Ways You'd Improve the 1st Gen W

[digitaloutsider]

I think I have one a lot of us forgot.....

RELOCATION OF THE FRIGGIN ALTERNATOR ON THE LQ1'S!!!!!!!!!!!

What dumbass came up with that idea??????

 

It's really NOT THAT BAD. Where else are you going to put it? Something would have to go down there, and I'd rather it be the alternator than say the PS pump.

[Stevo]

Use a rod-based linkage system for the E-brake. Pulling up closes it and pushing down disengages it with rods pulling fully open the caliper instead of cables that can stretch or seize in their shroud. It's easier to replace a rod and linkage than a cable which is just straight up annoying as hell when one side pulls more than the other.

 

V8's in upscale Cutlasses, Grand Prix's, Luminas and Regals with V6's for base models. They had the ability to put FWD V8's in cars at that time so what the hell. Face it ... the standard RWD V8 was hitting around 170hp and a FWD V6 was low balling 130hp? Sheesh! The GNX was in a league all it's own and why we got the worst off all this technology is beyond me.

 

NEVER use cheap ass materials like Pleather/Plastics that cracked so easily from UV damage.

 

Seating that has seams which don't come apart before the warranty is up (or right after).

 

Goddamn distributor drive shaft uselessness that was hands down almost as bad as intake/head gasket issues.

 

No friggin monoleaf.

 

No 14-15" wheels. Bleh! it isn't the 70's anymore.

 

I have never witnessed anyone using a trunk rack ever, why use em?

 

Hood latches that don't break under the strength of a 3 year old.

 

Stronger hinges for coupes that actually can hold the door without sagging.

[GP1138]

Rust really ISN'T that bad on these cars. You should see the 1990 era Subaru Legacy wagons and sedans we have come in. EVERY SINGLE ONE has rust holes in the rockers and some in the doors. I've cleaned cars that I've been able to kick rust holes in the rockers.

 

W's really aren't bad for rust.

[CNBZ34]

I think I have one a lot of us forgot.....

RELOCATION OF THE FRIGGIN ALTERNATOR ON THE LQ1'S!!!!!!!!!!!

What dumbass came up with that idea??????

 

It's really NOT THAT BAD. Where else are you going to put it? Something would have to go down there, and I'd rather it be the alternator than say the PS pump.

 

Actually I disagree, that's exactly what they should have done. Powersteering pump located where the alt is with an external reservoir and an adequate cooler. I've seen it on many other GM's. Especially given the failure rate of alternators on the LQ1's, even with the ducting and internal cooling fans as is on 2nd gen LQ1's. Just my opinion. After having to change mine 4 times now and each time having to remove the half shaft, splitting the ball joint and tie rod end and fighting with the rear bracket nut in addition to blindly hooking up the cooling duct. Very poor design in my book.

[93cutty]

Should of made a 442 with a tune port V8

[Stevo]

Should of made a 442...

 

I know I am cutting your quote in half.

 

They did make a 442. Guess we expected more than a 4cyl, 4valves/cyl, 2door...

[19Cutlass94]

really I dont think the brakes are that bad at all. You get what you pay for in that department, remember that folks. Whoever said manual tranny's +1 to you! I wish there was more.

 

If GM knew what they do now about these cars. More than likely most of these things would have been addressed. However for the era that they were made, most of it was current technology.

 

[Addicted To Boost]

GM did a pretty damn good job on the first gen W's for their time. Sure they had their flaws, but they were still pretty damn good. Afterall, there are still TONS of them around alive and running. I love my W.

[Olds88Cutlass]

GM should have put more Quad 4's in the supreme.

[Stevo]

I think people are completely forgetting the 87' Buick Grand National.

 

Now stack that against pretty much all the 1st gen W-bodies.

 

Do you really think GM did the best they could at that time???

 

I think not.

 

Rear Wheel Discs should not have happened because the cars at that time were not fast or powerful enough to justify it.

[GP1138]

Rear discs should not have happened until '95... and even then they put drums on the Luminas and Montes, so they must have known they fucked up... the brakes on my Z are dismal, on first startup, they're totally useless, I live on a hill, and I roll backwards out of my driveway and have to all but literally stand on the pedal to get the car to stop barring putting it into gear.

[Addicted To Boost]

The brakes on my TGP work excellent... stops very fast, and very hard... as good if not better than any other car I've driven. I think the discs were a good idea. Drums suck.

[pwmin]

you and i seem to be on the same page, nick

 

i fear for my life when i have to stop the camaro or blazer w/ those rear drums.

[Addicted To Boost]

you and i seem to be on the same page, nick

 

i fear for my life when i have to stop the camaro or blazer w/ those rear drums.

I think we are... take both of my cars, mustang and TGP- the TGP stops MUCH faster. Mustang is a little scary... again, drums suck ass! And with no ABS on the mustang it will just skid forever... in a stop the TGP takes 50 feet to stop, teh stang will take at least 100 ft. I have MUCH more faith in the TGP brake system than just about any other car I've ever driven. Oh and I've NEVER had the wheels lock up on the TGP, not even the rears.

[digitaloutsider]

Don't compare PMIII to typical first-gen brakes.

[Addicted To Boost]

PMIII IS first gen 1 . I have to admit I've never driven a vacuum brake gen 1 though.

[White93z34]

ok ok ok the 88-93 brakes are downright awful.... with the exception of the 89-91 Powermaster III cars, those stop on a dime.

[Addicted To Boost]

the 89-91 Powermaster III cars, those stop on a dime.

Agreed on that part for sure.

[pwmin]

Don't compare PMIII to typical first-gen brakes.

how do you know i dont have PMIII? okay, i dont i have pretty much the same brakes as my 96 did now. i did think they werent too good when they were old stock, but still better than the other two. i dont think the cobalt stops much better than the 96 did and theyre supposed to stop pretty well.

 

ok ok ok the 88-93 brakes are downright awful.... with the exception of the 89-91 Powermaster III cars, those stop on a dime.

yeah, if the PMIII is working

[synistershadows]

heres what i say!

 

- better rear brakes

- a V8 option

- RWD!!!!!!!!

- handbrake

- stronger tranny

- a bit more agressive looks on the cutlass(good for the time though)

- a 442 model

[Euro]

 

 

ok ok ok the 88-93 brakes are downright awful.... with the exception of the 89-91 Powermaster III cars, those stop on a dime.

yeah, if the PMIII is working

 

EXACTLY!!! At least our brakes don't fail over time besides the usual......frequent pad/rotor change.

 

I think discs were a good idea, drums blow ass.

[GP1138]

I feel like Loudcut.. I have a four page thread in a day and a half.

[Rdrckt_92]

off the top of my head:

 

Better paint/clear-that shits just terrible

More powerful 3.1

better sealing of the trunk, so it doesnt leak all the time

better 88-93 rear brakes

maybe use different springs so they sit a little lower, I dont really think the huge wheel gap is necessary

[chadz34]

I think GM should have had the 3100 in the early models and not even made the 3.1, it was too underpowered. Secondly, if the 3.4 DOHC was to be a performance engine, it should have had a bit more power and maybe been in higher scaled W's, or have a turbo or supercharged special edition. L67's needed to come into play before they did. Interiors needed to be less bland and not blind you when you look at them. Alot of controls were hard to reach my 92' Lumina Z34 has no cup holder and some interior pieces look cheap for 17 or 18 thousand dollars new......That's all I can tihnk of now......

[Rdrckt_92]

o I forgot one, better intake gaskets for the 3100