If you have read any of the reviews on the new 2016-19 Cadillac CTS-V, you know that this car has made a lasting impression on its share of automotive journalists. And this is no small feat when you look at the CTS-V’s competitors that consist of vehicles like the Mercedes-AMG E63, Audi RS 7, BMW M5, Maserati Quattroporte GTS, and the Porsche Panamera Turbo. With 640 horsepower, 630 lb-ft of torque and a price tag of around $88,000 this car is a serious competitor.

So what could make this awesome car even better? Leave it to the crew over a Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE) to take the remarkable CTS-V combination and step up the performance. Plus, they don’t offer just one package; they have three different options for 2016-19 owners. LPE previously introduced a 720 horsepower package for the 2016-19 CTS-V, and now they have released an 800 horsepower version along with a 1,000 horsepower variant for the 2017-19 CTS-V.

For the 800 horsepower package, Lingenfelter will take your car and chassis dyno it for a baseline before they start the engine removal process. Once the engine is out, they will then remove the factory cylinder heads as well as the camshaft. The heads will be CNC ported and polished in-house by Lingenfelter while receiving a multiangle valve job along with hand blended valve seats. The heads will then be reassembled using factory solid stem titanium 2.13-inch intake valves, sodium-filled steel 1.59-inch diameter exhaust valves, Lingenfelter dual valve springs, titanium retainers, and10-degree locks.

For the short block, the crew will install a Lingenfelter GT35 LT4 hydraulic roller camshaft with a phaser limiter into the engine along with new General Motors lifters and guides. Lingenfelter will then use new GM head gaskets and head bolts to button up the CTS-V’s long block. The next step is to replace the factory supercharger. Lingenfelter uses the Edelbrock TVS2650 Supercharger in place of the factory unit with a ported and polished factory throttle body. A Lingenfelter brand wet sump LT4 harmonic balancer will also be installed along with their 8.66-inch diameter balancer pulley.

Only a few items remain to finish up this potent package. A set of American Racing Headers 1-7/8-inch long tube headers will replace the factory exhaust manifolds with a set of high flow catalytic converters. AC Delco spark plugs are installed in the LT4 CNC’d heads along with a set of Lingenfelter Logo Koolsox spark plug wire thermal heat protectors. The factory GM air filter is also scrapped in favor of a more free-flowing K&N filter. The fuel system will receive an electronic fuel pump voltage booster to ensure reliable fuel delivery on demand.

There are a few differences between the parts on the 800 horsepower and 1,000 horsepower offerings from Lingenfelter. The 1,000 horsepower package for the 2017-19 CTS-V uses a GT31 LT4 hydraulic roller camshaft in place of the GT35 LT4 hydraulic roller. The OEM head gaskets are swapped out and replaced with a set of Cometic Gasket Inc. gaskets. Instead of the factory 87mm ported and polished throttle body, Lingenfelter installs a massive 103mm ported and polished throttle body. The 1,000 horsepower package also receives properly sized injectors and E85 compatible fuel system upgrades. The change in equipment between the two combinations results in a difference of 200 horsepower and 116 lb-ft of torque.

After all of the engine work is completed and professionally installed back into the CTS-V, the real fun begins. Lingenfelter reprograms the engine control module before rolling the Cadillac back on the chassis dyno. The Lingenfelter 800 combination will crank out 800 Horsepower and 750 lb-ft of torque while the 1,000 horsepower packages will produce a monstrous 1,000 horsepower and 866 lb-ft of torque. The CTS-V will also receive a Lingenfelter brand strut tower brace, handheld diagnostic programming tool, Lingenfelter chrome fender badges, personalized stainless engine badge, certificate of authenticity,
four wheel alignment, cleaning and detailing, and a full tank of 93 octane fuel before delivery.

If you want to get your CTS-V in line for one of these packages, you will need to give Lingenfelter a call. The process typically takes about six to eight weeks with prior notification and this time could change based on the current production levels.

If automotive journalists are already in love with the stock CTS-V, we want to see their reaction to the 1,000 horsepower version. Be sure and check out Lingenfelter.com for more information on the new packages and pricing.