Cadillac ATS-V HPTuners Stock Scan & Throttle closing

I am starting to run driving scans on my 2016 ATS-V to get a feel for how the engine operates. The LF4 twin turbo 3.6L engines use a torque management based strategy. The control sorts out what torque is desired, then manages the powertrain to make that torque, independent of throttle input. The throttle input (gas pedal) is treated as a request — so you might have the pedal on the floor, but if the engine is making over 100% of the torque planned at that moment, the actual throttle may close to maintain the torque to the planned levels.

In the image above, the Cadillac is accelerating through 61 mph, at 5313 RPM. The pedal is at 100%. The actual throttle however, is at 67.8%. The ATS-V was making “too much” power at that moment. If you examine the 2nd row in chart vs time, the green line is throttle %, so where we see dips in the green vs yellow line is where the ATS-V is reducing engine power to desired or planned output.

In this case, at this point, the total boost pressure of 31.5 psi (without adjusting for baro) was higher than the Desired Boost pressure of 30.7 psi. So the engine controller is pulling back the throttle because too much power is being made.

I also note that the stock file is running a few points of KR, or knock retard. There is a ramp up of the planned advance in that range. The engine controller goes from a spark advance of 8 degrees up to 10.5 then down to 10 degrees. That appears to be too much since the KR (knock retard) is going to 2-3 degrees there. Although it is possible that a richer air fuel ratio (AFR) would be fine.

The ‘stock’ commanded AFR is 12.8, lamda 0.909 equivalence ratio commanded. This is within the range of what most tuners are doing with the LF4 direct injected V6. This ATS-V may prefer to be slightly richer, but needs more research.

Correction Factor: Ambient air: 72F, Intake air 75F. Baro 29.5223 inHg, 83.13% humidity so SAE J1349 correction of 1.01555. 453.6 hp corrects to 460.7 hp.

Cadillac STS-V visit with TexasJim in Grapevine

Ran out to Grapevine Texas to meet with Texas Jim and show him my STS-V.  Jim lives out west somewhere, so Grapevine is 30 miles from me and 35 miles from him more or less.

I managed not to talk to the STS-V Nav system the right way, so Jim actually provided turn by turn navigation to get me in to the parking lot where we planned to meet.  Now I have that spot saved in the nav for another visit.  I love that the STS-V has bluetooth so my pocket cell phone becomes a hands-free phone using the 15 speakers in the STS-V when synced.

I’m still driving the Cadillac around dirty, but he had not seen/Driven the V-Series so I wanted to show & discuss.  When I was test driving the Cadillac CTS-V I had brought it out to show, but because it was a Dealer car I could not offer test drives.  Since the STS-V is my car, I wanted to give Jim a chance to try it out.  He posted his take on the experience here.

Jim’s 2006 Cadillac DTS Performance Sedan still looks great at 100K+ miles.

Jim also took numerous pics of the V.  One feature the STS-V has is headlight washers.  They are actually controlled by the same controls as the windshield washer.   So while I sat in the V and hit the washers, Jim grabbed this shot:

Normally that little panel is flush with the front of the car, but on command it lifts up, clearing the nozzles below to spray the headlight covers to wash them clean.  Charming.

We had a nice visit and talked about Cadillacs, and ran the STS-V up and down the highway so he could get a feel for it.  I think we concluded that it would suit him just fine as a next Cadillac.  Actually his 2006 DTS is still going strong so no rush to a new Cadillac.

I like the way the camera autofocus came out on this shot.   The STS-V was produced at Lansing Grand River by UAW 652.   “One Team, One Goal, World’s Best”; well done.

 

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QuickDrive: 2011 Cadillac DTS

Dropped my 2005 Cadillac CTS over to Crest Cadillac in Plano for a few minor items — replace the bulb for the front blinker, oil change, chase a squeak down.   I grabbed a coupon off their website before I arrived.  I know, I know — change a bulb?  But keep in mind the front lights are buried behind layers of trim secured with bayonet clips, so I’d rather just let the Dealer handle it.

The drop-off was quick and easy, and I was off in a rental / loaner 2011 Cadillac DTS 1SD in 20-30 minutes from when I arrived.

2011 Cadillac DTS

2011 Cadillac DTS 1SD

The DTS is a handsome car, probably on its last year of production in this 2011 model.  Front wheel drive, with a transverse Northstar V8 engine and loaded with options, it is an all-weather luxury sedan.

Ran by Sam’s Club for my normal weekend commodities.  After I got everything into the trunk it was clear that I needed more groceries.

Today's groceries don't come close to filling the trunk

Love the sunroof in the DTS.  It has a manual pull-cover, which is fine.  The roof can either open fully, or the rear of the roof will tilt up for just the right amount of fresh-air access.  I like the fully-open sun in my hair fresh air approach today, but I like to have options.

The Loaner appears to have nav but no nav disk; odd.  It has XM radio of course but the subscription is not turned on darn it.    Overall it is a very interesting Cadillac to have for the day or weekend or however it works out, and I totally get the continued allure of this model for DTS fans.

The 1SD as this example is the DTS Premium Collection, which is a fully loaded example.  Only the 1SE Platinum Edition would have more features. Those are 17×7″ Chrometech Aluminum wheels.

I am looking forward to enjoying the DTS for the rest of my weekend errands.