Certainly, it seems this way... These three cars, all made by +General Motors of course, Corvette C7 Z06, 2016 Cadillac CTS V and the upcoming Camaro ZL1 have one thing in common: they are all powered by the same supercharged LT4 "pinnacle" of GM performance oriented technologies and of course, all three use the same turdy heat pump accidentally called a supercharger... Superheater perhaps, maybe good for residential heating needs?
Quoting the genius behind both the already failed Corvette C7 Z06 and the LT4 "pinnacle":
“We do share that technology; you do see a lot of trickle-down from Corvette on Camaros, and on Cadillac V-series, but really, every car tries to be as good as it can be…,”
Unfortunately, what it seems to mean is that the problems with the LT4 pinnacle will just continue spread to other GM brands and cars, just like herpes, with the newest and greatest Cadillac CTS V being next in line to taste the extent of this engineering failure, no matter how many coolers can Cadillac cram into this overweight "high performance sedan".
By some strange accident, the CTS V that was included in the Motor Trend's Best Driver's Car comparisson managed to survive the tests, unlike the flagship Z06 that took a shit half way and never managed to finish, scoring the last spot by default.
Ironically enough, the problems with the Cadillac application of LT4 came out not in a respectable automotive magazine but Yahoo Autos which apparently does not rely as extensively on GM advertising "donations".
What is truly alarming is the fact that Cadillac engineers went (supposedly) more extensively through the cooling aspects of the LT4 powerplant, adding extra FIVE heat exchangers, running transmission cooler through the front mounted intercooler, claiming functional fender vents, extra front intake and on and on and on. And yet, the Cadillac failed to deliver, it went into limp mode and exhibited severe signs of not only overheating but heatsoak as well.
Although right off the bat, the front intercooler still sits in front of the radiator, without any doubt causing problems like in Z06, there is evidence trickling out from engine builders regarding flawed design of the engine itself and specifically, inadequate coolant flow passages in the engine assembly, working in concert with the higher than expected regular coolant and oil temperatures.
From the look at the new Cadillac, it is far from perfect, the engine compartment plastic cladding does not help good air circulation, the hood vent/extractor seems more for looks than function and the likelihood of engine design flaw on top of these things can easily mean a death sentence to the 4200 lbs, 90 grand BMW M5 and AMG alternative high end candidate...
To complete this GM trinity of disaster, there is still one candidate that is right around the block, the upcoming Camaro ZL1 car. Since as the other two, it also uses the same LT4 engine and the same turd supercharger and the car already had overheating problems with the previous powerplant, what are the chances it will not become the third failure to complete the latest GM disaster? Chances are very good it will repeat the Z06 and CTS V fate.
Perhaps this would be a great opportunity for GM to buy back any of the LT4 equipped cars? Then again, GM is not Porsche, the owners may as well start pounding the sand right now but no excuse for anyone dumb enough to plunk down the money for more Z06, Cadillac and Camaro disasters....
https://www.yahoo.com/autos/s/2016-cts-v-not-yet-one-two-punch-163032425.html
Wow that review was spot on for the Cadillac. Ole Vadge probably feels like he just got bitch slapped in the face. Limp mode seems to be a highly technical term for GM and its customers.
ReplyDeleteAs a former owner of POS Northstar, I am somewhat not surprised with the latest turn of events. Tadge used work for Cadillac, that disaster XLR was his creation.
DeleteMatt farah said it didn't have any heat issues when pushed hard at the track.
Deletettps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-yXqc0CJoM
Unicorns are pretty cool
Deletehere junk,there junk,everywhere gm,junk junk.
ReplyDeleteCorporate creativity at its best, LOL. BMW and Mercedes owners must be lining up at the nearest Cadillac dealer already.
DeleteI own a CTS-V, previous Gen with the LSA V8 and 1.9L Supercharger. While this article clearly has a hate on for these cars....I cant help but agree that the supercharger GM is using is a complete POS.
ReplyDeleteAll other automakers in this segment have switched to twin turbos or at least a twin screw supercharger.
The 1.7L on the LT4 is a joke....clearly demonstrated by how much the motor is out powered by the MOPAR 6.2L twin screw supercharged V8 in their HellCat. The GM V8, is by far the best pushrod motor on the planet, and one of the best V8s in the world. The Corvette and V are also amazing cars....these heating issues are caused by GM cheaping out and picking a roots-type blower instead of ponying up the cash for a proper twin screw.
If you think the current LT turds are the greatest pushrod engines on the planet, you clearly live in a state of denial.
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