[PhletchSRX4]

Hey, long time lurker, first time poster. I’m on my third Cadillac now, a 2008 SRX (I’m not sure what the 4 means) and I’m okay with a V6, but I’d like nicer rims (18” or 20”) and to be able to get the most horsepower out of her without going full supercharger. Any advice welcome!

 

[Enterprise 4Cam]

Welcome.
SRX4...is AWD. Have a look under the frontend, you should be able to see halfshafts and boots out near the steering knuckle. Then look at the backend.

I like sixbangers, but mostly the 4.3 chevy/gmc truck version,,,it's a short 350 smallblock.

Not a lot of hi-performance stuff for the SRX's, 6 or 8. For a die-hard GM fan, a blower/head swap from a blown N* into an SRX/N* is maybe 'something'. A lot of work and likely '0' resell ability. First things, a complete fluid swap, good quality filters, hi-po brakes, and a first rate tune up. Maybe a dyno session to verify the thing puts down as expected, and, to verify any improvements later on

N*'s came with 18's, and the Sport wheels are 20's I believe. I do not know the exact interchangeability with the STS-V, the one with 6 lug hubs/wheels. The offset may be different. 2nd gen SRX is different bolt spacing than 1st. There is not a lot out there, less as time goes by.
Snagging good aluminum wheels at the local pickapart is a favorite game for me, $25ea with the tires. Must have got 2 dozen sets over the years. A little OCD on wheels.

 

[PhletchSRX4]

Thanks @Enterprise 4Cam i appreciate the tips. All solid advice; the $5000 supercharger would add $0 to resale? It’s not really about resale but a little sportier car. Hmm, I think a good tune up would be step 1. Gonna go check for those swap meet rims!

 

[nascarnation]

Remember too that the supercharged Northstars used the 6L80 trans, a considerably more robust one compared to the 5L50 in the SRX.

 

[PhletchSRX4]

Yeah, I’m not really thinking about supercharging it anymore. I did, however, find a great product called iSimple, which allows me to connect my phone via Bluetooth.
Any tips on removing the stereo? I have all the tools, just don’t know if it’s much different from a 2006 model.
Stereo removal tips, anyone?

 

[Enterprise 4Cam]

Most of my junk has modded exhaust, l blew my sound budget in the house, where I can hear it. Hahaha

 

[PhletchSRX4]

My in house sound budget is hurting after buying a Cadillac haha. My goal is to find a nice little teardrop trailer and travel. I’d like to drive to Acapulco & all over the continent, really. I love to travel, so this is a perfect car. My aspirations aren’t out of reach or greedy at all.
Back to the Bose in the 08; the iSimple is the best thing to install for Bluetooth connectivity, hands down. Turns out, pulling a stereo out of these babies is like taking candy from... well, a baby.

 

[bguild]

The Bose is shit. LOL. As a person who has rewired the whole thing I can tell you its worlds better with aftermarket headunit and speakers.

The problem is it's a pain in the ass to do. I rewired every door with crossovers inside the doors and ran 2 hidden amps and retrofitted a 10" kenwood sub into a custom enclosure in the factory spot.

An absolute whore of a job. Took me like probably a 200 hours all in haha

 

[PhletchSRX4]

Was it worth it? My guess is no, but what do I know? I’d love to have the sound but don’t have $2000 or 200 hrs to spend on it. Thanks for the input nonetheless!

 

[bguild]

Looking back now, not worth it! Glad it is done, and happy/proud of the outcome, which makes me forget about how painful it was.

 

[PhletchSRX4]

No joke. I’ve considered replacing some speakers and rebuilding the Bose subwoofer, because I just don’t want to get that deeply into it, but I 100% understand the feeling of “maybe I shouldn’t have done it, but I did it and I did it well,” is unparalleled.