[FactoryFast]

...bought my 2005 CTS V in October. Its been a busy six months since I traded in and I can now say with confidence Ive finally become satisfied with the car. No more whines and leaks after replacing the rear diff, water pump, power steering pump and shoring up seals on the tranny. Put in the JL 13W7 and the Escort 9500ix, both which are fine pieces of equipment. After a couple incidents Im confident using the overly complicated Navigation and I really enjoy the Onstar Feature.

For now, this car, the way it sits in my driveway, is the cleanest, most compatible, best maintained car Ive ever owned. Mechanically the car is mint other than making an attempt to smooth out the transmission. This is my third Cadillac, but its the first one that I can truly say defines and encapsulates my personality. I feel it was built for me.

Ive always enjoyed cleaning cars and this car is no exception. I took last Friday and gave this baby a good General Cleaning. Im still rocking the Nokians but they held up to some performance driving this past weekend really well. Ill be looking into tires soon enough.

For now, enjoy some clean pics of my perfectly running Cadillac:

 

[nmaier2201]

a whole day cleaning and no pics in the engine bay? WTF man! ..... April fools. Looks good.

Love to chrome stockers, what "attempt" did you make to smooth out the trans? Or should I do a search for a thread of yours I missed?

 

[nmaier2201]

What were you doing at Kumon? (http://www.kumon.com/) brushing up to get your GED! or were you brushing up on your pimphand skills? ROFL!

 

[FactoryFast]

I actually wiped down the engine after these pics were taken. I dont go too hard in there, just wipe it with a wet cloth. I was gettin a "Belly-Flop" from Sub 17... :shhh:

 

[mikes2nd]

new york, someones gonna steal it... I hear the criminals are escaping from NY now...

 

[CadiBlk]

You enjoy cleaning so much, I got a platinum that could use your tlc. I just bought a fresh set of clay bar, wax, shine and was going to do it this weekend, but I'd hate to rob you of an opportunity for your passion.

P.S. Looks good.

 

[814V]

let me get those rotors

nice pics!

 

[darkman]

Very nice! Love those wheels.

 

[CTSV_510]

Glad to see that you've got your initial problems worked out and are fully enjoying the car now.

I know some mods that could make you enjoy the car even more...:lildevil:

Those chrome stockers look great on platinum! :thumbsup:

 

[FactoryFast]

Im definitley enjoying the car more now. The last few months in and out at Cadillac was a process...but one im used to after two VAG cars. Just goes to show me its the same no matter what car you own...especially being an operating engineer who owns performance models...

So now that im all set mechanically i really just need some tires. Ive decided not to lower the car so I can use car washes and not worry about debris on the road when i drive home at night. Besides, this car rides great and handles amazing...no need to mess with something that works as well as it does.

I am struggling with the decision to go with forced induction. I could always use moAr power and FI seems to get you there with a pre tested/tuned kit. Seems like these Magnachargers have bearing issues, come with lackluster software and im now reading about tensioner assembly issues. I was all pumped to hear about the auto tensioner as both kits on my last car were manual...too bad these MP112s contain a design issue there as well. Im not sure i can get on board with all that...but the disease prods me daily to oblige and pull the trigger. Then theres all this talk about heat soak with these units and now throttle body modifications...I want a solid kit...not one that requires several modifications to work as advertised...

I have always considered that people who tend to do power modifications either dont drive the car that often and when they do it just gets abused...or the components arent broken in properly due to eager people wanting to show off the new found power. Ive also come to learn that the people designing these kits are just human....and that tends to become a problem somewhere down the road. Anyways, watching this board as I have over the past few months has me convinced FI is not the way to go for my Daily Driven V....unless someone here can object...which I feel wont happen.

So anopther option is NA power...but I hate the way these cars sound with crazy open exhaust sytems...

nitrous? meh....need to get 100K out of the car....never messed with it but i understand the theroy. Any suggestions?

 

[CTSV_510]

I daily drive my maggied V, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Seriously, there are way more people that have been through this forums with maggies on their V's that have had NO issues than the few of us recently that have.

And what is the problem with the auto tensioner and throttle body related to the maggie?

IMO, it's the best way to find a lot of power without adding too much noise.

 

[FactoryFast]

I daily drive my maggied V, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

How far is your commute? I drive 550 miles per week...

Seriously, there are way more people that have been through this forums with maggies on their V's that have had NO issues than the few of us recently that have.

I kinda figured that. Forums are great to complain and seek help for problems. You will notice that I post both good and bad experiences on this forum while some people will just lurk until they have issues and require assistance. This is why I havent ruled out the maggie...im just very hesitant based on the issues I see...having bad bearings which will yield significant downtime while a rebuild is going on is something I just cant tolerate. Its also a positive displacement unit, please correct me if im wrong, which probably means I cant just cut the belt and run the car if I need to.

And what is the problem with the auto tensioner and throttle body related to the maggie?

I read something about the tensioner hitting the hood under load and throwing the belt??? Also im reading alot about Magnavolt failures...

IMO, it's the best way to find a lot of power without adding too much noise.

I agree with you 100%, and I like the noise of a supercharger as opposed to straight pipes...

So now what lol? I think ill do an exhaust and run it for the summer. I get a nice chunk of cash in October...ill make a decision then.

 

[CTSV_510]

Yeah...I only drive about 150 miles a week...I see your point there.

I do understand your apprehension, it sure sucked when I had to drive a PT Crusier around for a week while my maggie was getting fixed. :nono:

FWIW, the tensioner issues are very few, not more than two that I remember, and the magnavolt problem has actually been "fixed." The failures were a direct result of a bad ground wire placement (if you follow the instruction manual) and were causing the units to fry. I'm pretty sure everyone that was killing magnavolts had no more issues once they setup some proper ground connections, me included.

Anyway, definitely get started with a nice sounding exhaust system.

Wait, do you have a new shifter yet? If not, DO THAT NOW!

 

[FactoryFast]

Yeah...I only drive about 150 miles a week...I see your point there.

Right now im getting about 20mpg and using approximately 30 gallons per week for my commute/errands. The VW was getting 15mpg on my daily commute. Its only 2.05 dollars a gallon now where i regularly fill up so its nice.

Last weekend my avg sunk down to 16.7 with all the high spirit driving...I was probably getting 12 with a stock V...

In all honesty gas consumption means very little to me. Im just looking for one significant and reliable power increase.

Wait, do you have a new shifter yet? If not, DO THAT NOW!

I do not...which one should i get? Are you using different fluid?

...what "attempt" did you make to smooth out the trans?

Im looking into it right now...see above

 

[CTSV_510]

Last weekend my avg sunk down to 16.7 with all the high spirit driving...I was probably getting 12 with a stock V...

In all honesty gas consumption means very little to me. Im just looking for one significant and reliable power increase.

Good. I get 12, down from 14-15 pre-maggie but I drive 90% "city." There's very little highway between work and home, and when I do get to the one on-ramp it's time to play.

I do not...which one should i get? Are you using different fluid?

You need a shifter ASAP. In my opinion, of the two I've used before (UUC & B&M), the B&M is much tighter, shorter and precise in shifting feel.

The UUC felt closer to the stock feel (loose) and costs $150 more, but is as quiet as stock while the B&M transmits some gear noise.

People like the Katech too, but I've never used it, I can only comment on the difference between these two. The UUC guys will come in soon and say that theirs is the best, but most haven't used anything else so how would they know...

My favorite thread is the one where some guy bought a B&M shifter to replace the stock shifter that he didn't like, went to install it, and found out there was already a UUC shifter installed in his car!
:histeric:

I use AMSOIL ATF in the transmission.

 

[814V]

My favorite thread is the one where some guy bought a B&M shifter to replace the stock shifter that he didn't like, went to install it, and found out there was already a UUC shifter installed in his car!

this actually happened? really?

 

[CTSV_510]

this actually happened? really?

yeah dude. I think it's frickin hilarious.

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...s-forum-2004/159034-mystery-shifter-my-v.html