Cadillac High Technology engine

Cadillac High Technology engine
Overview
ManufacturerCadillac
Production1982-1995
Layout
Configuration90° V8
Displacement
  • 4.1 L; 249.4 cu in (4,087 cc)
  • 4.5 L; 272.6 cu in (4,467 cc)
  • 4.9 L; 298.6 cu in (4,893 cc)
Cylinder bore
  • 88 mm (3.465 in)
  • 92 mm (3.622 in)
Piston stroke
  • 84 mm (3.307 in)
  • 92 mm (3.622 in)
Cylinder block materialAluminum
Cylinder head materialCast iron
ValvetrainOHV 2 valves x cyl.
Compression ratio9.5:1
Combustion
Fuel system
ManagementElectronic control module (ECM)
Fuel typeGasoline
Oil systemWet sump
Cooling systemWater-cooled
Output
Power output
  • 135 hp (101 kW) (4.1L)
  • 155 hp (116 kW) (TBI 4.5L)
  • 170 hp (127 kW) (Allanté 4.1L)
  • 180 hp (134 kW) (PFI 4.5L)
  • 200 hp (149 kW)(4.9L & Allanté 4.5L)
Torque output
  • 190 lb⋅ft (258 N⋅m) ( 4.1L)
  • 235 lb⋅ft (319 N⋅m) (Allanté 4.1L)
  • 245 lb⋅ft (332 N⋅m) (4.5L)
  • 270 lb⋅ft (366 N⋅m) (Allanté 4.5L)
  • 275 lb⋅ft (373 N⋅m) ( 4.9L)
Chronology
PredecessorCadillac V8-6-4 engine
SuccessorCadillac Northstar engine

The Cadillac High Technology Engine was a V8 engine produced by the Cadillac division of General Motors from 1982 to 1995.

While the High Technology engine was being developed, due to higher Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards being phased in by the United States government, Cadillac introduced a variant of their traditional V8 engine with the first usage of cylinder deactivation for 1981 as a stopgap measure to increase the fuel economy of their lineup.

However, the V8-6-4 engine experienced problems in reliability related to cylinder deactivation. GM released EPROM updates hoping to increase drivability and reliability, but could not overcome the primitive state of engine control technologies at the time, and the V8-6-4 was discontinued for 1982, with many owners disconnecting the cylinder deactivation system.[1] Cadillac, who planned to introduce their new engine in a line of front-wheel drive models for 1983, was then forced to rush development and production of the High Technology engine for a 1982 introduction in their current rear-wheel drive models.[2]

For nearly 25 years, the High Technology V8 line was known as the last engine family exclusive to the Cadillac Motor Car Division because its successor, the Northstar, would go on to share its architecture with the Oldsmobile Aurora in 1994 and later with flagship Pontiac and Buick models, such as the Pontiac Bonneville and Buick Lucerne. However, in 2019, the Cadillac Blackwing V8 became the new holder of that title.

  1. ^ Martin, Murilee (28 April 2015). "Cadillac's V8-6-4 engine of 1981: It seemed like a good idea at the time". AutoWeek. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  2. ^ Sessler, Peter (2010). Ultimate American V-8 Engine Data Book, 2nd Edition. Minneapolis: Motorbooks. pp. 28, 29. ISBN 978-0760336816.