Question about Aurora production

[Keieljun]

Were the last Auroras manufactured in 2003 or 2004?

If 2004, then were all body types (coupes, sedans, etc.) manufactured then?

(Is there such a thing as an Aurora coupe, anyway? I forgot to check...)

I'm asking because it might be kinda nice to get a 2004 Olds - either Aurora or Alero - for gobs of personal-choice reasons. Wikipedia and other sources didn't cover production as far as I could see, and eBay only lists Auroras out to 2003.

[Oldsfan]

2003 was the last year for the Aurora. They only came as sedans. There were three versions - the 3.5 liter 6, the 4.0 liter 8 and the Final 500 edition (only came as a 4.0).

Here's some information - NOTHING ELSE (besides the Intrigue) uses that 3.5 engine. Think about parts down the road.

Paul

[Olds64]

I believe the 4.0L V8 was the Cadillac Northstar engine.

[GoodOldsGuy]

Originally Posted by Olds64

I believe the 4.0L V8 was the Cadillac Northstar engine.

Cadillac Northstar is 4.6L V8. Olds Aurora used a variant built as the 4.0L and produced 250HP. The detuning was in the cylinder heads to match the smaller engine displacement. The Aurora V8 was featured in IRL racing and was pitted against the Infiniti V8....Olds was victorious in about 99.9% of the races.
Regards,

Fred

[Olds64]

I think it would be cool to get one of the Aurora engines and put it in a little Omega or F-85.

[Toro68]

2003

[88 coupe]

Originally Posted by GoodOldsGuy

........ The Aurora V8 was featured in IRL racing ........

Two totally different engines.

Norm

[GoodOldsGuy]

Originally Posted by 88 coupe

Two totally different engines.

Norm

Your point? The Aurora V-8 was run as a 3.5 litre variant to take advantage of less mass and to allow for higher RPM operation. As with most "racing" engines they are quite different from their production cousins. Still an Oldsmobile AURORA engine.

Fred

[88 coupe]

Originally Posted by GoodOldsGuy

........ they are quite different from their production cousins ........

Thank you.

Norm

[Lady72nRob71]

Originally Posted by GoodOldsGuy

Cadillac Northstar is 4.6L V8. Olds Aurora used a variant built as the 4.0L and produced 250HP.
Fred

I have heard that since the 4L in the Aurora had used some of the technology of the 4.6L Northstar, it earned the 4L the unofficial nickname of the "Shortstar"...

This reminds me - I saw an Aurora on the way home yesterday; L-plate read C DAT 1...
Someone else is proud of owning part of a dwindling breed...

[GoodOldsGuy]

Originally Posted by Lady72nRob71

I have heard that since the 4L in the Aurora had used some of the technology of the 4.6L Northstar, it earned the 4L the unofficial nickname of the "Shortstar"...

This reminds me - I saw an Aurora on the way home yesterday; L-plate read C DAT 1...
Someone else is proud of owning part of a dwindling breed...

Rob- While not as powerful as the 4.6L Northstar, the 4.0L is no wimp. If you have never driven an Aurora (especially 1st gen) then you will be pleasantly surprised. We own an XLR with the 4.6L and it is (for a Caddy) truly fast. The V is even quicker with 443hp.

The 4.0L V-8 and the 3.5L six in the later Auroras share the same engineering architecture in a modular way. I think the "Shortstar" moniker was coined by some jealous Cadillac engineers when they heard that the Olds variant was chosen to power the IRL racers.


Fred

[mikeb]

Originally Posted by Lady72nRob71

This reminds me - I saw an Aurora on the way home yesterday; L-plate read C DAT 1...
Someone else is proud of owning part of a dwindling breed...

My 2001 Aurora will probably be my last "new" GM vehicle. Great build quality and faster than many cars hundreds of pounds lighter. In my area they are rare, everyone that comments on it thinks it's a new car and like the styling.
Now if some I could just get some aftermarket performance parts I'd be really happy.