If you go to rock auto you can see the axles are different but you might be able to swap in a complete CTS V rear end

Roy

 

I know the CTS-V has a cast iron rear differential housing, the CTS is aluminum. I believe the CTS-V has different diameter axles between left and right sides for harmonics and axle wind up to help with wheel hop. you can swap in a CTS-V rear differential and axles into your CTS subframe but you might need CTS-V rear hubs due to different spline count. Also the front flange is different. The CTS uses a rubber guimbo, the CTS-V uses a CV joint. I haven’t had any issues with my stock differential and I’m pushing just over 400HP but first gear is limited in the tune. I believe the 08-13 CTS rear differential is a better design than the 04-07 CTS-V Cadillac learned their lesson on the first GEN CTS-V

 

We have seen a couple v2 cradles up on offer up and might decide to just pull the trigger in the whole assembly. My brother has a 04 with a ls3/t56 and he is scared to even floor the car lol! We had a customer who we did a cam swap for and broke 3 axles in a week (cheap vatozone replacements).
My machine shop guy gave me a call regarding a short block for $650 and I couldn’t pass it up. I’m going to boost this car regardless, so I’m not sure if I want to spend the extra money on the ls3 heads and intake or just use some truck 243s and ls2 intake I have, thus making it a ls2 .
Ps. Thanks for the mount info, they popped up a few days ago from gm direct

 

still not sure on heads

the L76 uses LS3 heads, depends on your casting numbers but most have sodium filled exhaust valves and hollow intake valves. a great combination for racing right from the factory....

 

V1 guys do V2 rear swaps all the time and it’s cheaper than the 8.8 swap
and I like the idea of keeping it Cadillac.

what ECM you plan on using.

do you plan on using LAN communication or hard wiring everything.
the 6L80 transmission uses 58x and is VIN paired with the ECM.

 

He is currently on the pros and cons of 8.8 vs v2 and 8.8 is winning even tho it’s pricier. Plus he really likes the fact that his car is unmolested besides the ls3 and wants to keep original wheels. It’s getting a lsa soon too.
I am going to use a e38 out of a 2011 Silverado with the 6l80 and harness, I do all the shop wiring so I’m going to deloom it and hook up everything as stock like you. The truck harness exits on the driver side to the front so I will pretty much “flip” the harness 180 and install it in the passenger firewall. I also do the tuning here so I will run a mini pc in the dash and keep the pop up screen and touch to run it. That way I can tune from in there if needed. For sure logging will be beautiful lol

 

I mainly use hp tuners but I also have efi live to swap the tcm and ecm vin once all my tuning is done. I don’t like any warning lights on my dash so vin swap is a must.

 

nice, will you keep the A/C
if so, there is a “small” harness hidden in the engine harness along with the ABS harness...

 

Yes ac is a must! My front shop neighbor does ac lines from scratch so I hope that clears some issues and he is also going the abs brake lines as you noted

yes I looked up the info on all data and saw the wires I need to pull out of the stock harness, are you planing any other add ons?

 

very good, sounds like your on the right track and know what’s going on. it’s a very easy swap actually, just seems most people are afraid to do it because of the electronics but that’s actually the easiest part, just TWO wires and everything works VIA CANBUS everything else (fuel pump, emissions, 12v etc.) are standard swap stuff I’m sure your familiar with. I used LT1swap.com and all data, compared the two and put the wires where they need to be...

only other plans I have are wheels/tires if I ever find any that I like or will clear the CTS-V1 brakes. I REALLY REALLY like the CTS-V1 wheels but I would need to do a 6 lug hub swap but I’m not sure on the ABS sensor because they changed sensor style between the years...

I did an old school Cadillac third horn upgrade (C-note I think) that sounds cool. Reminds me when I was young and Cadillac had a distinctive horn...

 

Yeah man especially with forums like these where we can share information. I knew 0 about ls swaps 3 years ago and now we have about 20-25 swapped trucks under our belt. One advice I would give everyone is to just go out and try it. Too many people are out here willing to help.
Sadly I think that’s where the communication differences started in the abs systems. Is there the possibility of redrilling them? I think I saw someone had the ctsv1 20 inch reps or 22 on a ctsv2. Looked real sharp.
It’s always about bringing back those “good ole days”

 

good luck...I love reading about you guys who can do stuff like this...

Bill

 

I'm literally frothing at the mouth.

 

Just a update on my cts, I’ve been having a strong raw gas odor coming everytime I would walk away from my car, in attempt to fix my sending unit I discovered the problem. I attached a the video(hopefully) so you guys can see where the problems is. I have a new pump on the way how and will update you once finished

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

 

$400 later...

 

Couple more good/bad news on the cts. New pump is on and sender now works, drove the car until it had .8 gallons left and fuled her up with some E85, did some tuning and broke center drive shaft bearing. Great. I’m starting to think previous owner didn’t care much for the car.

 

Just wondering how the swap is coming along…

 

Cts is runing good on e85 and is being put in the back burner due to picking up a c5 vette to be a track car.