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Tuning the 3.0 Continental


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As someone who has made it know on this forum that I prefer RWD-bias vehicles and V8's, with or without forced induction, I commend you and your tuner..... Pretty f***** good man. That's impressive numbers for that car, it should be making headlines that the car is that physical. Imagine what that car could do with a stiffer suspension and a TT V8, or a bigger 6, not that the 3.0 can't handle more, but it would be nice...... Have you had it on a dyno around the time of this last run? If so, what is it putting out on the dyno?

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I have not had the car on a dyno. I pretty much use the track to test power.

 

There is a lot more potential according to the tuner. He has it pulling boost and actually closing the throttle a bit at the shift points to keep the shifts nice and smooth. If he kept the throttle blade open and the boost up, it would be quicker but would lose some smoothness. He could also advance the timing more if I wanted to run a mixture of E85. Maximum boost could also be increased. I prefer not to do those things due to possible eventual durability concerns.

 

I do not want to add a cold air intake, stiffer springs or exhaust mods because I want to retain the comfortable ride and quiet interior.

 

I am pretty happy with it just as it is....at least for now.

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I have not had the car on a dyno. I pretty much use the track to test power.

 

There is a lot more potential according to the tuner. He has it pulling boost and actually closing the throttle a bit at the shift points to keep the shifts nice and smooth. If he kept the throttle blade open and the boost up, it would be quicker but would lose some smoothness. He could also advance the timing more if I wanted to run a mixture of E85. Maximum boost could also be increased. I prefer not to do those things due to possible eventual durability concerns.

 

I do not want to add a cold air intake, stiffer springs or exhaust mods because I want to retain the comfortable ride and quiet interior.

 

I am pretty happy with it just as it is....at least for now.

I hear you there..... I'm huge into performance, but then again, I would just buy a Mustang or Camaro and mess with that. I don't drive a Cadillac and Lincoln because they have some balls, but they're powerful, quiet, smooth, and luxurious. I wouldn't want to sacrifice the luxury part of the deal. Sounds like I'd be more than happy if I had what you had going on! ??? I don't know if I ever shared on here, I haven't been very active, but I drive a 2009 Cadillac DTS Platinum. She moves, I never realized they had that kind of punch until I owned one. And you can't beat the ride. The MKZ we have would be fun with the DTS's engine. Has anyone on here seen any CT6's with tunes or at the track?

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I hear you there..... I'm huge into performance, but then again, I would just buy a Mustang or Camaro and mess with that. I don't drive a Cadillac and Lincoln because they have some balls, but they're powerful, quiet, smooth, and luxurious. I wouldn't want to sacrifice the luxury part of the deal. Sounds like I'd be more than happy if I had what you had going on! I don't know if I ever shared on here, I haven't been very active, but I drive a 2009 Cadillac DTS Platinum. She moves, I never realized they had that kind of punch until I owned one. And you can't beat the ride. The MKZ we have would be fun with the DTS's engine. Has anyone on here seen any CT6's with tunes or at the track?

 

I don't think any tuner has touched the CT6. There are tunes for the 3.6 turbo that is used in the XTS but not for Cadillac's 3.0 twin turbo. Low volume cars with low volume engines do not get much love from the tuners.

 

Part of me would love to get a 2018 Mustang when they become available. However, everyone expects a Mustang or Camaro to be fast. CTS-V Cadillacs are common at the track and everyone knows they are super fast. Hemi Challengers and Chargers are a dime a dozen - even Hellcats. What makes going to the track with a Lincoln so much fun is that it exceeds expectations so dramatically and other than an old Mark VIII once in a while, Lincolns at a drag strip are very rare.

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Thats what I enjoy as well, shattering expectations. Funny coming to a red light and seeing cars behind you switch to the other empty lanes thinking the Lincoln will be slow, when it turns green I just laugh seeing them trying to catch up. When I had a Mark8, same thing...on my LS i had someone recently ask me after they parked near me what engine it had because i kept hauling ass off the each light. Granted the low weight of the LS compared to heavy 4000lbs midsize family sedans nowadays helps. Ha, they have no clue I have always averaged 12-13MPG....

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  • 5 weeks later...

I ran at the track tonight with a slightly revised tune - just a tad more timing. The car responded with a bit quicker times than before. I am finished tuning now. While the engine has even more potential, the weight of the car and the soft suspension make it a less worthy drag strip car than an SHO or MKS. If I launch the car too aggressively, I get nasty wheel hop. The suspension - springs, dampers, and bushings - is just too soft. That and the weight are drawbacks.

 

In spite of the drawbacks, 12.8 @ 107.9 is nothing to be ashamed of. That along with better mileage and much nicer transmission shifts have made me appreciate my Continental more than ever!

 

 

 

post-34962-0-83188100-1504752114_thumb.jpg

Edited by brucelinc
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Here is a video of the Conti vs a Mustang GT 5.0. This is the older 412 HP version but he did have an aftermarket air intake and full exhaust. He is car 403 in the video and ran 13.5 @ 108. The newer 435 HP models are just a little quicker but I have never seen one under 13.2-13.3 at Brainerd. This video also shows the wheel hop I get when I launch agressively.

 

https://youtu.be/vKhOQN_dHY0

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New Camaros are very formidable foes at the drag strip. I expected to view his tail lights. Apparently the Camaro driver either fell asleep, killed the engine or ran to the concession stand for a burger after we staged. (sorry for the shakes at one point of the video. Using a helmet cam and didn't move my head smoothly.)

 

https://youtu.be/DHUMJqOtBvc

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Geez, all this talk of this fast Continental makes me want to suck everything I can out of my Platinum DTS! I'd love to have a Continental running those numbers! Definitely a lot more interesting like that, as opposed to stock. Love your car, watched most of your videos. I know I'm limited with what I can gain on my DTS, but it's bone stock. Might play with the intake, exhaust, and see about having someone play with a tune just to try and get a little bit more performance bite to take out the driving miss daisy. If I get on it tho, she definitely has some bite. I ended up doing a 5ft-10ft burn out the other day, I got a bit of road rage, someone slammed their brakes in front of the casino and I channeled Mario Andretti. I wish our MKZ could have a tune and intake and exhaust done, but not sure what benefits I'd get from that 3.5 - non turbos.

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  • 1 month later...

Didn't notice this thread back when it was relevant to reply, but Livernois has 2.7 Fusion tunes if you're still looking for one.

 

https://www.livernoismotorsports.com/images/2017_Fusion_Sport.bmp

 

 

(The forum won't let me link directly to a .bmp so you'll have to cut-and-paste to see the dyno chart.)

 

I think I will be picking up one of these very soon: https://www.livernoismotorsports.com/product/LPP631145

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Livernois has finally had a Continental 3.0 on their dyno and have developed a tune for it. They are seeing over 50 additional HP at the wheels with their tune. Since I have been a customer and have their tuning device, I can get their tune for just $20 in shipping costs. I am happy with the tune I have but it is nice to have another option.

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In looking at Livernois' dyno results, it looks like they pick up more HP and torque on the 2.7 than on the 3.0. That is totally expected since the 3.0 is quite a bit stronger when stock so there is less headroom. In fact, the 2.7 with a tune doesn't quite match a stock 3.0.

 

If we factor in the typical driveline losses in an AWD system, the 3.0 would appear to have around 460-470 HP at the crank. Amazing what a little 180 cubic inch engine is capable of while retaining good fuel economy, smooth idle, quiet running and (hopefully) longevity.

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In looking at Livernois' dyno results, it looks like they pick up more HP and torque on the 2.7 than on the 3.0. That is totally expected since the 3.0 is quite a bit stronger when stock so there is less headroom. In fact, the 2.7 with a tune doesn't quite match a stock 3.0.

 

If we factor in the typical driveline losses in an AWD system, the 3.0 would appear to have around 460-470 HP at the crank. Amazing what a little 180 cubic inch engine is capable of while retaining good fuel economy, smooth idle, quiet running and (hopefully) longevity.

Simply amazing that we see these little engines with such reliable power density, this is the golden era of ICEs..

I remember when you needed a big block to make that torque and horsepower. but now, it's all too easy.:)

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