408CI, 600HP LS2 in an '05 Cadillac CTS-V
MSD Ignition, El Paso, TX
During our drive from Las Cruces, New Mexico, to Los Angeles in the Timber Wolf '67 Comet project, we made a detour to visit MSD Ignition in El Paso, Texas, where gearhead Todd Ryden was more than happy to take us for a ride in the shop's supercharged 600hp Cadillac. It made the Comet feel like driving an electric golf cart.
Ignition And Engine Management
As you'd expect, the Caddy is filled with MSD's top-of-the-line ignition parts. The heart of the system is the 6LS ignition controller. It triggers the multiple spark coils that fire the plugs through 8.5mm superconductor wires. The MSD engineers chose to keep the factory ECM rather than use a stand-alone engine management system, but the GM computer was reprogrammed with a custom setup based on tests on MSD's in-house chassis dyno. The computer can be reprogrammed to different power levels depending on who will be driving. The parking valet or your grandma may only get 200 hp, but 600 hp is available to those who can handle it.
Fuel Delivery
An MSD external fuel pump supplements the OE in-tank pump to maintain a sufficient amount of fuel pressure, which is controlled by an Aeromotive boost-referenced fuel-pressure regulator. MSD's engineers designed this custom fuel- rail/injector mount as well as routing the fuel supply and return lines. These parts are not currently for sale, but may be in the future.
Carbon-Fiber Intake Cover
MSD's in-house carbon-fiber guy Bobby Woleslagle made this cool-looking intake cover. It's a custom piece that isn't for sale.
Exhaust
Kooks 171/48-inch long-tube headers are employed to scavenge the combustion chambers. The 3-inch collectors dump into a pair of catalytic converters and then into a Corsa exhaust system.
Block
The foundation is a GM LS2 block that was prepped and assembled by Nickens Brothers Racing Engines in Conroe, Texas. The block's 4.030-inch bore combined with a 4.00-inch stroker crank adds up to a displacement of 408 ci-substantially larger than the CTS-V's stock 346ci LS6.
Rotating Assembly
MSD chose to fill the block with forged internals. The crank and rods are from Eagle and the pistons are from Mahle. The rods measure 6.125 inches, and the pistons are ceramic-coated on the tops and skirts to prevent detonation and reduce friction.
Valvetrain
Nickens spec'd the cam grind with a boost-friendly 224/230 duration, 0.565/0.565 lift. Hardened Comp pushrods actuate stock rocker arms and Ferrea 2.055/1.570-inch valves. The cylinder heads are standard LS2 castings that have been CNC-ported by Nickens. The compression ratio is about 8.5:1
Supercharger
The ProCharger D-1SC is set up to provide 7 pounds of boost, which is routed through a custom front-mounted intercooler en route to a FAST 90mm throttle body and intake manifold.