well i have a total of 3 autocross events under my belt with my 04 CTS-V, with a total of 4 events ever with any car. Im a newbie when it comes to autocross, my first event I ran was with PCA at Zephyrhills back in March or April this year with an E36 M3. Coming from drag racing (had an 03 Kenne Bell Cobra) this is an absolute blast, and I find myself improving after every lap and every event. I learn something new at each event, and I find this a hobby that I can continually improve at and get faster without even touching the car.

I honestly never thought I'd autocross the CTS-V, and did not purchase it for that reason at all, I just wanted a comfortable yet powerful daily driver that could handle decent. This thing has pleasantly suprised me. I ran it first at Brooksville, noticed that everything on the car was great, but the body roll could definitely use some tending-to. First set of mods were Hotchkis sway bars with z06 end-links, H&R race springs and UUC SS brake lines with ATE super blue. The sways and springs together really keep the car planted, with a little bit more understeer where the car tends to push into the turns a bit now if I carry too much speed. Right now my biggest issue is traction, and am strongly considering picking up some R compounds and a set of Team Dynamics wheels (one of the only companies that makes the 6 lug wheels for the 04-07 CTS-Vs).

The best part of this is coming to an event and seeing the look on peoples face when you roll up to the line in a Cadillac. I had one person at Brooksville ask "is this a rental?", lol, I think she posts on here (has a red Hatch)

Anyways, I thought I would share some pics and vids with you all. This past weekend I was with PCA at Zephyrhills and finished with a best time of 47.506, about mid-pack.

YouTube - Zephyrhills AutoX - Run 1

got a little squirrely on the back half... lol
YouTube - Zephryhills AutoX - Run 3

 

The CTS-V is one of those cars on my short list when it comes to under rated performance cars. however No-one makes decent shocks for them. The only Real Shocks I found are the Koni based KW suspension or K-sport and then only if you buy their coilover setup.. That's the biggest problem I've had with every GM car I've autocrossed. they are just so afraid of a rough ride they never put enough shock in them. Grip will always make you faster, but the true dynamics of the car need some damping.. in that case a $800-$1200 investment will make a huge difference. it's a shame you already bought springs. oh and coilovers also eliminate the problematic at best self leveling suspension.

 

Yeah, the KW Coilovers seem to be the best bet for these cars. The self-leveling system is actually in the rear shocks, which I had to "modify" in order to run lowering springs.

One option a lot of guys go for are the factory upgrade FG2 shocks (what the car used when running the Nurburgring), and are about $1000 for a full set. Those who are running them say they are a significant improvement over the stock FE4 shocks, which I am running right now, but still coilovers are the best bet. I am planning that once these stock shocks give out on me, I'll pick up a set of KW Coilovers, and sell the H&Rs. The nice thing about the springs is theyre a cheap mod that I can always sell when I decide to upgrade.

 

don't discount the K-sport, while they are not double adjustable, they are pretty decent monotube shocks. I had a set for 20 or so thousand miles and they were actually really impressive.. so much that I became a K-sport dealer. if you want me to order a set for you just drop me an email.. the problem with the KW is they are custom wound springs and fixed length. you can't shorten the damper length when you go lower, and you can't change the spring rate.

 

can you PM me an estimate on price for the K-sport coilovers?

 

Hope you enjoyed the Matchbox car I believe you won. (Or was it hot wheels?)

Great sounding car in person. I skimmed what you wrote, but did not see exhaust modifications. At the event I kept saying, "Dayum, that's a great sounding Caddy."

 

No doubt, being "the underdog" is fun!

I'd hold off on the race tires for a bit longer, though. As you said, you're still learning. You'll learn more on tires with lower limits. Get better street tires for now, but stick with street tires. After you're sure you're wringing absolutely all that you can out of those tires, then you'll be ready to progress to race tires.

To combat your understeer problem, remember "slow in, fast out". Classic racing advice.

Hit me (or Jeremy or Charles or...) for a ride along sometime. You'd be amazed at the little things we can notice that will help you be faster.

 

LOL^^^ You mean the car, not the driver right?

Might want to get some in-car footage. It's fun to go back after a while to see the mistakes you were making as you progress. I often go back to videos I made where I would make a series of little mistakes. At first I would tramp on the gas coming out of turns (even in the wet) and spend the whole next two or three gates trying to get it under control. There was another one where I was catching a slide and I pulled my glove off my hand getting crossed up. I don't wear gloves anymore. Another one where I found my hands moving around the wheel in slaloms. All little mistakes that add up and you could easily blame it on car setup.

The Caddy does sound awesome.

 

I guess your not concerned with the rear diferential blowing up. Might want to look into this before its to late.

 

hot wheels! I have it on my nightstand, lol.

all that is done to the exhaust is the "muffler-delete" mod that the V guys are doing.. just removing the factory mufflers and installing aftermarket tips. cost me $160 bucks total for tips, piping and labor.