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Impala vs Caprice

28K views 24 replies 12 participants last post by  Dwayne J 
#1 ·
As some of you all already know I recently purchased a 1994 LT1 caprice classic with only 9400 miles on it. I have a question if I may? Which car is faster, the 94-96 SS Impala 5.7 LT1 or the 94-96 Caprice Classic 5.7 LT1? I know that there are some differences between the cars but not sure which one is faster.
 

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#2 ·
The cars are virtually identical mechanically speaking. The main difference being the suspension and brake setups. A well-optioned Caprice is just as fast as an Impala.
 
#4 ·
....... and the Caprice is the "Cadillac" of Impalas :yahoo::clap:
 
#7 ·
The Caprice got 2.93s and the Impala 3.08s but the Impala wheel package is heavier, the rear discs are near useless under normal driving. The engines vary in output more than the gearing affects performance, it comes down to individual cars not Impala vs. Caprice. Impala was a trim package with the rear discs and 3.08s tossed in as fake upgrades. The springs were lower particularly in 95-6
 
#12 ·
The 1994-1996 9C1 Police Package could be specified as to what the governed speed would be, the max being 141 MPH I believe for the 5.7L (that was the same for the Impala SS if I am not mistaken) otherwise departments had several choices. It also went along with what type of tire they chose as the option package as well, GM in most if not all cases will not have a car with a governed top speed higher than the speed rated tire that it comes from the factory with.

My department had a mixed bag. All the 91-93s would do the max governed, which was right about 132 MPH.. All the 94s were at 141, some of the 95s were also 141, and a few were 115 and 120. Most of the 96's were 120 with just a handful with 141. It was an error on the part of the fleet manager who ordered the vehicles for not checking close enough regarding the type of tires. (Good Year Eagles usually were the choice they should have gone with with the right speed rating) All were 5.7L.

Remember that back in the 90s, anything that could do 130+ was considered fast. The Caprice with the 260 HP 5.7L LT1 derived powertrain, although de-tuned HP wise vs what was in the Camaro & Corvette was great at acceleration and was generally geared for quick acceleration as that is where most of the work is needed, but of course 4th gear was a tall gear and getting from about 110-115ish up to the limiter took awhile, once it shifted out of 3rd gear. 1st gear was good to about 45 if memory serves, 2nd got you 75-80.. 3rd got you up to 115, and then overdrive for the ride up to the limiter.
 
#10 ·
The mechanical belt fan was a tow package option, not a default Caprice vs Impala thing.
Far as the 9C1 thing being faster that is just some bullshit some asshole claimed to make himself feel better about owning a clapped out old fleet car.
Goes right along with the old joke that the difference between the Caprice and Impala is the asshole in the driver's seat.
They re all the same car, the differences minor wish people could get over that. Find an individual car you like and start from there without worrying about 9c1 or wx3 option codes, if you like a car that has those great but don't pretend they are somehow special.
 
#13 ·
Human Nature Happens........





Dwayne J
Sir with all due respect (and I mean that) you seem to come across as a bit cynical with some of your responses to some of these threads. As you know I am new to this forum and a first time owner of a Caprice so I don't know jack when it comes to these cars. On the flip side you sir are an authority and wealth of knowledge concerning these cars. I have read many of your responses and I can tell you know your stuff! With that said many of us new forum members don't know crap about these cars therefore ask the questions, YES the same questions you have addressed many times over. I know that can get old and boring! But if I may I would like to point out a couple of things on why these questions/topics are being discussed over and over: Generally people who are first time buyers of these types of cars are usually excited about their purchase and want to tell the world what they have. Finding a Impala/Caprice website facilitates them to share with others of what they bought, THEY ARE EXCITED! New owners of these cars want learn how they can improve their car from people such as yourself. Usually the new forum member is overwhelmed with the vast amount of information posted on this forum. Because of that usually the new members will just want to go ahead and post their questions instead of finding the answers already posted in the forum. Partly because they are excited about their car, don't know anything about what they are reading, and are excited to be a part of the forum community. Sooooooo in a nutshell this is HUMAN NATURE, even you at one time was a first time owner. Everyone wants to belong and people want to be recognized for what they have. So my advice (if I may) is to try to recognize the human nature involved when some of these questions keep coming up and don't get frustrated when they do. After all people depend on your advice and that's a good thing for all of us........det45
 
#11 ·
My 83 was a mechanical fan (305) , but when I put the new 350 crate engine in , it wasn't up to handling the AC so an electric was needed
 
#14 ·
Far as top speeds the Impala came with a 154mph speed limiter, 9C1 several options all the way up to 147mph.

Three of us said the differences were minor and you want to keep repeating myths, how many myths do we have to shoot down one at a time before you will accept it's all the same car?

The level of "upgrades" offered on the Impala and 9C1 is rear disc brakes that they left the drum brake proportioning valve, which means under normal use they do almost nothing discs need a high volume of fluid due to the larger piston diameter vs. a drum with little pucks in the cylinders which uses less volume. The result is under normal light braking the "upgrade" discs on the 9C1 and Impala don't function right and only work properly under spirited . Enthusiasts figured out how to fix this by modding the internals, GM could have done it in an instant but they weren't after REAL upgrades, just ones that looked good in the sales brochure.
Weather and individual cars vary far more than Impala,vs. civi Caprice, vs. 9C1, vs. Roadmaster. Fleetwood and wagons are genuinely heavier and therefore going to be slightly slower.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Far as top speeds the Impala came with a 154mph speed limiter, 9C1 several options all the way up to 147mph.
NO Sir. (Respectfully) Not on a STOCK 1994-1996 Impala SS or a 1994-1996 9C1 Caprice 5.7L.

In fact as it turns out with me doing further research, the 1994-1996 9C1 did not have a speed limiter, it was essentially drag limited according to the Michigan State Patrol testing performed on the 1994-1996 9C1 5.7L engine.. which in essence would be the same for the Impala SS. Sure you might get a stock SS or 9C1 into the 150s going down a hill.. and the speedometer on the 96 SS (Analog instead of digital) certainly reads that it might be able to go upwards of 150.. buuuut.. if you wanna go fast, you gotta have power to over come the drag (and eventually redline)

https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/154252NCJRS.pdf (page 41)
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/154252NCJRS.pdf (page 3)


You can try to argue this with me until you are blue in the face. The numbers speak for themselves. If you'll look at one of the links above, you'll notice that the Camaro's (both auto & 6-Speed) were maxed out in the high 150s, (not being electronically limited either) being a lighter car, more aerodynamic, and having 25 more HP to boot. I recall the auto magazines at the time (1993-1996) reflecting the top speed, 1/4 Mile, and 0-60 times as that was all us high school boys cared about when it came to performance

Add to that while employed at the local Sheriff's Office (not as a law enforcement officer but rather as an aid to fleet services and patrol) I did countless ride-a-longs with them, State Patrol, and several other surrounding jurisdictions and none of the 94-96 9C1s would get above 142 on their "certified" speedometers, add to that the radar guns also showing current vehicle speed. They were quick and VERY quick for that time, but you can only go so fast with the HP they had available.

Again, respectfully.
 
#15 ·
That was expressed well det45. I forget to be patient sometimes, especially in the 8th gen forum, where my knowledge gravitates. You are also correct that Dwane is the man with the most knowledge around here for 6th gen Impalas/Caprices.

Glad to have you here. Wonderful low mileage Caprice.
 
#17 ·
What was the weather and were they tested with light bars? The jurisdiction you worked in, what was the elevation?

Your info is incomplete.

Civi Caprice was 108 due to S rated tires
9C1 was something around 125 or 147 depending on tire option.
Impala was 154 with it's z-rated tires but most were wind limited to high 140s as the engine was BELOW peak HP rpm, 3.42s can actually increase the top speed but the driveshaft needs to be upgraded or risk a "critical speed" resonance failure.

I have owned the pcm programming software for 12-13 years and have seen the programmed limiters myself.

The info on all this was common knowledge a decade ago, but is harder to find today because so many newbs post the wrong info so many times the good info gets lost.
 
#23 ·
Hello boys. This is an old discussion so my reply might not even be seen. But I love my baby so I'm compelled to defend her. She's a 96 gray green beauty. I read 0 to 60 in 7 seconds. Baby I can hit that in 4. Can't take her for a ride without hittin at least 120 every time and she never lets me down. I'm a girl. First off whatever I drive has gotta be fast and have a kickbutt stereo. Second she's gotta look good and I notice details. Like the sharp lines that differentiate the 69 Camaro from 68 and 67. The rounded girls are prettier boys, just sayin. So astheticly the Impala stands above the granny car Caprice. She sits lower and has a beautiful profile. The rear spoiler gives her backside definition. Her grill says Don't even think about calling me a Caprice. And those big expensive tires make her look good from every angle. I do the turn-around-and-look at least once, sometimes twice, every time I park her. She gets looks everywhere we go and every boy stops to admire and ask about her Big Body. I've had offers for her. Absolutely refused to give her up in my divorce settlement. I miss my 69 Chevelle, my 79 Monte and my 86 IROC. But my 96 Impala is a fast, corner-hugging, smooth riding, attention gettin rarity and she's all mine.
 
#24 ·
Well welcome to the forum
We need pics please
 
#25 ·
0-60 in 4 seconds is doable, understand it will take some time and money.

First thing though would be make sure the 20+yo car is well maintained, fresh cap and rotor, plug wires, make sure fluids are all good, brakes are lubed where needed so not dragging.

Modifying these can be expensive since things like headers are usually hand made and costly, not sure if the exhaust makers still carry systems.

Getting the computer reprogrammed is getting harder as fewer tuners want to deal with it.
 
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