Cadillac Sports Sedan Becomes a 1,000-HP Supercar Destroyer for Just $7,200
Magnuson Superchargers’ newest bolt-on kit for the CT5-V Blackwing promises significant horsepower gains.
The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing comes from the factory with a supercharged V8 producing 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque. More power isn’t exactly a necessity—but for those who want it, desire often trumps need. Magnuson Superchargers has answered that call with their TVS2650 Supercharger System, specifically engineered to fit the CT5-V Blackwing’s GM LT4 V8. According to Magnuson, installing the system in its stock configuration delivers an instant 90-hp and 76-lb-ft torque increase, pushing the Blackwing to a thrilling 758 hp with just a simple bolt-on upgrade.
Priced at $7,195, the kit delivers impressive value for the power it adds—but the potential doesn’t stop there. The initial 90-hp gain comes using the engine’s stock factory tune, leaving room for even greater performance with further tuning.
1,000 Horses on the Table
On its website, Magnuson Superchargers highlights the benefits of the new supercharger kit, including cooler operating temperatures and steady performance gains across the RPM range. The accompanying graph shows a significantly improved horsepower and torque curve, with both peaking at higher RPMs. This suggests that the upgraded V8 will deliver a more linear yet more intense driving experience—and almost certainly a louder, more aggressive soundtrack.
Magnuson Superchargers also emphasizes that the upgrade is a direct-fit solution, coming complete with all necessary components—including hardware. Interestingly, the company briefly mentions that the kit can make the engine capable of 1,000 hp, though no further details are provided. Presumably, achieving that figure would require an additional engine tune. Even so, hitting 1,000 hp in a Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is a serious proposition.
Beyond the raw performance, the upgrade could make the Cadillac Blackwing a relative performance bargain in the new-car market. With a starting price of $99,095, adding the $7,195 supercharger kit pushes the total to roughly $106,290—excluding installation and tuning costs. This calculation assumes, of course, that the engine can safely handle more than 1,000 hp without upgraded internal components—but that’s a discussion for later.
Doing the Enthusiast Math
If we set aside $4,000 for professional installation and dyno tuning, the total comes to a tidy $110,290 for a new car capable of 1,000 hp. Even if you tack on an extra $5,000—because car enthusiast math is never exact—you’re still looking at a 1,000-hp machine for under $120,000. By comparison, with the Dodge Challenger Demon 170 (1,025 hp) discontinued, the cheapest factory-built gas-powered 1,000-hp option is now the C8 Corvette ZR1, starting at $183,400.
It’s also worth noting that this isn’t a backyard operation. Magnuson Superchargers backs the kit with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, and the company notes that a similar warranty for the rest of the powertrain is available. Sure, you could get a 1,000-hp electric car for under $100,000—but your choices are largely limited to a Tesla or a GMC Hummer EV. For gas-powered vehicles offering serious horsepower along with reliability and warranty support, you’re otherwise looking at supercar and hypercar territory.
The Big Assumption
The question remains: can the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing’s V8 handle 1,000 hp without upgrading its internal components? It’s a GM LT4, the same engine found in the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the previous-generation Corvette Z06—both rated at 650 hp. Interestingly, the same engine produces 682 hp in the current Cadillac Escalade V. Magnuson Superchargers clearly believes the LT4 can deliver at least 758 hp, along with the accompanying torque, without any additional engine modifications.
The general consensus online is that the LT4 can handle “almost” 1,000 hp without internal upgrades. Realistically, most enthusiasts wouldn’t push it past 800 hp—but sometimes, you’ve got to draw the line somewhere. Of course, you could always spend an extra $60,000 and go straight for a C8 Corvette ZR1—if you can actually find one and lock it down before dealer markups.
