2014+ Cadillac CTS Modifications Part 3: Performance Mods

In this video cover performance mods for the 3rd gen (2014+) Cadillac CTS. Ok... most of the engine stuff relates to the VSport with the twin turbo V6, but a lof of the video applies to all CTS's including the CTS-V.

Modifications:
1. Lowering Springs. Springs and coilovers are available. Coilovers are good for all CTS models I believe. CTS-V lowering springs are proven on the VSport, but not sure how it handles the lighter 2.0 engines. Renick performance sells Swift springs and they are known to be a great performing spring. Weapon X springs are unknown brand but users are happy with them and they are cheaper than the swift springs. The drop looks similar among both. If you really want to go low, you want to get coilovers. However, if you have magride, you will need sensors to spoof the magride system so you don't get error codes. Always check with your retailers to see if they have had customers test on your your model.
Renick Performance-

2. Brake upgrade: From my research, all CTS models can upgrade brakes to higher CTS models, including CTS-V or ATS-V.
Stage 1: Rear brembo upgrade from ATS-V or Camaro SS - about $700
Stage 2: Add ATS-V front brake parts - add about $1400
Stage 3: Do CTS-V brakes all around - about $2600

Upgrade your normal brakes with better pads. Ceramic pads are great for quiet and no-dust, but if you want something that can handle autox or occasional track abuse - consider Hawk HP Plus pads. For dedicated track use check out HAWK track pads, G-Loc or PFC brakes.

3. Tires:
My tires: Bridgestone Potenza RE71R. Front: 255/35/19 Rear: 265/35/19 (trying to keep front and rear balanced, but you can go bigger)
Other recommended tires:
Michilen Pilot Sport 4S (summer only) or AS for all season
Continental Extreme Contact DW. I've hit 1.9 60' launches on these tires in run flat form.

4. Sway bars - VSports can take ATS-V sway bars. A believe all CTS's can take a rear ATS-V or CTS-V sway bar (they are the same). The CTS tends to understeer a bit so rear sway bar is all that's necessary, but Renick Performance ATS-V sway bar package has bigger bars over stock PLUS the rear is bigger than the front. The issues with other CTS models is I believe the front sway bars may be a different shape to accomodate the different engines. The 3.6 should be fine, but not sure about the 2.0.

Not listed on their site, contact for pricing and ordering

5. Alignment: Should be able to get 1.7-1.8 degrees depending on rims and tires. More camber results in less understeer. However your wheels will tuck under the fender and some people don't like how that looks. That's why I run wheel spacers.
Vorshlag Camber Kits - not out yet

6. Exhaust work:
I was running Renick Performance ATS-V downpipes. They required welding to attach to CTS VSport exhaust. Those specific pipes are no longer available. Trifecta had resonated DP's but they were only prototypes and no longer available. This mod is a waste of money in my opinion.

Magnaflow or Gibson mufflers. Corsa or GM Axle back. Some people complain that the Corsa is too loud and some drone, but when you add quad tips the sound is better.
My dual resonators: No longer available

My exhaust tips: Search ebay for: Quad exhaust tip 2.5 3.5 for Infiniti Q60 Q70 Q50 M35 M45 FX37 FX45 G25 G37 FX50

7. Intake: This is another expensive mod for little return.

[JetFuelOnly]

Hey everyone! It’s been a year since this video was made and a lot has changed!! It turns out there is power to be gained form downpipes and the intake we are still on the fence about. The good news is Justin Schmidt of Schmidty tuning has taken the VSport to another level with his custom tuning and now E85 blend tunes. Your VSport can be about as fast as a CTS-V3 with 93 pump gas or run 10s quarter miles on upgraded fueling and turbos from the ATS-V (maybe without - we will see!).

[StormAutoAdventures]

First off, I love your videos man!! You're one of the reasons why I will be buying a low mile for the year, fully loaded 2016-2018 CTS V-Sport now that my insurance totaled my modded '15 Infiniti Q50 3.7 Premium RWD after hitting a large deer at 55 mph. It's not a deal breaker, but I am surprised to hear that a forced induction motor making 420 HP @ the crank doesn't respond well to mods? F/I engines usually respond to mods much better than N/A motors. I know this isn't an apples to apples comparison lol, but before Procharging my old naturally aspirated 2003 C5 Corvette Z06 in 2005, on a hot summer day, my Z06 picked up over 50 HP at the wheels with a Vararam CAI, LG Pro 1-7/8" LT Headers with a 3" Metal Matrix HF Catted X-Pipe, and a custom Dyno Tune when it was bone stock. I have friends who supercharged their 328 HP Infiniti Q50 3.7 like mine, plus added many other mods and they have been daily driving/ racing their Q50's with over 500 HP at the crank on their stock bottom ends with no issues other than upgrading to the same Level 10 bulletproof 7 speed auto trans my Q50 had. Mine didn't need it making just over 400 HP @ the flywheel with my mods, but I got a great deal on a used Level 10. I planned on supercharging my Q50 before hitting the deer. I love the CTS V-Sport... Especially the 2016 because I want an aftermarket quad tip exhaust system like your V-Sport. Yous looks and sounds incredible!!!! Keep up the good work! As soon as I find and buy a fully loaded in the exact year, color and mileage CTS V-Sport, I will start making videos of the car and let you know. Thanks again! Sorry for the long comment, by the way.
-Chris

[moniack]

I've got the Conti Extreme sports and like them- good grip and civilized. They're also pretty cheap. Obviously not runflats, so I've got an inflation and patch kit in the trunk. As it is, it's still snowing today and I haven't put them back on yet.

[adamhayden]

I was considering a cts v sport. But I really really have always wanted an ats. The v sport was only few thousand more then the ats I just bought. But I’m so happy and I really think I made the right choice. So I’m now in the process of making my ats in to my interpretation of if Cadillac made an ats v sport.

[haredr]

Great videos! Amazing car. I love what you’ve done to it. I have a ‘14 vsport and it’s definitely my favorite car of all that I’ve owned over the years. Looking now for an ultra-low mileage ‘18 or ‘19 to replace it. It’s the ultimate sleeper.

[Irpilot]

Nice job Danial. I watched the whole thing and I don't own the V sport anymore.

[PRviewsvlogs]

Nice touch with the subscribe and like swiping to on the cue

[ryanmontgomery]

Great video! Since you seem to be a SME on the platform, whats the widest wheel/tire combo you can run on the Vsport platform? Is it the same wheelwells as the CTS-V?

[ElSueno]

I have a 2017 Cadillac CTS 6 cyl AWD and I want to upgrade the exhaust and performance but I can’t find anything for it, I only see stuff for CTS V

[TheEdub.]

Great video as always. Do you remember the DA on that run?

[jod]

Great video Danial! Is there a reason why alignment should be 1.7~? Just for understeer? I don't think they've done that to mine in any of my alignments but I'm replacing both control arms, so I'll need another one. Thank you (edit also, the same seller we used for our infinity exhaust tips now has a listing labeled under VSport as well)

[adriancazaresc]

Excellent video ! btw, what are the specs or camaro trim from the race at the end of the video? it was your tuned V sport?

[brandonhodnett]

Thanks for the vid as always great work! I really want the tune but I bought my VSport used and got an extended warranty, if something were to happen to my engine can I erase any sign of the tune?

[gasout.dav]

The ATS 2.0T don’t respond well with mods? I also have another question I have a 2.5L ATS 2014 and I was looking into modding it but i don’t know if it react well with mods, so my question is do it?

[acrossmanoptimal]

I recently purchased a 2023 CT4-V, any idea on performance upgrades for the new L3B?

[bonethugz]

So if the ECU pulls power back using the waste gate or throttle position, can't you just get a TPS mod that imitates your exact throttle position (like a cable), then just control your boost with a manual boost controller? Its probably worth customizing the headers to make 1 un-equal and then running the dump off of that. 1 un-equal runner would give it the 350z sound.

[mohammedalmatalqa]

1 question plzzzz… i know car tuning is not good but! For my 2014 xts twin do you recommend me to make little bit tuning on the turbo boost? Cuz man its limited in summer .. i live in gulf and this thing makes me wait to enjoying only in winter

[jayrez]

Hey Daniel, would any adjustments need to made for ATS V or Camaro SS calipers to be put my Vsport or will they just bolt up?

[penguinknees]

Ignore the last comment I did on your other video. I’ve found this one.

[fredblell]

I have the Thornton chip tuning OBD2 chip. I noticed an increase of hp and better fuel mileage. Can the Trivecta tune work in association with the performance chip I mentioned?