Category Archives: Cadillac Engines

Cadillac Power? Yes Please #Motorama #GMChat

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What makes a perfect engine for a Cadillac? Some may have forgotten, but Cadillac has a legacy of producing powerful and fast automobiles — that is why they became a favorite with Gangsters.

One school of thought is Cadillac engines should be

  • Cadillac only or exclusive
  • Minimal noise / vibration / harshness
  • Maximum power
  • Prefer V8 or more cylinders

    • Another school of thought is Cadillac should just stick to the latest LSX V8, which assures after market speed parts and support.

    Some buyers no longer want big engines / V8s because they are perceived (regardless of EPA rating) as less economic.

    A prime example is the current debate between the new LT1 6.2L V8 at 450 hp vs the new LF3 3.6L TTV6 at 420 hp. The V8 is more powerful, the V6 is likely to be smoother and more refined. They may share similar gas mileage in similar weight cars.

    I feel Cadillac should offer the most advanced engines available to Cadillac at the time — which will usually also mean the most powerful and economic. I like the use of turbo and supercharged small, high tech engines if they bring the power needed. I also would like the LT1 V8 in a Cadillac, and consider it an advanced engine as well. I prefer non-exclusive engines because they offer more speed parts and tuning options.

    What engine do you want in your next Cadillac?

    2014 Cadillac CTS 420 HP TTV6 even Quicker than Predicted?

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    0-60 mph in 4.6 sec is the spec Cadillac quoted for the TTV6 in the 2014 CTS.

    See: Cadillac 3.6L Twin-Turbo V6 Official Info Released!

    2014 3.6L V-6 VVT DI Twin Turbo (LF3) for Cadillac CTS

    2014 3.6L V-6 VVT DI Twin Turbo (LF3) for Cadillac CTS

    We don’t know all the facts on the new 2014 Cadillac CTS until the full announcement on Tuesday.  We do know that it is the next gen CTS and on the Alpha platform.  In other words, it is a longer, larger, up-line model on the same chassis as the new Cadillac ATS.

    The ATS famously weighs ~3,400 lbs.  The current CTS weighs 3,860 lbs.  It is logical to expect the new CTS will weigh more than an ATS, because it is larger, and less than a CTS, because it is on the new lighter platform.  So that puts it around 3,600-3,700 lbs?

    I put the stats we do know — the engine info, transmission info, and current weight of the CTS at 3,860 into Cartest2000.

    Cartest2000 2014 Cadillac CTS TTV6 notional specs

    Cartest2000 2014 Cadillac CTS TTV6 notional specs

    I then asked for a comparison side by side with a 2009 Cadillac CTS-V supercar — with 556 hp supercharged 6.2L and weighing 4,292 lbs.

    Car 1 2014 CTS TTV6 Car 2 2011 CTS-V Coupe

    Car 1 2014 CTS TTV6
    Car 2 2011 CTS-V Coupe

    Cadillac says the 2nd gen CTS-V (2009-current) will hit 0-60 in 3.9 Sec, and the 2014 CTS TTV6 in 4.6 sec. We also know that the CTS-V tests very well — which suggests that the new CTS TTV6 will put up some very good numbers indeed.

    Based on the predictions from Cartest I would say the new 2014 CTS TTV6 is going to be a screamer — unless it gains a ton of weight over the current CTS.  Tuesday we’ll see the new look, but I’ll be listening for the new weight!

    Cadillac ATS-V Turbo V6 or Supercharged V8

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    The Cadillac ATS-V needs to bring the power to put the BMW M3 away.  The Cadillac ATS-V will bring an exciting engine for the new Cadillac track star — we just don’t know which one yet.

    Cadillac ATS Exterior

    Cadillac ATS Exterior

    The Cadillac CTS-V uses the LSA supercharged 6.2L V8.  This engine makes 556 hp in the CTS-V.  The Camaro ZL1 uses a modified version of the LSA engine, tuned to 580 hp.  We may reasonably see this modified variant in next year’s redesigned CTS-V as well, at 580 hp.

    2010 6.2L V8 SC LSA LoR

     

    The Camaro ZL1 is down on power compared to its arch rival the GT500, which makes 662 hp.  The ZL1 is a better overall package, but I am hoping GM Powertrain brings the power for the next iteration of the LSA and hits 700 hp.  A powered up CTS-V also gives more head-room for a powered up ATS-V.

    Cadillac ATS-V – Turbo V6?

    The ‘missing’ engine is the Turbo 3.6L coming as an engine for the 2014 CTS.  We don’t know the exact output for this engine yet, and it will likely arrive in several states of tune.  Rumors have been all over the place — 450 hp for an initial show car, down to 425 hp for production, and up to 475 hp.

    A maximum effort ATS-V version of a turbo V6 engine could be tuned for 480 hp and still leave room for a slightly heavier CTS-V  with a 580 hp V8.  But besides avoiding  sibling rivalry, will that be enough for the Cadillac ATS-V?

    Sizing the Competition

    How much power does the Cadillac ATS-V really need?  The 2014 BMW M3 is the logical target.  The current M3 uses a 414 hp V8.  The next M3 is rumored to equip a tuned turbo V6, for 430-450 hp.  BMW manages to under-rate their engines; so when matching it is best to plan for an extra 25-35 hp for equivalent.  A good target for the Cadillac ATS-V powerplant then is BMW 450 +30 equivalent + 50 better or 530 hp.

    And ding ding we have a 556 hp LSA engine available that can be slotted for the ATS-V.  Give the CTS-V a power-up to a 650-700 hp version that the Camaro ZL1 needs, and there is head room to give the ATS-V the current LSA.

    If GM Powertrain can bring the same power range (500-530 hp) in the Turbo V6 of course, all the better…