Imagine a world where anything you can dream up could become a reality--such as the ultimate 800hp, twin supercharged family car and weekend road racer. Believe it or not, a candyland for gearheads [akin to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory] actually exists in DuBois, Pennsylvania. In this world of seemingly make-believe, though, it won't require a golden ticket to make your dreams come true. All it took was a little bit of ingenuity and the skills of a seasoned vet for Fabrication Supervisor Chad Vogele to turn Predator Performance owners Dennis and Becky Raybuck's 2005 CTS-V into its flagship EFI hot rod.
Following the opening of the brand-new 39,000 square-foot shop, Predator Performance was looking to aptly display its fabrication and tuning abilities on a new school hot rod. The Raybucks' CTS-V was the perfect canvas for creating a masterpiece meant to mimic the SCCA championship-winning road race cars with a twist. Instead of the race car's solid roller C5R motor, this CTS-V would rely on a more streetable 222/232 duration hydraulic roller and AFR 205cc heads while still utilizing the illustrious C5R block and a 4.00-inch stroke crank to amass 427 cubes. In anticipation of the increased fluid temperatures common to road racing the T56 and rear end were sent out to Rockland Standard Gear where the vital internals were smoothed out and treated to a process that reduces operating temperature and friction. As added insurance, Predator treated the CTS-V to motor, transmission and differential oil coolers.
To draw further similarity to the widebody race car, Specter Werkes body components were installed and painted in Predator's in-house paint and body shop. A heat extractor hood, spoiler, and side skirts were included in the deal as were fender flares to house monster 19x10.5 HRE 546R wheels. The oversized custom wheels also enabled the use of an equally impressive set of 15-inch 8-piston front and 14.5-inch 4-piston rear brakes from Brembo. These high-dollar Gold Series binders provide plenty of clamping force, and when paired with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 265/35ZR19 front and 305/30ZR19 rear tires bring the modestly sized sedan to a halt in a New York minute. Dealer-installed GM performance shocks, a BMR anti-wheelhop kit, strut tower brace, and pinion support brace are used to firm up the suspension.
Comparisons to the Speed World Challenge race car end there, though, as a more testosterone-filled approach was taken to motivating the Gen III powerplant. In the interest of upstaging a few shops and companies that had developed supercharger kits for the CTS-V, Predator decided to fabricate a twin blower setup. Using two ATI Procharger P-1SC blowers to generate 12 psi of boost was the essence of excess, but therein lies the fun. A custom air-to-air intercooler was fabricated for the pump gas street car, with two built-in Procharger Race Bypass Valves necessary for resolving an idling issue that occurred with only a single unit venting unneeded boost. Low compression (8.2:1) JE forged pistons enable more aggressive tuning with LS1Edit using only 92 octane pump gas, meanwhile Lunati Pro Mod billet rods and a Callies forged crank guard the bottom end of the C5R block. As CNC-ported AFR heads with Manley stainless steel 2.02 intake and 1.65 exhaust valves and a blower cam from COMP Cams are playing gatekeeper, forged internals were a must.
A FAST LSX 90mm intake and throttle body help feed the big gorilla of a motor as do RC Engineering 40-lb injectors and an Aeromotive A1000 fuel pump. Exhalation is performed through TPIS 1.75-inch long-tube headers, Random Tech cats, and Corsa 2.5-inch true dual exhaust. On Predator's Superflow 902 engine dyno, which is usually occupied by championship-winning Hooter's Pro Cup NASCAR race engines, the Gen III thumped out 806 hp at 6,400 rpm and 756 ft-lbs of torque at 5,100 rpm.
With this much power it's easy to spin the tires in First, Second, and Third but it still manages to maintain most of its drivability--believe it or not. Who would have thought something this outrageous would do little more than sit in the showroom let alone run, drive, and function like a stocker. In the words of the immortal Louis Armstrong, "What a wonderful world."
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 The blacked-out glass is complemented...  The blacked-out glass is complemented nicely by blacked-out headlight and taillight lenses. In combination with the wheels, Specter Werkes body kit and heat extractor hood there is no mistaking this V for stock. |
 Predator Performance utilized...  Predator Performance utilized its fabrication abilities and paint booth to conceal the 427 cube Gen III with style and sophistication. Beneath the painted cover is a FAST LSX 90mm intake and throttle body with custom intake tubing leading from a front mount air-to-air intercooler. Twin Procharger P-1SC blowers feed the intercooler with 12 psi of boost. |
 Despite the extensive exterior...  Despite the extensive exterior mods, the interior is kept all stock--not that you'd need to modify a greenhouse this plush. |
 A custom air-to-air intercooler...  A custom air-to-air intercooler was mounted just behind the grille with two Procharger Race Bypass Valves to alleviate an idling issue from the massive airflow from the two blowers. |
 High-class HRE 546R 19x10.5...  High-class HRE 546R 19x10.5 wheels display monster Brembo Gold Series 15-inch 8-piston front brakes and 14.5-inch 4-piston rear brakes... |
 ...That's a lot of stopping...  ...That's a lot of stopping power! Sticky Michelin Pilot Sport rubber help keep the massive torque in check... |
 ...The Specter Werkes fender...  ...The Specter Werkes fender flares allow for the wide wheels and meaty tires. |
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