Cadillac CTS-V - Best "Bang-for-the-buck" Mods?

You've got a bone stock V, and let's say, 6 K to play. What do you do?

List your mods, expected prices for each (including labor), and expected gains. Include suspension, brake, and other non-hp/tq gains if you wish.

You have driveability and performance

Driveability: Short throw shifter - B&M or UUC, ground control coil over conversion, wider tires, wheel hop control, sway bars .... How are you gonna drive - street or track, both...

Performance: Catbacks, CAI, Headers, Tune, Supercharger, engine swap ........ How fast do you wanna go?

There are many threads on each of these and everyone has their own preferences. The 3 things I would say are must do:

1. Short throw shifter
2. CAI
3. Catbacks

From there its wide open, prepare to have your wallet DRAINED....

My goal was to have a strong sleeper for the street. So far, so good.

1) Kooks headers - $970.00 @ Thunder Racing
2) Magnaflow exhaust - $790.00 @ Thunder Racing
3) K&N CAI - $290.00 @ Thunder Racing
4) FMS F5 Cam Kit - $750.00 (really, I would skip this or go bigger) ;)
5) FMS Dyno Tune - $550.00
6) Nitrous Express Plate Kit - $1,200.00 for complete kit down to the plugs (NitroDave)
7) BMR anti-wheel hop kit - $329.00 @ Thunder Racing
8) B&M shifter - $215.00 @ Thunder Racing
9) Racetronix 225lph fuel pump - $250.00 @ Thunder Racing

Total - $5,344.00

I put Bridgestone Potenza RE960A's (275/40-18's on rear) or something like that. They are a nice compromise tire, but I live in a warm climate, so I'll do something stickier next round.

My car runs 12.7's on motor and 12.0@122 on the nitrous. The motor ET isn't going to improve too much with drag radials - maybe 2-3 tenths, but the nitrous ET should drop 4-5 tenths - if I can stick it and not break the rear. :D

Nitrous isn't for everyone, especially not on a Caddy. Personally, I love it.

I do my own install work, so I don't know the cost.

Now, that is what I DID. The only thing I would change is the BMR anti-wheel hop kit and I'd put a bigger cam. I'd go with that KARS Stage 3 kit that stkshkr posts about and a FMS F11 or F13 cam. BTW - FMS is Futral Motorsports, just in case.

1-UUC shifter and Upgraded bushings-Lindsay cadillac (great people!) $400
2-Kars stage 3- (way better than BMR wheel hop kit) $500
3-Lower your car-Springs or coilovers
4-Intake $250
5-Magnaflow- 750
6-KOOKs-950
7-Dyno tune-500
8-Lightweight Flywheel and clutch TPIS- 700
after all that is installed you should be about 6k
that will make your car more drivable..if you want it just faster
get a used maggie, Kars stage 3, Kooks, Dyno tune, shifter

best bang for the buck for 6k??? maggie...hands down...quick easy constant 100+ gain...you cant go wrong.

My goal was to have a strong sleeper for the street. So far, so good.

1) Kooks headers - $970.00 @ Thunder Racing
2) Magnaflow exhaust - $790.00 @ Thunder Racing
3) K&N CAI - $290.00 @ Thunder Racing
4) FMS F5 Cam Kit - $750.00 (really, I would skip this or go bigger) ;)
5) FMS Dyno Tune - $550.00
6) Nitrous Express Plate Kit - $1,200.00 for complete kit down to the plugs (NitroDave)
7) BMR anti-wheel hop kit - $329.00 @ Thunder Racing
8) B&M shifter - $215.00 @ Thunder Racing
9) Racetronix 225lph fuel pump - $250.00 @ Thunder Racing

Total - $5,344.00

I put Bridgestone Potenza RE960A's (275/40-18's on rear) or something like that. They are a nice compromise tire, but I live in a warm climate, so I'll do something stickier next round.

My car runs 12.7's on motor and 12.0@122 on the nitrous. The motor ET isn't going to improve too much with drag radials - maybe 2-3 tenths, but the nitrous ET should drop 4-5 tenths - if I can stick it and not break the rear. :D

Nitrous isn't for everyone, especially not on a Caddy. Personally, I love it.

I do my own install work, so I don't know the cost.

Now, that is what I DID. The only thing I would change is the BMR anti-wheel hop kit and I'd put a bigger cam. I'd go with that KARS Stage 3 kit that stkshkr posts about and a FMS F11 or F13 cam. BTW - FMS is Futral Motorsports, just in case.

I can do something for ya on that rear. We have now tested 2 Vs. need one like urs.

bang 4 buck = nitrous

I can do something for ya on that rear. We have now tested 2 Vs. need one like urs.

Okay! I'm not sure who you are, but I'm certainly ready. I put the BMR anti-wheel hop kit on 2 hours ago and it didn't do crap. :mad:

I will PM you my phone number.

The B&M shifter works nicely. ;)

bang 4 buck = nitrous

:devil: I think so. ;)

get magnaflow off ebay for like $580 shipped!

try to buy a used intake off someone on the forum as well to save some $

hands down:
UUC short shifter
lowering Springs
Tires
Cam
Kooks
QTP dumps
valvetrain
tune.
sway bars- if you have money left after install but they are cheap
YOUR READY

UUC shifter and a maggie (right around $6k).

All you need, but not all you'll want......

My goal was to have a strong sleeper for the street. So far, so good.

1) Kooks headers - $970.00 @ Thunder Racing
2) Magnaflow exhaust - $790.00 @ Thunder Racing
3) K&N CAI - $290.00 @ Thunder Racing
4) FMS F5 Cam Kit - $750.00 (really, I would skip this or go bigger) ;)
5) FMS Dyno Tune - $550.00
6) Nitrous Express Plate Kit - $1,200.00 for complete kit down to the plugs (NitroDave)
7) BMR anti-wheel hop kit - $329.00 @ Thunder Racing
8) B&M shifter - $215.00 @ Thunder Racing
9) Racetronix 225lph fuel pump - $250.00 @ Thunder Racing

Total - $5,344.00

I put Bridgestone Potenza RE960A's (275/40-18's on rear) or something like that. They are a nice compromise tire, but I live in a warm climate, so I'll do something stickier next round.

My car runs 12.7's on motor and 12.0@122 on the nitrous. The motor ET isn't going to improve too much with drag radials - maybe 2-3 tenths, but the nitrous ET should drop 4-5 tenths - if I can stick it and not break the rear. :D

Nitrous isn't for everyone, especially not on a Caddy. Personally, I love it.

I do my own install work, so I don't know the cost.

Now, that is what I DID. The only thing I would change is the BMR anti-wheel hop kit and I'd put a bigger cam. I'd go with that KARS Stage 3 kit that stkshkr posts about and a FMS F11 or F13 cam. BTW - FMS is Futral Motorsports, just in case.
Thanks for the input.

What are your specific problems with the BMR anti-wheel hop kit?

I don't know man - nitrous just scares me, but that might be plain ignorance on my part.

Several people, including yourself, have specifically mentioned the magnaflow exhaust. Any particular reason why it's better than the others available?

UUC shifter and a maggie (right around $6k).

All you need, but not all you'll want......

I was under the impression that a maggie kit would be well over 6K installed and tuned. Not so?

What are the biggest numbers people are making (reliably) with a maggie?

hands down:
UUC short shifter
lowering Springs
Tires
Cam
Kooks
QTP dumps
valvetrain
tune.
sway bars- if you have money left after install but they are cheap
YOUR READY
QTP dumps?

<ing']I was under the impression that a maggie kit would be well over 6K installed and tuned. Not so?

What are the biggest numbers people are making (reliably) with a maggie?

480s on pump gas on a mustang dyno with supporting mods. LT, catback and tune

<ing']Thanks for the input.

What are your specific problems with the BMR anti-wheel hop kit?

I don't know man - nitrous just scares me, but that might be plain ignorance on my part.

Several people, including yourself, have specifically mentioned the magnaflow exhaust. Any particular reason why it's better than the others available?

Well, with a little more driving, the BMR kit does help. I mean, there's still some wheel hop, but it is dramatically reduced in severity and duration. The KARS kit just looks much more substantial.

I swore I would never put nitrous on a car. I ended up getting a kit from a friend for my F-body and gave it a shot (literally and figuratively). The upside is that it is CHEAP power that is a lot of fun ("bang for the buck"). The downside is that you have to keep filling the bottles. If you use it safely (rpm window switch, sufficient fuel flow and dyno tune), it is no more risky than any other power adder.

Magnaflow is just a personal preference. I think Corsa, Borla, etc. are all pretty good setups.

Good luck with your mods! :D

<ing']I was under the impression that a maggie kit would be well over 6K installed and tuned. Not so?

What are the biggest numbers people are making (reliably) with a maggie?


You didn't say installed.

You might be able to do a maggie (unpolished) and installed for 6k. I can refer somene if your serious.

The install is very straightforward and can be done in a weekend with the help of someone (to lift the sc onto the motor, a twelver, and a bottle of Aleve.

Then you save enough money for the UUC.

WAIT HOLD ON!

I HAVE A USED MAGGIE FOR SALE AS WE SPEAK - ONLY A FEW K MILES ON IT!

FIRST 4K TAKES IT OBO CLOSEST TO THE 4K...

e-mail

Jason@azpowerandsound.com

Now you have room for more mods! :chug:

Thanks,
Chef

WAIT HOLD ON!

I HAVE A USED MAGGIE FOR SALE AS WE SPEAK - ONLY A FEW K MILES ON IT!

FIRST 4K TAKES IT OBO CLOSEST TO THE 4K...

e-mail

Jason@azpowerandsound.com

Now you have room for more mods! :chug:

Thanks,
Chef

:lol:

I have to buy the car first.

besides... i bought the maggie

besides... i bought the maggie
Bastard :chug: