1993 Allante Dash

[Coupe]

Looked at a '93 Allante listed on ebay yesterday. Decent Arizona car with just over 40,000 miles. The only issue I have is the first owner added a tonneau cover so he did not  have to put the top up. I can either live the with snaps on the beltline or remove them and repair the holes. The snaps on the dash pad are a different story. Can the dash pad be repaired or does it have to be replaced?

[D.Yaros]

Not speaking with authority, but rather on experience (I own a 92), I would think the dash would have to be replaced.

[Coupe]

That's what I expected, just thought I'd ask. Are replacements available? The interior is 2 tone. I'd call it taupe on the dash and upper doors and the seats and carpet are called natural (beige).

A couple more questions. The top is not really a power top just the pull downs. Is that correct? Did these cars come with remote door locks?

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Paul: I'd stay away from the '93 Allante w/ Northstar. 1993 is first year for the Northstar and are well known for head gasket failure which is ungodly expensive to repair. Definitely not a Cadillac for long term ownership IMHO and I'd strongly advise sticking with an Allante w/ 4.5 or 4.9 Liter (1989-1992). Plus eliminate the modification issue as well.

-Just my l'il ole two cents.

[76eldo]

Not all Northstars have problems like that.  The Allante guys that drive 93's wouldn't drive anything else.

There is NO dash "pad" on an Allante.  It's the entire dash that would have to come out including the center console, DIC, and all instruments and switches, vacuum lines for the Climate Control, ductwork, and lots of wiring connectors. It is a real bear of a job.  I have parted a few out, and they are not that easy to remove even when you are trashing the rest of the car and don't care about breaking other items.  This job, to R and R a full dash would frustrate a seasoned Cadillac mechanic, so I would stay away from this unless you have lots of tools and lots of patience.

Either live the the snaps (guy must be a little strange to have done that) or find another 93 Allante.

Brian

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Correct- as long as we're talking 2001 and newer Northstars which this isn't. And even then they still have been known to develop head gasket issues- albeit at a lower frequency than before.

There are some 4100s that weren't bad either. To get involved with a known problem child engine that's nearing 20 years old is asking for trouble IMHO. 

25 years in the car business and personally handled over 300 Cadillacs. Only 3 Cadillacs ever had head gasket problems...you guessed it...all 3 of them were Northstars. 

[Coupe]

Dave, Eric & Brian

Thank-you for your input. I'm going to pass on this one and continue the hunt. I'm in no hurry just want a decent car for weekend fun and club tours.

[Series75]

Eric's comments are off the mark.  I believe my 93 Allante's Northstar is far better than any other I've owned.  I don't hear of many 93 Allantes' with head gasket issues.   

[D.Yaros]

While some N* engines presented head gasket problems in '93, the problem was eventually resolved.  If this car is still around and running today, that problem has most likely been resolved.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Eric's comments are off the mark.  I believe my 93 Allante's Northstar is far better than any other I've owned.  I don't hear of many 93 Allantes' with head gasket issues.

Glad to hear your '93 Northstar is giving you good service. Naturally not every single Northstar is going to be troublesome without exception. My advice to our friend there was based not only upon my own experiences, but also on innumerable discussions with owners and Cadillac service managers over the course of nearly two decades thus speak with a modicum of expertise on the subject. There is a considerable cross section from a variety of reliable sources which makes for a strong case of avoiding an older Northstar (for long term ownership)  thus my recommendation to th OP to stick with Allante with either the 4.5 or 4.9 Litre which has a far better track record of dependability and reliability in addition to being a far less costly engine to service should the need arise. 

[Series75]

yep, you would think that after the 4100 problem we wouldn't have a discussion topic here.   I have 4.5 and 4.9 (MY FAVORITE) great low end torque.  Unfortuntately there's no market for them.  Tom CLC6866

[wcoates]

Paul: I'd stay away from the '93 Allante w/ Northstar. 1993 is first year for the Northstar and are well known for head gasket failure which is ungodly expensive to repair. Definitely not a Cadillac for long term ownership IMHO and I'd strongly advise sticking with an Allante w/ 4.5 or 4.9 Liter (1989-1992). Plus eliminate the modification issue as well.

-Just my l'il ole two cents.

Having experienced a '93 N* headgasket problem I can tell you what a nightmare it is.  ( There never was a 4.9 allante)   The 4.5 was bullet-proof.

[Series75]

And George as previously stated, with a little bit of wrenching the 3 sets of remaned injectors I've installed on 2 STS's and on 91 Eldorado Touring Coupe WORK GREAT!  All 3 cars done for $450.00.  The job is straightforward and uncomplicated.   Plus its a great opportunity to clean up the top of the engine.  Tom CLC#6866

[wcoates]

Parted out my great looking '93 after head gasket and tranny problems at the same time.  Am looking for the '92 (or '91 -same car) to replace it.  Once again, I definitely want to say there was no 4.9 for the allante.  4.1 for '87-'88, 4.5 for '89-'92 and N* for '93.

Will never have a '93 again.

Dashes should be available from parted out cars but are a bear to replace.  Would call Dick Hussey at Allantesource or Tom Rohner in California.  Have probably close to 100 parts cars between them.  If they don't have it for an Allante -it doesn't exist.