Cadillac 4.5L V8 - Anyone know much about them?

[daddy]

I have a chance to pick up a 1990 Eldorado from a buddy of mine for about $1,000 with only 65K on it. It was his dad's car and is a one-owner. It's been serviced religiously. I don't really need it but my FIL is looking for a high-mileage ride for driving back and forth to work and I figured this thing would be perfect for that. If he doesn't need it, I'm sure I could sell it for the same and not be out a dime.

My question is, does anyone know anything about the 4.5L V8 that this thing is packin'?

 

[OPGMC]

 

[JOEGMC]

4.5
An improved and enlarged version of the HT4100, the 4.5 L engine was never classified as HT4500.
Engineering allowed the company to begin increasing displacement and output again. A bored-out (to 92 mm (3.6 in)) 4.5 L (273 cu in) 4.5 version was introduced in 1988 with 155 hp (116 kW) and throttle body injection. Various versions of this engine were built from this introduction to the end of production in 1992 including a high-output LW2 version with multiport fuel injection which produced 200 hp (149 kW) and 270 lb·ft (366 N·m) for the Allante. Outside of the Allante, Cadillac introduced a port fuel injected 4.5 L V8 engine in 1990 with 180 hp (134 kW) and 245 lb·ft (332 N·m) across their car line up.

I did a quick google search for ya......but I guess you would like to know if it was a dependable engine...that I don't know

 

[Draenor]

IIRC they are good engines. I think the biggest problem is similar to the Vortec 4.3, Intake gasket problems. I'd have to do somme some digging or contact a friend of mine to get his take on 'em.

 

[Zembonez]

The 4100 was a time bomb. It died in huge numbers. Hopefully the 4500 was a MAJOR improvement.

 

[daddy]

The 4100 was a time bomb. It died in huge numbers. Hopefully the 4500 was a MAJOR improvement.

I hate you.



This is definitely the kind of info I was looking for. I need to do some research myself but I knew you guys would have something for me.

Many Thanks!

 

[Zembonez]

Popular Hot Rodding called the 4100 "The worst automotive engine of all time".

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/0408phr_worst_automobile_engines/index.html

Check this out too: http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&...illac+4100&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=83f87efc6f926f13

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&...1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=83f87efc6f926f13

Sorry... but you asked!

 

[Bigredmariner]

My mother had a Caddy with the 4100 in it. Nothing but trouble, I would almost bet money that the 4.5 is better though. Not very often does GM strike out twice in a row.

 

[Darkanion]

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/ht4100-4-1-4-5-4/102775-your-opinion-4-5l-v8-88-a.html

The 4.5 and 4.9 are upgraded versions of the 4.1. They are responsive and provide adequate horsepower, and tend to be very reliable and long-lived engines. In fact, they remain two of the lowest warranty claim engines Cadillac ever produced. If the transmissions held up better, these cars would run to 300k and beyond.

There is one caveat: the cooling system must be maintained properly and regularly according to the GM instructions. As good as the 4.5 and 4.9 are, they suffer from the same primary weakness that nagged the 4.1: head and intake gasket failure due to the aluminum block/cast iron head design.

Changing the coolant annually and using the GM sealer supplement will drastically reduce your chances of ever dealing with these problems.

 

[Zembonez]

WOW. That reads like something right out of the GM propaganda workbook.