Swapping Door Mirrors for '93-94 FWB

[Cadillacboy]

Dear Cadillac Fleetwood Owners ,
I would like to know the possibility of swapping door mirrors of '93-94 FWBs to '95-96 FWBs .
Anyone bothered such a job ,is it directly bolted on or requires some mods other than that fillin up the door mirror holes in the doors to 93-94 FWB .
Thanks

[caddycruiser]

Why would you want to revert back to the smaller mirrors that really cut down on visibility and look out of place, in comparison to the newer ones?

That said, if you're missing a few screws and really want to do it, going backwards (i.e. desirable larger mirrors placed naturally in window corner vs. smaller mirrors on door skin), it would involve getting the fill in piece from a '93-94 where the '95/96 corner mirror is, and then cutting out a mounting spot/hole where the small mirror goes.

OR, if you meant the other logical way, of replacing the small, strange looking '93/94 mirrors with the '95/96 ones, that involves body work and paint to fill in the hole where they used to be, then having the right pieces to mount them in the corner. Technically, is a bit more involved than the backwards swap.

[cadydaddy]

Yeah I think hes asking to switch to the newer mirriors.

My mirrors on my 94 do not seem super sturdy, like if someone bumped it hard, it could come off...are anyone elses 93-94 mirrors kinda lose?

[Cadillacboy]

Thanks for your inputs !
I was aking to switch to the newer mirrors .I think '95/96 mirrors have better rear visibility to '93/94 .
In any case,I will install a rear view camera when I get a FWB but would like to know each possibility about upgrades .
I would like to buy a LT-1 engine FWB and '95 seems better way to go but ' 94 also comes with LT-1 but those model year has door skin mirrors .
Another possibility, I will buy a '93 (sorry forgot it's engine code) and change it to a LS6 or LT1 which means better performance .
I don't know if '93 engine would feel strong like '94 and up

[96Fleetwood]

To do it right, you need new front doors from a '95-96 Fleetwood. Otherwise, you are going to be drilling and filling into your existing doors.

[coleman]

Originally Posted by Cadillacboy

Another possibility, I will buy a '93 (sorry forgot it's engine code) and change it to a LS6 or LT1 which means better performance. I don't know if '93 engine would feel strong like '94 and up

The L05 engines in the 1993 are weak, mainly because they are gasping for air. Still a small block Chevy, every tweak that works on every other small block chevy can be made to work on a L05 (head, cams, exhaust, etc). I have a 1993 that's not going to have any trouble keeping up.

If you go through the trouble of an engine swap, go big and get a modern engine. LQ9 engine is likely the best choice. Cheap, amazing aftermarket, 6.0L, and designed and tuned with a heavy vehicle in mind. I installed a LS1 into my old Trans Am, same family of engine. If you work the harness right it's actually not all that inconvenient to splice in the modern electronics. It does takes time and a bunch of effort. It's no small effort but it is very possible.

[Cadillacboy]

That was what I already thought but it makes sense I dunno .I better keep searching for '95-96 FWB.I'd still do it only if '94's doors are traded in for '95/96.
Thanks Elias

[Cadillacboy]

Originally Posted by coleman

The L05 engines in the 1993 are weak, mainly because they are gasping for air. Still a small block Chevy, every tweak that works on every other small block chevy can be made to work on a L05 (head, cams, exhaust, etc). I have a 1993 that's not going to have any trouble keeping up.

If you go through the trouble of an engine swap, go big and get a modern engine. LQ9 engine is likely the best choice. Cheap, amazing aftermarket, 6.0L, and designed and tuned with a heavy vehicle in mind. I installed a LS1 into my old Trans Am, same family of engine. If you work the harness right it's actually not all that inconvenient to splice in the modern electronics. It does takes time and a bunch of effort. It's no small effort but it is very possible.

Thank you
I don't know about LQ9 .One other thing 6.0L Escalade's engine perhaps it's what you called LQ9 .
Thanks for your help

[coleman]

The LQ9 is in many of the high output trucks. Many trucks that have the "Vortec MAX" badge on it, the late model "SS" trucks, and the Escalade. There's also the more common very slightly lower output LQ4 which is still 6.0L. The LQ4 has ~50hp less from the factory but has lower compression, is just as strong, and loves boost

If you're gonna do an engine swap, spare the LT1 car for someone else and buy a '93. You'll also have less wiring wierdness as the TBI cars are phenominally simple under the hood. If you can handle the swap I promise you that you can handle the mirror swap

And if it's any consolation towards buying a '94 or '93; if you want an immaculate mirror swap you only need to swap the doorskins and not the entire door. Any bodyshop can do this.

[Cadillacboy]

Thanks coleman for your valuable posts
Since LQ9 is more powerful than the stock LT1 ,'93 FWB might be right choice .However what makes the things complicated ,if '93 FWB's tranny can handle with this engine and what's more if I need a custom PCM that provides the engine running immaculately ,things might change .So, if this is the case then LT1 engine is more appropriate despite less power to LQ9

[coleman]

Yes, you'd need a complete swap to do it smoothly. That's the engine (LQ4 or LQ9), transmission (4L60E or the stronger 4L65E), PCM, exhaust manifolds, wiring harness, MAF, and a few of the other little things. A swap setup is usually about $3000-$4000. You can find a decent '93 Fleetwood for $1500. Budget another $1500 for contingencies.

I did get it working fine in my Trans Am with almost all GM factory parts (and the Trans Am has a nearly identical front frame section). The only custom parts are the transmission crossmember, driveshaft, exhaust pre-cat pipes, and air intake. I would definitely not call it "simple" but it was almost entirely a hand-tool installation. If you want power today and you want it easy - LT1 is a great engine. Just don't choose a car by its mirrors alone!

Waaaay off topic, sorry guys. I just wish more people were playing with these modern engines. They are absolutely incredible ways to change the nature of the beast.
__________________
1981 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Turbo - LS1/T56
1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham - 383 Vortec/4L60
1993 Mazda Protege LX - BP-ZE/G25M-R
1994 Mazda Protege DX - B8-ME/F25M-R

[Cadillacboy]

Thanks ,much appreciated your all replies . Body of the thread is mirrors but engine also as important as mirrors may be it should be more important .
Anyway, I'll keep your advices as a reference