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The Cadillac CTS-V is a fine sports sedan. Perhaps it's not our first choice when talk of Mega Millions wins come around, but we certainly wouldn't point and laugh at somebody who bought one. One of the complaints about the car is that several less expensive vehicles offer nearly as good or better performance at a lower price point (Chrysler 300C SRT-8, to name one), or that the cars GM identifies as real competition for the Caddy offer a much higher level of refinement and often better performance, albeit at twice the price in some cases (Think M3 and RS4 here). But the vehicle soldiers on, holding its head moderately high.
Owners who have one in their garages, however, know that there are things that can be done to enhance the driving experience to make the car even better. And when you are looking for upgrades, you might as well start by playing to your strengths. That big V8 under the hood is as good a place as any to begin the journey. As with many such projects, things can spiral out of control and you can end up with something like 800 hp if you're not careful. And that's exactly what happened when one aftermarket tuner, Predator Performance, was let loose on an unsuspecting Cadillac a couple of years ago in advance of SEMA. Follow the jump for the rest of the story.
[Source: Predator via GMInsideNews]
The Cadillac CTS-V is a fine sports sedan. Perhaps it's not our first choice when talk of Mega Millions wins come around, but we certainly wouldn't point and laugh at somebody who bought one. One of the complaints about the car is that several less expensive vehicles offer nearly as good or better performance at a lower price point (Chrysler 300C SRT-8, to name one), or that the cars GM identifies as real competition for the Caddy offer a much higher level of refinement and often better performance, albeit at twice the price in some cases (Think M3 and RS4 here). But the vehicle soldiers on, holding its head moderately high.
Owners who have one in their garages, however, know that there are things that can be done to enhance the driving experience to make the car even better. And when you are looking for upgrades, you might as well start by playing to your strengths. That big V8 under the hood is as good a place as any to begin the journey. As with many such projects, things can spiral out of control and you can end up with something like 800 hp if you're not careful. And that's exactly what happened when one aftermarket tuner, Predator Performance, was let loose on an unsuspecting Cadillac a couple of years ago in advance of SEMA. Follow the jump for the rest of the story.
[Source: Predator via GMInsideNews]
Thanks to the folks at Predator Performance, we now have a Cadillac CTS-V that will embarrass just about any M, S, RS or AMG on the road. Heck, it would probably do a number on the CTS-V Jimmie Johnson is contesting in the Speed World Challenge Series, which is apropos because much of what has been done to this car comes from the racing world. Predator is known as a builder of lower series racecars, and so they approached this as a racecar build. Out went the stock engine and in its place went the Corvette C5R aluminum 427 block. But virtually every part was modified or replaced from there, all in anticipation of adding a pair of Procharger superchargers. The Predator team admits that they could have easily punched up more than 1,000 horsepower, but they wanted something usable.
When strapped to the dyno, the end result was 806 hp @ 6400 rpm, and 756 lb / ft torque @ 5100 rpm. A Specter Werkes Grand Am widebody kit, HRE 19 x 10.5 wheels, and Brembo Gold Series 8 piston calipers w/ 15 inch rotors up front and 4 piston 14.5 inch rotors in rear help complete the package. Sound like a race car? Well, of course it does. Even though the car is streetable and street legal, the Predator guys plan on taking the car to the track whenever they get the chance. Beautiful execution that makes this the domestic equivalent of that new C-Class DTM car that just popped up in Geneva.
DETAILS
427 cid 7.0-liter C5R race block
806 horsepower @ 6400 rpm
756 lb / ft torque @ 5100 rpm
AFR CNC heads w/ fast intake manifold
JE pistons w/ Lunati rods
Comp Cam hydraulic roller
Twin P-1SC Prochargers
Custom fabricated intercooler
Custom fabricated two pass radiator
Differential and transmission gears treated by Rockland Standard Gear co.
Custom differential, transmission, and supplemental engine coolers
Grand Am fender flares, rear spoiler, and heat extractor hood from Specter Works
HRE 19 x 10.5 wheels
285/35ZR19 and 305/30ZR19 Michelin tires
Brembo Gold Series 8 piston calipers w/ 15-inch rotors up front and 4 piston 14.5-inch rotors in rear
PREDATOR PERFORMANCE
2572 Oaklahoma-Salem Road
DuBois, PA 15801
Phone - 814-375-5660
Fax - 814-375-5370
E-mail - info@predatorperformance.com
Website - www.predatorperformance.com
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