Draggy vs In Car Performance Recorder

[TwinSkrullDesign]

I was curious on how the in car performance recorder (Non-PDR) would read against a draggy in the new 2026 CT5-V AWD.

- 43F Degrees
- 1/2 tank of 93 octane when the runs were completed
- New Bridgestone Blizzak 6 winter tires (245/40/19)
- Both the road and tires were cold.

As you can see, the Cadillac software is a little kind, but it makes me feel happy . Two 12.9 sec 1/4 mile runs back-to-back and hitting 4.6 & 4.7 seconds 0-60. The Cadillac software is probably adding in the “roll out” numbers.

The draggy on the other hand is probably more accurate. Two 13.36 1/4 miles runs hitting 0-60 in 5.16 seconds.

 

[TwinSkrullDesign]

Swapped out the OEM filters with the more open element Green Filters and redid some 1/4 mile times. Whether the filters was reason for the better times or if I just had better launches…you can decide. I did increase trap speed by almost 4 mph with the new filters installed

 

[CT4-Venom]

Swapped out the OEM filters with the more open element Green Filters and redid some 1/4 mile times. Whether the filters was reason for the better times or if I just had better launches…you can decide. I did increase trap speed by almost 4 mph with the new filters installed


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Go Green!

 

[rubberduck]

Is that what green energy is all about.

 

[shbox]

I'm skeptical of flow that might be at the expense of filtration effectiveness. Ingestion of particulates is a major factor in engine oil contamination and subsequent wear. I'd need to see some filtration test comparison results if they are out there.

 

[piranha971]

Even the retailer selling these is not making any claims of power gains. It has long been understood that air filters and intakes on this platform don't do anything for power. It has also been established in objective testing that aftermarket gauze and oil type filters just don't filter nearly as well as OEM paper. Their flow capacity drops off pretty bad as they fill up with dirt. They can give us a bit more noise, though. I wouldn't and don't put them in my cars anymore.

 

[Argent86]

I was curious on how the in car performance recorder (Non-PDR) would read against a draggy in the new 2026 CT5-V AWD.

- 43F Degrees
- 1/2 tank of 93 octane when the runs were completed
- New Bridgestone Blizzak 6 winter tires (245/40/19)
- Both the road and tires were cold.

As you can see, the Cadillac software is a little kind, but it makes me feel happy . Two 12.9 sec 1/4 mile runs back-to-back and hitting 4.6 & 4.7 seconds 0-60. The Cadillac software is probably adding in the “roll out” numbers.

The draggy on the other hand is probably more accurate. Two 13.36 1/4 miles runs hitting 0-60 in 5.16 seconds.


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pulling a 12.9 in Blizzaks. Okay. Good to know!
Ah, looks like you have an extra radiator? I want that but remove the CT5 front end to install, ugh.
Ah, I see the CT4 has dual air filters- nice. Only 1ea in the 6.2L. Less is more?
ps I'm shopping for an CT4 or a Cayman or a Z or a this-or-that. Maybe the CT4 if they don't blow up. Don't want turbos though...only downside I don't want the extra hot parts. Give me a supercharger, or NA.

 

[Argent86]

Not going to put green in mine for the reasons @shbox states.

LMP confirmed on their dyno the OEM 4" intake is plenty good enough even though they offer their 5". ps. I still need/want a catch can. Maybe the LMP, I dunno.

 

[blkout]

I'm skeptical of flow that might be at the expense of filtration effectiveness. Ingestion of particulates is a major factor in engine oil contamination and subsequent wear. I'd need to see some filtration test comparison results if they are out there.

Shouldn't be an issue unless you live on a dirt road, in the desert, or plan to keep your car for 200k miles. The filtration of oiled cotton are more than sufficient for 98% of the population.

 

[shbox]

Shouldn't be an issue unless you live on a dirt road, in the desert, or plan to keep your car for 200k miles. The filtration of oiled cotton are more than sufficient for 98% of the population.

I'd need proof.

 

[blkout]

I'd need proof.

Oiled cotton filters are standard on some performance vehicles from the factory. OEMs wouldn't do that if they were concerned about excessive wear. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying across 200k miles, the paper filter vehicle will likely have less wear but most people never keep their vehicles that long and let's be honest, it's probably time for a rebuild anyway. These aren't diesel engines. I don't know that you're ever going to get the proof you desire because no one that I know of has a done a true apples to apples long term comparison. A study like that would take many years if not a decade or more to complete. What we do know is that millions of people are running oiled cotton filters every day and aren't having to rebuild their engines at excessively low mileage due to wear.

If you've ever done oil analysis, it's quite easy to see if you have elevated silicon in your oil. I have done oil sample analysis on all of my vehicles for the last 8 years and never seen elevated silicon levels with an oiled cotton filter.

Here's a good article explaining it.

https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/89/silicon-engine-oil

Here's the last oil analysis I had done on my 2021 Camaro ZL1 before I sold it. Look at the silicon levels at each interval. Starting from right to left, the first oil change was done at 490 miles, the car was still completely stock. Silicon was 60, then my car was modified with FBO and added an oiled cotton Rotofab intake around 1,500 miles. The second oil change was done at 3,600 miles, silicon dropped to 35. The third oil change was done at 6,018 miles and silicon dropped even further to 12. The fourth oil change was done at 8,207 miles and silicon dropped to 8. The last oil change was done at 9,830 miles and the silicon dropped again to 6. The industry average was 24 for my given location. So, what that tells me is that the oiled cotton filter had no issues keeping dirt out of the engine over the course of 4 years. That's 5 oil change samples of evidence. In fact, not only was the filter doing its job, but it was just keeping the dirt out at a lower rate than the average for my location. Pretty impressive to me for an 800hp Camaro ZL1 that can got to flex its legs quite a bit.

 

[TwinSkrullDesign]

Oiled filters are only a concern when people over oil the element. Would I prefer a dry filter…yes, but doesn’t appear these are offered.

Oiled filters also become more efficient when they attract dust and dirt. The funny thing is, when I removed the OEM paper filters, there was a piece of the orange rubber gasket wedged between the pleats on the underside of the filter.

This rubber partial could’ve have easily dislodged and been sucked into one of the turbos. In this respect, I’m very glad I swapped out the OEM paper filters.

 

[shbox]

Silicon levels are normally high in the beginning because of the sealants used for assembly and should progress to lower levels over time. If levels go up, then you have filtering issues.

 

[blkout]

Silicon levels are normally high in the beginning because of the sealants used for assembly and should progress to lower levels over time. If levels go up, then you have filtering issues.

I would expect them to be high initially, but as stated, they dropped over time and were well below average levels with an oiled cotton filter. Keep in mind, I do live in a city and not a high dusty environment like a desert, or dirt roads.