Camino LS6

I really like the Holden (more in some ways), but I'd still pick the Blackhawk - drop dead gorgeous.

If those two pups knew there was a cat in that pipe, it'd be off in no time.

Probably true.

I can't get them to do anything in the barn but sleep on the floor while I work.

No SES light.

I'm thinking that this goes a long way toward fingering the cat. The problem is that I can't get the damn O2 sensor loose to test that idea. The other possibility is the MAP sensor, which I believe is the same as the one on Mothertruck, so I'm going to swap that in and try it.

If that doesn't change things, it's time to hack the cat out of there.

Compression test checks out too - all 8 within a few PSI of 150.

But, I found 3 plugs that were fuel-fouled.

Given how good the Duramax is, I am quite confident that GM can get smaller diesels for cars right. So why not?

Sort of a requirement if they are serious about taking Cadillac global, and it could even do well here.

Fuel pressure test rules out the fuel pump - had between 11.4 and 12.2 PSI all the time (spec is 9-13 PSI).

Did the "pinch-off" test on the return line again - confirms my earlier test ruling-out the fuel pressure regulator.

More than a few details I don't care for, but not bad overall.

The quality of the build seems quite good.

Everyone needs a hobby...

Couple this with more bodystyles per platform and we might have something.

I already posted that one

It didn't show for me...

It will be interesting to learn the results.

Particularly nasty-looking example of a car I've always hated.

An emphatic jeer.

Now the previous gen Seville is another story...

I've always done christmas shopping the way it should be done: on Christmas Eve.

4 hours at most.

That last Buick concept (LaCrosse?) had a beautiful profile (2nd pic)....

Yup.

That car is even more amazing in person.

Just for testing, I would undo the Y pipe at the headers to allow the pressure out and see if it can run the RPMs up to the expected redline.

That would be a noise I'd have to explain later...

At any rate, I can take the engine to any RPM I want right now - I'd just have to do it slowly,

I hate borrowing tools, but I borrowed both a fuel pressure tester and a compression tester, along with an O2 socket today.

I WILL get answers.

Hmmm.

Clogged cat will show it's self at high speed & with a hot cat. unbolt it to see if it's the problem. Am I wrong? I'm remembering that you said it was sputtering & had to feather the fuel to get speed. That could very well indicate the cat.

Cat and Y-pipe are a single unit (expensive), so I can't just unbolt the cat. I tried to unbolt the O2 sensor, but that's not budging. If I could have gotten it out, any serious change in the way it runs would indicate cat.

Oh, and we can discount the temp sensor (I tried a spare leftover from Mothertruck).

That's just cool.

Any car in the portfolio?

That right there, is flat-out amazing!

... or maybe the "secure parking" isn't so secure.

Is there ever a strong odor of fuel?

OK, here's what it isn't:

The fuel pressure regulator - I pinched-off the return line which would have caused a leak, or boosted my fuel pressure. There was no change.

The O2 sensor - took it out of the loop, no change.

A bad cylinder - pulled each plug wire in turn, idle degraded with each one.

ECM timing changes - problem exists with computer in, or out, of the loop.

Vacuum leak - have searched repeatedly and found none.

Coil - swapped-in a known good one.

Ignition module - lost patience and bought a new one.

I'm starting to think clogged cat.

there is video I believe. the point isn't what the cobalt "is", Nicer dash materials don't change handling characteristics.

This is, of course, correct.

"Faking" such a thing isn't really possible.