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Fan of the Cadillac STS-V intercooler heat exchanger

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I have been thinking more about the STS-V intercooler heat exchanger design and replacement ideas.

Cadillac uses a separate cooling system for the Laminova style intercooler tubes, featuring a bosch intercooler pump and a 23.5″x14″x2″ outer measures intercooler radiator heat exchanger in front of the main radiator in the nose of the V.  So let’s call that a 20″ by 12″ working area.

The D3 solution is two-fold:  replace the heat exchanger with a tube and fin heat exchanger with 10″ pusher fan, and add a tank to hold additional intercooler coolant.

Other aftermarket solutions have included adding a new chin mounted heat exchanger instead of the current heat exchanger, or along with the current heat exchanger, or in series with a a tube and fin replacement.

After reading various experiments with adding fans on other vehicles, I am convinced that adding an intercooler heat exchanger fan is advantageous.  Although it is intuitive to think that a pusher fan could provide a block to the incoming airflow, testing has shown that is not the case on other models.

My plan is to keep the stock OEM heat exchanger, but add a 12″ pusher fan. I am thinking of a SPAL 12″/12v pusher fan or similar; space is a concern.  Use a fan controller to interface although it would be best if only on when the car is up to temperature etc.  The intercooler heat exchanger is in front of the main radiator, so pushing air through one will impact the other.

VA10-AP70/LL-61S * 12"C / 12V 12" Curved Blade High Performance Fan / 12V Pusher


Separately, I like the idea of using the LS9 coolant reservoir as additional coolant capacity especially in this system that is very capacity limited.

Of Car Coats and Cadillacs

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I finally had to give up on my leather jacket — the zipper was broken, the lining was ripped, the outer shell of the jacket was ripped open along one side, it was frayed along the back.  All that was the condition for the last year or two —  I hated to trade it in after long and good service.

In shopping for a new leather jacket I found that jackets generally come in Fighter / Bomber / Flight, Motorcycle, sport coat, or car coat.

Fighter:  the USAF designed an A-2, “Jacket, Pilot’s (summer)” in 1930.  It replaced the A-1 flying jacket originally designed in 1927.  The A-2 added zipper and hidden snaps for pockets instead of the A-1’s flap pockets.  Description: “seal brown horsehide leather, knitted wristlets and waistband (skirt).”   Fighter pilots and bomber pilots wore the A-2 jackets; they were a treasured memento of having completed flight training.

Bomber: synonymous with Fighter Jacket, or flight jacket.

Motorcycle jacket:  Although the A-2 Fighter jacket is also often worn as a motorcycle jacket as well, (Fonz)  a bespoke motorcycle jacket is designed as a piece of safety equipment in case of the rider skidding along pavement.  It also is designed with more zippers and water proof pockets and closures.  Ideally it is cut to be longer in the back than front so when leaned forward over the cycle the jacket continues to provide coverage.

Sport Coat:  a leather coat cut to the same pattern as a sport coat.  A sport coat originally was a less formal jacket which could be worn for shooting, hunting or similar sports.  In today’s US society it is viewed as more formal attire, although not formal attire.

Car Coat: an over coat cut with length extending to the middle thigh.  Originally intended for use in open automobiles, where a longer coat might be inconvenient but sufficient coverage was desirable for warmth.

My previous jacket was a Car Coat, so on happy coincidence I searched for a replacement car coat and settled on a leather car coat from Shepler‘s:

[Note:  This is the catalog photo and Model from the catalog:]

Shepler's Scully Genuine Leather Car Coat Item Number: 082982 Photo by Shepler's.

Shepler's Scully Genuine Leather Car Coat Item Number: 082982 Stock Photo property Shepler's.

This particular model has a separate front liner that acts as a built-in vest and the 2nd collar in the photo.

Removable liner and mini-vest / winter collar

The shell of the coat is textured as opposed to smooth/shiney.  It is a bit thinner than my previous car coat, but also lighter.  The winter mini-vest / collar help boost warmth.

I am happy with my purchase, and wear the car coat daily.  I am hoping for the same years of service from this car coat as my last car coat.

Happy motoring!

Disclosure:  Shepler’s and I have had no communication, and I purchased the Car Coat from their website at the going price.

Cadillac XTS perfect for going clubbing

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DETROIT – To learn first-hand what today’s customers expect in a full-size luxury sedan, Cadillac XTS designers and engineers spend time in homes making observations and taking notes. A recurring theme was the desire for more space to accommodate active lifestyle gear, like golf bags.

The Cadillac XTS full-size luxury sedan has been engineered to accommodate active adults and their lifestyle gear. For example, the XTS can fit four adults with their four golf bags - maximizing every inch of storage space. The Cadillac XTS offers 40 inches of rear legroom and 18 cubic feet (509 liters) of trunk space, more than the Audi A8L, BMW 7-series, and Mercedes-Benz S-class. (Photo by Alex Gort Jr. for Cadillac)

The Cadillac engineering team responded by setting a target to fit four adults and four golf bags without stretching the car’s modest footprint. Such intelligent use of space defines the XTS development process.

“We used computer simulations to model golf bags, as well as other common types of goods our customers are likely to transport,” said XTS chief engineer Sheri Hickok. “That also includes cases of bottled water, luggage, groceries and more. Just as we did with the rest of the XTS, we spent a lot of time maximizing every inch of storage space.”

While most vehicles on the market today carry four passengers, a lack of trunk space can still require a second vehicle to get four sets of clubs to the golf course. XTS offers  almost 40 inches of rear legroom and 18 cubic feet (509 liters) of trunk space, more than the Audi A8L, BMW 7-series, and Mercedes-Benz S-class.

“Our owners want to comfortably take four adults out for a round of golf and dinner afterwards,” said Hickok. “The challenge was to give customers what they expect in terms of interior spaciousness, comfort and luxury, but to do so without compromising exterior looks and handling dynamics.”

XTS’ country club credibility is on display at the Cadillac Championship at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami. With equipment provided by Callaway, four adults and four bags fit in the sedan with room to spare.

Ryan Hershberger, group golf sales manager at Doral Golf Resort, participated in loading the clubs. “For a sedan, the room was really impressive,” he said. “It’s really convenient to fit four sets of clubs like that with no force or wedging necessary.”

Security takes as high a priority in the new XTS as storage space. While the sedan handles golf bags with the ease of a crossover vehicle, contents of the trunk remain completely out of sight and behind a locked lid.

Likewise, the passenger cabin was designed to keep valuables hidden. More than a dozen storage compartments offer space to stow items, including a space under the front center armrest that can conceal a smartphone. XTS even has a bin behind the advanced new Cadillac User Interface (CUE) accessed by a hidden button and motorized door.

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.