Category Archives: Cadillac Engines

Is the Gen 4 V8 smooth enough for a Cadillac?

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I see people asking this question — if Cadillac does not have the Northstar available (production has stopped), and the Ultra V8 design is still on the shelf, could they use a Generation 4 V8 in a Cadillac?

Let’s think about this for a minute.

  • 2004-2005 Cadillac CTS-V used the LS6 V8
  • 2006-2007 Cadillac CTS-V used the LS2 V8
  • The Cadillac Escalade has offered a series of continually developing V8s peaking with the excellent current variant, the Gen 4 L94 6.2L V8.
  • 2009+ Cadillac CTS-V uses a Gen 4 LSA Supercharged V8.

Is the LS Family of V8 engines smooth enough to be in a Cadillac?  Is that even a question?

I have driven the current Escalade and the current CTS-V and they are both great Cadillacs.  There is NOTHING wrong with a strong Gen 4 V8 in a Cadillac.

I would love to have a Cadillac CTS Premium Sedan with the LS3 V8 engine, or the L94 V8 engine.  Bring it.  A 400-430 hp engine would be a terrific fit between the 3.6L at 304 hp and the CTS-V at 556 hp.  I suspect it costs quite a bit less than the 3.6L to produce as well, and would give mid-level fuel economy between the two engines.

Is the Gen 4 V8 appropriate for a luxury Cadillac?  Yes please.  Also the Gen 5 once it arrives thank you very much.

When Can a Single V6 work well in a Cadillac or a Camaro?

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When can a single V6 engine work well in a Cadillac or a Camaro?  When it is as good as the LLT V6.

2010 GM 3.6L V-6 VVT DI (LLT) for Cadillac CTS

What are the features one would need to fit these disparate platforms?  For the Camaro, you might might focus on maximum torque, and maximum peak horsepower.  For the Cadillac, you might focus on noise, vibration, and harshness while delivering maximum power in a fluid manner.  The LLT V6 manages to fulfill both bills with aplomb.

First, the LLT V6 is a 60 degree V-angle engine.  The ideal V angle for balance alone for a 6 cylinder is 120 degrees, to time when opposing cylinders fire and offset the secondary moment.  This is determined by dividing 720 degrees (2 revolutions for a 4-cycle engine) by the number of cylinders.   Due to packaging (width of the engine) and because it results in a very smooth running engine, 60 degrees is generally accepted as the optimal V-angle for a modern V6.

Variable Valve Timing: The LLT uses variable valve timing to optimize its power range.  Dual overhead cam (DOHC) engines such as the LLT have the advantage of different cams for the intake and exhaust.  VVT engines have the further advantage of phasing the input and output camshafts to provide the optimum low rpm Torque and high RPM power.

Cam phasing also pays big dividends in reducing exhaust emissions. By closing the exhaust valves late at appropriate times, the cam phasers create an internal exhaust-gas recirculation system. The 3.6L V-6 VVT DI meets all emissions mandates without complex, weight-increasing emissions control systems such as EGR and air injection reaction (AIR).

Direct Injection is a relatively new technology that directly injects fuel into the combustion chamber at high pressure.  This results in more complete and regulated combustion.  Traditional fuel injection systems inject a fuel air mixture upstream of the intake valve.  Further, the combination of DOHC, VVT, and DI work synergistically to deliver power, fuel economy, and low emissions.

What is next for the LLT V6? This engine family was originally designed to support displacements up to 4L, and to support Supercharging or Turbocharging.   We may see the 3L variant with a power adder instead of the 3.6L  variant, but the 3.6L will always be close to my heart; I have been driving these 3.6L’s in the non-DI LY7 version for six years now and they are very reliable, flexible engines.  With the addition of forced induction they will be even better.

V8 Speculation

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With the GM’s investment in the Tonawanda Engine facility, there is some excitement among enthusiasts about just what product(s) we might expect.

The most likely product is the direct injected 5th Generation 6.2L V8.  The 6.2L L94 engine in the Escalade is a Gen IV engine, and makes 403 hp.  Earlier tests by GM showed that a direct injected variant of the earlier L92 (like the L94 but without Active Fuel Management AFM) made another 50 hp, got 3-6% better fuel economy, and ran cleaner, with no other changes.  So hopefully one output of the new investment at Tonawanda will be a new 6.2L V8 that makes 450+ hp in the Escalade, and 475+ hp in the Camaro or base Corvette.

The ability to make more power gives other nice options — moving to a smaller displacement and keeping the same power.  By increasing power capacity by 10% one can decrease displacement by 10% and maintain the same power output.  So if a 6.2L engine makes 450 hp one could change to a 5.5L engine and still make 400 hp like the current L94.  The smaller displacement engine should gain in fuel economy and emissions from the smaller displacement.    I am always in favor of MORE horsepower, but to meet the new fuel economy and emissions regulations some changes will be required.  Changes that maintain excellent power output while becoming more environmentally friendly are the best changes.

Of course the real gain would be a Gen V version of the LSA Supercharged Direct Injection 6.2L V8 for the CTS-V that made 600+ hp.   One can dream…

Press Release:

    • Five plants receive work: Tonawanda, N.Y.; Defiance, Ohio; Bedford, Ind.; Bay City, Mich. and St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
    • Investment creates or retains about 1,600 jobs
    • New engines to save more fuel through direct injection technology and advanced combustion system design

DETROIT – General Motors will invest more than $890 million which will create or retain more than 1,600 jobs in five North American plants to produce a new generation of fuel efficient small block truck and car engines.  The investment consists of the following:

  • Two plants will support the engine production:
    • Tonawanda, N.Y. – an investment of $400 million resulting in more than 710 jobs
    • St. Catharines, Ontario – an investment of $235 million resulting in approximately 400 jobs
  • Three plants will support engine casting and component production:
    • Defiance, Ohio – an investment of $115 million resulting in up to 189 jobs
    • Bedford, Ind. – an investment of $111 million resulting in about 245 jobs
    • Bay City, Mich. – an investment of $32 million resulting in over 80 jobs

The investments include facility renovation and installation of new, highly flexible engine machining and assembly equipment and special tooling designed for manufacturing efficiency and engine quality.  At the casting facilities, investments include expansion of  semi-permanent mold and precision sand casting technologies that result in a high degree of dimensional accuracy and material strength properties needed to support the newer, more efficient engines in GM’s product portfolio.

“GM is investing in our plants, restoring and creating jobs and making progress toward our vision of designing, building and selling the world’s best vehicles,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America.  “These latest investments show our commitment to improving fuel economy for buyers of every GM car, truck and crossover and giving them the best possible driving and ownership experience.”

The next generation small block engine family will have unprecedented fuel efficiency through direct injection and an all-new advanced combustion system design.  The new engine family will rely exclusively on aluminum engine blocks, which are lighter and contribute to the improved fuel efficiency. In addition to being E85 ethanol capable, these engines are being designed with the capability to meet increasingly stringent criteria emissions standards expected throughout this decade.

Specifics about the engine capabilities as well as product applications will be shared at a later date.

Since the launch of the new GM last July, the company has announced investments of more than $2.3 billion at 22 facilities in the U.S. and Canada.  These investments restored or created more than 9,100 jobs, and they demonstrate a strong commitment to GM’s future and to the United States and Canada.