Decisions, decisions!

[85vette]

So I've owned my 2004 CTS V since 2010 and I've racked up the miles on the LS-6. (205000K miles) I've had zero issues with this engine.

Other than replacing the water pump shortly after I got it the only thing besides oil changes were the motor mounts literally breaking due to them being hydraulic. Just a fancy name for fluid filled in an attempt to make this car idle as smoothly as you would expect a Cadillac to idle. I went with Creative Steel poly mounts. problem solved.

It came to me with a Fidanza dual plate clutch with a 14 pound flywheel which forced you to drive it like a race car. It would wind up super fast but low end torque was sacrificed. And while it was a blast to drive I admit that the LS-7 clutch and flywheel is much more streetable and user friendly.

But now that my ride is approaching 20 years old the GM OEM parts catalog is shrinking. This car came with a Getrag independent rear end which was problematic on the early cars (like mine), and it was replaced with the upgraded axle under warranty at 59K miles. Again, I've had no trouble with it but you can no longer get replacement parts from GM in the event of a failure. And since so few of these cars were made, finding one in a wrecking yard is practically impossible.

Aftermarket options exist in the form of replacing the differential with a Ford 8.8 and that has proven to be good for up to 1000 hp. But the cost is in the neighborhood of $6-$9K!

I've been wanting to spend some money on the car and wanted to bump the power with a cam and headers but I'm afraid this will turn into a never ending circle of upgrades what with having to upgrade the whole package.

Some days I wish I had never let my 71 RS/Z/28 go. It was practically indestructible and parts like 12 bolt rear ends were plentiful.

Twin turbos have proven to bump power into the 1300-1700 hp range with these LS engines but the drivetrain of choice is usually a powerglide and a 9 inch Ford rearend. And while I have seen a CTS V with that combination, that guy had lots more money than me!

Oh well, I guess you just have to pay to play!