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  1. #1
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    Colton Waggoner
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    Default Your B Body and D Body information guide!

    IMPALA SS



    The Impala SS was uniquely fitted with a standard 3.08 gear. The limited-slip rear differential was standard (as opposed to the option G80 on Caprices) and the suspension was an inch lower. A retuned LT1 5.7-liter small block V8 was standard on the Impala SS, making 260 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque (retuned from the prototype's 300 horsepower rating). The primary difference between the LT1 in the Impala and the LT1 that was in the Corvette and Camaro was that the Impala engine was fitted with cast-iron cylinder heads instead of aluminum ones, and a camshaft that was designed more for low-end torque than high-end horsepower. Another difference was that the Impala LT1 had 2-bolt main bearing caps while the Corvette LT1 had 4-bolt main bearing caps. The transmission used in the car was the 4L60E, which was an electronically controlled version of the previously hydraulically controlled 4L60. However, the transmission was not beefed up for the power of the LT1, and transmission failures after 100,000 miles were commonplace. A manual transmission was never available in the 1994–96 Impala SS. However there is a growing trend of replacing the 4L60-E transmission, with the T-56 from the Camaro and Firebird using aftermarket kits. Alternatively, a popular enhancement was the addition of a shift-kit and/or a more aggressive torque converter.

    Cosmetically, the Impala SS received body-colored trim, which helped reduce the sometimes "bloated" look of the standard Caprice, a unique single-bar grille with no hood ornament and, a rear deck spoiler. It was fitted with 17-inch brushed aluminum wheels with 255/50ZR17 all-season Z-rated tires. Inside, the car came with a central console with cup holders (1994 and 1995 models) and a storage compartment, leather seats embroidered with the Impala SS logo, and a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel. For the 1994 model year, it was available only in black with a gray interior. Due to a shortage of the unique five-spoke aluminum wheels (manufactured by ROH in Australia), only 6,303 cars were sold. However, the wheel shortage was remedied for the 1995 model year and 21,434 cars were sold.

    In 1995, Dark Cherry Metallic (THE BEST COLOR) and Dark Grey Green were added as exterior color options, and the body paneling on the rear quarter panel was altered to reflect the cosmetic effect formerly achieved by a window insert. Another change from 1994 was the placement of the side mirrors from pods attached to the door to a larger format attached to the 'A' pillar. 1996 was the last year of production with 41,941 units sold. The 1996 Impala SS production went late into the model year; the last one being produced on December 13, 1996. It saw minor interior alterations, with the digital speedometer being replaced by an analog one, along with a tachometer. The shifter was moved from the column to the center console, and the engine was given an OBD-II computer control system (the camshaft was reground to adjust for the new computer).



    CAPRICE



    The 1991 model was completely restyled — It replaced the 1977-based rectilinear design with rounded, more aerodynamic sheet metal. While the body and interior were all new, excluding the Anti-Lock Braking System — the chassis and powertrain were carried over from April 1990 and several major components (including the floor pan) are entirely interchangeable between 1977 and 1996.


    Motor Trend awarded the new Caprice Classic Car of the Year. Two trim levels were initially offered - Caprice and Caprice Classic, replacing the previous Classic and Brougham models. General Motors had hoped to regain the top spot as America's favorite automobile with the new aerodynamic styling of their full-size offering.


    The last-generation Caprice was not well received by critics and did not hold on to high sales numbers. The car's styling was criticized with car aficionados calling it a "beached whale"and "an upside-down bathtub". For 1993 there were some revisions, the most obvious being the removal of the skirted rear wheel wells in favor of more conventional, open wheel wells. This applied only to the sedan model; station wagons retained the skirted wheel wells. In 1995 minor modifications were made to the C-pillars & given the same mirrors as the sedan and was the final year for the Caprice wagon.

    In 1994 the Caprice received the new-generation GM engines, including an optional detuned version of the Corvette’s LT1 350 cu in engine that put out 260 hp and 330 lb·ft of torque. The standard engine in all sedans, including the 9C1 police cars, was the 200 hp, L99 263 (4.3 L) V8. The LT1 was optional in the 9C1 police-package and standard in the wagon. The LT1 350 was standard in the civilian sedans, with the addition of the B4U towing package. The towing package also gave a heavy-duty suspension nearly identical to the 9C1 police car suspension. 2.93 gears, heavy-duty cooling, heavy-duty rear drum brakes and posi-traction were standard with the towing package. The 265 (4.3 L) L99, and 350 (5.7 L) LT1 look nearly identical externally. Many 4.3 L99 equipped sedans are passed off as 5.7 LT1 cars. The 8th digit in the VIN is the Engine code. W: 4.3 L L99, P: 5.7 L LT1. The 1994 Caprice's interior had a redesign, which featured a steering wheel, digital speedometer and a new console.




    The Caprice 9C1 with the LT1 engine became one of the fastest and most popular modern day police vehicles. This vehicle established such strong devotion by many police departments that a cottage industry thrived in refurbishing Caprices for continued police service after GM discontinued production of the car

    The car's production was stopped in 1996 from sales pressure from the mid-size Chevrolet Lumina, financial troubles at General Motors and consumer demand shifting from full-sized family sedans to the increasingly popular SUV. The Arlington, Texas vehicle assembly plant (used for Caprices, Buick Roadmaster, Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, and Cadillac Fleetwood) use moved to produce GM's more profitable full size SUVs (the Tahoe and Suburban). In 1997, the Lumina LTZ would take the Caprice's place as Chevrolet's premium passenger car. Total production of 1991-96 models was 689,257 with production ending on December 13, 1996.


    ROADMASTER



    Buick revived the Roadmaster name for a B-body station wagon in 1991, replacing the Estate Wagon in the lineup. Using the 115.9-inch (2,940 mm) wheelbase that was introduced for the 1977 model year, the wagon was called the Roadmaster Estate Wagon. A sedan joined the wagon for 1992, with its own distinct sheet metal, although it shared parts with other full-size GM models. The Roadmaster Estate was a badge engineered Chevrolet Caprice Estate (also sold as the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser) the three variants differing mainly in grille design and trim.


    Simulated wood-grain side and back panels (made of vinyl) were standard on the Roadmaster Estate, although a delete option (WB4 wood delete) was available for credit. The "Vista Roof", a fixed sunroof over the second-row seats that was not available on the Caprice, was standard as well. The Roadmaster Estate could seat up to eight with an optional third-row seat. All these wagons initially used Chevrolet's 5.0 L small-block V8, but both Buicks used the larger 5.7 L version from 1992.


    From 1994–1996, the Roadmaster, like all B-Body variants, began utilizing the iron head version of the Gen II LT1 V8, its 350 cubic inch /5.7 liters producing 260 hp and 335 lb·ft of torque. The switch from the Gen I TBI 5.7l V8 was due to increasing standards for emissions and fuel economy that the aging Gen I could no longer meet. This motor was shared with the Impala SS of the same era and was related to the 4.3 l/265 cubic inch L99 V8 that was the base motor for the Chevrolet Caprice, and varied mainly from the F body and Corvette applications by: A) using iron heads rather than aluminum (specified by police departments for durability and utilized throughout the B-Body line) B) a milder cam that produced a better torque curve for the heavy B-Bodies. C) Various intake silencers used to make the engine more palatable to the luxury market and/or pass drive-by noise standards. D) Two bolt main journal bearing caps (also true with the F-body LT1 engines, but not the Corvette).


    The Roadmaster was only delivered with the 5.7 l LT1, however, and such cars can be detected visually by a factory-installed stainless steel dual exhaust. The interior of the LT1 cars is distinguished by utilizing analog gauges rather than digital. However, unlike its stablemates, the 9C1 Caprice and Impala SS the Roadmaster was limited to 108 mph due to the factory-fitted tires not being rated to run the 140 mph plus the 9C1 and SS were capable of. The engine returns 17-mpg city/25-mpg highway for a 4,200 lb. full-sized car (4500 lb. for the wagon), up 1 mpg-US city from the previous version.


    The transmission from 1994–96 was changed from the 'analog' 700R4/4L60 to the electronically controlled version of the same, the 4L60E.
    Ordered with the towing package, the 94-96 Roadmaster was advertised to tow up to 5000 pounds, although the Estate Wagon owner's manual extended that to 7,000 lbs. when using a weight-distributing hitch, dual sway controls, increasing the rear tire pressure to 35 psi and disabling the Electronic Level Control. The tow package added 2.93 gears and a limited slip differential, heavy duty cooling system including oil and transmission coolers, and a factory installed self leveling rear suspension consisting of air shocks, a height sensor between the rear axle and body and an on-board air compressor. The most distinctive feature was the combination of one conventional fan driven mechanically from the engine alongside of one electric fan, offset to the left (non-tow pack cars came with two electric fans).


    GM discontinued both the Roadmaster sedan and the Roadmaster Estate in 1996, ending production on December 13 of that year. This was blamed on the smaller but more expensive and luxurious Park Avenue growing in size; the Roadmaster trim levels never exceeded that of the smaller but still full-sized Buick LeSabre, as this enabled the Park Avenue to remain as Buick's flagship car. Another reason was largely a response to the SUV craze, as the Arlington, Texas factory where the assembly line that specialized in RWD cars were built was converted to truck and SUV production. When discontinued, the Roadmaster Estate and the similar Chevrolet Caprice wagon brought up the end of the era of the full-size family station wagon, and an end to General Motors' production of rear-wheel drive, full-size cars.
    Canada's prime minister from 1993–2003, the Right Honourable Jean Chretien, was driven in armored Buick Roadmasters during his term of office.
    Year-to-year changes

    • 1992: A four-door sedan joined the Roadmaster wagon as an early 1992 model. The 5.7 180 hp TBI (Throttle-Body Injection) V8 engine replaced the 5.0 L.
    • 1993: Window lockout feature and the addition of a new spoke wheel cover mid-year.


    • 1994: A redesigned dashboard included a new instrument cluster, with climate controls mounted higher and a knee bolster below. Dual airbags were also installed. The 5.7 L TBI LO5 is replaced with a 5.7L MPFI LT1. This LT1 had cast-iron cylinder heads and produced 260 hp (40 less horsepower than the Corvette). A new electronically controlled 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission replaces the 4L60 (aka 700R4).
    • 1995: Only a handful of minor changes were made to 1995 models, including long-life automatic-transmission fluid. Larger, foldaway style mirrors were installed as well, and radios received bigger controls. Sedans wore new bodyside moldings, while Estate wagons added a shade for the "Vista Roof" as well as a cargo cover. Heated seats also became an option.
    • 1996: Final year. Engine coolant could last 5 years or 100,000 miles, and automatic climate control became standard. General Motors also updated the on-board diagnostic system (OBD I to OBD II). The Roadmaster Estate Wagon and the Chevrolet Caprice wagon would be the last American full-size station wagons.



    FLEETWOOD


    For 1993, the Fleetwood name was switched from the Deville's front wheel drive C-body to the newly revised rear wheel drive D-body, being one of the first American front-wheel drive vehicles to be returned to rear-wheel drive. At 225 inches overall, the Fleetwood was the longest production car made in the United States until production ceased on December 13, 1996. All Fleetwood’s had standard antilock brakes, traction control and dual front airbags.


    The Brougham option package included a full vinyl top, sail panel badging, specific seat design with six-way driver's seat memory and heated and three-position lumbar front seats, instrument panel badging and rear seat storage armrest.


    In 1994 Cadillac used the Corvette-derived LT1 350 cu in (5.7 L) engine to make 260 horsepower along with the new 4L60E automatic transmission. Between 1993 and 1996, the Fleetwood Commercial chassis was used in lieu of the DeVille for funeral coaches and limousines. The DeVille was used again in 1997.


    The 7,000 lb. trailer towing package was made available 1993, something not seen in a production sedan since the 1971–1976 Cadillac Sixty Special. The RPO V4P package included heavy duty cooling (RPO V08, which consisted of a seven-blade mechanical fan and an extra capacity radiator), RPO FE2 Suspension System Ride Handling, HD 4L60 transmission, RPO KC4 Cooling System Engine Oil, RPO KD1 Cooling System Transmission Oil, RPO KG9 140 amp alternator, and RPO GT4 3.73 gears with an 8.5-inch ring gear. In 1994–1996, the V4P package was revised with RPO GU6 3.42 gears with the new more powerful RPO LT1 260 horsepower (190 kW) V8, and HD 4L60E transmission with unique accumulators to shift smoother with the shorter rear axle gearing.



    OLDS CUSTOM CRUISER


    The Custom Cruiser was completely redesigned for 1991, and included a second-row sunroof as a nod to the Vista Cruiser. When it was introduced, it was the only front engine, rear drive vehicle, body on frame Oldsmobile offered at the time, as the Oldsmobile 88 and Oldsmobile 98 had been changed to front wheel drive, the 98 for 1985 and the 88 for 1986. The Olds 307 was replaced by a 5.0 L, (305 in) Chevrolet V8 engine. This engine was equipped with throttle body fuel injection and was rated at 170 hp. The new Chevrolet engine offered an increase in performance as well as improved fuel economy. Also new for 1991 the Turbo-Hydramatic 200-4R was replaced by the 700R4 (4L60).


    Sales did improve over the 1990 model year, with some 7,663 Custom Cruisers sold for the 1991 model run. Sales slipped to just over 4,300 in 1992, however, and GM discontinued production. The 1992 model year offered a 5.7 L (350 in) Chevrolet V8. This engine was also equipped with throttle body fuel injection and was rated at 180 hp, and 300 lb·ft of torque compared to the standard 305's 170 hp and 255 lb·ft of torque. This was not sold in Canada.


    After the discontinuing of the Custom Cruiser's siblings, the Chevrolet Caprice and Buick Roadmaster in 1996, the GM factory in Arlington, Texas was converted for use building the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and later, the Cadillac Escalade.
    1995 DCM Impala SS
    "Nightmare"
    Follow my build thread!
    http://ltxtech.com/forums/showthread...tory-and-Build


  2. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to 95impalakid For This Post:


  3. #2
    "The Rock"


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    Popo
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    Thank You.

    STICKIED.

    MEMBER @ LTXtech.com


    Our BIG MOMENT @ the 2012 LTXshootout

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  4. #3
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    Default

    No problem sir.
    1995 DCM Impala SS
    "Nightmare"
    Follow my build thread!
    http://ltxtech.com/forums/showthread...tory-and-Build


  5. #4
    Lurker


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    Default

    Nice. I love seeing that "6,303 made".

    Knowing that I have one and less than 2,000 left on the road.

    BTW, Black is beautiful...and I'm a white guy. LOL

    BLAH = DCM
    24x LTx 383, and a few odds-n-ends here-n-there.

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  7. #5
    InActive Member


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    Default

    All the colors are great. I just added my own personal touch to the information haha
    1995 DCM Impala SS
    "Nightmare"
    Follow my build thread!
    http://ltxtech.com/forums/showthread...tory-and-Build


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