ocurrence. I was also told at the Caddy Dealer where I have mine serviced that if a N* is driven in limp home mode for any amount of time it is never the same. More often it is trying to remove the heads on an older one that leaves you with broken head bolts. Galvanic corrosion occurs between the head bolt/cert and the aluminum block and the end of the threads seizes in the block.

I'm 19. I drive an SSEi.

My dad is over 50. He wants a GXP.

That doesn't mean anything. The GXP has stiffer suspension, larger wheels, and a sportier appearance, not to mention superior braking to an SSEi.

test drive both.

theres a reason pontiac stopped making the SSEi and replaced it with the GXP - you need to decide if you agree with it.

there are pros and cons to both, as you know from reading this thread. but which do you personally prefer? only you can answer that.