[Blackdevil77]

Is it just me, or is the CT5-V Blackwing a bit faster than the ZL1 even though it has the same engine and weighs more? I’ve heard of a few at the strip trapping around 128 mph and seeing videos like this make me think there’s more than an additional 18 hp in these things.

https://youtu.be/YiS89K33MMU

[Jofu]

Originally Posted by Blackdevil77

Is it just me, or is the CT5-V Blackwing a bit faster than the ZL1 even though it has the same engine and weighs more? I’ve heard of a few at the strip trapping around 128 mph and seeing videos like this make me think there’s more than an additional 18 hp in these things.

https://youtu.be/YiS89K33MMU

I admittedly know nothing about the BW, but could any acceleration differences be related in parts to aerodynamics and gearing? Are those somewhat close between the 2 cars (I assume we're talking about the non-1LE ZL1 here)?

Geoff

[Blackdevil77]

Originally Posted by Jofu

I admittedly know nothing about the BW, but could any acceleration differences be related in parts to aerodynamics and gearing? Are those somewhat close between the 2 cars (I assume we're talking about the non-1LE ZL1 here)?

Geoff

Yes non 1LE. The Caddy offers the same 10 speed that the ZL1 has. I’m not sure about aerodynamics but I’ve seen a few videos of guys running 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds and it absolutely rips past that. Definitely seems a bit more robust than the ZL1s I’ve seen. I know Cadillac made some revisions to the LT-4 and got a little more power out of it, but it seems like more than a little after seeing videos of them run.

[IntricateDetail]

Originally Posted by Blackdevil77

Yes non 1LE. The Caddy offers the same 10 speed that the ZL1 has. I’m not sure about aerodynamics but I’ve seen a few videos of guys running 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds and it absolutely rips past that. Definitely seems a bit more robust than the ZL1s I’ve seen. I know Cadillac made some revisions to the LT-4 and got a little more power out of it, but it seems like more than a little after seeing videos of them run.

Interesting. I placed an order for the BW4 but keep coming back to the ZL1. I just don't want to drop $120k+ on a car (or else I'd be getting an M5CS or RS7), and the ZL1 is so much power/fun for the $70k range. I'm back to looking at building a ZL1 again while I wait for news on the Caddy lol.

[ckt227]

Cadillac does something right then kills it. GM typically does. Just got this months Motor Trend. BW4 vs BMW M3. Guess who won? MT and Car and Driver, if its a Porsche or BMW against anything, they always win.

[TXCSSU]

Might have to do with how the two put power down. The CT5 is fitted with 305/30ZR19 and is a little heavier. Isn't higher trap speed related to how quick you can put the power down and build speed? I'd love to see how the ZL1 would do with similar tire/wheel size.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by TXCSSU

Might have to do with how the two put power down. The CT5 is fitted with 305/30ZR19 and is a little heavier. Isn't higher trap speed related to how quick you can put the power down and build speed? I'd love to see how the ZL1 would do with similar tire/wheel size.

Trap speed is normally indicative of power and weight. ET is indicative of how well you put the power down.

[Vigilante375]

Anyone seen any 60 - 130 times for it?

[Z OH 6]

I would have to see a ZL1 and Blackwing on the same track, same day to determine which is quicker. The ZL1 has the power to weight advantage and should be slightly quicker. Comparing different cars and different tracks on different days is pointless.

[ckt227]

Pretty equal cars. A lot is on the driver.

[Revalot]

I asked this question a month ago, was told the blower has a improved rotor pack, tune, and maybe throttle body, so it's more like 30hp or more over the ZL1.

[TXCSSU]

Originally Posted by Revalot

I asked this question a month ago, was told the blower has a improved rotor pack, tune, and maybe throttle body, so it's more like 30hp or more over the ZL1.

Question then would be is 30 HP enough to overcome the weight differences?

[Idaho2018GTPremium]

This is tough, but I think it is about +20-25 hp over the ZL1, so I don't think Cadillac is really underrating the CT5V Blackwing.

Here's my theory: GM advertises the ZL1 as 11.4 @ 127 mph and the auto ZL1 weighs 3,925 lbs. If I remember correctly GM advertises the Blackwing as 11.3 @ 128 mph in the 1/4 mile and it weighs just over 4,100 lbs, however, that version has the carbon ceramic brakes, which saves a lot of rotating mass, bringing the theoretical weight differential a bit closer than the approx. 190 lbs on paper. Call it closer to a 125 lbs difference, as far as acceleration goes due to the lighter brakes and less unsprung rotating mass.

So, to go 1 mph more in the 1/4 mile takes about +15 hp at these power levels. Then, to make up for the 125 theoretical difference in weight you'd need another 15 hp. So, call it +30 hp, however, I think the Cadillac is slightly more aerodynamic than the ZL1, which helps its acceleration at higher speeds, thus, reducing that theoretical 30 hp difference down to about 20-25 hp to get to the claimed performance numbers. So, I think it is only about 20-25 hp more than the ZL1, so similar to, or only slightly over, the advertised 668 hp.

[Smokin19]

Originally Posted by Idaho2018GTPremium

This is tough, but I think it is about +20-25 hp over the ZL1, so I don't think Cadillac is really underrating the CT5V Blackwing.

Here's my theory: GM advertises the ZL1 as 11.4 @ 127 mph and the auto ZL1 weighs 3,925 lbs. If I remember correctly GM advertises the Blackwing as 11.3 @ 128 mph in the 1/4 mile and it weighs just over 4,100 lbs, however, that version has the carbon ceramic brakes, which saves a lot of rotating mass, bringing the theoretical weight differential a bit closer than the approx. 190 lbs on paper. Call it closer to a 125 lbs difference, as far as acceleration goes due to the lighter brakes and less unsprung rotating mass.

So, to go 1 mph more in the 1/4 mile takes about +15 hp at these power levels. Then, to make up for the 125 theoretical difference in weight you'd need another 15 hp. So, call it +30 hp, however, I think the Cadillac is slightly more aerodynamic than the ZL1, which helps its acceleration at higher speeds, thus, reducing that theoretical 30 hp difference down to about 20-25 hp to get to the claimed performance numbers. So, I think it is only about 20-25 hp more than the ZL1, so similar to, or only slightly over, the advertised 668 hp.

Is this the all new theoretical math I have been hearing about. LOL