Anyone driven the supercharged V8 Blackwing?

[Champale]

Curious to know your thoughts on how that LT4 supercharged engine feels in comparison to our Voodoos. I have driven a ton of GM performance cars over the years but none of them have gotten under my skin like the Boss 302s and the GT350 so I am curious to hear feedback from anyone who has experience with the new 5BW, especially the 6sp manual ones. I understand that the Cadillac is a much more luxurious car and won't handle as well but I am contemplating getting one to sit next to my 350R, not replace it!

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[Inthehighdesert]

I’m sure its phenomenal. I’d be real tempted if they brought out another wagon.

 

[MAGS1]

David Patterson (ThatDudeInBlue on YouTube) has a good review and test drive on the Blackwing on his channel. He doesn’t directly compare it to the 350 but I think he does a good job of explaining how the car feels and handles.

I haven’t seen any driving around but one of my local dealers has 4 of them, 3 new and 1 “used” (87 miles on the clock). My parents have the CT4-V, not a direct comparison but the handling and steering does stiffen up in V mode. But it still very much is a Cadillac in terms of comfort, road noise, etc. The twin turbo 4 banger has some get up and go too.

 

[jvandy50]

Think reverse power curve of the voodoo. The LT4 is a sledgehammer, the TR6060 will hold it and plus some.

if you decide to mod, you run out of fuel around the 800ish area before things get really expensive.

a very robust powertrain(if in fact the TR6060 is what comes in the caddy)

i still love mustangs, but my current ZLE is bang for buck the best thing I could’ve gotten.



the only con on the platform is a run of shatty oil pumps

 

[Champale]

Think reverse power curve of the voodoo. The LT4 is a sledgehammer, the TR6060 will hold it and plus some.

if you decide to mod, you run out of fuel around the 800ish area before things get really expensive.

a very robust powertrain(if in fact the TR6060 is what comes in the caddy)

i still love mustangs, but my current ZLE is bang for buck the best thing I could’ve gotten.



the only con on the platform is a run of shatty oil pumps

Appreciate that feedback. I haven't driven any of the supercharged GM engines since the Gen 2 CTSVs and that engine did zero for me in term of excitement, even with the 6sp manual. But I know the LT4 is a beast and I am used to driving supercharged V8s (my daily is a Trackhawk). The 5BW gets the most incredible reviews and people seem to really enjoy driving the heck out of them. I need to try to test drive one.

 

[Idaho2018GTPremium]

I have the LT4 in my ZL1 and it’s an amazing engine. Lots of torque, but peak power comes at 6400 rpm (6500 rpm redline), so it keeps pulling with the blower. Not to mention it sounds absolutely menacing. It’s more than just an LT1 with a blower, as GM made many, many upgrades to the engine to handle the torque output. If I had to pick one weakness it would be the intercooler system. They’re fine for stock pulleys but tend to start to run out of cooling with more than a slight pulley upgrade. One pulley size down is OK, but more than that and you may get heat soaked on back to back runs when it’s warm/hot out.

The LT4 in the Blackwing is a slightly upgraded LT4 that has some intake tract updates.

As far as handling goes, the BW is the alpha chassis so I bet it won’t be much if at all a compromise compared to the GT350, although you have an R so that’s a step up from a regular GT350.

 

[dtheo]

I bet if you drive it you will want one.....stellar reviews from all independent sources

 

[Kachow]

Had a 1SS1LE for years, the platform is incredible. The ZLEs dominate on track. I am thinking about a CT4BW myself once we have kids.

 

[Champale]

Had a 1SS1LE for years, the platform is incredible. The ZLEs dominate on track. I am thinking about a CT4BW myself once we have kids.

I would actually prefer to buy the 4BW because it's a better size and has all the power one could need (I enjoyed the heck out of driving an ATS-V years ago). But . . . the backseats are ridiculous. No one would be able to sit behind me and I doubt a car seat would fit, either. Zero legroom.

 

[sublime1996525]

No but they are sweet. I'm considering trading for a 4BW.

 

[Champale]

I went ahead and placed an order for a 6sp 2024 5BW today. Low options (basic black paint, light gray seats and rubber floormats were the only options I spec'd). Will apparently take 6-8 months to arrive. I sat in an automatic one, started it up and man it sounds good. Really cool car.

 

[fpa1974]

I drove the 6 speed CT5V BW. Thoroughly enjoyed it. It is like everyone said a very different experience. The suspension tuning is epic. To me that was the best part of it - given the size and weight, GM makes the car feel a class smaller. LT4 is a good match to the rest of the car. Gearing is super tall though. Overall I am having similar thoughts, get one at some point as a daily driver. That will have to wait as my commute right now does not justify a dedicated car. Dynamically and driving engagement wise I think it is the best sedan I ever drove.

 

[Champale]

I drove the 6 speed CT5V BW. Thoroughly enjoyed it. It is like everyone said a very different experience. The suspension tuning is epic. To me that was the best part of it - given the size and weight, GM makes the car feel a class smaller. LT4 is a good match to the rest of the car. Gearing is super tall though. Overall I am having similar thoughts, get one at some point as a daily driver. That will have to wait as my commute right now does not justify a dedicated car. Dynamically and driving engagement wise I think it is the best sedan I ever drove.

Excellent, thank you for your thoughts!

The gearing thing is a concern for me much like it was when I first got the 350R but now I am used to it (and the FP 4.09 kit I bought for it is just collecting dust in my garage).

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