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Just bought a 95 FW. How'd I do?

2852 Views 38 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  shakenfake
5
Just ordered a 95 FW sight unseen with 68k miles for 6k delivered including tag transfer, taxes, and fees. Seemed like a good deal for an lt1 car with that low miles. Car looks super clean. Only issues are the rear and driver windows supposedly don't work. Hoping it's just the sliders.

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2.93, yet not a Brougham, & no yarmulke. I'm jealous, so, you likely did ok.
Seriously, congratulations.

Check for the rear floor vents.
We gotta figure out how to reproduce those things, if not improve on them.
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2.93, yet not a Brougham, & no yarmulke. I'm jealous, so, you likely did ok.
Seriously, congratulations.

Check for the rear floor vents.
We gotta figure out how to reproduce those things, if not improve on them.
Thanks! Glad to hear I may have got a decent deal!

I thought the broughams had 3.something rear ends. And yea when I saw no vinyl top, the miles, the condition, and the price I jumped on it. There's always the whole I've never driven it part so it might be jacked up, but I'm hoping for the best. My 94 9c1 with the same engine and trans is still going strong over 201k miles. Trans was rebuilt at 140k though by previous owner. I am actually still finalizing the deal on this FW but my down payment is in so I could back out but I'd lose $500.

Once I get the car I'll be sure to look for the rear vents. I have a 3d printer so I might be able to replicate a set if my car has them. The listing has been taken down so I can't even see the pics myself anymore. But I didn't see any pictures showing rear floor vents and tbh wasn't aware that was a feature on these. I have a 9c1 with DeVille seats but the rear vents aren't functional (yet) and they come out up high behind the front armrest/center console/middle seat back. Since you say floor vents I assume they would be under the seats and possibly not very visible for general photos?
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I thought the broughams had 3.something rear ends.
Fleetwoods were either
2.563 (GM8) which is almost like having a 3 speed - should have swapped in 3.42 at my earliest opportunity.
2.93 (GW9) most 2.93 were Broughams, also most common gear for liveries (R1P) hearses (B9Q) & limos (V4U)
3.42 (GU6) which came with V4P, and should have been OE with every damnd LT1 car, damnit.
My 94 9C1 with the same engine and trans is still going strong over 201k miles.
I like to imagine 9C1 line pressure tables have something to do with that.
When your Fleetwood arrives, try 9C1 Main line pressure tables on for size.
Since you say floor vents I assume they would be under the seats and possibly not very visible for general photos?
Think they're pretty well hidden under the carpeting under the front seats.
Temporarily plug the front floor vents, the rears become more obvious, though still not easy to see.
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I agree 3.42 would be nice. My 9c1 has 3.08 and even that is a pretty tall gear but it's not a bad compromise for a daily driver. I plan to do 3.73 with posi at some point. Hard to believe a 9c1 wasn't factory with posi but mine doesn't have the g80 gode and it's for sure open. Interestingly it also has power mirrors but they are not heated, which from my research seems to be unusual.

When your Fleetwood arrives, try 9C1 Main line pressure tables on for size.
I'm not sure what the main line pressure tables are or how to change them.

I'll be sure to look for the vents though when it arrives.

Should also mention the dash is pretty cracked but I'll just cover it with a pad and probably eventually get it wrapped in suede
I agree 3.42 would be nice.
My 9C1 has 3.08 and even that is a pretty tall gear but it's not a bad compromise for a daily driver.
I plan to do 3.73 with posi at some point.
Went from 2.563 to 3.42 in my wagon.
BEST MOD EVER, if only because CAFE MpG tests did not allow GM to make 3.42 OE for all LT1s.
The last 9C1-LT1 I owned had 3.73 from its previous owner.
On long highway trips, cruising over 65MpH 3.42 pays over 3.73 in MpG.
Your 9C1 may or may not need a driveshaft upgrade with 3.73.
Your Fleetwood will almost certainly need a driveshaft upgrade with 3.73.
Maybe give the Fleetwood the 3.08?
Hard to believe a 9C1 wasn't factory with posi but mine doesn't have G80 code and it's for sure open.
Interestingly it also has power mirrors but they are not heated, which from my research seems to be unusual.
Think G80 was optional for 2.93, 3.08, 3.231, & 3.42 B- & D-cars, including 9C1.
G80 was standard OE for WXs.
Don't know about heated mirrors (still looking for decent lil mirror bills for my side view mirrors).
I'm not sure what the main line pressure tables are or how to change them.
It's a pretty simple copy / paste operation.
Start a conversation with me if you want to know more.
I'll be sure to look for the vents though when it arrives.
Should also mention the dash is pretty cracked but I'll just cover it with a pad and probably eventually get it wrapped in suede.
Your bare feet may find the rear floor vents before your eyes.
As for the dash, it's a pity the aftermarket hasn't yet stepped up with decent replacements.
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The G80 was not an option on a D body, because they have traction control. They also have 4 wheel antilock brakes, not the 2 front and 1 differential rear on the B body.
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Touché, Fred.
Just 'cause GM wouldn't, though, doesn't stop anyone from installing a limited slip differential themselves.
Bought a Fleetwood myself with window problems ,and it was sliders. I can tell you when back windows are divorced from roller track? They go all the way down. I left them that way for a while (till it got cold) ,but it would be nice if they worked that way ,huh.
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Touché, Fred.
Just 'cause GM wouldn't, though, doesn't stop anyone from installing a limited slip differential themselves.
The LSD is redundant with traction control. The LSD is preferable to traction control for me, because it does not use the brakes.
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Guess I just assumed that Fleetwood's had a posi carrier.
Fred, may I paraphrase you?

Traction Control is redundant with a limited slip differential.
The LSD is preferable to traction control because it does not use the brakes.
They are redundant when installed on the same car. If you like TC, put it first, if you like the LSD, put it first.
They are redundant when installed on the same car.
If you like TC, put it first, if you like the LSD, put it first.
The LSD is preferable to traction control for me, because it does not use the brakes.
Traction Control will not work nearly as hard - if at all - if the limited slip diff does its job properly.
Prefer TorSen LSD to rebuildable Eaton, rebuildable Eaton to OE Auburn.
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For Mr. -mafia, v. nice score. The Orig. Owner put together a pretty smart order. And that's my fave color for Fleetwoods, right behind the '03 Silverado Dk. Gray Met. I painted my first one ;)

For an upgrade to the Bosch 4-chan TC, and even more to eliminate that system's bad habit of throwing the 'throttle relaxer' at the worst possible instances, I installed the 'normally open' Powertrax No-Slip, - with just regular handtools and no re-dialing anything. When called for, it's just a momentary lockup and you've got full posi, - and with the TC still energized:

With the footie vents I'll lay $$$ every '93-'96 has it,. just find the slits in the carpet forward of the inboard seat anchor:
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Like 93-96 Fleetwood's with no vinyl top. Good color you got. I would have ordered a silver one with cloth seats and V4P if I went back in time.
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Your Fleetwood will almost certainly need a driveshaft upgrade with 3.73.
Maybe give the Fleetwood the 3.08?
As for the dash, it's a pity the aftermarket hasn't yet stepped up with decent replacements.
I'd love the 3.08 in the FW but it's got over 200k miles on it so I'll probably just keep the rear ended stock in the FW.
I actually just saw a 96 caprice with 180k miles and the dash isn't cracked! I didn't think this was possible lol. Tbh my 9c1 is in better shape than most I've seen but it's pretty bad imo. In that car I'll probably flock it or liner it like the outside in as close as a color match as I can find.

The G80 was not an option on a D body, because they have traction control. They also have 4 wheel antilock brakes, not the 2 front and 1 differential rear on the B body.
Is there an rpo option for traction control. I didn't think that existed in 96. Tbh I hate TC and would much prefer LS. Do you know if TC can be turned off or deleted? Is the system worth anything? Maybe I can sell it and recoup a bit of $, wishful thinking anyways haha

For Mr. -mafia, v. nice score. The Orig. Owner put together a pretty smart order. And that's my fave color for Fleetwoods, right behind the '03 Silverado Dk. Gray Met. I painted my first one ;)

For an upgrade to the Bosch 4-chan TC, and even more to eliminate that system's bad habit of throwing the 'throttle relaxer' at the worst possible instances, I installed the 'normally open' Powertrax No-Slip, - with just regular handtools and no re-dialing anything. When called for, it's just a momentary lockup and you've got full posi, - and with the TC still energized:

With the footie vents I'll lay $$$ every '93-'96 has it,. just find the slits in the carpet forward of the inboard seat anchor:
View attachment 210063
I agree the previous owner had nice taste. What is the throttle relaxer? When I bought it I just assumed it was a more plush caprice but I'm discovering more and more significant differences! I'll for sure look into that power trax. Does it work with a fully stock setup to effectively provide posi?

In the pic you show is that what a proper vent looks like? When you say you'll lay $$$ I assume that means that you need them? Seems like something I could replicate tbh and of they're actually worth something I for sure would do it if people actually want them. I replicate and make tons of parts for myself and always think about trying to sell them but nobody else cares about most of the things I make.

Like 93-96 Fleetwood's with no vinyl top. Good color you got. I would have ordered a silver one with cloth seats and V4P if I went back in time.
Why cloth over leather? I always preferred leather because of durability but seems the leather in these cars is actually pretty fragile.

Here's the Comp-nine for your car.

Build Sheet (compnine.com)
This is amazing! Thank you! I don't know what a lot of those descriptions mean but I'll figure it out eventually. Is this for all cars?
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".... Do you know if TC can be turned off or deleted? Is the system worth anything? ...."

Find the toggle left side, inside the glove box, switches it on & off. The system re-energizes with each new start. Be mindful that when turned off you eradicate the pesky throttle relaxer. This provides for very impressive stationary burnouts from stop. And while severely embarrassing one-wheel-only, it can also be potentially fatal if trying to move quickly into or across traffic.

About worth, considering the number of seperate components involving the TC, along with all the interconnecting wiring, plumbing and programming, the overall system would be of little value except as repair parts for another Fleetwood.
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Good news:
disabling the 'foot fighter' traction control also disables the spark retard associated with it.
Bad news is you gotta open the glove box and press the button each time.

The grippier the tires, the less often the Traction Control will need to intervene.
Don't buy slippy tires!

A good limited slip diff will also make the Traction Control less likely to intervene.

Can it be disabled / disconnected under the hood permanently, without deleting it per se?
(As in, made vestigial, like an AIRpump?)
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