Information
GENERAL INFORMATION
Impala SS
1994-1996
Impala-Specific Equipment
Q: What's the difference between an Impala and a normal Caprice?
A: The Impala gets 17x8.5" wheels with P255/50ZR17 BFG TA ZR4's, along with police-package suspension, deCarbon shocks, and 12x1" ABS equipped rotors on all four wheels. The drivetrain includes the 350 LT1 driving a 3.08 rear end through a specially calibrated four speed automatic.
Outside, you get body colored moldings, a rear-deck spoiler, special badging and grille, and rear window inserts. The interior features gray leather seats, black satin trim, leather wrapped steering wheel, and a center console. The 96's also feature an analog gauge cluster and a console shift.
1994 Facts, Figures, and Changes
Q: How many 1994 Impalas were produced? Is it a "collector's item"?
A: There were about 6000 copies built in '94, of which about 5000 made it into the hands of the public. This isn't really that rare. All 1994 Impalas were black, and it was rare to get one ordered from the factory, as most dealers had ordered out the supply.
1995 Facts, Figures, and Changes
Q: What was changed in the 1995 models? How many were built?
A: 94's had a small plastic insert in the window just forward of the C pillar (where the Impala emblem goes). For '95, all Impalas (and Caprices) have this curve stamped into the body panels. 1995 and later Caprices now have the speed-compensated volume stereos available. 1995 Impalas could be ordered in two additional colors: dark cherry metallic and dark green- gray metallic. In addition, the mirrors moved from being door mounted to being mounted on the window frame and made into the foldaway type. There were 18,649 Impalas built in 1995 (21,434 including exports). The color breakdown was 4,442 Grey Green Metalic, 9,858 Dark Cherry Metalic, and 7,134 Black.
A few more minor changes between the 94's and 95's:
The ABS controller unit looks to be different.
The steering wheel on the 95+ models is textured, like the horn pad, but my '94s wheel is smooth.
The 94 dome light is a cheesy looking square thing, while the newer cars seem to have a nice, oval setup.
The AIR setup was changed from the small, simple 94 design to a more bulky and visible setup.
The oil filler spout is different. The 94 is much bigger, but will accept the Mobil 1 cap w/o modification.
The coolant overflow changed from two hoses to one, with the corresponding change in the radiator design.
Second gear start was removed from the car.
The oil dipstick tube changed from a black "T" handled unit with an integrated wiper to a yellow unit without the squeezable wiper.
The radiator vent hose was dropped because under conditions of high coolant flow, a siphon effect could develop where cold engine coolant could enter the heating system at the recovery reservoir through the radiator vent hose. There is even a TSB on this problem, #431214 dated 4/19/94. The TSB suggests inserting a 3/8" diameter stud into the hose and clamping it to prevent the siphoning effect.
Note that many think the '94 dipstick was better looking, and it certainly was more functional with the integrated dipstick wiper. The part number for the tube is #12551831 ($10.73 list) and the "T" indicator is #10232187 ($9.45 list). It should be an easy mod, with one bolt holding the whole assembly.
1994-1996
Impala-Specific Equipment
Q: What's the difference between an Impala and a normal Caprice?
A: The Impala gets 17x8.5" wheels with P255/50ZR17 BFG TA ZR4's, along with police-package suspension, deCarbon shocks, and 12x1" ABS equipped rotors on all four wheels. The drivetrain includes the 350 LT1 driving a 3.08 rear end through a specially calibrated four speed automatic.
Outside, you get body colored moldings, a rear-deck spoiler, special badging and grille, and rear window inserts. The interior features gray leather seats, black satin trim, leather wrapped steering wheel, and a center console. The 96's also feature an analog gauge cluster and a console shift.
1994 Facts, Figures, and Changes
Q: How many 1994 Impalas were produced? Is it a "collector's item"?
A: There were about 6000 copies built in '94, of which about 5000 made it into the hands of the public. This isn't really that rare. All 1994 Impalas were black, and it was rare to get one ordered from the factory, as most dealers had ordered out the supply.
1995 Facts, Figures, and Changes
Q: What was changed in the 1995 models? How many were built?
A: 94's had a small plastic insert in the window just forward of the C pillar (where the Impala emblem goes). For '95, all Impalas (and Caprices) have this curve stamped into the body panels. 1995 and later Caprices now have the speed-compensated volume stereos available. 1995 Impalas could be ordered in two additional colors: dark cherry metallic and dark green- gray metallic. In addition, the mirrors moved from being door mounted to being mounted on the window frame and made into the foldaway type. There were 18,649 Impalas built in 1995 (21,434 including exports). The color breakdown was 4,442 Grey Green Metalic, 9,858 Dark Cherry Metalic, and 7,134 Black.
A few more minor changes between the 94's and 95's:
The ABS controller unit looks to be different.
The steering wheel on the 95+ models is textured, like the horn pad, but my '94s wheel is smooth.
The 94 dome light is a cheesy looking square thing, while the newer cars seem to have a nice, oval setup.
The AIR setup was changed from the small, simple 94 design to a more bulky and visible setup.
The oil filler spout is different. The 94 is much bigger, but will accept the Mobil 1 cap w/o modification.
The coolant overflow changed from two hoses to one, with the corresponding change in the radiator design.
Second gear start was removed from the car.
The oil dipstick tube changed from a black "T" handled unit with an integrated wiper to a yellow unit without the squeezable wiper.
The radiator vent hose was dropped because under conditions of high coolant flow, a siphon effect could develop where cold engine coolant could enter the heating system at the recovery reservoir through the radiator vent hose. There is even a TSB on this problem, #431214 dated 4/19/94. The TSB suggests inserting a 3/8" diameter stud into the hose and clamping it to prevent the siphoning effect.
Note that many think the '94 dipstick was better looking, and it certainly was more functional with the integrated dipstick wiper. The part number for the tube is #12551831 ($10.73 list) and the "T" indicator is #10232187 ($9.45 list). It should be an easy mod, with one bolt holding the whole assembly.