If you’ve ever wondered how beefy an Oldsmobile Aurora with GM’s 4.0-liter Northstar V8 might sound like with an open-downpipe exhaust, you’re in luck. Thanks to a recently uploaded YouTube video, we get to hear just that, and the setup actually sounds quite good, considering there’s no exhaust system affixed to the car.
We have to wonder how much power the unobstructed L47 V8 now makes, sans an exhaust and with over 123,000 miles on the clock. From the factory, it was rated at 250 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, which are rather pedestrian figures for a full-sized sedan that weighs nearly 4,000 pounds. However, it’s worth noting that the L47 Northstar V8 debuted with the Oldsmobile Aurora in 1995, and would only be used by one other model – the Caroll Shelby Series 1.
The L47 is a transversely-mounted engine, as it is used in a front-wheel drive application. And while enthusiasts might be inclined to deem it inferior to the beloved LS, or potentially even less useful due to torque steer, there’s no denying that they can still provide an aural experience that’s just as pleasing.
The person responsible for the video does offer a side note: a new exhaust is ready to be installed on this Olds, so those with delicate ears need not worry. From what we can see, it looks like it didn’t cause a ‘service engine’ light to appear, though there is an illuminated indicator on the left side of the gauge cluster.
So, whether you need a dose of automotive goodness this Christmas, or are patiently waiting for holiday dinner, we encourage you to hit play on the embedded video below, have a listen for yourself, and then let us know if you found the sound to be as pleasurably as we did, if you thought it to be tasteless, or maybe somewhere in between.
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Comments
I remember reading, long ago, that the car that became the Olds Aurora, and it’s smaller version of the Northstar ( called the “SHORTstar”) engine was originally intended as a Cadillac. A smaller sedan (built on the same “G” Body as the Seville and DeVille) with a smaller version of the same powertrain in the larger cars, at a slightly lower price. But GM was trying to make Oldsmobile into a premium brand for a younger demographic at the time, so the Aurora was created instead.
Personally I prefered the original 1995 Aurora design myself. I thought it was one of the most beautiful cars I’d ever seen. The second generation 2000 model (The one in the pictire) was a let down.
After going on a Google search of images I gotta agree with you. The 2000 remake was not near as stunning as the first one 1995.
What was actually sold as the 2001 Aurora was not originally intended to be the Aurora at all. When Buick stopped development of the next generation Riviera, the real Aurora died with it. Oldsmobile then slapped the Aurora name onto the car that was supposed to be the replacement for the Delta 88.
@ Kevin,
This is also what I recall.
The 2nd gen Aurora became the 88 replacement.
I also recall that it was to be named “Antares”.
That would be correct. GM in December 2000 did as much damage as the ’09 BK. The biggest issue was the Sigma platform. Buick, Olds and Holden was supposed to get a version, mommy Cadillac had a fit to share the platform and the GM board agreed also pulling the plug on Olds instead of Saturn. Eventually Pontiac suffered to as they had no readily available platform for it’s performance cars in-time.
Sounds like Cleveland on a Saturday night.
In the 80’s and 90’s GM had a lot of ideas that were either poorly managed, funded or both.
The harsh reality is even back in the early 80’s GM was going broke and they mismanaged the money they had left with some good ideas that just were incomplete.
The bleeding continued till they finally did go broke. The bail out forced them to do the things needed to get them once again making money.
The Aurora was a good start but again the ran out of money and management. But Olds was a dead division by the time the second model arrived anyways. It was a sign they had given up.
I had three Auroras. 1995, 1999, and a 2004. The 1995 was the best one by far. In 99, they “cheapened” the interior. The 2004 was A good car, but the styling did not say WOW, like the 95 did when it was new.
i still have a black 98 and love it, it had a nasty rear main leak which was way too much to fix, but I found a brand new GM 4.0 on ebay for like $1500 and installed it now i think i have one of the nicest one around.
I purchased a new Aurora in 2001, and even with the many automobile purchases I have made since, the Aurora still stands as one of my best purchases. My wife loved it even more. Good taste.
They were used car bargains depreciated like a rock
I guess it’s serendipity that this showed up on my Google feed. That first picture is my mom’s Sterling 2001 4.0, a picture I took at a local church in 2004 and posted to Wikipedia. Both Mom and the car are still together and going strong today. Just got a new set of Pirelli Cinturatos. 115k miles and everything still works except the driver front seat heater!
And, since it’s the subject matter, we know how she sounds with an almost open exhaust. Both mufflers rusted through in 2016 and we experienced the untamed V8. But it got old after a couple of weeks, and the replacements made her nice and quiet again.
Love Auroras! I want a second gen so bad. Would like to buy one one eventually. I already have an 04 Grand Prix GTP and would like to add an Aurora to my garage. Unlike a lot on here, I like the body style of the second gen more than the first. Oldsmobile’s were great cars.
Enjoyed the read. I purchased a 2001 Aurora 4.0 almost a decade ago. Over 250,000 miles on it & it’s still rolling. I just love that car!
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Estar en la luna.
I have a 1995 oldsmobile aurora. It’s a wonderful car.
Had a 95′ absolutely Fantastic, not one issue.
Family grew too fast to fit , factory offerings were
so much , years later , taking a look at an unmolested
2002 with the V8