~Hello all~

I am new to this forum. It looks much more fun then my old forum even that my old forum was very educational. My first car is 97 Catera in very good condition with 60.ooo miles. Black with tan int. After I did more reserch I got very confused on what to do with the car. (sell? trade? save for CTS?) Since its my first car that I saved hard for and finaly got I wanted it to be a project.
.................................................. ................................................
To get best out my project:I changed

Spark plugs (6 Bosh 2 platinum spark plugs)
Coolant flush (Prestone coolant proven better then old Coolant)
Transmision fluid (Expensive Castrol stuff)
All new gaskets ( Old gaskets shown small leaks ) 36.ooo protection plan

Ouside looks:

Tints: %5 back and %50 front 2 (really profecional looking) $250.ooo
Removal center caps on wheels (better looking rims)
Removal rear alum decoration strip on brake lights (cleaner rear end)
Meguiars all car care kit ( protects, shines, new looking black paint)

.................................................. ...............................................
might sound like a small list its still lots $ for a hight school grad my age.

Here in North Bay Area where I live in California their are not many Cateras around. Specialy tuner projects ( Lots of people ask what car is that ) I talked to CTS owner next to my apartment few days ago as he always gave me looks at my car at stop lights day to day as I went to work. At 18 year old its tuff to afford paying for everything and tuning such a car I told him state we live in. We talked and he told me in checking out the new CTS. As I did few days later my impression towards my car did not fade away even that CTS was loved. I think its a really strong competition to me as right now. ( Bottom line is I am a little confused I still got timing belt and tensioner to change since its important ( $400.oo ) Prob few more $100's need to be spend to make car runing at its top performance. As that done in a while I am thinking:

To save for: CTS or Catera Mods???? (still got Catera Payments)

Lowering Elbach spring's for my catera with Koni sport's shocks.
Resernators removal & Magna Flow mufler.
Custom Cold air intake that will go into fender with HKS filter.
17's or 18's light weight rim's with hight performance tires.
Carbon fiber hood and rear trunk ( rear lights removal )???? expensive
Sparco or any other racing or turing sports seats for front 2. expensive

Ligher more HP and better handling car we looking at here.

Those are just starting mods I can do to my car.

What should I do doe????

220+ 250hp Catera? or 220Hp CTS?
LS1 Catera or CTS with mods?

Thing I love that you dont see any turing cateras around.........

Thanks for all your pos info

Hey. Welcome aboard - and thanks for signing up.. Which was your old board? Sorry, I'm running out the door so I can't fully reply right now. :(

~Thanks for Welcoming me~

My old forum used to be this thing I found in Yahoo car clubs. It was tech forum that was so boring and made me feel like Cateras where nothing but waste of time, because all they talked about is Catera problems which ran up to 100 pages. At same time it was good experience for new owner. It tought me lots. I was looking for a forum that would make me feel more better and more happy to work on my car and at same time make some more friends.

Overall I am happy with my 97. Its a big project. As I type now I am about to take a bus to pick up my car from a very good mechanic that just changed uper oil pan gasket that require him to lift up the engine and take whole lots of stuff to get to the upeer oil pan gasket. At same time he is going to change bottom oil pan gasktet and drain plug. On most Cateras drain plug rings get old quick and start to leak same with gaskets. This is the last set of gaskets I am willing to change then my engine would be leak free clean and ready to recive custom cold air which I am about to get and fit in the wheel whell. I thought why not change all thing that have problems since I still got 36.ooo miles woranty I got with the car before I modify anything.

Feel free to reaply

Thanks again

Ls1 Catera project

damp no one has nothing to say

Well, today I picked up my car it's got it's upper and lower gaskets changed also new drain plug put in. Now car is oil leak free and almost fully serviced. Runs like no other. On Monday I already set up apointment at exaust shop which is going to put X tube and do resernator removal to single 2 and half pipe that has one free flow resernator to make it more deep sound which would come to Magna flow mufler with polished square magna flow logo tips. Whole set up is going to run me $400 with instalation. It should pick up 15 HP to 20 HP. After that I am going for custom cold air intake with HKS filter. Thats another 5 HP to 10 HP.

225hp Cat ( not bad for start )

After that some other work is coming in the way after that I am starting to save up more. Get up to $5G's and pay of my Catera and then see whats happening. CTS is still my favorite.

Any coments feel free

thanks.

damp no one has nothing to say

Well, today I picked up my car it's got it's upper and lower gaskets changed also new drain plug put in. Now car is oil leak free and almost fully serviced. Runs like no other. On Monday I already set up apointment at exaust shop which is going to put X tube and do resernator removal to single 2 and half pipe that has one free flow resernator to make it more deep sound which would come to Magna flow mufler with polished square magna flow logo tips. Whole set up is going to run me $400 with instalation. It should pick up 15 HP to 20 HP. After that I am going for custom cold air intake with HKS filter. Thats another 5 HP to 10 HP.

225hp Cat ( not bad for start )

After that some other work is coming in the way after that I am starting to save up more. Get up to $5G's and pay of my Catera and then see whats happening. CTS is still my favorite.

Any coments feel free

thanks.

Weclome! It's not that we do not see your post it's just that there's practically no interest in this forum.

If you can get an LS1 in, great! That would be a cool mod. Lol of that doesn't work, put in a north*!

Hey Ls1 Catera project

Welcome! As 2dfx said, the Catera Forum hasn't seen much traffic - *but* that can change :D. Personally, I'd go as far with a low buck makeover as possible, drive it like ya stole it, and save your $$ for a CTS-V when you can afford it. I would not drop any major dollars into it. Do it on the cheap, keep it clean and shiny, and enjoy. The Picture Gallery should re-open soon so we'll expect some photos!

Thanks, Thanks, Thanks

~I am runing to work so I am going to make this a quick one~

Yeah as you sad I am not going to drop any big $ in (just save for da V)
All doe I am going to get exaust set up on Monday. (cold air is a project)
I cant wait to get that thing up. Once I get my exaust thats when I am going to start thinking on posting pics. (in few days I would say)

Black with black tinted polished to its max with all Mequiars products with squire dual exaust......... LOL

An LS1 or Northstar in the Catera may not be as fast as a CTS-v, but it will be with some tuning. And, you'll save a hell of a lot more money on the Catera as compared to what you will pay fo for the new CTS-v. The choice is yours, but I'd go with a Northstar in the Catera. IT might not be the fastest out there, but there is always someone who will be faster. AN LS1/Northstar powered Catera will make one hell of a sleeper. No one would ever suspect it. People know about the CTS-v.

why not a supercharged 3800 series ii engine?
it's a very soild engine with easy/cheap/lots of mods available.

it's aka as sbc of v6

An LS1 or Northstar in the Catera may not be as fast as a CTS-v, but it will be with some tuning. And, you'll save a hell of a lot more money on the Catera as compared to what you will pay fo for the new CTS-v. The choice is yours, but I'd go with a Northstar in the Catera. IT might not be the fastest out there, but there is always someone who will be faster. AN LS1/Northstar powered Catera will make one hell of a sleeper. No one would ever suspect it. People know about the CTS-v.I agree - an interesting project. However, he said he's on a tight budget right now, and that he does actually prefer the CTS to the Catera. Assuming he cannot do the work yourself, how much do you figure to buy and install the LS1/Northstar and all necessary upgrades to go with it? In this case, I'd still recommend saving for the CTS-V.

why not a supercharged 3800 series ii engine?
it's a very soild engine with easy/cheap/lots of mods available.

it's aka as sbc of v6The 3.8 is a good motor, no doubt. But it's the 4.3 that is actually the SBC with 2 cylinders removed.

~Hey all Caddie tuners~

How yo all doin?

Thanks for all your info. It deffinatly gets me. Now about my car position as now. Well, on Monday I am getting following exaust things installed: Y pipe to 2 dual pipes that already on the car which would come out as 2 and half size ice pack pipe wich would follow Magna flow mufler with 2 dual square 2 and half inch tips. Whole set up should be really klean looking and having deep sound to it. ( Almost look alike as Steinsmitz Catera exaust). Set up shows %10hp gain out of 200hp. Now the sad fact is that my car got 61.ooo miles and got original timing belt and tensioner which break all the time on Cateras. That would run me another $250.oo+. I am going to do that after I get my exaust with in few following pay checks. I am hoping my car stays strong like it have been till timing belt is replaced. While all that going I am going to save up some money slowly for ??????

More Catera mods or CTS. I spend aprox $800 on my Catera since I got it. Its not a whole bunch on money but on same hand it could of gone towards CTS. But at same time I need to spend money into Catera to have me moving to work and back so that way I can save up more money. So its kind of a ball game right now. Once Catera is totaly payed which their is not much left to pay off then I would see what to do and how much money I would have saved. If I come up short for CTS I am deffilantly going to look into swaps making it CATERA. ( Real one this time looking at 300+hp ) Day and night Vs normal CTS. Even that CTS got new Sigma platform that is very smooth sporty set up which can be fixed with Catera too with some Elbach spring and Koni shock's which I be prob getting in long run. Its going to be easily proven that Opel platform holds its own and can also be tuned to its profection.

Remember too that all mods I do to Catera and if I give it up and want to get CTS I can sell all mods back on EBay or something get most money back.

Well, as time goes I keep yo all posted.

Thanks for all your help again.

(feel free to keep this post moving as more mods I get and share my personal experience with all of yo)

Ls1 Catera project

How yo all doing?

It looks like no one is interested in this. 5 days since I reaply and their is still no life in here. Well I finaly got my MagnaFlow full exaust and I wanted to let you know how happy I was with it. It looks, performs and sounds perfect on Catera. Set up proven good. It might be a little loud but I am picky about sounds so it might not be so bad for others. Its really deep sound. Power kicks in very well at all power bands. I had allots more people looking at the car specialy once I had small race after work Vs Acura Integra LS which amazinly I beat at a stop light. Not many know what it is and it looks and sounds very good. As I work my next mod to get is buy cold air intake and HKS filter have it custom bend for my car in mufler shop. As that done I would not have to fear much of CTS anymore till CTS V comes out. I am still saving for what ever I get as second car after my Catera. More tuning on the way as I keep yo all posted.

( Dont give up all Catera owners should have a meating )

Ls1 Catera project

The 3.8 is a good motor, no doubt. But it's the 4.3 that is actually the SBC with 2 cylinders removed.
people refer to it as sbc of 6cylinder because of its aftermarket availability. ;)

Hey. Sorry it's been so slow in here. Eventually there will be more Catera owners who find this website. We've only been around for 8 months so don't worry - they'll be here..

In the meantime, keep us posted on your project. When somebody DOES come here with a Catera, they'll be glad to learn about your trials and tribulations. :)

kool kool kool

thanks for some info, now I am starting to save and save while helping my friend with his car he jus bought. 86 Honda si 2.o Prelude. Its a total mess but a good project. Helping him would save my Catera so that way I dont have to drive to work every day. He can drive me once we get his car fixed. That way I would have low miles and save money on gas. Once I replace my timing belt which would be like $300.oo then I am going to put in intake with nice filter and heat sheild cover which is another extra 10hp should bump me up to 225+hp.

Well take care as I keep you posted.

Ls1 Catera project

have you thought about just getting a SBC 350? would be alot cheaper to build up than a LS1, carb'd so you dont have to worry about computers and you could get a 5 speed for it. And if you wanted you could even go with TPI later. Only thing would be motor mounts, but you'd need to get those fab'd either way. Just get some chrome valve covers that say cadillac on them and your set.

Thanks for your idea's.

I been working allot lately at Mercedes. Still saving money for the future swap if I ever was about to do it. I am thinking to keep my V6 in their prob till CTS V comes out. My friend is driving me to work everyday for me to save miles and keep my car in good shape. Before my saving are up I am going to start looking soon for people who are willing to help me do the swap. So far I dont know many. I should also start collecting all information about it. So far I am into making my Catera stronger in every point before I do the swap. Getting things like sport suspension, brakes upgrade, lighter body components, lighter stronger wheels with hight performance tires and etc. I want to make sure my car can handle the V8 before its done. Soon I am going to start making more pic's to post on here once pic section opens I be happy to show you what I am making.

( What do you think about Catera Hang out place where we all see each other some time at end of this year ? Maybe in LA or some place else? )

Ls1 Catera project

Hello all!

I guess no one is looking at this no more. I hope at same time its helping some people because their is so little out their. Well, I got a news upgrade for all of you which I worked really hard for. Upgrade is getting Intake for my car which finaly not only looks very profecional but also performs like no other. I had all kinds of ideas and money spendings with custom fabrications which I build in intake feilds. Short ram intake which was just a pice of alum pipe with K&N drop in. ( It kept on getting hot and just making noice ) As I traveled to my hight performance european shop which was helping me out with all projects in the past with my friends cars, they offered me Ice Man Cold air intake for Eclipse. I payed $150 for whole deal with K&N cone filter. With about 2 days of different fix ups and custom modifications I finaly got everything to work together buitufully and also look like a real deal. It's a 2 piace intake that travels far to the left of engine bay. The angle once I got the intake looked pefect. Intake is made of special material that looks like durable plastic which makes whole point of producing horse power and ability to custom trim and fit in. It turned out really nice and also power difference is really well recodnized specialy with exaust which I already got. ( 15hp duno proven. ) As my car goes I keep you all posted.

Talk to you soon

your's

Ls1 Catera project

Iam getting more and more seriose about getting a Catera, so you wont be alone my friend. Have you found any companies that make suspension parts, other then springs? I figure i'll be doing the suspenson first, while i slowly building up a new engine for it. Got any pics of the new intake?

~ Hi all ~

Thank's DeVillish for keeping comunity and Catera's up on point. I am working hard before colledge starts on this hardly but stedy modified project. We are facing a car with huge potentials here as I discover more and more performance in its fleet of 4 door sports sedans.

Speeking of suspension I did some reserch. I know of famoust Elbach lowering 1inch springs, Intrax lowering springs which are cheaper version of Elbach I belive then for shocks their are Koni sport yelloow shocks that offer vell balanced performance I belive. Best would be to check out Tire Rack . com web site in peformance garage for better ideas for some upgrades. They are preaty cheap and well trusted sorce where I prob would be getting some of my suspension from.

As for more over in Europe as $port suspension goes their are Steinsmitz (quote me on spell). But such costly and and time taking suspension is not needed for such a car that handles so well already. Elbach and Koni should do the job for most. I am sure that set up would keep me very happy. As rims and tire set up goes its a whole different story.

As for intake I got even some more news for all of you. Today I drove for some miles and got Air Managment System called Tornado. After reading the good and bad on internet I finaly made choice to buy it. After installing it in my intake I knoticed big improvment in gas milege witch is big difference in Catera. ( $ave money on gas for more mods ) How much power I got from unit? I cant really say now till I do my duno which I post here in few month after few more hp mods. I would say nothing more then 4hp. Actually with my exaust and intake set up it might be more. Duno would show all that later.

Well, I will keep you all posted and try getting some pics once I get lil more free time on Sun day off work.

DeV we should talk AIM to share tips about this unique project.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Super Singal 2.5 pipe's MagnaFlow euro type exaust.
IceMan Cool Ram Air induction Intake.
Tornado Gas Saver unit.
Bosh Platinum 2 spark plugs.
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Catera perfection maintace - performance

Ls1 Catera Project.

sure man, my SN is Devillish90. I've been thinking about it more and i dont think it would be good for me to have a car payment now. But iam gona keep researching with ya on this because someone needs to do it :burn:

I have a 2000 black catera. I added an open air intake, remus exhaust, eibach springs, Koni shocks and struts, spoiler, McCullough HIDs, PIAA lamps and Foglights, an engine temp sensor mod, XM radio, 1000 watt rockford fosgate amp and two JL 10's. Next up I am putting in the wood dash factory wood kit in the interior to add more wood grain, 18" OZ racing wheels, super leggera (16.9#!), and probably get them chromed, vented disc brakes, steel brake lines, sway bars (steinmetz), chrome fuel cap cover (steinmetz)...then if I ever get the dough...ahhh...a kenwood touch screen navigation/dvd unit with 5.1 dolby sound with a seperate amp and speaker for the center channel. Oh and I am getting a white light underneath neon kit to match the HIDs with a switch in the car. Over done, maybe, but I am doing this step by step. The only thing that irritates me is I want that damn steinmetz supercharger!!!!!!!!!!! They don't make it aaaaaaaaah! I've probably added 30-40 hp doing what I've done already, but it'd be nice to have that.

Hy,
I'm happy to finally see someone serious about hooking up a Catera. Last month i installed a custom air intake with a K&N cone air filter on my Catera which improved a lot the throttle response. :D Unfortunately the car swallowed gas like an Abrams tank afterwards and after a week the check engine light came on. It appears that the car's computer detected too much air and gas into the engine, and the car started acting funny so i had to install the old intake back. :crying: I'm curious about the gas mileage on your car and if you had any problems because of the new intake.

~ Kool Kool Kool ~

It's looking like some people are interested. Well Devillish I would im you some time to chat. BlackCat 2000 it's kool how you got your project going for you I hope you like it. I am just more into different style of Catera but thats cool you got your own thing going for yo. No TV's, major system, glow light etc's for me doe. Remember car is already haevy and aprox with every 100 pounds you gain you lose around 10hp.
Just something to think about. As for suspension I like your set up which I am about to do that I been saving up for long time. By the way how did it perform for you? Just Elbach and Koni I am speeking of? To solve the weight problem in Catera my future mods would prob be: Recaro black sports seats ( aprox around 30+ pounds removal ), lighter spare tire ( aprox 25+ pound removal), custom carbon fiber hood and rear trunk ( aprox 30+ pound removal), Light weight hight performance racing rims ( aprox 20+ pounds ), lighter racing batery ( aprox ? 5 pounds ). Thats aprox 110+ pounds thats like driving one more extra person with you WoW. Also better looking and performing car. As it goes to you Valy thats sad how your car messed up with your intake modification. What type of intake modification did you do? It sounds very trouble some. Was their any damage done to the engine? So fair I been realy carefull with that and had good luck so far. I am runing my engine as cool as I can with all cold air mods I got and fresh coolant at all times. Speeking of gas milage it really improven since I got my car. Tornado gas saver unit really helped it. I would say at least 3 to 5 more MPG. Its going to pay itself off soon + it gives me lil HP. At least that what it feels like. But like I sad everything would be shown after the dyno in about 10 or some days. Well I am glad you all are interested in our Catera turning projects. Good efford keep it up that way so we can show others that Catera's are not just some old forgot project that got replaced by all famoust CTS which I still love as a car but... My goal is to be head to head with V-bomb and still having a budget car under $20.000. We should all have Catera meat before sumer is over maybe.

Take care of your rides and keep post going.

Thanks for all your help and inspiration.

Your's

Catera Ls1 Project.

Cool. Yeah, lights and a head unit won't add but a couple of pounds, and bling is cool along with kick ass power and handling. Where are you getting a custom carbon fiber hood done? My super leggera wheels 16.9 pounds is sick! I have the cold air mod and my intake is a modified perflowmance one off of ebay (that's where I got HP mod too). I plan on getting my OZ super leggera 18 or 19s chromed (yes it will add a couple of pounds, but they look bad ass and they are rediculously light to start...Missy elliot has them on her ferrari). I looked into the tornado and I found out it wouldn't work on the catera from the company itself. So how did you get one? I would like to get one. Actually my gas mileage doesn't really seem affected. No lights coming on either (check engine). The Remus exhaust which I had shipped from germany is rediculous...throaty...sweet! Love it. My car is nothing like it was when I first got it. The super white PIAA lamps and foglights match my HIDs nicely (BTW you can't get aftermarket HIDs anymore...just got outlawed). The neon is going to be hyper-white to match my HIDs as well, with a switch in the car. I forgot to mention I got the chrome tint...to match the exhaust chrome tips, my stock chrome 16s (soon to be the OZs), and my incoming chrome fuel cap cover. I have the eibach springs and Koni struts and shocks tightened down and the car holds the road much better. I also got bridgestone potenzas on my 16s (their best performance tire)...made a big difference too. Anyone want to get a set of chrome 16s with 10,000 miles wear on nice potenzas? I will be running Nitto's on my 18s. The sway bars will be the finishing touch taking some of the roll out of my higher speed cornering. My system is nice with the JL subs, the 1000w rockford amp and the XM, but I would like to switch out the bose speakers (which are nice, but definitely could be better). Oh btw LS1 where are you getting a lighter spare wheel? I'd love to get the body kit steinmetz makes the 3 piece grill, front spoiler, side sills/skirt, and rear skirt...but the shipping might be a killer from germany (I can deal with the fuel cap cover and swaybars). ALSO please someone get me the supercharger they built on that concept catera that they dont stock...that adds like 80 hp. God. Well thats where I am at. I don't think I'd strip out the heated leather seats...chicks like those, heavy or not! ;)

Hey

My bad I post for you into whole new reaply opening new tred Re: ?'s Well I hope you see it down in Catera forum :)

It's first time I messed up in this forums.

LOL

Catera Ls1 Project

Hey

My bad I post for you into whole new reaply opening new tred Re: ?'s Well I hope you see it down in Catera forum :)

It's first time I messed up in this forums.

LOL

Catera Ls1 ProjectNo biggie - just ask HotRod (the Moderator) to merge the threads back together.

~ Thanks Sandman ~

After I posted one of my last posts today on the weekend I totaly detailed my car after. WoW it turn out to be nice. Mequiars products seem to really do their job. Well I drove down 15 min away from my house by Golden Gate Bridge today and took something like 30 pics of my car witch included exaust set up shots, intake, interior, exterior and etc's. I hope pic's would come out nice so I can post here soon. Keep you all posted.

Ls1 Catera project

'_'

<Hello all once again>

Now, I finaly got some pic's of my car for all to see. It took me some time since I posted here my 1st reply. It's just I been working so hard for these past few month once I graduated hight school making my car a nicer project for the Caddie comunity and of curse for my own experiance that I even forgot what weekend was about. Pic's speek for them self. Once I got the car it was not what it's now. It was more of abandoned and left out in car world due to work upper class fox would not deal with. (making it perfect project to me). I hope pic tred would open or I can link pics and soon you can see what my project is about. Dont expect crazy shiny heavy chrome rims, go fast bodie kit (lol) , huge wings (lol down force), or another 50 pound on top of all that sound system ( boom boom girl getter LOL) stock one do too. Well, not to bring anyone down on any mods I stop their on the list. I just think everyone got their own style and thats kool. To some my car might look totaly plain and stupid. To some it can look like a slick Euro sedan sleeper. Next thing I post after pic's I am hoping is my dyno papers soon. As time goes my stock timing belt and tensioner is keeping me thinking when its going to break. ?? 70.ooo, 8O.ooo. ?? To keep my project I need to do that soon. The way I look at it with Catera first its maintance then mods then maintance then mods. Thats how it should be with every car you make a project. Maintance would differ from diving style of curse. Well as I keep you all posted I hope you find this some what educational for those who need to find out something new and a good hang out inspirational place to tune and maintain your Catera's.
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No one ever sad nothing back about Catera meat once I asked. Why not??? Other people meat up and join car groups and become comunity's why cant we? Lets aproximate month and place for few Catera tuners to see each other hang out talk, mod what ever.
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Keep em going
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Ls1 Catera Project

I found a company in Germany that is about to come out with a supercharger for the 3.0L V-6. It may be a couple of months, then there is the issue of shipping it, but it will add 70-80HP. I told him that I would pass on this info to several boards I am on with catera owners that are interested. Hopefully this works. They typically want to you to come to them and have them install, but they may ship it to me and let me get an aftermarket tuner shop do it.

~Thanks for that info~

When you say they will ship it to (me) and tuner shop install it for (me). Is it a secret to know the supercharger company name for us? By the way their are ways of getting 400hp in that car but again just like you sad they will ship it to me and install it for me. Me, me, me.

Well thanks again for some help you gave us.


( Now my tuning is not easy timing belt and tensionar kit for Catera is $5oo.oo + labor, something I need to replace. While I am dealing with woranty companys that own me money in the past and working 35 hour weeks at work I am still doing timing belts. What a B.S + colledge about to start. ( I wish I was rich and tings came easy like for others I see every day ) But once all that done I got ways to tune beyond Catera's ever been to. Something like Twin Turbo charged performance cant say what hehe) Well Ls1 still a posability.

~V-bomb I see you one day on the high way blinking my lights behind you making a sudden turn and cut you off like no other.~

Ls1 Catera Project

I am not holding out, I am just waiting to hear back on my reply to see what he says in terms of details before I post the company's name, which may be in a day or two. I am not sure if that post was dissing with the "me,me,me" stuff, but I posted to say I hopefully will get good info for all of us, as I have combed the internet for months over performance stuff for the catera. This would be awesome. I have nothing to gain, and you can contact the company directly, I will give you all the info. It would make more sense to not irritate this guy with a flood of emails asking the same questions. He replied within a week on my last email, so he should be back to me hopefully soon.
this is the email.......

---------------------------
Hello again,
** as I understand You are looking for very strong engine version for Your Catera.The strongest we made until now is to install our 4l 24V engine with about 330 hp
and a torque of 440 Nm at 4.000 rpm*.We don´t use the V6, we install*the*R6 engine and this is*a huge transplantation.The car has to be built up here in our com-
pany and it will take us about 6 to 8 weeks to do it. The Price is about 25 000 Euro for an automatik version.But* we* develop right now a supercharged Version of
the V6 3l and this will make things quite a bit cheaper, this modification will cost about one half of the 4l transversion.The output will be about 300 hp at 6.500 rpm
and the torque will be about 380 Nm at 5.500 rpm. As soon as we are redy You will find a lot of informations about this in our homepage. But by the way, in which
country are You living, would You be able to bring Your car to us?
Best regards

----------------------------------------------------------------------
As you can see this email raised some more questions and some of his suggestions are not viable. When I find out what is viable for certain, you all will be first to know. I thought, LS1, I was being helpful. And giving all of us the best chance of getting this thing.

Here's my latest email from steinmetz...this sucks. I can't get the swaybars from them, I might still try PVD in england. I know they say they don't guarantee the body parts will fit, but I know someone that did do it, and it did work. I was also checking on getting their steel brake lines for my vented disc brakes, but I am not sure which one to get...the brakes set says GM...there is no specifics of gierling or Lucas style brakes. The cadillac guys have no idea. I may just get them custom. And no suprise...no supercharger. I got some more question I am going to ask them...I will continue to post.


Hi,
Thank you for your e-mail.
Sorry, but we do not offer the swaybars any more.
To ship the body parts to USA it will cost approx. 170-200 Euro. We would like
to confirm once again that our body parts will not fit on the Catera!!!
Concerning the steel brake cables we can not say, which do you have. Here in
Europe Opel is using 2 different types of cables. You have to talk to your
dealer. Perhaps he can say which type do you have.
We do not have any parts of the supercharger on stock, and it is not possible to
produce them any more.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information.With kindest
regards
Steinmetz GmbH
O p e l-T u n i n g
Dimitri Nikolaou
Export Manager
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Re-4: Catera (17-Aug-2003 20:06)
From:*** shawn61174@hotmail.com
To:***** export@steinmetz.de
> A couple of questions I am thinking of getting the swaybars & fuel cap
> together for the opel omega (catera) how much would that be to ship to
> North
> Carolina, USA?* Also* my next project would be to get the 3 piece grill,
> front spolier, side sills, rear skirt and mirrors (left and right)...how
> much would those together be to ship.* The body kit stuff I won't do for
> another couple of months, but I am curious.* Also, I am having some guys
> put
> on some vented disc brakes for me, but I would like to get some steel brake
>
> cables, you have them on your site but it says Gierling or Lucas and I am
> not sure which to do, do you have any idea?* I've asked this question
> before, but I got to keep asking...is there anyway to get that supercharger
>
> that you guys once had for the catera concept.* Is it left over from that
> project somewhere, does the design still exist and can I be put in contact
> with someone who could make it?* I am on several catera boards with people
> looking for performance stuff and they'd all like to get it.* I've already
> added eibach springs, koni shocks and struts, remus exhaust, cold air
> intake, and a rear spoiler.* Thanks for the help and I look forward to
> doing
> business with you.* By the way PVD that carries your products won't return
> my emails, why?** Shawn
>

Word

Now you sound like a real tuner helper.
Hmm how much you think 25 ooo euro in $$$? If i had the $$$ I would not hasitate bringing them the car since that what they want. $$$

Well great job patna and keep it real.

Ls1 Catera Project

Dude, I don't know what to say, sorry you're negative, and I am finding out what's possible...read the email again...that's for an engine with 400hp and not the supercharged engine which is half as much. Again read my post that says it brings up more questions, which I am asking...such as can the supercharger itself be sent and put on at an aftermarket tuner place. and in this case it may be 1000 dollars and a great way to get 80hp. Again I feel like I've put in work and its at least interesting to know what can be done and who is doing it even if we can't afford it. I guess that's being a real enthusiast. Not someone that is critical and negative. I thought either way, catera owners and cadillac fans would love to hear what my research has yielded thus far, I have literally spent months on it. Like how I found the Remus exhaust in germany. I refuse to be critical towards you LS1.

~Hello all once again~

My bad for not posting for while (working saving for more mods)
Well first **** all the hating on any one in here. What I think we should do is just being a better comunity for each other. I am sory if I came out any negative on what you had to say Black Cat. I am thankfull in any way I can be for all your reserch you done for us. ( no J/K) Dont wory about Steinmetz Co. their are all kinds of way of getting lots of stuff from them. But again why do you need it? Making frong facia on your stock Catera is not that hard with some bodie work to complete like Steinmetz bodie kid + save lots of $$$. HP is also posible to get without that stupid supercharger that gives LOL 80hp. Also in Russia where it looks like that manager Dimitri is from Opel Co they got all kind of stuff and shiping wont be that expensive as Germany. Well here are some ideas that might help. Is anyone interested in Catera place where we all kick it in? ? ?
Tell us

Well keep this post going

Your's suporter

Ls1 Catera Project

More time pass no one is into this.
Black Cat you got any news? Still mad at me? Hmm too bad you are even after I sad it was my bad. Well reason I inform you now is giving you some info on my custom CTS V billet grill project for my Catera. I got some really good looking mesh I got only for $5. I am thinking to paint it black remove my bottom fog lights and bottom air dam and reaplace it with all this mesh I got before work tomoroy. About the top grill its still a project. Well keep you posted as I save more for my Timing belt and tensioner kit to replace. $$$$ Colledge starts in 5 day's. WOW dont want to go. At lest I would see some people I know doe.

Keep tuning yours cats and dont give up.

Ls1 Catera project.

i got a good friend here that owns a 99 catera, of course the catera is an opel omega, a german made car...opel makes it and ships it to the cadillac factory for the final stage, cpu change, interior design and emblems and other small stuff... he has already ordered numerous parts for his car..there is a german site that has mods for the vehicle, especiall a supercharge package that you can buy for a few grand hehe..kind of expensive. But to bad you dont have a newer catera, the intake and exhaust system is already performance ready...

oh btw, i can get you your suspension kit, but it will cost ya some $$$$

Thanks for help.

Well what German web site you talking about? Also where can I buy that supercharger for couple of grand? Sound's like a deal? Also why wont stuff from 99 Catera work on 97? Are ant they same cars? Also what suspension are we talking about here?

Ls1 Catera Project.

the 97-2003 suspension is pretty much te same, but the reason why a 97 isnt that compatable with a 99 is becuase the engine specs are a lil different, the addition of controls in the car like performance, somethin like a traction control off button thats on a fleetwood.. i dont know everything but im still reading into the stuff.... ill get back to you on the suspension and maybe the supercharger.. the website i was talin bout whast the steinmentz thing but forget bout that..i read the posts about them not makin shit anymore...

Hello every one

Today I should post my pics on the internet and give you all the link to them. I am going to try. Well, thanks Super Cadillac for some of you info. You think a Twin Turbo Toyota I6 engine can be swaped in a Catera? Supra is a rear wheel drive too. Only thing I am thinking block since it's inline might be too long. But once I looked at it it was not that big. Well I hope you get back to me and I keep rest of the comunity posted.

Thanks all.

Ls1 Catera Project.

Hey yo.

Once again Catera project is on it's way. Intake and exaust combo gives very good performance. I clocked car 0 to 60 which ran aprox under impressive 7 seconds or 7 sec flat with spare tire removed. Heater vent does really good job keping the hot air away from intake. Also removal of bottom fog lights work really well. Looks more custom and agresive + gives that extra air car need's. I hooked up a flexi hose to the bottom of where light's used to be and pointed it to K & N wich is located at behind top driving light away from the heat. Custom heat sheild also was made by me to keep total heat away. Ram air proven great. Today I went to Cadillac and payed hard worked $500.oo for timing belt tensioner kit which need to be reaplaced as soon as posible. As soon as that done and monthly payment is done again I can be thinking saving for header tape to get few more HP and run lower temp. Also I would prob able to get lil clean Euro looking lights at where old fog lights used to be. Next big mod would prob be suspension. I am slowly but surely getting their pushing it for new rims and tire combo which I found really special split 5 star racing Euro style rims for only $600 less w/o tires. Then big brake upgrade coming up from Brembo plain rotors and Ebc green stuff brake pads.
Once car would look totaly sweet and got best handles on track or street when I would be considering removing all the weights with custom carbon fiber hood and rear trunk, maybe sports seats, spare tire removal and other etc's. Remember every 100 pounds is 10th of a sec of quater mile times. At easy 200+ pounds can be removed from Catera. Their is going to be lots to do and I hope I am going to complete it before Chrismass. Then I can start saving's in new year once CTS V comes out to be that powerfull engine to get next to the V. I think thats it for now to keep you posted. Hope you like my future plans and keep thing Catera thing going.

Well here are my pic's

Have fun

http://www.extremevelocity.net/ken/

Ls1 Catera Project

No one got nothing to say about my pic's.....

Hmm this is why I think no one really thinks Catera is a good tuning project, because we dont have strong comunitry like Imports do. Speeking of that I am starting not to like them more. Today after work some white lowered Honda Civic gave me thumbs down once he passed by while I was turning into different street. Two min later on way home some Acura Interga at stop light. Damp funny he lost to luxury turing car thats not even done yet and still a project of mine. I keep you all posted in my Monster Garage Project.

thanks

your's Ls1 Catera Project

i havnt had time to really look at them, but it looks good. But wheres the pics of the intake?? And who cares what some kid in a civic thinks, honduhs are some of the ugliest cars man.

Thanks reply I took time and efford to post them.

Well, pic's of intake where messed up once I made them so I choice not to post since you cant even see anything. Even if I make pic's of it again you wont able to see it because I custom rapped the intake in this material alum that keeps heat away from it because once air inside it gets too hot even that it's plastic material type it still gets really hot and check engine light goes on. Something bad about Cateras is that they run really hot. I am thinking once I get custom headers get header rapping material and tape everything around to keep tem cool. Also custom racing radiator and better fan would do. Once I taped my intake and made custom sheild for K & N in this special anti heat material I not only felt better performance in hot weather but also check engine light never went on again. What I am going to do is get my timing belt replaced soon that I already bought after that I will save up for Elbach springs and Koni shocks. That will get car lowered about 1 inch. After that I want to get Fox Racing rims with some hight performance all season low pro's. Once I do the followings I would post pic's and try to make better pic's of intake this time. ( But if you look better you can kind of see intake coming out on the left side of the pic of the engine bay.

Thanks again for peply. ( I will try my hardest to get this project moving and finished as soon as I can)

So far Kind of sad I lost to 3.5 2003 Nissan Altima by 1 car.
Oh well car is newer and lighter and got more Hp + that kid that drove it knows nothing about it and never worked hard for it like I do for my car.

Good luck to all.

Ls1 Catera Project

Hey yo

Got some good news that made me feel positive about my project again. Today at night once temperature droped and once car performed way better in colder weather I had my rematch Vs that same my friends 2003 Nissan Altima. Good news are my Catera took him of the roll starts. But it was very close of the start. So now I feel almost even. Altima got almost same power as new 255Hp I belive 3.8 CTS which makes it fastest CTS as now. That makes me feel very positive about my Catera project wanting even more power, looks and handling. Today I bought a Chevy engine magazine that had most engine projects info. They got 383 Track Pro with 420Hp and 385 torque, 383 Enforcer with 525Hp and 520 Torque. Engine complete cost no more then $4.500 to $8.500. Sound cool but imagine all the conversions I must do to my car to get it all to work. Damp lots of $$ and pain on the way coming up for me. I try to keep you all posted as I go fast throught my dayly life of colledge, work, colledge, work...

Well see talk to you soon and good luck on all your projects.

Ls1 Catera Project.

Hello,

I have (soon) a Catera, and initially I wanted to sell it and purchase something else, but the car is pretty nice so I am going to be keeping it.

I like the idea of upgrading it. The previous owner (my mom. ;p) is going to pay for new tires for it. Any suggestions? I have a list somewhere of acceptable tires for the Catera. Currently the tires on the vehicle are not right for it and is causing a slight shake in the steering.

Other than that, I'll be paying for most upgrades, and I want the engine to be looked at soon. The shifter is automatic. There is something wrong with the engine, I think, because it doesn't seem to have any power, it seems like it's not going up in gears, and running to many RPMs sometimes. I may be able to get the parental unit to pay for an engine check, and at that time, I could probably have a few things replaced... Anyways, I don't really have the time right now to make too long of a post. Just wondering if there's any interest left in this board, since the last post was in August on this thread.

I don't recall what year this Catera is (or if they had multiple years) but I'll check on that, and maybe someone on the board can give me some ideas.

I spent the last few months reading up on Rotary engines, and then reading up on air-cooled volkswagen engines(no one I knew appreciated the Fiberglass buggy idea... why WHY not?!)... and then I decided to stick with the Catera - guess this means I have to start researching that now.

-Pip

Thank's for more better feel about this forum, and welcome to world of edventure the CATERA. LOL. It's been a project ever since I got my car back in 2002. It's a 97 with few performance mods and with 62.ooo miles. First thing once I got the car I did most of the service. I went to auto shop and got all new Gasket for Transmision oil pan and new Transmision oil and filter that goes inside. That made me learn little about the car: How did transmision oil looked? Where their any particles? Overall story on how car was taken care of? Also it made me feel that Castrol GTX trany oil protected my trany way better then what was in their before. With more work saving money it was not fun process. Next I went to my local Cadillac to replace all leaking engine gaskets that include most of them exept head gasket (thank god not that one). I am glad my wornaty covered most of cost other vice I dont know what I would do now paying so much money. After not having the car for up to 10 days I finaly got it all oil leak free in near perfect runing condition. My adventures did not stop their. Once I made some more money I replaced all new spark plugs to Bosh platinum 2 that what they recomended. Old spark plugs I taken out looked very bad since they where original form factory and needed a change. Whats cool about whole thing more and more I replaced and fixed on my car better and quicker it ran. I was happy all that was done once I used to go to Hight school auto shop for free labor that I did myself now I draduated and have no place to work on my car and kind of stuck with out that shop. Other vice my engine swap could of been done already. My adeventures did not stop since engine keept of runing really hot it needed a good coolant flush with all new Prestone coolant. Dexi Cool was recomended but I found that green coolant worked better. Warning dont mix green coolant with anything else but green coolant in Catera to prevent damage. Once I was done with most service I listed I was very bored having same power and looks so first I tinted all my windows which was $250.oo but done very well and since it's really hot here and I got black car tints not only help to keep things cool but also keep that nice interior at all times. Once power was looked at I had big dreams. But too bad nothing was avalable like for Civic or Honda etc's. I was not really too mad at that factor because car stock already got more power then most Civic's around which makes them mad already. I had about 3 different intake custom intake done by me in the car before I found what I wanted that ran cool and performed well at all times. It was Ice Man cold air system that I custom fit in my car with K&N filter. That gave me more fun car to drive. I could not wait on my exaust and wanted something very European but with low budget I end up getting Magna Flow cat back that gave me about same power results and sound awsome. Looked you can see on the pic's I posted. I can changing my Timing belt which is very important to do on Cateras cuze their are many cases belts broke before. It can be very costly. After that I am going to drive and injoy the car which I am working hard and saving for engine swap for my car. Nothing can boost my power as and engine swap. NOS Catera I dont think so thats why I am going for engine swap.

I hope this info helped you PIP.
Good luck with your car and dont give up. By the way what state u in?
Before you do anything expensive thing twice because you might need the money later on engine swap like me too. ~no rich no Ls1~ ~and its hard to be rich just out of hight school starting colledge~ LOL

Ls1 Catera Project.

Hi Ls1 and everyone else,

I haven't put much thought into this yet, but from the few times that I've driven the car, I know that it needs a few things. Fixing the transmission or at least having it looked at and oil in it changed is something I need to do. I am a little worried that I might have to replace or I might have some problem with the transmission, because there is some performance problem with the car but I haven't made time to figure out what is the cause - I was thinking that I was going to sell the car.

Since it's my parents car, they'll be willing to fix major problems before handing it to me. Maybe I can convince them the gaskets, spark plugs, coolant, transmission needs to be looked at and fixed. (: Save me some money later on. Doubt I'll be able to get them to pay for an exhaust system, but I can pay that myself. I have a bit of money put away from when I was expecting to buy a car, and I can throw most of it at the Catera.

New tires are already needed for the car, so I'll be looking to get some nice ones, again, since it's needed I may not have to absorb all of the cost for those. Maybe some shocks and springs at that time too.

Anyways, once I've thought more about this, and narrowed down some choices, I noticed that a lot of people have suggested or done some of this already so I'll go back and reread the notes - then once I got a plan, I'll post it and see if there's any better ideas.

I am thinking basically, wheels, suspension, brakes, exhaust(transmission check), and engine as areas to make better. I want to put the air intake system on too.

This is going to show how much I know about the car I'm getting, but it has a "S" button on the transmission knob. No clue what it does. Not really familiar with the car yet - didn't know it was gonna be mine.

Additionally, I might look at replacing the seats infront, because the ones there aren't comfortable to me. They're too cushy. Added benefit to that is lighter car.

I am living in Minnesota, I just graduated (in May) from college. And soon I am going to be living in California whenever a few things here are finished up. The latest for the move will be 7 months from now, but hoping it's earlier. Would like to get all of the work on the car done before then, plan to zip down to Kansas where I was going to school, and see my buddies - would be nice to have a well working car at that time. The only vehicles we had there were trucks and two door cars with tiny back seats... just try fitting four or five people into those, it's like a clown car watching everyone get out.

-Pip

Kool PIP

To help you out S bottom is for sport mode. For a firmer shift and increased performance, you may choose the sport mode. This botton lets you change from normal driving mode to a sport driving mode. It is located on the shift lever handle. The telltale light that has S on the instrument panel will come on when the sport mode is selected. Do not expect huge power jump it actually does almost nothing but revs your RPM more. It definatly a difference when you get exaust and intake I found it a nice feature in racing other cars. But for me car is still lil slow no matter what I do to it without that engine swap maybe thats because I work so hard for everything I do and I want to see huge improvement and that not how it works. I would also like to have place we can kick it with our cars PIP once you move to Cali. Where in Cali you might move to? I am hoping in 7 month I would be getting more to my engine swap. Which would hope give 320+HP from 215+HP now.

Well talk to all later.

Currently the tires on the vehicle are not right for it and is causing a slight shake in the steering.

That feathering on the inside of the tires is most likely caused by the faulty control arm/brushing unit that is on most cateras. I need to get mine replaced too, but I havent gotten around to it yet, it will cause any tire you put on there to wear quicker on the inside edges.

Also, LS1, would you mind telling me what exactly you got in terms of an exhaust system? I was looking at magnaflow's cat back kits and they dont have one specifically for a catera.

Hey Iceman, I heard about that faulty unit, but since no one on here mentioned it, I thought it was more due to the bad tires that are on the car. This model was taken from Europe, and the unit there that matches it had the same problem, and the car company replaced some part, but since that model, and this one isn't on paper the same thing, the part isn't covered under warranty.

My mom who owns the car now can read German, and I guess there's some German articles about it, and she wants the dealership to pay for it(they wont, claiming the part was never recalled, but it is on the European car), if that's what the unit was - but it's my understanding that it does more than just wear the tears, it also loosens some connecting arms - she's had these tightened frequently and they're the cause of the shake in the steering wheel. The wrong tires that are on the car maybe makes the problem worse and causes the loosening so could be that none of you are experiencing that part of it.

When I see her next, I'll ask her for the details about the part, price, and why it doesn't work right. It's a '98 Catera, I believe.

Yeah, I had used the S button before, but that is all I noticed, the RPMs seemed to jump faster, but it wasn't like I could tell that it was picking up speed more. It didn't feel like the transmission was moving up gears fast enough to keep up with the RPMs but that could be unrelated problem. The engine needs some work though just to get it back in to good shape so that might be part of why I am not excited about the button... It is cool to have buttons though.

Whenever the car is here, I need to look it over, I don't really know if it's possible to get the engine up to what you want it to be, LS1.

What engine do you want to put in yours, and how much work to modify the car to fit it? You have an manual or automatic transmission? I have an automatic(think I mentioned that correctly before)... How much do you think it's going to cost for you to put 320 HP engine in? And to get the rest of the car to take the extra torque? Also... I don't know a great deal about cars, but I know that weight distrbution is sometimes important for handling.

I don't know yet what area of California. I have a friend going to Redlands University, so could be near there, but what will probably decide where I live is where I find a job.

I rarely see Cateras. That's in part what would make a fast Catera rather interesting. They are nice looking cars. I am reluctant to keep posting messages until I've figured out more about the Catera and altering cars, but I'm sure you'll all forgive me for any mistakes I've made.

-Pip

How are you all in Short on Point?

This Thread down here is deffinatly becoming popular and I am hapy about that. Every time my Catera is in city's, town's, free way's etc's for mod adventures it get a good look by many where I live and I am happy about that too. I got to meat many tuning comunity's from Mazda Speed people to Hot rod comunity's. Overall experiance with Catera Project is very fun but at same time difficult because power to weight ratio something that car still lacks at. I am hoping my future custom carbon fiber hood and trunk, light weight battery, sport Fox 5 edition rims, spare removal, sheet insulation panels removal would let go of that 200extra+ pounds making car little lighter, better looking and performing. Some gear work, free flow cat's, custom headers, rapping duct's, Ebay mod, hotter engintion wires and some etc's ease up extra aprox 50hp on top of my aprox 220hp. Also lowering koni yellow sport shocks and elbach springs are saved money for. So lighter better looking, performing and more powerfull enique car as Catera with 270+Hp would make is as close as Steinsmetz project consept supercharged Catera. That's with out posible engine bore to 3.2L which should be costly but posible. We looking here at aprox duno 300hp with all the mods. For me financially and timely it's a huge huge project as going to colledge and working so hard. But it's nothing as big as Ls1 engine swap. For that you need to be not a colledge student and have $$$$. Which also have to be traveled to Sacramento in my case which is 6 hour drive and waited about some 20 days for the swap which might run up to $8 G's depending on engnie and trany price's. Then I might face further problems with the car having so much HP. Smog? Cops? Can car handle it? Gas milage? more Weight? Too much problems for me. But if you looking for extremely fast Catera that would blow out most Euro 4 door sedan out the water we see in my case California that what you should perform with lots of money and time. I think I am going to do all my mods one by one and injoy my project still having a quick car. Then once I get older and make more money and finish colledge I would save up allot of money and eather keep Catera depend on how it would take care of me and get a second car with Ls1 as Chevy Impala SS, WS6 Fire Hawk, Comaro SS etc's or swap Catera with one of those beast engine's that can be bumped up to apox duno 500HP. 500HP in Catera would be Crazy.

I hope you found something little bit interestin about my adventure's.

Well as for PiP my exaust is Magna flow super single 2.5 with glasspack, Y Pipe, removed resinators, stock cats that are about to become more free flow upgraded once, with round style dual in dual out Magna Flow mufler that fits in well in Catera with cube shaped Euro style tips. Whole set up sounds deep and performs well over stock done in custom mufler shop for $320.oo with labor and all the parts and woranty. It's much more easy to imagine once you visit your local custom mufler shop and actually see all the parts.

I hope you get your Catera up to date too and not only make it upgraded but custom that not many other's would have. Dont give up just get a good job go to colledge take it easy and invest some money smart way and it would be all good.

Good luck and I hope I see you in Cali. If you can move to the bay area by San Francicso with you car to be buddy of mine :) prob only one with Catera.

Ls1 Catera Project.

?'s most peple not knowing ask why are you upgrading this car?
Answer wanting to be different also making other's like you care.

I replied to Short on Point, because it seemed the busiest, and having that be the first place online that I found people posting about upgrading the Catera, I just posted there.

Plan to make a seperate post about any questions I have as I plan out how I'll be altering the Catera.

If any of the Catera people want to Instant Message me on AOL. I think, there were two, Devillish, and Ls1 that were mentioning they used that service. My name on there is "Predator Pip" It's on AIM, if that matters. It'd be helpful for me to get a lot of questions of mine out of the way. Or to get feedback from someone who has already gone through a few of the steps.

The projects that I'll be going at first are the suspension and tires, because the tires need replacing and while I am there, might as well. I'll replace the problem with the steering at that point too. Then a new exhaust system, then fix and upgrade parts of the engine. The interior will be last. I probably can't do too much. It's kind of nice in there, it has black leather seats, so if I were to replace the front seats, I'd want new ones to match. I want a cool looking car so when I visit my friends who didn't graduate I can have something cool to show them. It'd be nice if they were a little jealous too. :)

Alright, that's it. Next time I post, I hope to have some of this stuff in the works.

well if i dont answer on AIM its cause i left it on, heh. But i'll be happy to help with what i can. I've been looking into Cats for a while so i should be able to help. My Sn is Devillish90 for Pip. Those fox 5s are nice and only 135 for 17x7.5. Remember wider is better. for tires i'd go with Sumitomo HTRZ II, you can get them from tire rack for 95 each in the right size for those rims.

Way to go Pip....I just got off work so I got some time to tell you all the new's to all. > > > >

Dev thanks for that info on those tire's. I really want to get my suspension done and then get some of those Foxi'z split spokes. (maybe those tire's you recomended I still need to do reaserch on that). Dam but at same time some one email me that they got sketch of the motor mounts of the Ls1 swap. So I am not sure maybe I should get Ls1 engine mounts for my car while I can get them. Then save up get Ls1 and Trany itself. I am little confused what should I go for my engine with mods and maybe Nos at around 320HP or just swap the Ls1 in their making it very special + that engine can be moded up to aprox 500HP Wow god Damp 500HP rear wheel drive Caddy Wow.
Again some bad news are some one took pic's of my car on the street where I parked at my friends house I been told by few people. I guess some one around here where I live want's it Damp bad man. I am so confused. Well as time goes will see what happens to me and my car. People are so durty inside where I live really jalous to see me grow and blow up in their face's.

Ls1 Catera Project

By the way I raced Sentra Spec5 I belive that what it's called and I beat it. LOL it was a good race. He lost about 2 car's. I feel good to tell you those news. I got a big race coming up again's this time Nissan Maxima soon. He is claming up to 300Hp. I hope I race him once I get lil more mods or Ls1 Swap LOL. haaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaa

Good luck all.

You think someone might steal it? I don't know how much this would help, but you could add a cut-off switch to the starter. Alarm systems are somewhat of a deterrent, but I sometimes think they're more annoying than useful. Unless the alarm system can beat people up...

I am sure this is expensive, but I remember that GPS units can be put in cars, so that if it were stolen, it could be found/tracked later. It's rather extreme but the practicality of it depends on how likely the car is to be stolen.

A switch that deactivated the starter, or I've heard of ones that turn off the fuel pump too, hidden somewhere in the car can stop a thief. Most other things, alarms, even the Club, are standardized and a good car thief will not be stopped by those devices. An abnormal starting set up would though.

I guess it doesn't have to be a button either. A person could get really ingenious and hook up a light sensor in a dark part of the car, and have to use one of those small lights on a keyring to activate it. Hehe, depends how paranoid you are... :) I'm going to add some kind of shut off switch to my car, I've always thought they were a good idea.

On the way to work today, I was wondering if any one has thought of replacing the EGR or PCV valves. The PCV valve takes nitrous oxide that's building up in the engine, and dumps it back into the cylinder to be burnt with the fuel and gas. I am not sure if it lowers performance. Cars use to just dump that stuff out, but that caused .. all kinds of bad environmental things. I know that when Miata's are boosted or force inductioned that they often replace the PCV valve with a better one at that time. I am not sure if the gases it puts back into the cylinder reduces performance or if it's combustable.

Does anyone know when the EGR valve is open on the Catera engine? The EGR takes small amount of exhaust and puts it through the intake manifold and then to the cylinder. Like for the Rx7's Rotary engine the EGR valve doesn't open during RPMs over 3850, and in other circumstances, all of which does not hurt performance. Also, the EGR valve cools down the temperature of engine combustion, so maybe it's not worth tinkering with if the engine on the Catera tends to be hot-- and the engine was likely designed with the intention that the gases were being put in the cylinder. Although I'd have to believe a better engine could have been built with the same amount of material if emissions were ignored. I guess being able to see the sky is good though. :p

The more I think about it, the PCV and EGR valve probably can be left alone unless the engine is turboed. Yay, guess I just answered my own question. But maybe someone knows more about it then me, so I'm posting it.

I haven't been on AIM yet, Dev.

-Pip

the only thing you can do with an EGR or PCV is keep em clean and in good working order, there isnt like a universal upgrade for them.
What you could do is start getting the little stuff for the engine swap, like the mounts, hoses, maybe the ECU, stuff like that, then slowly save up for the engine and tranny. Keep an eye out for rear ended camaros and stuff, maybe you'll get lucky.

Oh, and for the theft thing, try taking out the fuse for the starter, if you can get it out easy and put it back in might be a good way, just dont forget.

Hey yo

Kool to read from you 2. Specially after done with all work day again and home work from colledge. It feels like reward being able to be free again and able to reserch about car again for a little before go to sleep and do everything all over again. Before I guess it was more boring. I think more harder I work more simple things I start liking more then used to which is kind of cool. As Dev sad their is just service PCV EGR for. I dont know much about them but I seen how it's service and cleaning being done in picture manual in Cadillac deallership. I have not reserched into that yet. I am surely will once I change my timing belt this Friday. For now for HP gain I am more looking into upgrading my stock cats because most of exaust is already upgraded. RandomTechnology would free up some HP on those Cats. I am thinking around aprox 10+HP on my car from cats + even better gas milage and should improve sound. I am hoping its going to be street leagal and also work with all computers. Chip is also needed to make everything sort of work together. That result is found in those Ebay chip replacement thing's for air unit. Can some one tell me how they work again and lil about those resistor things I belive thats what they called? Is it as efficient as getting that expensive custom burn chip? Another 10Hp been told to me as result. Only about $20.oo. I could not get a hold on that mod yet from Ebay. Soon I should once I get lil more free. Maybe even get custom chip if it geves better results and safer even that more expensive. Extra 20hp thats what on my mind now. Bumping total HP to at least 250. 50Hp over stock is good result. I am not so sure about bolting on more HP yet I might want to look up into better HID light's, rims tires, suspension to get better look and control + freshing up the car lil more. Carbon Fiber flavor would be hot too. Lighter and better looking. In long run once I get my swap I might get new paint job not that my original black paint is bad it's just I think black car is hard to maintain for me keeping it what it looks everyday + those carbon fiber parts and Fox 5 rims I want to get would really stand out if car was champion white or silver.My swap is still long time away so why not play around and upgrade car lil more to have lil more fun with it's mods.

I keep you all posted and upgrade this once I change my timing belt.

Ls1 Catera Project.

Sory for double post but
these are my pics if some
one missed them out I hope
this link would work I worked
hard to post these before I hope you
like them and give me some more reply's

Also I was thinking Supper Cadillac LT1 where are you? Did you ever come up on the supercharger info? suspension? What about you black cat 2000? I hope you ant mad at me for some reason.

Here I pic link I hope it works

thanks ls1 catera project


http://www.extremevelocity.net/ken/

Hey caddie catera tuner's if their are any out their?

Well I am happy to able to rexal and post after such hard day or driving in trafic and work at 100+ hot weather. It was very tuff today at Benz deller ship that I work for. At same time some good news today I finaly changed my timing belt tensioner that I finaly came up on some money for. It make me happy that I have not to wory about it snap anymore for another 6o.ooo I hope. My next thing I am already starting to save up for is my Koni yellow's sport shocks and Ibach spring's lower about 1inch. I cant wait..... I keep you all posted.......More Hp mods on the way too......

Ls1 Catera Project

tune to perfection ......... good luck

hello short on point

I have not posted for a while been working saving money, going to colledge and working on my car. I finaly installed myself the Ebay Air Intake Temperature mod resistor. It worked for my 97 after taking some time going over all the wires getting the correct one. It made quite some difference. I would say at lest 10hp + it was no more then $20. It does take up more gas milage at same hand. But not much and also benefits of it's performance. Once I get my Free flow Random Technology cats I would make up for some of that gas milage I hope + make another 10hp or so I hope. My suspension is still being saved for I cant wait to see that car tuned up. Well as I go with all my adventures moding some un modeble I get back to you with some Dyno charts and
0 to 60 times and quater mile runs and hope some pictures again.

Tell me what you think.

Ls1 Catera Project.

I think you need to think this through before spending a lot of money. How can you put an ls1 in a catera? To begin with the ls1 is designed to be put into rear wheel drive cars, are you gonna convert your catera to rwd? That would be big money because the suspension in fwd cars and rwd cars are completely differant. Just buy a used f body with an ls1 for 10grand you'll save yourself a ton of work. Even if you modded your catera as much as you could with the stock engine its still not gonna be fast. I had a modified GT mustang with about the same power as my caddy but the GT was much quicker with rwd and a 5speed. You could drop thousands into your car but not gain much power. The cts-v is nice but big bucks.

Cateras are RWD. It could be done. This thread is like 2 years old though lol so i dunno whats going on with it.

Has anybody considered swapping a newer CTS v6 into a Catera. Maybe swap in the 3.2 or 3.6 engines. I don't think mounts, headers, or suspension would be much of a problem. Wiring and computer would be the hard part. Does anybody know what it would take to do the swap?