Quick Fleetwood Question

[Marc Bottini]

Afternoon All!

I hope you all had a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

I'm considering the purchase of a 93 - 96 RWD Fleetwood and wanted to pick your brains about info that was given to me.

I was told to stay away from the LT1 motor, that tune-ups are a $1000 nightmare because of distributor location. I was told I only want the Olds 5.7.  Did the Olds 5.7 ever come in this vintage Fleetwood?

Thanks in advance for any tidbits!  Always appreciated!!

Take good care!

Marc

[Rusty Shepherd CLC 6397]

The '93-'96 Fleetwood came only with two versions of the Chevrolet 5.7 V-8; the Oldsmobile gasoline 5.7 V-8 was not made after 1980.  The '93 had the 180 horsepower throttle-body fuel injection version and the '94-'96 models had the 260 horsepower LT1 multi-port FI engine. For a tune-up, such as it is, with electronic (HEI) ignition (which all GM cars have had since 1975), it doesn't matter where the distributor is located because there's nothing to do to it. A "tune up" in HEI/FI cars consists of replacing the spark plugs and possibly  the plug wires and fuel filter; there are no points to replace and set, no timing to set, and no carburetor to adjust. Since the LT1 has almost 50% more horsepower, uses regular gas, and gets equal to or better fuel economy than the TBI engine, the only way I would buy a '93 model is if it were extremely low mileage and in "like new" condition and I couldn't find a a good LT1 car.

[David #19063]

Hello Marc,

You will not be disappointed with these years of Fleetwood Broughams, '93-'96.

Personally, I would buy a '95 then the '96 then the '94 and then maybe the '93. 

Like Rusty said the '94-'96 will have the 260 HP LT-1 and the '93 will have the 185 HP TBI.

The '95 & '96 should have an upgraded traction control system compared to the '94.

The '96 Will have Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) that you cannot turn off.

The '96 will have the OBD-II computers, the earlier ones, the OBD-I. 

The '95 & '96's have the side mirrors next to the windows, the '93 & '94's have the side mirrors mounted on the door.

Almost all (if not all) of the Fleetwood Broughams have a vinyl top.  The Fleetwoods do not.

There are many many upgrades standard on the Fleetwood Broughams compared to the Fleetwoods.

The Fleetwood Brougham has a 3.08 rear axle while the Fleetwood has a 2.56 rear axle ('93).

The Fleetwood Brougham has a 2.93 rear axle while the Fleetwood has a 2.56 rear axle ('94 - '96).

There was an optional towing package that had a 3.42 limited slip rear axle.

Here are some websites to look at:

http://www.100megsfree4.com/cadillac/cad1990/cad96f.htm

http://www.100megsfree4.com/cadillac/cad1990/cad95f.htm

http://www.100megsfree4.com/cadillac/cad1990/cad94f.htm

http://www.100megsfree4.com/cadillac/cad1990/cad93f.htm

David

[Guidematic]

The LT1 engine can be an expensive endeavor. If there are problems with the Opti-Spark, they can ideed run you into the $1000 ballpark. Add to that the ignition wires that because of their routing, can short out. They are also expensive and difficult to replace. Also, spark plugs are difficult to replace. That can run into a 2-hour labour bill just for that.

'95 and '96 LT1's had a vacuum hose attached to the cap, with a vent that went to the air intake hose. This was to keep the distributor clean and dry. Moisture would foul the opic sensor and the car would not run. These optic sensors are not available on their own. You have to buy a distributor to get them.

On the other hand, the TBI 5.7 350's (LO5) used from '90 to '93 were very reliable engines. They were easy to work on and parts are cheap and plentiful. They do not make the outright power of the LT1, but their torque output is not far off making them move along quite nicely.

The only time an Olds 5.7 was offered in a Cadillac was in the first generation Sevilles and '79 Eldorados. Starting in 1986, the Fleetwood Brougham (then simply called Brougham) offered the Olds built 5.0 (307) up until 1990. The LO5 5.7 Chevrolet engine was optional from 1990-92. In 1991-92 the Chevrolet  LO3 (305) was standard.

While the LT1 powered cars are quite powerful, to me they are not worth the extra grief that the Opti-Spark system can generate. they can either give you a warning by running rough and missing before they pack in, or they can just quit without warning,

Mike

[TMoore - NTCLC]

I have to put my vote for the 1994 to 1996 Fleetwood.  I own a 1994 with 170,000 miles, and absolutely love the car.  It seems to be almost bullet-proof, and incredibly powerful.  The LT1 has been a flawless engine - I have replaced the water pump, and while it was off, I replaced the optispark and wires - not difficult while the waterpump is off.  The rest has been regular maintenance - plugs are actually fairly easy to access.  One correction to the above, the optispark on the 1994 Fleetwood DOES have the vent for moisture removal (pre 1994 LT1s in the sports cars did not have the vent).

Otherwise, this is pretty much the last of the big rear wheel drive Cadillacs - with full chrome bumpers, an extremely solid and tight body, and I just honestly think that Cadillac had everything as close to perfect as it could get with these cars.

One last note, and I think everyone will agree, these cars get incredible gas mileage - always 25-27 on the highway.

[Doug Houston]

I have the same car as a '96 Buick Roadmaster.A couple of years ago, it began to run erratcly, so I sent it to a GM specialist. The water pump was leaking, and coolant was getting into the distributor. The new pump  was 500 bucks, and so was the distributor.

The mechanic there, a young kid, was a seasoned veteran of LT-1 plug wires. Altogether, i paid $1800 bucks to get out of there.

[Jim Jordan]

After dealing with many, many of these cars in the limousine/livery business, I have to choose the 94-96.  I retired a 94 Fleetwood with 300+k miles after a minor collision and a 95 with 195,000 after it saved my mom's life in a severe right rear collision and my current driver is a Calypso Green 96 Brougham with every option including chrome wheels and moonroof with 240,000 miles.  It uses less than 1/2 quart of oil between changes and still turns in 25+ mpg and has the coldest strongest A/C in any car Ive ever had.  The 93s are great cars as well but the steering seems looser on a 93.  I have always gotten 150k out of an o.e. optispark.  I think these are the last of the real "traditional" Cadillacs and will continue to drive mine til the wheels fall off.  I love the way the newer Deville/DTS handles and drives but the Fleetwood is always the choice for a road trip.

[Marc Bottini]

       

WOWOWOW!  I knew I would get some good information but you all have gone ABOVE and BEYOND with this!!  I am throroughly impressed with the candor, knowledge and helpfulness I always receive here! 

Thank you ALL who have contributed their thoughts and experiences so far! GREATLY APPRECIATED!

David, thank you for those links!  I bookmarked them for future reference.

It sounds like the most important thing will be to try and locate a well maintained car, and since I'll be paying cash for it, I'll put aside a few grand in preparation for the possibility of the water pump / distributor repair.

I would really like a full size RWD luxury car with a reliable drivetrain.  I had considered 95 - 97 Town Cars as I love their ride and look.  However my mechanic was wary of the 4.6 and valve stem seals.  (he used to work for a taxi / limo service)

After my daughters experience with her car (for those of you who might remember, she's the smart gal that took her overheating 4.5 to a shadetree quack and it was mis-diagnosed.  Even though it only had 50k original miles, I couldn't justify spending $3k - $4k on a new motor, so we junked it for $200. That was a VERY sad day)  But I digress.. LOL  Anyhow, I will NEVER go near another aluminum engine unless the car is under warranty the entire time I own it! 

Does anyone know of a nationwide service that will inspect cars for you?  I am willing to buy one anywhere in the USA if I can get it checked out first.

Thanks again and keep the info flowing!!  YOU ALL ROCK!!!