Cadillac motor swap question

Has anyone successfully swapped a 1982-1986 RWD Cadillac HT4500 V8 into... well, anything other than a Cadillac?

I'm talking about the 4.5L V8, not the Northstar 32-valve engine. Just wandering if anyone has, what problems they came across and what mods needed to be done.

thanks for any info.

 

why would anyone want to curse another car with one of those engines?

 

I've heard that the HT is referred to as Hook and Tow.

 

those motors are ****. Fair warning

 

I had one of those cars at less than 70k miles cam went flat this after near perfect maintenance for the life of the car. It was always nickle and diming me on other stuff too.

 

There was no HT4500 RWD. From 82-84 the Rwd were HT4100. In 85 and 86 the Deville became FWD w/ HT4100. In '87 Caddy went to the 4.5L only in the FWD models. The Fleetwood was the only RWD in 87 and that had on Olds 307 in it. The 4100, 4.5L, and later the 4.9L were all of the same basic config. (alum. block w/ iron heads). I do know that the FWD 4100 and the RWD 4100 were different though. Something with the crankshaft flange and flexplates if I remember right. Maybe a few other things too. Maybe you could hook a 4.5L to a narrow v6 700 or 200 trans. But I'm sure it will take some effort. Probably too much for the pay off. It would be different! If you want to go ahead and do it I'd be glad to get/give any info you may need. I've been with Caddy as a service tech. since '94 and seen lots of those cars over the years. PM me if you need anything.

 

I'll bet you have!

They got most of the problems with the ht straightened out by they time they quit making them, didn't they?

 

Oye... as a caddy guy I must say.. the 4100 ****D, but from then on, the 4500 and 4.9 were great engines, even though the same family. As for front vs rear wheel drive, that's what wilcap is for, and other places like it. Bolt a 4.9 cad up to a ford 5 speed from a pickup, and have some fun. They are nice engines, with good durability. Expect a good 4.5 or 4.9 to last to at least 250k

 

Yes, by the time they rolled the last 4.9 off the line it was pretty much a good engine. After all these years of Northstars I wish they'd bring them back!! Still a few faults with them, but they will go far as long as they were maintained well by someone who knew them well enough. The 4.5 was o.k. too. I even owned a 4.5 liter car for a couple years as a reliable driver. I also owned an 82 HT4100 car. It had over 75K on it when I got it. I remembered the older guys in my shop said "If it went 75K, it'll last another 75K, so long as you don't beat it". It was the ones that didn't make it to 75K, and had at least one engine replacement already, that you stayed away from. Mine stayed together well, I sold it last year. As far as the 5 speed Ford thing goes, What bell housing/ trans are you refering to?

 

i know of guys doing quadrajet conversions on those and getting good power and mileage out of them.

 

this is gotta be a joke. an HT4500? yikes.

-scott noteboom

 

Just said I have owned a few of these cars. I don't think they make good hot rod engines. But if someone want to try it, then...to each his own.

 

The 4.9L in my grandmother's 1995 sedan deville makes that car MOVE!

 

thanks for all the replies, pros and cons. my dad is thinking about doing this. he always has wild ideas and enjoys doing things that are definatly NOT average, as far as cars go. thanks again