Category Archives: Cadillac Performance Mods

Cadillac Performance modifications

@Cadillac Suggestion: V-Series Dealer installed Power Pack

Posted on by
Reply

A very popular aftermarket tuning option for the Supercharged V8 LSA engine in current Cadillac V-Series models is to replace the crank case or supercharger snout pulleys, or both, causing the supercharger to spin a bit faster and increase pressure.  This results in a gain of roughly up to 89 rwhp (rear wheel horse power, 111 hp at the crank).  More results here.

The cost of the pulley is often under $700, and the change requires a tune, or calibration of the powertrain control module (PCM).   Wait4Me Performance for example has a popular aftermarket tune (calibration) that matches this approach, as well as a kit for the mod.

However, if the Cadillac Dealer determines that a V-Series car has been modified, they may choose to decline warranty repairs on the powertrain, which can take a lot of the fun out of this as a modification.

What if Cadillac offered this as a Dealer Installed mod?  Here is my plan:

a) Determine cost of the parts — Sells retail for $650 so likely far under $400/kit at 50 kits

b) Develop a calibration to match, or license an existing calibration — worst case $400/kit at 50 kits although likely much less — or Engineering nonrecurring to develop in house of TBD (used $400/kit)

c) Test the calibration and pulley with a car and determine expected impact to warranty.  Estimated 20 hrs of engineering x $200 /hr = $4000  nonrecurring cost.  Amortize over 50 kits = $80/kit

d) Add anticipated additional warranty cost (Guessing it is under $300/car) to the kit cost.

e) Add Cadillac profit of $500 to the kit cost; add Dealer profit of $1000 to kit cost at Dealer.

f) Cost to Dealer: $1,680.  Dealer sells for $2,680 plus install charge of 2 hours at $200 for $2,880.  V-Series could be in and out of the Dealer for under $3K  installed, full powertrain warranty intact.  I believe that the Dealers can sell a ton of 100hp upgrades at $3K installed.

g) Simple alternate:  Allow Dealer installation of approved aftermarket kits (example Wait4Me performance kit) for $300 warranty reserve + Cadillac profit $100 plus Dealer install time $200 + plus Dealer Profit of $100 = $700 installed with existing warranty intact,  in addition to the cost of the aftermarket kit.

Result:

Reserve taken for any warranty impact.

Cadillac profits

Dealers profit

Cadillac builds up more data to consider this as a factory option on special models

Herds of 650 hp+ V-Series Cadillacs roaming the land under warranty and tearing up magazine test comparisons

Competition improves the breed Send more LLT V6 HP

Posted on by
Reply

Motor Trend did an early test drive and acceleration test on the 2011 Mustang with 3.7L V6 engine, managing a surprising 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds from the base Mustang.  Why does this matter on a Cadillac blog?

The base Mustang competes directly and aggressively with the V6 Chevrolet Camaro.  The current 304 hp V6 Camaro outsells the current Mustang, partially because it out-accelerates the 2010 Mustang V6, which got the old 210 hp 4L engine.  The new hotter base Mustang with the new 3.7L DOHC V6 makes 305 hp, and will ‘put the hurt’ on the current V6 Camaro, if the Mustang consistently manages 0-60 times of around 5.1 sec and the Camaro does the deed in around 6 sec.  Similar hp, but the Camaro is heavier.

To respond, Chevrolet will need to pump up the volume on the LLT DOHC DI V6, perhaps by 40-50 hp to overcome the Camaro’s weight disadvantage.  Generally in this weight class, 10 hp = 0.2 sec difference in 0-60 time.  BTW, another thumb rule in this class is that 100 lbs = 0.1 sec difference.  So the Camaro needs a minimum of another 30 hp, but another 50 hp would be safer.  So that means getting the LLT V6 up to 350 hp.

This is an exciting development for Cadillac because the CTS family shares the LLT V6 with the Chevrolet Camaro.  So hopefully any ponies that GM Powertrain prepares for the Camaro will go right in to the CTS as well.  Doesn’t always work that way, but the current CTS is also coming in high in its class for the acceleration tests, so that makes a good case for sharing.

What can GM do to increase the V6 output?  Tuning the LLT to run up to 7,000 rpm should get it to 325 hp.  Since it is a variable valve timing engine, there is no disadvantage to tuning at the top end.  Work on a more header-like exhaust manifold, and improve the exhaust port flow on the LLT should yield 20-30 hp, which would put the engine at 345-355 hp, with almost no recurring increase in cost for the power train.

Oh sure Bruce — if it is that simple why doesn’t GM do that already?  Because the LLT was meeting the design spec already — a great high value V6 that puts out more than 300 hp smoothly and with great MPG.  But now we need the more, and GM Powertrain needs to turn up the wick and send us a 350 hp LLT.

CTS Seat Experiment — The Loaner CTS

Posted on by
Reply

Took my 2005 Cadillac CTS over to Crest Cadillac in Plano, Texas today to see about the Service Air Bag light on from The Great Cadillac CTS Seat Experiment. I had emailed and called ahead to make an appointment, and my Service Adviser was waiting for me when I arrived.  We briefly discussed the situation, and then I worked with the Loaner Car desk to get the Loaner car setup and I was off.  In and out around 20 minutes total.  Everyone was very nice and helpful, especially since I arrived at the extended hours opening time of 7 am.  Crest’s service hours make it super easy to drop off your Cadillac for service and still get to work on time.

The Loaner CTS appears to be a 2010? Cadillac CTS 3L with 9k miles or so.  Light platinum exterior, neutral leather (now called cashmere?) interior.

UPDATE:  the loaner car is a 2010 CTS 1SD 3.0L Luxury Model.  So it has Luxury Level One Package, including (ARH) heavy-duty pet guard cargo net, (RYJ) retractable cargo area shade, (UA6) theft-deterrent alarm system, (U2R) audio system, and (TSQ) accent lighting, 6 disc CD player, leather upgraded seats, and bluetooth.  The wood trim accents are also part of this package.


No insignia on the rear left which I think indicates this is the 3.0L model and not the 3.6L model.


These wheels are a 1000% improvement over the 08-09 base model wheels. I love these, although I suppose they are difficult to clean. Certainly worth the trouble though.


Engine compartment shot. No markings on the engine cover, which seems uncharacteristic. I would have expected the cover to say VVT, DI, 3L etc. Look at that strut brace! Here is a closeup:


This has a very ‘aftermarket’, serious look to me with the exposed weld. I like it, but surprised to see it as the ‘stock’ piece.


I am a sucker for the wood trim steering wheel and shifter.

Overall this CTS drives very well. I am jealous of the manual-shift option on the 6-speed automatic transmission, and it holds selected gears which is perfect.  The 3L seems to have plenty of power for the CTS.  This combination has gotten a lot of mixed reviews from the buff books, but I am not sure why.  The 3L and 6-speed automatic seem to work very well together to me.

Hopefully I’ll get my 2005 CTS back today; God willing and the creek don’t rise they just need to run a diagnostic to correct the airbag issue.  I have ordered a new control panel for the driver’s door to address the new discovery that the new driver’s seat is a memory seat.  In other words, it wants to move to the position that I select when I open the door with my remote so it is ready for driver 1 or driver 2.  Unfortunately, my CTS does not have the position selector switch, so I have ordered one.