How do you identify a real 9c1 ?

I just received an insurance settlement from my previous car getting seriously rearended and totaled (72' Datsun 240z). Decided it was time to move up in the world and get myself a Caprice instead. ;)

I decided to get a 91-96 9c1. I see alot of 'Police Package' caprices advertised (I assume this is the same as a 9c1). Although I have no idea how to verify this when I see the car or talk to the guy over the phone. I was hoping there was some way to know for sure if its a real 9c1 by looking at the vin number or something. It would make it alot easier if it is possible to check with the vin, then I could verify them before I even go over for the test drive.

Its nice to know this forum is here. It's also good to know I'm not the only one who loves these cars.

Jamie

I've people claim to have a "police package" car because it came from a police auction. Not so fast Charlie!

Open the trunk and find the SPID. Service Parts ID label. On it will be a jumble of three digit codes. If 9C1 isn't there, it's not a 9C1. Other good codes to find G80, LT1 if its a 94-96, L05 if it's a 91-93.

Another way to tell on certain model years would be the VIN code. On the L05 (1989-1993) the engine code (8th VIN character) should be a 7. Due to Chevrolet's policy to not sell 5.7L L05 to anyone other than police, law enforcement, and firefighters (until LT1 in 1994), if it has the a 7 for the 8th place of the VIN, it was MADE for police use and should be a 9C1.

But like CD Smalley posted, the best way to tell would be the SPID on the underside of the trunk. If its says 9C1, it was made as police package.

Thank you HLandin, and CD Smalley; that is the exact information I was looking for. Now for the hunt! I've been seriously fantasizing about having a Caprice for quite some time now; that's when you know your in love. :O

I thought the 5.7 was also in the LTZ models.....

B4U is also a good code to check for. Special option for civi Caprice

Yup, if it says 9C1 on the SPID on the inside lid of the trunk, then it's a 9C1 police package.

L05 was never available for civilan use. It would throw off GM's CAFE ratings, which it did in 1989 some people convinced their Chevy dealers to sell them the police package cars. As a result, from 1989 to 94 with release of LT1, GM allowed the 5.7 to be sold only for police, law enforcement, and firefighting.

i'm pretty sure all caprices made that were 9c1's had dual exhaust so that helps if your lookin real quick. Doesnt mean some1 didmt hook some duals up though. The engine, vin, as well as markings on trunk lid.

Not all 9C1's had duals.... my '91 didn't come equipped with it. I'm pretty sure that the LT1 cars all had it though.

If anyone going to look into buying a 9C1, they'd do well to find an LT1 car anyways. The L03 & L05 cars are sluggish in comparison. However they are all easily modified to make better power.

On a sidenote, Pat OD, how do you like your Imp.... I've been thinking about getting one for my woman.

Negative Pat. Caprice did not get dual exhaust till '94 with the LT1. Older models had single exhaust; however, some people have modified their Caprices to have duals on earlier models. I myself am considering doing that. But just to set the record straight, check out www.9c1.com and check the police car specs. Caprice did not have dual exhaust before 1994. Heck, I have a '90 Caprice 9c1 with single exhaust.

Don't knock the L05 burnM. It may not be as fast as the LT1, but compare the ratings (205hp in '93 to 260hp in '94). Considered what happend to the car; the fuel induction system was radically altered (Throttle Body Injection vs. Multi-port Injection); finally got dual exhausts. While it did move forward, its not without its own set of problems (hint, hint optispark). With the change from central to multi-point injection, the system became that much more complex. Seriously, check out:
http://www.goingfaster.com/spo/praisetbi.html
Its the L03, the L05's smaller sister, but loaded with lots of good info about comparing TBI to TPI (and indirectly SFI which is what LT1 is).

I agree completely. Note that I did say they can be easily modified to make better power.

The reason for saying to go for an LT1 car is that they have better performance right out of the box... They also have a large aftermarket following, and more information is available if you really need it.

It has always been more difficult (in my experience) to find knowledgable folk concerning the modification of LO3 & LO5 engines. You'll find that a good many will tell you shoot your car full of holes and find an LT1 car.

If you haven't bought a Caprice yet, and are looking for one, the easiest way to have fun right away is to puchase an LT1.

With that said, I always go the route less travelled... and I love the LO3 powered car that I have now. :biggrin:

My misunderstanding. The LT1 is awesome feat, and unlike most of Chevy's current lineup, its still a small block V8.

guess i was wrong anyway my imp has really had a lot of problems tranny head gasket and a lot of other shit but check out the impala forum most of it is about problems we've had with our cars. I love my car even though its a bitch to me, i think it looks nice ass hell. yea but i dont reccomend this car unless you got a deep pocket for repairs. In 2006 the new impalas are due check em out.

L05 was never available for civilan use. It would throw off GM's CAFE ratings, which it did in 1989 some people convinced their Chevy dealers to sell them the police package cars. As a result, from 1989 to 94 with release of LT1, GM allowed the 5.7 to be sold only for police, law enforcement, and firefighting.

Not true HLandin. The L05 motor WAS available for civilian use as it was an option for the 1993 Caprice's and standard on the LTZ package. The LTZ is basically as close as you can get to a 9C1 without purchasing it from any law enforcement agencies aka civie/cop package.

My LTZ came with the LO5 motor, G80 limited slip posi rear end, FE4 suspension and many more upgrades from the basic Caprice Classic.:naughty:

Hope this clears up any misinformation :icon16:

That is news to me. Everything I've read, including Chevrolet Police Cars and www.9c1.com, state that 5.7L was not available except for police, law enforcement, and firefighting purposes from 1989 to 1993. Are you sure your LTZ was produced as a police car?

That is news to me. Everything I've read, including Chevrolet Police Cars and www.9c1.com, state that 5.7L was not available except for police, law enforcement, and firefighting purposes from 1989 to 1993. Are you sure your LTZ was produced as a police car?

No my LTZ wasn't produced as a police car (9c1), it was AS CLOSE as you could get to buying a police car (9C1), brand new that is, without waiting for dealerships to finally notify you of an overstock of 9c1's not sold to law enforcement.

LTZ was an optional package add on to the 1993 Caprice LS that almost mimicked the 9c1 to perfection.

Here is a section of 9c1.com that provides ALL the motors available through the years 91-96 and ALL models....http://www.9c1.com/technical/engineapps.htm....Note the 1993 LTZ Optional package with the LO5 motor.

I hope this clears up the confusion.

Intresting. Did not know about that, but it appears it was only offered one year (1993). The next year (1994) would see release of LT1 and the Impala SS. Its odd that they paired your larger L05 (compared to L03) with the older 3.08 final ratio as opposed to the 3.42 final ratio popular in 9c1 from 1989 to 1993. Guess that means you might get a reduction in torque at the wheels but higher top speed.

So, except for that odd ball 1993 model and some of the station wagon models (1992-1993), the 5.7L VIN 7 was not offered outside for police, law enforcement, and firefighting use from 1989 to 1993.

Intresting. Did not know about that, but it appears it was only offered one year (1993). The next year (1994) would see release of LT1 and the Impala SS. Its odd that they paired your larger L05 (compared to L03) with the older 3.08 final ratio as opposed to the 3.42 final ratio popular in 9c1 from 1989 to 1993. Guess that means you might get a reduction in torque at the wheels but higher top speed.

So, except for that odd ball 1993 model and some of the station wagon models (1992-1993), the 5.7L VIN 7 was not offered outside for police, law enforcement, and firefighting use from 1989 to 1993.

You are correct sir :smokin:..........also having the 3.08 rear end is great for top end but off the line its pretty quick also but not as peppy as the 3.42 gear. I topped out my LTZ at 132MPH one boring night...full WOT, rpm's maxed at redline and was in shock at how everything turns into a blurrr after 100MPH :rofl:

Pat is right, the 9C1 and Impalas will cost you big bucks to upkeep, only maniacs like us still have it. Thats why they were discontinued by GM quickly because they knew what shoddy job they did. For more information on the subject read about the history of the Arlington, TX factory where they were all made. We all should get unite, hire a law-firm to have GM to cover repair-expenses. These cars obviously have never met quality requirements.

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