Tag Archives: cadillac

In Pursuit of a Lighter Cadillac CTS

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One of Cadillac’s plans for the next Cadillac CTS refresh is to make the CTS one of the lightest cars in its class.  One assumes they will do this through additional use of Aluminum, and high strength steel.  The advantage of high strength steel is that for the same properties a thinner, lighter piece can be used that has the same or better strength and durability.

There is a 2-3% improvement in fuel economy for every 100 kg (220 lbs).  So although the EPA cycle is complex, in general a 28 mpg CTS might break 30 mpg with the loss of around 500 lbs of weight from its 3,681 lb curb weight.  Obviously there is a limit to the fuel economy that can be gained in this manner, since Cadillacs one can safely say will always have some weight.  Cadillac’s goal of being the lightest in their vehicle class seems ideal.  This goal is one that will have to be revisited in the crowded markets Cadillac competes in.

Cadillac CTS Safety Cage

The Cadillac CTS currently uses Advanced High Strength Steels in strategic structural locations.  Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS’s) are multiphase steels which contain martensite, bainite, and/or retained austenite in quantities sufficient to produce unique mechanical properties (transformation hardening).  AHSS’s exhibit an excellent combination of high strength and high formability resulting primarily from their high strain hardening capabilities. AHSS’s can be further classified by tensile strength; the ideal application for different tensile strength AHSS’s varies.

A recent study by Lotus Engineering confirms that a total vehicle, synergistic approach to mass reduction is feasible and could result in substantial mass savings with minimal piece cost impact.

I am very excited about the emphasis at Cadillac on weight management, as it will also make my favorite Cadillacs more nimble and athletic — when you lose weight you just FEEL better!

Aftermarket Cadillac Modifications: Power

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Once you purchase a pre-packaged sport tuned V-Series Cadillac, has the Factory pushed the vehicle as far as it can go, or is there some left on the table?  Is there anything else that could be done to these V-Series Cadillacs that would make them faster?

In a word, YES.  Like most tuning however, it is very good to start with a goal usage and power level in mind, and tune to those goals.  A classic hot-rodding question is: How much money do you have, and how fast do you want to go?

First of all, it depends on which V-Series Cadillac you focus on.  The STS-V and XLR-V have more in common with each other than the 2004-2007 CTS-V or the 2009+ CTS-V.

The STS-V and XLR-V are powered by the LC3 Supercharged 4.4L Northstar and make 440-469 hp stock depending on the model.

The 2004-2005 CTS-V was powered by the 5.7L V8 LS6 engine making 400 hp.

The 2006-2007 CTS-V was powered by the 6.0L V8 LS2 engine making 400 hp.

The newest V, the 2009+ CTS-V is powered by the Supercharged and Intercooled 6.2L V8 LSA engine making 556 hp.

LC3 4.4L Supercharged Northstar Tuning

For the STS-V and XLR-V the aftermarket offers re-tuning / re-calibration of the computer, cold air intakes, and performance exhausts.  Together these can net around 40 RWHP, or rear wheel horsepower.

LS6 or LS2 V8 Tuning (~400hp stock)

There is a rich suite of tuning options available for the LS6 or LS2, because they share a great deal of aftermarket development with ongoing LSx performance engine development.

Best bang for the buck items include:

  • Cam shaft — best done along with ported heads.  Cam/heads can add as much as 90 hp at the crankshaft for $2500 plus installation
  • Headers — long tube headers will cost around $1600 and add 20-30 RWHP
  • Supercharger — around 140 RWHP for US$6-7K
  • Dyno Tuning — results vary based on the other modifications on the vehicle, but give the best opportunity for gains from modifications.  Some level of custom tuning will be required with most changes.
  • LS7 Conversion — replace the LS2 or LS6 with a 505hp LS7
  • L92 heads / L76 Intake — To make the LS3 engine GM added the L92 heads to the LS2, so this is a known power combo. The 4.00-inch bore of the LS2 enables it to use LS1/LS6 heads, as well as L92-style heads (including LS3, LS9 and LSA engines).  The L76 intake allows the combo to fit under the hood.  For confusion, the L94 Engine in the current Escalade is an updated variant of the L92.

As an aside, not all adders are additive.  So while you might see 25 hp from adder A and 20 hp from Adder B on a stock setup, you might only reach +30hp from both together.

Second, to some extent a Supercharger works by “forcing” better breathing.  So if you plan to get a Supercharger, I would start with that.  If you want to stay all-motor, go with cam and heads and headers which all act to free up the engine’s breathing.

LSA Supercharged V8 Tuning (556 hp stock)

The LSA engine can be considered a Supercharged LS3 engine, with a steel crankshaft.  The LSA has rectangular port heads like the LS9 or L92 (Escalade engine) instead of Cathedral port heads like the LS2.  The rectangular port heads in the LSA flow a bit better than the cathedral port heads in the LS2.

Although the Supercharged LSA V8 is relatively new, the aftermarket offers include:

  • New supercharger snout to raise boost: with tuning around +74 hp for $2,500.
  • Dyno Tuning
  • Upgrade to the LS9’s Supercharger – Complete packages that include tuning, exhaust quote up to 700 hp, so +150 hp.
  • Upgrade the engine to the LS9:  The LS9 engine makes 638 hp stock.  LS9 Engine around $22K, so pricey
  • Headers with Tuning can produce around 50 RWHP for $2K
  • L92 Heads and Cam package – around 70 RWHP for $2,500 plus installation
  • Cold Air Induction kit

Cadillac Tuner pages:

Recaro Seats? Yes please

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Beginning in the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V Cadillac has offered Recaro sport seats as an option. This continues a trend of using ‘name brand’ equipment, such as Brembo brakes, in order to ensure quality, performance, and credibility in automotive reviews.

I think of Recaro seats as Porsche seats, but what automobiles does Recaro currently make seats for?  This list comes from the Recaro website:

  • Aston Martin DB9
  • Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  • Aston Martin V8 Vantage
  • Audi TT
  • Audi TT RS
  • Chevrolet Cobalt SS
  • Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
  • Ford Focus RS
  • Ford Focus ST
  • Honda Accord Type-R
  • Honda Integra Type-R
  • Honda NSX Type-R
  • Honda Odyssey
  • Lamborghini Gallardo
  • Mitsubishi Evo IX
  • Mitsubishi Lancer Wagon
  • Mitsubishi ek-Sports RS
  • Opel Astra OPC
  • Opel Insignia OPC
  • Opel Zafira OPC
  • Porsche 911 GT3 (997)
  • Porsche Carrera GT
  • Renault Clio „Renault Sport“
  • Renault Mégane Sport
  • Saturn Ion Redline
  • Suzuki Kei-Works
  • Suzuki Lapin
  • VW Golf V GTI
  • VW Golf V R32
  • VW Golf VI R

The Cadillac CTS Recaro Seats have gotten surprisingly mixed reviews — not uniformly positive.  I believe that this is partially due to lack of familiarity with this type of seat.  Owners who drive their Cadillac are more likely to appreciate the support provided:

Cadillac CTS Recaro Seats

The Recaro Seats as offered by Cadillac appear to be similar to the Recaro Style + Style Topline model in the Recaro Brochure.

Recaro Seat Features

The Recaro Company offers the following history (more available here):

The success story of the present RECARO company began in 1906 in Stuttgart, as the 32-year old saddler master Wilhelm Reutter founded the company “Reutter, Wilhelm, Saddler. Spezialitat: Luxus- und Motorwagen, englische Geschirre” (Specialities: Luxury and Motor Vehicles, English Ware). Reutter quickly made a name for itself in the up-and-coming automobile industry which was largely positioned in Stuttgart: Bosch, Maybach and Daimler were the big names which wrote history and laid the building blocks for the present location of mobility, Stuttgart.

The foundation for the present company was laid in 1963, as RECARO was formed as a play on words – Reutter and CAROsserien (coaches). The first RECARO sport seat was introduced in 1965, and in motor racing, the company quickly became a recognized brand name.

I applaud Cadillac for offering Recaro seats as an option, and I am glad to see the Recaro seat option available on the CTS Sedan as well as the CTS-V Series.