Northstar System

The Northstar System was Cadillac's trademarked name for a package of automobile performance features. Introduced in mid 1992 on the 1993 Cadillac Allanté and later on that year's Seville and Eldorado, the Northstar name continues in use to this day. "Northstar" is most associated with the advanced DOHC aluminum V8 Northstar engine.

The Northstar System included the following components:
* GM Premium V engine:
** "L37" high-output 300 hp (224 kW) and 295 ft·lbf (400 N·m)
** "LD8" high-torque 275 hp (205 kW) and 300 ft·lbf (407 N·m)
* GM 4T80-E 4-speed automatic transmission
* "Road Sensing Suspension": RSS was available in both standard and CV-RSS (continuously-variable) systems. It monitored damping rates of the shock absorbers every 15 milliseconds, selecting between two settings.
* 4-wheel disc brakes with Bosch antilock brakes
* "Magnasteer" speed-variable power steering: Magnasteer combines conventional hydraulic power steering and magnetized "doughnuts" mounted around the output shaft, which stiffen the steering as vehicle speed increases.

General Motors, the maker of Cadillac employed a continuously variable system for the Cadillac Northstar System, VVT (Variable Valve Timing). The NorthStar VVT provides a continuously variable system throughout the RPM range. The overhead cam (OHC) Cadillac NorthStar, already a fuel efficient V-8 engine, became even more efficient with VVT. GM engines use the double overhead cam, varying both intake and exhaust for better performance.

ee also

*Oldsmobile Aurora
*Variable Cam Timing
*Variable Valve Timing

References

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