Just purchased an '01 Catera last weekend (blue - w/ luxury package). This would be a perfect car if it had more torque (particularly off the line) and about 20 or 30 more HP. Are there any relatively SIMPLE mods. that I can make (such as air filters, spark plugs, etc..) that will make a noticable increase in power? Thanks Much. Great site by the way.

There are some no-name kits on ebay for intakes... but they could be rip-offs

Bosch dual or quad platinum plugs. - More Spark

K&N Stock fit panel filter - More Air

Anything else, you have to order from companies in europe.
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Peak Torque is at 3,400 rpms. 4,000+ is where the car lives. A special feature called Multi-Ram air intake (uses special valves in the intake to get most efficent travel) opens up fully.

What really slows the car is the gearing and the weight.

Also utilize sport mode!!!! The button on the shifter with the white S. Higher shift points, better response, performance algoritm shifting (acts like a manual on downshifts) = more speed. Disable traction control too if you want.

Thanks Jeff, I heard about the K&N air filter. If I change the filter to K&N and put in one of your recommended spark plugs will I notice a difference? Will it increase HP by about 10 HP? Also, will it effect the warrenty (I purchased the GM 3 yr. 36,000 mile warrenty since the factory warrenty had only a year left). Thanks again.

Warranty should be fine, if your worried save the old paper filter and put it on if/when you go in for repairs.

Those two mods will gain you a lil hp.. not much.

Maybe I'm so used to my little 2.0L Cavalier, but in the week I've been cruising about in my new 2001 Catera, I haven't noticed any want for HP...the torque is most definitely noticeable, but it's very comforting.

While I agree with Mod Jeff that the gearing and the weight slow it down, I think the HP is adaquate, especially while already underway at 30mph+...and yes, I've noticed a substantial difference when in S mode with the TCS is off.

Is an increase of ~10 HP even via an air kit and plugs even noticeable in a car this size?

You could always go overboard and toss in a V8, that should produce plenty more torque/hp, it's been done before. However this would negate a 'simple mod'

Jim Wood, a main engineer at cadillac with the allante and seville under his belt, has a lingenfelter C5R V8 powered catera... on the forums here. But that was quite hard, getting the gauges to work, special headers , mounts etc.

It can be done though. But its not simple , as Raze pointed out. lol.



The main problem, is the fact that Cadillac added i believe around 3-400 pounds of weight to get it to ride softer, be quieter and yet have stronger components. The V6 was even slightly detuned... 11 hp.

The power of my '01 Catera is fine but not up to current standards - particularly with off the line torque. It seems as if the engine is being suffacated and has alot of potential to put out up to 20 HP without major mods. I'm going to try the air filters and see what happens. I'll let anybody who's interested know the results.

Please :D

Im wondering what kind of a difference a filter will make in our application.