Will the XLR get hot-rodded?

14161 Views 19 Replies 15 Participants Last post by XLR_Jake, Dec 9, 2008

Jinx

Discussion Starter · Mar 7, 2003

Given XLR's strong sports-car genetics, I wonder if we'll see XLRs get aftermarket performance modifications.

The obvious hot-rod move is to simply do an engine swap for a Corvette engine and tranny, but I wonder if the XLR will have enough cachet to make this concept anything more than a "because it's there" magazine project.

The thing is, given the AMG SL55's 500hp, the bar is awfully high for a hot-rodded XLR (because if your Frankenstein can't whip the market's fastest factory entry, why bother?).

What do we think is the bolt-on potential of the XLR's motor? Are there many turbo/superchargers applied to the FWD Northstar from which to draw experience/conclusions? Will the market simply wait to see what the General does for an encore? I doubt anyone here forgets that the Evoq was shown with a supercharged 400hp engine, later rumored to be a second- or third-year option. And then there's that tasty V12...

.Jinx

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Bruce Nunnally

· #2 · Mar 8, 2003

Jinx said:
What do we think is the bolt-on potential of the XLR's motor? Are there many turbo/superchargers applied to the FWD Northstar from which to draw experience/conclusions? Will the market simply wait to see what the General does for an encore? I doubt anyone here forgets that the Evoq was shown with a supercharged 400hp engine, later rumored to be a second- or third-year option. And then there's that tasty V12...
.Jinx

There are no superchargers for the FWD Northstars so far. XMS is still working on one, but it has been slow going. RSM Racing at http://rsmracing.com/sts.htm has a few mod parts, including larger throttle body, exhaust, and head porting. The claims for head porting have been very good in fact, but of course it is quite expensive. chrfab.com has done quite a bit of work with twin turbocharged northstars, but to put in sand rails and not back into Cadillacs.
Shelby does a supercharger for the 4L Northstar in the Series 1 for around $20K that apparently provides a good boost, and might translate to the XLR.

root

· #3 · Mar 10, 2003

It's probably going to be a pretty small market for tuners for a while. The better bet is that GM is going to do a high performance version.

A high performance version helps to build the image of Cadillac. GM needs to get away from the "old man" image. Lots of hp can help.

BQuicksilver

· #4 · Mar 10, 2003

I'd say no it won't for the most part. My impression has always been that most cars carrying a larger pricetag than a vette are dealt with by stand-alone tuners rather than the end user. And even at that they'll still need to sell fairly well to get tuners to care. I don't see a lot of owner-applied mods appearing.

root

· #5 · Mar 10, 2003

BQuicksilver said:
My impression has always been that most cars carrying a larger pricetag than a vette are dealt with by stand-alone tuners rather than the end user.

:iagree

You are probably more likely to see XLR suitcases and windblocks than ram air intakes.

logansowner

· #6 · Mar 10, 2003

BQuicksilver said:
I'd say no it won't for the most part. My impression has always been that most cars carrying a larger pricetag than a vette are dealt with by stand-alone tuners rather than the end user. And even at that they'll still need to sell fairly well to get tuners to care. I don't see a lot of owner-applied mods appearing.

Thats pretty much right on, don't see to many guys out back wrenchin on their S600's:lol

Jinx

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 11, 2003

I don't think anybody's going to be wrenching an XLR in the backyard. But XLR owners will be well-heeled with strong egos, and even in their tiny numbers I can see Corvette tuners stretching their suspension, intake, exhaust, and appearance offerings to the XLR. Whether there's more than one bloke out there willing to drop another twenty large into some serious Northstar pump-up is another matter.

.Jinx

logansowner

· #8 · Mar 11, 2003

Jinx said:
Whether there's more than one bloke out there willing to drop another twenty large into some serious Northstar pump-up is another matter.

.Jinx [/B]

Well, if I had money to burn, I would:cheers Even if there was no logical reason for it, if more power is posible, someone will find a way to get it:cheers

root

· #9 · Mar 11, 2003

logansowner said:
Well, if I had money to burn, I would:cheers Even if there was no logical reason for it, if more power is posible, someone will find a way to get it:cheers

Yep. I saw an ad for a Lingenfelter H2 the other day. :eek

logansowner

· #10 · Mar 11, 2003

550 HP:eek To bad they can't make more power for the manly Hummer:banghead

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Noggles

· #11 · Mar 14, 2003

If there are aftermarket parts, they will be bank, like other Caddy stuff.

86vette

· #12 · Mar 21, 2003

Troy Roberts said:
Yep. I saw an ad for a Lingenfelter H2 the other day. :eek

could you imagine a LPE XLR!

Dozer42

· #13 · Sep 23, 2003

Yes, the XLR will get hot-rodded. At least if I get my mitts on one it will! Right now I'm considering it, but things like a puny 4.4cu feet of trunk space (top down) have me a bit concerned. Also the fact that it dumps any standing water into the trunk when the roof is retracted after it's rained is a bit wonky.

But if I do get one, I certainly won't settle for the stock 320hp. Even the stock 405hp on my Z06 wasn't enough, so I supercharged it to push out over 700hp. (607.1RWHP).

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ellwoodw

· #14 · Oct 1, 2003

Will Cadillac XLR Get Hot-Rodded ?

For what it's worth, I think we will see the XLR in European FIA racing (GT category). GM is taking the CTS-V racing in SPEED World Challenge with the new V8, so why not the more upscale version to race in Europe?

Of course all of this means less money (GM Marketing makes the decisions) goes to the Corvette programs.

And then, of course, there is the problem with that damn transaxle. The "fix" being developed in the aftermarket is a nodular iron case with billet inserts for the exit points. GM seems un-prepared to take on this modification for either the XLR or C6, even though it is clear that the transaxle won't take the new power outputs. Hmmm... the bean counters are still active.

david_borla

· #15 · Oct 31, 2003

Hi,

This is David Borla from Borla exhaust. We are in the process of designing a high performance cat-back and header for the XLR and we are looking for XLR owners who might want to assist with testing and development.

If you own an XLR, live in the area of Oxnard, California and are interested in receiving a free Borla cat-back and header for your XLR please contact me at [email protected] . We will also provide dyno, flowbench and sound testing data for your XLR.

Thanks

John_R

· #16 · Dec 30, 2003

From what I know Cadillac has created the V series to compete with the Mercedes AMG and the BMW M divisions.

CTS was the first model to be modified.

Soon the XLR and the STS will have the V series mods:thumbs

joeychgo

· #17 · Mar 26, 2004

The aftermarket companies will have enough incentive to come up with products to mod the cars - Of this im sure of - but it will take a few years.

mswaim

· #18 · May 1, 2004

Hey Dave (Borla), I'm not as interested in being a test mule as I am in perhaps buying a unit that would increase performance and add just bit of burble to my XLR. K&N already has air filters, so what the heck...........

1_XLR

· #19 · May 4, 2004 (Edited)

come on Dave, I'd like to know what the hold-up is too! :thumbs

XLR_Jake

· #20 · Dec 9, 2008

when you get those headers out i will jump all over em like a spider monkey!

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