When did Cadillac stop using the Northstar engine?

The final cars to receive it, the Cadillac DTS, Buick Lucerne, and Cadillac STS, rolled off the line in 2011. It was replaced by the GM LS small-block OHV engine, used in newer Cadillac V8 models like the CTS-V, marking a step back to a simpler, more reliable push rod engine design.

Where are the cams located on a Northstar engine?

The cams act directly on hydraulic lifters on the ends of the valves and are fed with a lubrication passage drilled through the cylinder head lengthwise. The intake valves are inclined at 25°, while the exhaust valves are canted to 7° with center-mounted platinum-tipped spark plugs. The cam covers are magnesium for light weight and sound damping.

What kind of ignition does a Northstar engine have?

Ignition was distributorless, with a waste spark setup. The powertrain control module (PCM) controlled spark and fuel injection timing as well as the shift points for the new four-speed, transverse GM 4T80 transmission. All engines of this family share the same Northstar bellhousing pattern .

What does the VIN number on a Cadillac mean?

This is the Cadillac VIN decoder. Every Cadillac car has a unique identifier code called a VIN. This number contains vital information about the car, such as its manufacturer, year of production, the plant it was produced in, type of engine, model and more.

When was the last car with a Northstar engine?

Despite the use of the Northstar engine in various cars that did well on the market, General Motors stopped producing the Northstar engine in 2011. The last cars to ever house the engine was the Cadillac DTS, the Buick Lucerne, and the Cadillac STS, which came off the line for the last time in 2011.

How big is the Northstar engine in a Cadillac?

The Cadillac was a division of the General Motors Company that designs and features luxury vehicles. In the basic form of the Northstar engine, the mechanism was designed to displace around 4.6 liters, with the supercharged version being a 4.4-liter engine.

When did the Northstar head gasket issue start?

The most common years of the head gasket issues for the Northstar engines are 19097-1999, with the 2000 change of Cadillac lengthening the head bolts severely reducing the prevalence of the issue in Northstar engine cars.

How can I tell if my Northstar engine is leaking coolant?

However, with some Northstar engines, these signs are not always apparent and easy to spot. Instead, make sure you keep an eye on your dashboard’s coolant indicator light. If you see the level of this light dropping very quickly in a short amount of time, this can be a sign that the coolant is leaking in your vehicle.

How many horsepower does a Northstar front wheel drive engine have?

The engine topped out at 300 hp (224 kW) from 1996 through 2004 on the STS, DTS and ETC models, making these some of the most powerful domestic front wheel drive cars ever built. For 2005 the high output Northstar became Northstar NHP, and was downrated to 290 hp (216 kW) under the new SAE certified horsepower rating system.

What causes the head gaskets on a Northstar to fail?

There are three ways the head gaskets can fail on a Northstar. 1- exhaust gases blow into the cooling system under load, such as when you climb a hill or pass someone. 2-coolant gets into the cylinders and you leave a trail of white smoke behind you. 3- coolant gets in your oil or vice-versa.

How to order a Northstar cylinder head stud kit?

To order, select your kit below by determining the year of your Northstar powered car, and click add to cart. You can also call us direct at 888-800-9470. Leave a message if you don’t get an answer, we return calls promptly. If we don’t answer it just means we’re wrenching away on a Cadillac, or packaging stud kits.

How many horsepower does a Northstar engine have?

Later versions of the Northstar engine included the 4.6L 320 hp (239 kW) and 315 lb⋅ft (427 N⋅m) LH2 which began in 2004, and supercharged 4.4L 469 hp (350 kW) LC3 created for the STS-V which are detailed below. The 4.6 L; 278.6 cu in (4,565 cc) L37 ( VIN “9”) was the original Northstar.