LS engine in a new Cadillac ATS?
LS engine in a new Cadillac ATS? Sounds like the ultimate setup to me. Lighter than a CTS-V, probably better handling. The new ATS is getting great reviews, but the plans for the ATS-V are sounding like it won't get a V8, but a turbo V6. That's too bad. I'd love to have a tire shredding V8 rumble in one of those sweet packages
The ATS-V will have a twin turbo V6 with 420hp but won't come with all wheel drive like the turbo 4 has. I test drove one and didn't like it as much as the Regal so I bought that instead.
It has the same drivetrain and options as the ATS but cost a lot less. The Regal handles and rides well plus it really scoots when I'm cruising and hammer it. I'm gonna get a tune for it soon that'll give it well over 300hp and over 350 ft lbs of torque.
It has the same drivetrain and options as the ATS but cost a lot less. The Regal handles and rides well plus it really scoots when I'm cruising and hammer it. I'm gonna get a tune for it soon that'll give it well over 300hp and over 350 ft lbs of torque.
anything is possible, but nothing exists and there is very little development on this platform so very unlikely to get full integration. It takes years of work to decode a modern canbus system to make all the modules communicate properly.
I would say its not worth it. Factory 420hp twin turbo v6? Surely with a tune and bolt ons you will be near 450. Why bother with the LS swap? After all the time, money, and effort, i would bet you could have turned that TTv6 into at least 600hp instead.
Last edited by y5mgisi; Mar 8, 2015 at 11:21 PM.
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Oops. I had my facts mixed up. Looks like they are factory 455hp... Tune and bolt on have got to get you very near to 500hp. A full "build" of that motor with new cam, head work, bigger turbos, etc has got to be every bit of 750hp. Why bother with an ls swap at that point!
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TECH Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 443
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO
I work at a caddy dealer and fantasize about this swap every time I have one in the air. If you can fit a 3.6 high feature in there you can fit an ls. If you use the e38 ecm I bet the electronics would work just fine.
Too bad the vehicle is so expensive to begin with. In about 10 years I can maybe pick one up and do the swap. The 2.0t ones have a cast diff housing too. Not sure what the limits are on it. Haven't had to fix one yet.
Too bad the vehicle is so expensive to begin with. In about 10 years I can maybe pick one up and do the swap. The 2.0t ones have a cast diff housing too. Not sure what the limits are on it. Haven't had to fix one yet.
Doesn't seem to be much reason to do it; would kind of be working backwards at this point. LS motors are only the future relative to the classic swap cars and neat for cars with less than great motors to maintain to begin with (the fox bodies, bmws etc etc). Putting an LT motor in might be cool though. I love the sound of 6+ liter sewing-machines but a TT 6 has a certain appeal to it as well. As long as the CTS-V stays 8 then we get the best of both worlds.
The ATS-V will be $60K plus which is about $15K more than the Chevy SS. That's way too much money for a small car with a V6, the turbo 4 is the most affordable and it comes with AWD. I paid less than half that amount for my 2014 turbo Regal and I can make it just as fast for a lot less $$$.
TECH Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 443
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From: Kansas City, MO
I was referring to weather or not it could communicate on the high speed gmlan buss with the other modules. Or if it would be able to communicate with the ipc since it is on the MOST buss. I guess I was just thinking that if you put an ls3 in and used its ecm, it could communicate. Or am I crazy to think it could? I haven't obviously tried it, but have been brainstorming.
I just hope the ats-v is better than the xts with the tt3.6. I really am not too impressed with it stock. But I am sure they can be tuned up pretty easily.
I just hope the ats-v is better than the xts with the tt3.6. I really am not too impressed with it stock. But I am sure they can be tuned up pretty easily.
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 285
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Anyone else considering this swap now that the 2016 camaro is released and older ATS's are getting less and less expensive? It seems like a lot of the parts needed would be readily available.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2019
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LS engine in Cadillac ATS I work at a caddy dealer and fantasize about this swap every time I have one in the air. If you can fit a 3.6 high feature in there you can fit an ls. If you use the e38 ecm I bet the electronics would work just fine.
Too bad the vehicle is so expensive to begin with. In about 10 years I can maybe pick one up and do the swap. The 2.0t ones have a cast diff housing too. Not sure what the limits are on it. Haven't had to fix one yet.
Too bad the vehicle is so expensive to begin with. In about 10 years I can maybe pick one up and do the swap. The 2.0t ones have a cast diff housing too. Not sure what the limits are on it. Haven't had to fix one yet.
LS engine in
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 82
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From: Calgary, Alberta
I was thinking the same thing. I bought a salvage 2013 2 litre AWD. But I really like driving it so I will leave it. I also bought a 2016 ATS V coupe that had a small fire. I had to splice about 100 wires from the dash to the engine compartment.
I would say anyone wanting to do an LS swap had better be really good with electronics. Just so much electrical stuff. I also have a 2006 CTSV. Looking at the wiring on that car just seems so simple. The newer the car the more electronics and to get everything working would be more than I am willing to do. I also have an LS swapped E36 BMW. Even that was simple compared to new.
Anyone doing it I salute you.
I would say anyone wanting to do an LS swap had better be really good with electronics. Just so much electrical stuff. I also have a 2006 CTSV. Looking at the wiring on that car just seems so simple. The newer the car the more electronics and to get everything working would be more than I am willing to do. I also have an LS swapped E36 BMW. Even that was simple compared to new.
Anyone doing it I salute you.
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2022
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. I'm curious if u have any info on how you got the factory electronics to work and if u have any pics on the engine mounts you had to make to get this engine in ..i have a 2014 Ats with the 4th blown engine and this time no warranty which is total bullshit on GM but itll b what it is ..i have a 283 with a 700r4 im thinking of installing just so I can drive this fancy **** box so I can get my money's worth out of the chassis at least any photos or documents would be great
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Central Cal.
. I'm curious if u have any info on how you got the factory electronics to work and if u have any pics on the engine mounts you had to make to get this engine in ..i have a 2014 Ats with the 4th blown engine and this time no warranty which is total bullshit on GM but itll b what it is ..i have a 283 with a 700r4 im thinking of installing just so I can drive this fancy **** box so I can get my money's worth out of the chassis at least any photos or documents would be great
Put the right engine/drivetrain in it and quit abusing it. FOUR blown engines in a row, points straight to its owner.