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Northstar is Cadillac's name for its DOHC V8 engine. The engine was introduced in 1992 in the Cadillac Allante and continues to be used in the Cadillac STS, Cadillac SRX, and Cadillac XLR. It was sold exclusively by Cadillac for over a decade before being introduced in the Pontiac Bonneville for 2004, though the L47 V8 variant was used in the Oldsmobile Aurora and the 3500 LX5 V6 in the Oldsmobile Intrigue. Cadillac is planning to introduce a V12 Northstar this decade.
The original Northstar Allante also introduced the Northstar System which included traction control, adaptive suspension, and antilock brakes.
The all-aluminum Northstar features Dual-Overhead Cams, Variable Valve Timing, and other modern technologies. The VVT system can vary intake by up to 40° and the exhaust by up to 50°. Most Northstar engines produce 300 to 320 hp (224 to 239 kW). The engine displaces 279 in³ (4645 cc) from a 3.66 in (93 mm) bore and 3.31 in (84 mm) stroke. The engine got a forged steel crankshaft in 2003. The block can be expanded up to 5.4 L though no such engine has been produced.
The Northstar block's bellhousing bolt pattern is substantially similar to the GM and Jeep Iron Duke-derived engines, as well as the GM 60-degree V6 engine family. One bolt hole is different, as is the location of the starter, however.
The Northstar was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 1995 and 1996.
L37 The L37 was the original Northstar. It is tuned for responsiveness and power, while the later LD8 is designed for more sedate use.
Vehicles using the L37 include:
LD8 The LD8 is a transverse V8 for front wheel drive cars. Introduced in 1994, it is designed to provide more torque than the high_revving L37. The 1998 revision is quieter (thanks to hydraulic engine mounts) and performs better (thanks to a tuned intake system) than previous Northstars. It produces 275 hp and 300 ft.lbf.
Vehicles using the LD8 include:
L47 The L47 Aurora engine was a special V8 designed for the Oldsmobile Aurora, based on the Cadillac Northstar engine. It is a DOHC 4.0 L (3995 cc) V8 which produced 250 horsepower (186 kW) and 260 ft.lbf (353 Nm) of torque. The bore is 87 mm and the stroke is 84 mm. GM later cut two cylinders off to form the 3500 V6 family.
The Aurora engine was introduced in 1994 for the 1995 model year, and General Motors has not used this engine since the demise of the marque in 2004.
LH2 The Northstar was designed originally for transverse front wheel drive applications. It was modified substantially in 2004 for longitudinal rear- and all wheel drive use in the SRX and XLR. The RWD (LH2) Northstar is good for 315hp (235kW) and 310ft.lb (420Nm).
Vehicles using the LH2 include:
Supercharged A 4.4 L supercharged Northstar is used in the 2005 Cadillac STS-V. The bore was reduced for increased strength. Variable valve timing is used on both the intake and exhaust sides.
Applications:
See also
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