91 Caprice Classic

I'M THE MOTHER OF A 21 YEAR-OLD SON WHOSE GIRLFRIEND WRECKED HIS '91 CAPRICE CLASSIC. AGAINST MY ADVICE, HE'S KEEPING THE GIRLFRIEND AND GETTING RID OF THE CAR. THE FRONT END WAS DAMAGED PRETTY BADLY, BUT I THINK IT ONLY NEEDS THE FRONT CLIP AND RADIATOR ... ALSO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND WINDSHIELD. WE ARE TRYING TO SELL THE VEHICLE. IT STILL STARTS UP AND PURRS LIKE A DREAM. HOWEVER, PEOPLE ARE ASKING US IF THE V8 IS A 305 OR A 350. MY SON SAYS HE DOESN'T KNOW. IT DOESN'T SAY ON THE TITLE SO HOW DO I FIND OUT SO I CAN SHARE THE INFORMATION WITH TENTATIVE BUYERS? THE TITLE SAYS 44 UNDER HP, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT TELLS ME THE TRUE HORSEPOWER AFTER SURFING ONLINE AND LOOKING AT WHAT OTHER V8 ENGINES ARE REGISTERED AS. HOW CAN I FIND OUT, PLEASE? [email protected]

One easy way is to enter the VIN at Carfax.com. Even without buying anything, it will tell you basic information such as engine size (but it will be in liters, so it would be either 5.0L or 5.7L which is a 305 or 350 respectively), valve arrangement, fuel system, etc.

The ratings of the motors for 1991 are as follows:
5.0L 305-cid 170hp
5.7L 350-cid 195hp

This is according to Chevrolet Police Cars by Edwin J. Sanow.

Another way is to decode the VIN yourself. The eighth digit is the engine code. For a 305 it would be 'E' and a 350 would be '7.' Ahhh, that famous number 7.

Keep in mind that unless it was originally a police, law enforcement, or fire fighting vehicle, it will be a 305 because it was against GM policy to sell 5.7L (350) caprices to civilians, because it through off its its CAFE ratings. This policy was enforced until 1994.

Thank you SO much! I didn't expect such a quick response; nor did I expect so MUCH information! This is great. What a site. My husband and I are blown away and we thank you IMMENSELY! = )

This is a wonderful message board. I came here about three months ago and I have already learned a lot during my time here. I also hope I have brought some knowledge with me. If you have any questions, please feel free to post.

Additionally, if you are really interested in Caprices, you should try to get your hands on a copy on Chevrolet Police Cars. While it only covers police packages, it will give you a great deal of insight into the Caprice itself (changes from carb to TBI to sequencial port injection, etc.).

Unfortunately, the only other book I've found out there for Caprices is the Haynes manual. While it is a half-way descent manual, it covers so many cars that you can only get what you can out of it for Caprices. Still, its better than nothing.

God Bless the Caprice