Caprice FS

[kevm14]

The LTZ also got a really nice, thicker leather wrapped steering wheel. I still want that.

[Adam]

255 lb-ft is pretty reasonable. Might even help the fuel economy (compared to a 9C1).

[Bob]

From a 1991 Orlando Sentinel article:

The Caprice - in all models - is available with only one transmission: GM's four-speed overdrive automatic, one of the best automatics available. The gear ratios, combined with the engine's ample torque, allow for energetic departures from stoplights as well as relaxed cruising.

The LTZ packs two major surprises: performance and handling. It's unexpected when something as unwieldy looking as the Caprice performs as well as it does.

STEERING, HANDLING

Rear-wheel-drive cars weighing more than 2 tons traditionally have handled about as well as a barge. The Caprice Classic LTZ is a rear-wheel-drive car that weighs better than 2 tons but can slice through curves without squealing tires and without tossing occupants and cargo from side to side. The LTZ's handling is tight, smooth, predictable and solid.

Much of the difference between the LTZ and the regular Caprice is in its suspension system. The LTZ basically is a police car - minus the high output 350 V-8. (Chevrolet is not offering the 5.7-liter 350 engine that is in the police Caprice to the public.)

''People have been asking us why we don't refine the police car and make it available to civilians. So we asked ourselves, why not,'' said Jim Perkins, Chevy's general manager.

The LTZ's rear-end ratio allows the car to accelerate quicker than regular models. There are also heavy-duty brakes, a heavier frame, different tires, a bigger radiator and a transmission oil cooler.
.......
Before you write off the Caprice because you don't like its looks, take the LTZ for a test drive. You may be surprised.

The 1991 Motor Trend car of the year was actually an LTZ, not just a regular trim Caprice.

I guess that 5.7L was just too powerful for the general public

[kevm14]

Axles
According to my GM literature the 92 Caprice was available with the following axle ratios:

2.56 (L03, came in 7.5" ring or 8.5" ring)
3.08 (L03, 8.5" ring)
3.23 (L03, LTZ, 8.5" ring)
3.42 (L05, 9C1, 8.5" ring)

Limited slip was available with all 8.5" ring gears.

Suspension
25mm front and rear shocks with base FE1
32mm front and rear shocks with every other suspension (FE2 and the 7B3 9C1 suspension)

Front spring rate with base suspension: 303 lbs/in (not a lot)
Front spring rate with FE2: 440 lbs/in (much better)

Apparently all run a 28mm front bar (excluding 7B3).

Rear spring rate with base suspension: 103 lbs/in (so soft)
Rear spring rate with FE2: 154 lbs/in

Base cars get no rear bar. Not sure what everything else gets.

Base cars (and FE2?) get 9" rear drums.
LTZ and 9C1 get 11".

Steering is interesting. Says the steering gear ratio on base, 9C1 and LTZ is 14:1. And on FE2 it's 12.7:1.
Then it says the overall ratio for base and FE2 is 16.07, 15.3 for 9C1 and LTZ. So confused.

V92 towing package gets the 3.08 and a 5000 lb tow rating. If it's not a tow pack, it probably has the 2.56. We've seen that show before.

By the way those alloy wheels are standard on the Caprice Classic. The base Caprice got hubcaps.

[Adam]

Since its not an LTZ, it probably has the FE2 suspension (since it has a rear bar). Would V92 come with FE2?

Did your 9C1 have 3.42s from the factory?

[kevm14]

It may have FE2 and 3.08s. That would be a nice consolation prize.

Yes, all L05 9C1s had 3.42s, from 89 to 93. 88 9C1 with the LM1 may have had 3.08s.

[kevm14]

My MSP Autobid program handily has interesting B-body performance data.

I'll start with 1992 since that's most relevant here.

In 92, they actually had many B-body options in their test:
92 9C1 w/ L05
92 w/ L03 and 3.08
92 w/ L03 and 2.56
92 wagon with civilian L05 (got a 3.23)

9C1 0-100: 25.87s
L03/3.08 0-100: 35.53s (that gap is the size of the grand canyon, for a whopping 35hp difference)
L03/2.56 0-100: 36.40s
Wagon/3.23/L05: 31.26 (interesting because the extra weight should negate the extra 10hp over the L03 sedans, yet it's substantially faster)

9C1 0-60: 8.92s
L03/3.08 0-60: 11.40s
L03/2.56 0-60: 11.75s
Wagon/3.23/L05 0-60: 10.00s (same kind of deal)

I'll skip braking. The sedans stop a little better than the wagon.

Top speed (all are ungoverned I believe)
9C1: 133mph
L03/3.08: 114mph
L03/2.56: 128mph (magic advantage: can do in 3rd gear with the 2.56)
Wagon/3.23/L05: 113mph

When you look at the numbers, you can see the reason why GM selected the 3.42 for 9C1s. Better acceleration AND allows 4th at good RPMs where the top speed occurs due to drag. On the other hand, you have to wonder how much advantage (for acceleration anyway) is strictly due to gear, because the L03 doesn't seem to benefit much going from 2.56 to 3.08.

[Adam]

SPID:

WP_20141205_001.jpg

[Adam]

AA7 - WINDOW POWER OPERATED, QUICK OPENING
AG1 - ADJUSTER FRT ST POWER, MULTI-DIRECTIONAL, DRIVER
AG2 - ADJUSTER FRT ST POWER, MULTI-DIRECTIONAL, DRIVER
AJ3 - RESTRAINT SYSTEM SEAT, INFLATABLE, DRIVER
AM6 - SEAT FRT SPLIT BENCH
ARL - PLANT CODE ARLINGTON, TX, USA
AU0 - LOCK CONTROL, ENTRY REMOTE ENTRY
AU3 - LOCK CONTROL SIDE DR, ELEC
A90 - LOCK CONTROL RR CMPT LID, REM CONT ELEC RELEASE
BY1 - ORNAMENTATION EXTR, EMBLEM, BODY, VAR 3
B18 - ORNAMENTATION INTR, DELUXE
B34 - COVERING FRT FLOOR MATS, CARPETED INSERT
B37 - COVERING FLOOR MAT, FRT & RR, AUX
CD2 - INDICATOR WSWA JAR FLUID
C49 - DEFOGGER RR WINDOW, ELECTRIC
C60 - HVAC SYSTEM AIR CONDITIONER FRT, MAN CONTROLS
C71 - AMP INTR, FRT DR, COURTESY
DD1 - MIRROR I/S R/V TILT, DUAL READING LAMPS, COMPASS
DL8 - MIRROR O/S LH & RH, REMOTE CONTROL, ELECTRIC, HEATED
D64 - MIRROR I/S FRT VAN RH, SUNSHADE, ILLUM
D7A - GEAR SPEEDO DRIVEN (D7A)
D8N - SENSOR VEH SPD (D8N)
D84 - PAINT CUSTOM TWO TONE
D85 - STRIPE BODY SIDE LOWER ACCENT
E5Z - ADAPTER SP SEEDO - DELETE
E9Z - EY SPEEDO - DELETE
F41 - SUSPENSION SYSTEM FRT, RR, FIRM RIDE, HANDLING
GM8 - AXLE REAR 2.56 RATIO
IQ2 - TRIM INTERIOR DESIGN (Q2)
JA1 - BRAKE LIGHT WEIGHT, DISC/DRUM
JM4 - BRAKE SYSTEM PWR, FRT DISC, RR DRUM, CAST IRON, ANTILOCK, FRT &RR WHL
K34 - CRUISE CONTROL AUTOMATIC, ELECTRONIC
K60 - GENERATOR 100 AMP
L03 - ENGINE GAS, 8 CYL, 5.0L, TBI
MD8 - Transmission, Auto 4 SPD, THM 4L60
MX0 - MERCHANDISED TRANS AUTO PROVISIONS, O/D
NA5 - EMISSION SYSTEM FEDERAL, TIER 0
N30 - STEERING WHEEL DELUXE
N40 - STEERING POWER, NON-VARIABLE RATIO
N65 - TIRE & WHEEL SPARE, SPACE SAVER, STEEL
PA5 - HUBCAPS WHEEL
PB4 - LOCK CONTROL WHEEL
PD4 - WHEEL 15 X 7, ALUMINUM, 5 SPOKES (LMA)
QNP - TIRE ALL, P225/70R15/N WS1 R/PE ST TL AL2
R8T - CONTROL SALES ITEM NO. 69
T82 - HEADLAMPS CONTROL AUTOMATIC ON-OFF
T87 - LAMP CORNERING
UQ1 - RADIO PROVISIONS, AM/FM STEREO
UQ4 - SPEAKER SYSTEM 4, BASE
UU8 - RADIO, AM/FM STEREO, SEEK/SCAN, AUTO REV MUSIC
UW1 - DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM
U38 - INDICATOR LOW COOLANT
U39 - CLUSTER INST, OIL, COOL TEMP, VOLTS, TRIP ODOM
U41 - INDICATOR LOW FUEL
U75 - ANTENNA POWER, RADIO
VK3 - LICENSE PLATE FRONT FRT MOUNTING PKG
V73 - VEHICLE STATEMENT USA/CANADA
Z09 - MODEL CONVERSION, CAPRICE CLASSIC
1AY - ORDER MODIFICATION STOCK
1SC - PACKAGE OPTION 03
1SZ - DISCOUNT OPTION PACKAGE
13L - SECONDARY COLOR EXTERIOR, STERLING FROST TTN (95)
13Q - MOLDING COLOR BRIGHT SILVER MET (91)
20I - INTERIOR TRIM VERY DK SAPPHIRE (91)
202 - TRIM COMBINATION LEATHER, VERY DK SAPPHIRE (2) (91)
209 - SEAT BELT, COLOR VERY DK SAPPHIRE
29A - STRIPE COLOR ACCENT, BLUE MICA (92)
40U - PRIMARY COLOR EXTERIOR, WHITE (02)
6TS - COMPONENT FRT LH COMPUTER SEL SUSP (6TS)
7TS - COMPONENT FRT RH COMPUTER SEL SUSP (7TS)
8HH - COMPONENT RR LH COMPUTER SEL SUSP (8HH)
9HH - COMPONENT RR RH COMPUTER SEL SUSP (9HH)

*edit* - updated unknown or incorrect SPID codes

[Adam]

Highlights:
- F41 suspension, firm ride, handling (win)
- L03 (TBI 305, as suspected)
- Power seats (both front) w/leather
- Power windows
- Power locks
- Cruise control
- Power heated mirrors
- A/C
- Keyless entry (although there is no FOB)
- Standard brakes, ABS
- N40 steering (not sure what this means except non variable ratio)
- PD4 wheels (see pics)
- 100A Alternator
- 2:56 gears (boo)

I'm missing a couple descriptions including the specifics of the transmission (700R4?)