DIY CTS-V?| Grassroots Motorsports forum |

calteg Reader
4/14/12 8:55 a.m.

I owned a 1st gen CTS-V a few years ago, and I recently got all starry eyed thinking about it. I loved everything about that car. Well, almost everything.

In true GRM fashion, I thought "hey, I bet I could build a pretty quick RWD sedan that improved upon all the things I disliked about the CTS-V:"

Weight (sprung and unsprung)
$$$$$$$$ tires
$$$$$$$$ brakes/rotors
Poor fuel economy
So/So handling

As you can see, most of my gripes are attributable to weight. I'm absolutely willing to sacrifice some luxury in the name of weight savings, but ultimately this will be a DD.

I got a smokin deal on my CTS, but even then I still paid $16,000. I'd like to frankenstein my project together for about half that. So GRM, is it possible? My very short list includes:

5.0 E36 (unsure if this will get any better fuel economy) LS1 E36 (which is probably out of my budget)

I like these two options because of the pre-fab kits that are out there. Obviously there's some work involved in any swap, but I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel. Any other ideas gang?

Conquest351 Dork
4/14/12 9:05 a.m.

LS1 944 or E36. Apparently you're looking for a 4-door though, am I right?

Junkyard_Dog Dork
4/14/12 10:54 a.m.

Catera+LSx?

if you can live with a live axle your choices improve immensely. I still want to build a LSx powered G-body Malibu wagon someday. V8 Volvo 740 becomes an option as well.

EvanB GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/14/12 12:19 p.m.

Junkyard_Dog wrote: Catera+LSx?

+1

belteshazzar UltraDork
4/14/12 1:23 p.m.

i really want someone on here to do this

Strike_Zero Dork
4/14/12 1:34 p.m.

The only thing about the Catera would be the weight. The Omega chassis (GTO Chassis) comes in 3700-3900lbs.

I think you maybe able to get it down to 3400-3500lbs for DD status.

dyintorace GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/14/12 1:45 p.m.

Strike_Zero wrote: The only thing about the Catera would be the weight. The Omega chassis (GTO Chassis) comes in 3700-3900lbs. I think you maybe able to get it down to 3400-3500lbs for DD status.

How is your 5.0 e36 coming along?

Strike_Zero Dork
4/14/12 2:07 p.m.

In reply to dyintorace:

Engine ready to stab in, however, I'm using a SN95 T-5 and the slave cylinder bracket for the Foxbody T-5 doesn't fit.

I have to mount everything up and design a bracket. I didn't want to speed $200 for an internal slave setup since I have all the other parts laying around.

I may have to go the route of internal slave since the SN95 places the slave cylinder at the 7 or 8 o'clock position on the transmission.

m4ff3w GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
4/14/12 2:18 p.m.

Alfa Milano

John Brown GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/14/12 2:24 p.m.

Why do we always make things so hard on ourselves?

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/2955842502.html

Offer less ;)

Teh E36 M3 Dork
4/14/12 3:29 p.m.

John Brown wrote: Why do we always make things so hard on ourselves? http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/2955842502.html Offer less ;)

It doesn't have a "V"

John Brown GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/14/12 4:22 p.m.

Teh E36 M3 wrote:
John Brown wrote: Why do we always make things so hard on ourselves? http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/2955842502.html Offer less ;)
It doesn't have a "V"

Neither does an E36. This is a build it yourself lead. My statement was now I get to spend my life thinking dirty thoughhts about every CTS rolling through my shop.

calteg Reader
4/14/12 7:25 p.m.

Also considered an LS volvo 240, but I couldn't find a brake setup that would prevent a 400hp, 20 year old volvo from being terrifying

JamesMcD Reader
4/14/12 10:31 p.m.

Has anyone done an LSX Cressida yet?

92CelicaHalfTrac MegaDork
4/14/12 10:58 p.m.

JamesMcD wrote: Has anyone done an LSX Cressida yet?

There's been an LSX IS300 or two, that probably counts. Kindof?

Cressies need inline sixes and huge turbos, though. A supercharged 1uzfe would be acceptable as well.

Strike_Zero Dork
4/14/12 11:09 p.m.

http://www.lsxtv.com/news/video-ls1-swapped-toyota-cressida-greatest-sleeper-of-all-time/

dean1484 GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/15/12 8:13 a.m.

If you don't mind Front Wheel drive (since it is a DD) I would start with a Impala SS. Either the newer ones with the 5.3 or the older supercharged ones.

Strip every thing out of it you don't need and go have fun. I would personally do the blackout treatment to it with the tinted windows and black rims and a +2 tire size. Add a couple of small antenna's to the back trunk lid just to keep people guessing.

Ian F UberDork
4/15/12 9:09 a.m.

calteg wrote: Also considered an LS volvo 240, but I couldn't find a brake setup that would prevent a 400hp, 20 year old volvo from being terrifying

In turbo form, 400 hp 240's are not all that uncommon and Volvo brakes are one of the car's strong points in stock form and upgrades are available.

J308 Reader
4/15/12 9:24 a.m.

A tired CTS with a turbo LSX.

I want(ed) a CTS-V, but I don't think it will handle well enough to justify the manual.

A buddy of mine had a 770whp Impala SS built LS1-turbo. As you can imagine, it was hell on wheels and I hated to ride in it, no matter how cool it was. Going sideways at 80 isn't my idea of fun.