7.91 seconds. 175.94 mph. 3,700 pounds. Three pedals.

Some milestones are measured in fractions of a second. Others represent years of determination, engineering, broken barriers, and a refusal to accept that something can't be done.

For Borowski Race Engines customer RJ Parker, a trip to Maryland International Raceway (MIR) on Friday, October 30, 2026, delivered one of those moments: a 7.91-second quarter-mile pass at 175.94 mph in his turbocharged, manual-transmission Cadillac CTS-V.

According to RJ, that makes his Cadillac the first and only stick-shift CTS-V to run a seven-second quarter-mile. It's the latest achievement for a car that he says was also the first manual-transmission CTS-V into the 10s, 9s, and 8s.

We're especially proud of this accomplishment because Borowski Race Engines has been involved in both the original construction of RJ's custom LS engine and its subsequent development and rebuild.

This wasn't simply a matter of installing a powerful engine and going racing. RJ's success represents an ongoing partnership involving engine development, careful mechanical preparation, chassis refinement, tuning, and a tremendous amount of persistence behind the wheel.

A Test Session That Turned Into Something Bigger

RJ arrived at MIR for a Friday test session ahead of the final No Clock Street race of the year. His original objective wasn't to chase a quarter-mile record. After struggling with traction during his previous outing, he wanted to regroup, evaluate changes, and get the car responding consistently on a well-prepared eighth-mile surface.

With Cary Ann lending a hand, the day began conservatively. RJ unloaded the Cadillac, started with a manageable tuneup, and gradually worked his way toward more aggressive passes.

The early results were encouraging.

Each successive pass was faster, and more importantly, the car was responding predictably to the changes he was making.

For a high-horsepower, stick-shift car, that consistency is everything. Making power is only part of the equation. Applying it without overwhelming the available traction is what turns horsepower into elapsed time.

As the day progressed, RJ noticed something unexpected: the timing equipment was recording quarter-mile results even though the session was focused on eighth-mile testing.

Two of his earlier time slips suggested that the car had already been running quickly enough to challenge the existing stick-shift CTS-V quarter-mile benchmark had he simply coasted through the finish instead of braking after the eighth-mile mark.

That realization changed the plan for his final test pass.

A Calculated Shot at the Seven-Second Barrier

Rather than simply turning up the boost and hoping for the best, RJ took a more calculated approach.

He softened the tuneup throughout the run and reduced boost by approximately half beyond the eighth-mile mark, attempting to manage the traction problems that had plagued the car on the back half of the track.

That approach may sound counterintuitive to anyone who believes more boost always means a faster car. But experienced racers understand that the quickest combination isn't necessarily the one making the most horsepower. It's the one that can put that power to work.

RJ still encountered traction problems downtrack, even with substantially reduced power. This time, however, he was able to drive through them without lifting.

The result: 7.91 seconds at 175.94 mph.

After more than two years of knowing the car had the capability to break into the sevens, RJ finally had the time slip to prove it.

RJ Parker's Record-Setting Cadillac CTS-V

Vehicle	Cadillac CTS-V
Transmission	Manual / Stick Shift
Engine	Custom Borowski Race Engines LS-Based V8
Engine Block	Dart SHP Pro Iron Block
Cylinder Heads	Borowski CNC-Ported All Pro Aluminum Heads
Power Adder	Large Single Turbocharger
Race Weight	Approximately 3,700 lbs.
Quarter-Mile ET	7.91 Seconds
Trap Speed	175.94 MPH
Track	Maryland International Raceway (MIR)

Inside the Borowski-Built LS Engine

At the heart of RJ's Cadillac is a purpose-built LS-based V8 developed by Borowski Race Engines for the demands of extreme turbocharged racing.

The project began with a custom short block assembled around a Dart SHP Pro iron engine block. Chosen for its strength and suitability for high-output applications, the Dart block provides the foundation for an engine expected to withstand tremendous cylinder pressure and drivetrain loading.

Inside the block, Borowski selected a fully counterweighted Callies Magnum forged crankshaft, Dyer's forged connecting rods, and Diamond forged pistons equipped with upgraded thick-wall wrist pins.

This combination provides the strength necessary to withstand the elevated combustion pressures and mechanical loads associated with a serious turbocharged racing engine.

The short block was precision machined and CNC balanced at Borowski Race Engines. Premium coated rod and main bearings were incorporated into the assembly.

These details are particularly important in an application like RJ's. A heavy car, substantial boost pressure, and a manual transmission subject the rotating assembly to demanding operating conditions.

Custom Borowski All Pro Cylinder Heads

Completing the original long-block combination was a pair of Borowski-prepared All Pro 12-4 Retro aluminum cylinder heads.

These heads received CNC porting and precision valve work, along with premium Manley Severe Duty intake valves and Inconel exhaust valves.

High-quality cylinder heads are essential to producing efficient airflow at elevated engine speeds and boost pressures. Just as importantly, their valvetrain components must remain stable under the demanding conditions of racing.

The original assembly also featured a custom-ground COMP Cams race roller camshaft, upgraded valve springs, shaft-mounted rocker arms, custom pushrods, premium cylinder-head fasteners, multilayer-steel head gaskets, and a billet double-roller timing set.

The combination was designed to deliver the airflow, strength, and reliability required for RJ's ambitious performance goals.

A Custom Intake and Serious Turbocharged Power

One of the most visually striking features of RJ's engine is its custom fabricated aluminum intake manifold.

The manifold feeds the LS engine through a large forward-facing inlet connected to the charge piping from an equally impressive single turbocharger.

As the engine-bay photographs demonstrate, this is a serious racing installation. A large turbocharger, substantial fabricated piping, carefully packaged accessories, and an extensively modified engine compartment reflect the considerable engineering involved in putting this much power into a Cadillac CTS-V.

The engine and supporting systems must work together to provide both high-output capability and the controlled power delivery necessary to make the car competitive.

Back to Borowski: The 2026 Engine Refresh

Building a high-performance racing engine is not necessarily a one-time undertaking. As a vehicle becomes quicker and the demands increase, inspection, maintenance, and component upgrades become essential parts of the program.

RJ's engine returned to Borowski Race Engines in the summer of 2026 for a comprehensive refresh and inspection.

During disassembly, our technicians identified a bent intake pushrod on cylinder six. The inspection also revealed loose press-in ends on that pushrod.

Importantly, the short block appeared to be in good condition during the initial inspection. Nevertheless, given the engine's racing application, refreshing the rings and bearings was recommended as part of the work.

The project included extensive disassembly, inspection, machining, and reassembly, together with a number of significant replacement and upgraded components.

Refining the Valvetrain for Continued Performance

The 2026 work included an updated set of custom mechanical roller lifters incorporating needleless bronze bushings, representing a significant change from the hydraulic roller lifters specified during the original long-block assembly.

Bushed roller lifters eliminate the conventional needle bearings within the roller assembly, an attractive design characteristic for demanding racing applications when the components are properly selected and maintained.

The refresh also included new valve springs with titanium retainers, stainless-steel intake valves, and Inconel exhaust valves.

Additional valvetrain equipment supplied during the project included a Jesel shaft-mounted rocker arm system, with a 1.7:1 rocker ratio.

These components reflect the attention required to maintain valvetrain stability and durability in a high-output racing engine.

Refreshing the Short Block and Cylinder Sealing

The 2026 work also included replacement piston rings, premium coated rod and main bearings, camshaft bearing components, and a rear main seal.

For cylinder sealing, the latest parts package included copper head gaskets and additional flame-hoop sealing components, another indication of the serious cylinder-pressure demands of this racing combination.

A Moroso low-profile oil-control tray was also supplied during the project.

While the goal of a refresh is often to restore an engine to peak operating condition, it also provides an opportunity to evaluate existing components and incorporate changes appropriate to the evolving performance requirements.

In RJ's case, the engine returned to competition following this extensive work and went on to deliver the milestone pass at MIR just a few months later.

Want to see how RJ's engine came together? We've documented the build, engine components, machining, assembly, and related videos in our online photo album.

View RJ Parker's Borowski Engine Build Photo and Video Album »

The Challenge of Running Sevens With a Stick Shift

Running a seven-second quarter-mile is an impressive accomplishment under almost any circumstances.

Doing it in an approximately 3,700-pound Cadillac CTS-V with a manual transmission adds an entirely different level of difficulty.

Unlike an automatic-transmission combination that benefits from a torque converter, a manual-transmission race car requires careful coordination of clutch engagement, engine torque, tire traction, and gear changes.

The driver and tuner must work within a relatively narrow operating window. Too much torque too quickly can overwhelm the tires. Too little power leaves elapsed time on the table.

The clutch system, transmission, driveshaft, rear suspension, and tires must all work together while absorbing enormous loads.

And once the car reaches the upper end of the track, the challenges don't disappear. At the speeds RJ is achieving, aerodynamic loading, track conditions, and power management can dramatically influence traction and vehicle behavior.

RJ's decision to reduce boost substantially beyond the eighth-mile mark illustrates just how important thoughtful power management has become.

At this performance level, making less power at the right moment can actually produce a better result.

From the 10s to the 7s: A Remarkable Progression

What makes RJ's latest accomplishment especially meaningful is the history behind it.

According to RJ, this same Cadillac has now been the first stick-shift CTS-V to break into four successive elapsed-time categories:

• 10-second quarter-mile passes
• 9-second quarter-mile passes
• 8-second quarter-mile passes
• And now, the 7-second club

Each barrier has required another level of refinement. As elapsed times decrease, the performance gains become progressively harder to achieve.

Taking a tenth of a second off a moderately quick street car is one thing. Finding another tenth in a 3,700-pound vehicle already running deep into the sevens is an entirely different challenge.

At this level, small changes in traction, power delivery, suspension behavior, and driver inputs can make the difference between a personal best and an aborted pass.

For RJ, the achievement was particularly satisfying because the car had been capable of a seven-second run for some time. His primary focus, however, had been eighth-mile competition rather than quarter-mile records.

This Friday's test session provided the opportunity to finally put that capability on the scoreboard.

Back to Business at No Clock Street

The record-setting pass wasn't the end of RJ's racing weekend.

As night fell, the final No Clock Street event of the season got underway at MIR.

RJ made two solid back-to-back shakedown passes before deciding to call it a night. After reviewing some preliminary performance data, he identified areas that deserved further attention before attempting to extract everything the car had to offer.

That decision reflects the disciplined approach necessary to succeed at this performance level.

The temptation to keep pushing is always there, especially following a breakthrough run. But knowing when to stop, review the data, and make deliberate adjustments is often what separates sustained success from expensive setbacks.

RJ now returns his attention to the eighth-mile goals that originally brought him to the track.

A Team Effort Worth Recognizing

As RJ emphasized in his own account, a milestone like this doesn't happen through the efforts of one person alone.

He specifically thanked the companies and individuals who have supported his racing program, including:

• Cutaway Creations Racing
• Borowski Race Engines
• Calimer's Transmissions
• RAM Clutches
• Cary Ann, for her assistance at the track
• Justin Brumley
• Brent Seal
• John McGhee

Each contributes to a program that continues to challenge what a heavy, manual-transmission Cadillac can accomplish on the dragstrip.

We're particularly appreciative of RJ's confidence in Borowski Race Engines throughout the original build and subsequent engine development.

There is tremendous satisfaction in seeing an engine that has passed through our machine shop, assembly department, and inspection process go on to achieve something this extraordinary.

What's Next for RJ Parker?

With a seven-second quarter-mile time slip finally in hand, RJ can turn his full attention back to his next eighth-mile performance goal.

And while 7.91 seconds at nearly 176 mph is already an extraordinary achievement, RJ has made it clear that the car still has more to give.

The remaining traction challenges and his conservative approach to boost beyond the eighth-mile mark suggest there is more work to be done before the combination reaches its full potential.

That's the exciting part of a project like this. Every successful outing supplies more information, every refinement creates another opportunity, and every milestone opens the door to a new challenge.

Congratulations, RJ, on a truly outstanding accomplishment!

We're proud to have a Borowski-built engine powering your Cadillac, and we're looking forward to seeing just how much further you can push the boundaries of stick-shift CTS-V performance.

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Build Your Next High-Performance Engine with Borowski Race Engines

Since 1968, Borowski Race Engines has specialized in custom engine building, precision machining, and high-performance engine assemblies for serious automotive enthusiasts and racers.

From street-driven performance combinations to extreme turbocharged racing engines, we help customers select and build engine packages matched to their performance objectives.

Explore RJ's engine build: RJ Parker CTS-V Build Photo Album

Learn more: BorowskiRace.com

Borowski Race Engines, Inc.
Rockdale, Illinois
815-725-2727