BDE Calibrations’ Cadillac ATS+4: The 11-Second Daily Driver That Could
When Robert Thomas of BDE Calibrations first set out to build his 2014 Cadillac ATS+4, the plan was modest. “We put this car together just as a reliable driver — maybe run mid-12s — and just enjoy it,” he recalls. But as any seasoned enthusiast knows, performance builds have a way of evolving.
What started as a streetable E85 cruiser with forged internals has, over time, become one of the best examples of balanced power and reliability in the LTG community — running 11.77 seconds at 117 mph in the quarter-mile on the exact same tune used to navigate Michigan winters.
From GM Engineering to the World’s Quickest AWD LTG
BDE Calibrations isn’t just a tuning shop — it’s the culmination of Robert’s lifelong passion for performance. His journey started with hands-on mechanical work and racing in High School Nationals, and grew through his engineering tenure at General Motors. The turning point came in 2022, when Robert and the ATS completed Drag Week, an endurance test that forced him to master every aspect of calibration and mechanical reliability.
Today, BDE Calibrations holds the world record for the quickest AWD LTG and is recognized for its mastery of 6L45 and 6L50 transmissions. As an authorized distributor for Xtreme-DI LLC’s XDI injectors, Robert not only supplies advanced fueling solutions but also backs them up with in-house calibrations refined over tens of thousands of miles.
The Build Philosophy
This ATS wasn’t about chasing dyno numbers or building a fragile, peak-power queen. Reliability, drivability, and repeatable performance came first. With 35,000 miles on the build — including 25,000 miles on XDI injectors — the car still averages 21–22 mpg on E85, needs little more than regular oil changes, and has only had its spark plugs replaced once.
Short Block & Internals
The heart of the ATS is a forged long block built by ZZPerformance.
Pistons: ZZP 4302 forgings, set to a .023–.025” gap for all-season drivability.
Rods: ZZP forged units, chosen for their robust construction compared to Molnar rods.
Crankshaft: Stock LTG piece.
Balance Shafts: Retained to keep the engine smooth, as it rarely spins past 6700 RPM.
“The short block has been extremely solid. I wouldn’t change anything — just a basic forged engine build that’s worked great.”
Cylinder Head & Valve Train
Springs & Retainers: ZZP springs paired with titanium retainers for better valve control under boost.
Camshaft: ZZP “fuel cam,” a stock grind modified for 30% more lift on the fuel lobe.
Valves: Stock and still going strong.
Head Studs: ZZP 8740 studs, more than enough for the current Z54 turbo setup.
Turbo System
Power comes from a ZZP Z54, a journal-bearing BorgWarner 6758 variant.
Manifold: Stock GM exhaust manifold.
Downpipe: ZZP catted pipe.
“For the cost, we wouldn’t change a thing. Our Z54 has outperformed similar 20G, MHI, and Z57 setups. If budget allowed, we’d consider a BW supercore — we even have one ready — but this setup just works.”
Fuel System: E85 From Day One
E85 is at the core of the build’s philosophy — cheap, powerful, and low risk for LSPI.
Low-Side: 5th Gen ZL1 pump, identical to later ZL1 and CTS-V units but simpler to install.
High-Side: ZZP fuel cam with an enlarged lobe.
Injectors:
Started with stock injectors — good for ~400 HP with the fuel cam and ZL1 pump.
Upgraded to XDI LTG injectors, gaining 0.3 seconds in the quarter-mile with ample headroom left.
Flex-Fuel: ZZP sensor, enabling seamless E85 or pump gas use.
Tuning & Calibration
Robert’s specilization is not just transmissions but also fine-tuning fueling and ignition timing for Gen V direct-injection engines.
“We spent lots of time perfecting injection timing and rail pressure to optimize fueling on Gen V platforms. XDI injectors are now almost plug-and-play, but fine-tuning fuel pressures and pulse width is still critical — especially on bigger turbos and E85 setups.”
The result? A calibration that runs just as happily at the drag strip as it does during a January snowstorm.
Performance & Driving Impressions
The ATS delivers its performance without drama — no surging idle, no poor cold starts, and no compromise in highway manners. The Z54 turbo spools quickly, the forged bottom end shrugs off repeated wide-open-throttle pulls, and the E85 keeps intake temps and knock at bay.
The numbers speak for themselves: 11.77 @ 117 MPH, daily-driven, year-round, on the same street tune.
Looking Ahead
BDE Calibrations is already eyeing the next phase for this car: a ported head, stronger head studs, and possibly the BorgWarner supercore swap. But Robert is in no rush — the current setup continues to deliver exactly what he set out to achieve: fast, reliable, and fun.
