Cadillac's Blackwing Nears 1,000 HP with Supercharger Upgrade
The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, a vehicle already celebrated for its formidable 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, is now capable of achieving even more extreme power levels. Enthusiasts looking to push this high-performance sedan into the four-digit horsepower range can turn to Magnuson Superchargers, which has introduced a new replacement supercharger designed to significantly enhance the car's output. This development offers a direct pathway for owners to transform an already powerful machine into an absolute beast on the road or track.
Magnuson's TVS2650 supercharger serves as a direct replacement for the stock unit in the LT4 engine. Without any modifications to the engine's original tuning, this upgrade provides an immediate increase of 90 horsepower and 76 pound-feet of torque, elevating the total output to an impressive 758 horsepower and 735 pound-feet. However, the true potential of this supercharger is unleashed with a recalibrated engine tune, which Magnuson suggests could allow the CT5-V Blackwing to produce an astounding 1,000 horsepower. This substantial power boost positions the Blackwing as a serious contender in the hyper-sedan category, challenging the performance capabilities of many exotic sports cars.
The complete Magnuson TVS2650 kit is priced at $7,195 and includes all components necessary for installation, making it a convenient bolt-on solution. Beyond its performance benefits, the supercharger housing can be customized in various colors, including blue, green, red, orange, and two shades of black, allowing owners to personalize their engine bay aesthetics. Magnuson supports this upgrade with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty for the supercharger itself, and an optional extended warranty is available for other powertrain components. This additional coverage is a prudent consideration, given the potential long-term stress that such a significant power increase might place on the engine and its related systems, regardless of whether the stock engine tune is retained or modified for maximum output.
While Magnuson offers a compelling upgrade, they are not alone in recognizing the LT4 engine's capacity for greater power. Hennessey Performance Engineering, another prominent aftermarket tuner, provides its own H1000 upgrade for the CT5-V Blackwing. Hennessey's package aims to deliver 1,000 horsepower and 966 pound-feet of torque through a different supercharger and engine calibration. Their comprehensive approach also includes ported cylinder heads, a valvetrain upgrade, and new stainless steel headers, highlighting the diverse strategies tuners employ to extract extreme performance from this platform.
The inherent capabilities of the factory CT5-V Blackwing are already remarkable. Cadillac states that the standard model can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds when equipped with the 10-speed automatic transmission, or 3.6 seconds with the six-speed manual. Its top speed exceeds 200 mph. What distinguishes the Blackwing from other high-horsepower American sedans is its meticulously engineered chassis, which enables it to achieve an impressive 1.01g on the skidpad. This combination of raw power and exceptional handling means that while a 1,000-horsepower figure looks impressive on paper, the stock car already offers an exhilarating driving experience that few can match.
The CT5-V Blackwing, originally launched as a 2022 model, received a refreshed design for 2025. As it transitions into 2026, Cadillac will introduce an exclusive program called 'Curated by Cadillac.' This initiative allows a limited number of customers to personalize their Blackwing vehicles using bespoke options typically reserved for the ultra-luxury Celestiq EV. By leveraging the advanced customization capabilities developed for the Celestiq, Cadillac aims to further enhance its luxury image across its high-performance lineup, providing an unparalleled level of exclusivity and craftsmanship to discerning buyers.