The following is a post done by STEALTH on the Cadillac Forum site. We thank STEALTH for giving permission to share with all Allante enthusiasts

 

Cadillac Allante XYZ Facts 

AIR BAGS - Installed on the 1990 to 1993 Allante models. Including the Phase I 1990.

AIRBRIDGE, Allante Airbridge - Manufacturing of the car began in Detroit where two underbody assemblies, based upon a shortened El Dorado chassis, were boxed with wiring harnesses and 107 other components for each car (including air conditioner, steering system, and Delco-designed electronics). Underbodies and components were then flown to Turin in specially-configured Lufthansa and Alitalia 747's. Upon arrival at the Turin facility, the actual body of the car was attached to the underbody assembly, then received a top-notch paint job at a special paint facility, developed for the Allante. The bodies were then flown back to Detroit, 57 at a time, where Cadillac installed the engine and drive train. This "Allante Airbridge" was considered "the longest assembly line in the world".

BODY, EXPRESS WINDOWS - Installed on models years 1989 and on.

BODY, COACH WORKS - Corrosion resistant zinc coated treated steel and aluminum topside panels. In 1993, urethane body bushings were introduced.

BODY, ALUMINUM PANELS - The aluminum top as well as the other two aluminum body parts, the trunk lid and the hood lid, are said to have been manufactured in Switzerland.

BODY, DOORS - same for all years, except the 1993 changed.

BODY, DOOR LATCHES - The door latches on all 1987 to 1992 Allante are identical, with the sturdy tapered pin which locks the door to the body perfectly and may in fact help create a life capsule/cabin. The door latch on a 1993 Allante is identical to the economy 1997 Lumina latch - a cost savings that may weaken the structure of the cabin compared to the earlier models.

BODY, CHROME STRIPS - Stainless Steel strips are found on the bumpers on all models. On the 1987 to early 1990 models, there is also a strip on the leading edge of the hood and fenders framing the headlights. No hood / fender SS strips on 1990 ½ to ‘93..

BODY, UNI-BODY - The unit body floor-pan was a shortened El Dorado / Riviera floor-pan. A more correct description is that the V-body FWD automobile platform was used twice by General Motors, the Buick Reatta & the Cadillac Allante . It was a downsized version of the E-body used in the Old Toronado, Buick Riviera and Cadillac Eldorado. Both V-body cars were personal luxury cars and sold in limited numbers: Reatta ‘88 to ‘91 and Allante ‘87 to ‘93.

BRAKES, ABS III, Bosch - Used on 1987 - 1992 Allante. System employed, among other innovations, a highly pressurized nitrogen gas charged ac u m ulator to control braking, skidding and stopping. Reliability is dependent on maintenance and it is said to have one of the best stopping records ever. BUT it has to be maintained - brake fluid is only good for 24 months. System manages each wheel independently for maximum stopping ability. The 1993 models did not have this system and the anti-skid ABS is instead controlled per axle like most avg cars.

BRAKES, ABS/TCS SENSORS - It is believed that the 1992 Allante had a change in wheels sensors, at least as far as the ABS/TCS speed sensor pickup is concerned. Wheel sensors are used to monitor wheel movement and activation of the ABS system should it be needed.

BRAKES, ABS Relay, ABS Pump, ABS Accumulator - The brake relay on the 87 through 92 Allante supplies power to the brake pump that pressurizes the Accumulator  when the system calls for it. Should any of the three fail, the ABS stops working. The relay (pn 1636972) is currently available new and found behind the coolant system reservoir . The pump and Accumulator are available as rebuilt units.

BRAKES & TRACTION CONTROL - Installed on all 1990 to 1992 Allante models. Traction control is an electro - mechanical enhancement to the basic Bosch III ABS.

CLUSTER, Digital - There are two different designs. In ‘87 Digital was the only available unit, ‘88 – ‘93 digital was std; analog optional. Digital ‘87 to ‘89 is the same part #, ‘90 to ‘93 will not work on the older models. The PROM in the BCM retains the total original mileage for a car. The digital cluster will display what the BCM computer tells it to display from memory.

CLUSTER, Analog - There are three different designs.. 1987's did not come from the factory with an analog cluster. 1988' and 89's used the same analog cluster, which will fit 1987's just fine. 1990 through 1992 used the same analog cluster, which is different from the ‘89 unit. Lastly, 1993 analog clusters are unique to 1993 Allante's, and they are different from all earlier models. The analog cluster has a mechanical odometer, which advances with the car's forward motion, and has no way of going back other than mechanical tampering. The analog ignores the PROM in the BCM which continues to retains the total original mileage for a car in memory. There are different part numbers for the different clusters. That's the easiest way to tell. But beyond that, the '93 analog is easy to ID since the tach range is higher than for the earlier models. The way to tell the earlier two models apart is through the warning lights section. The 1988/89 does not have traction control or air bag warning light like the 1990/92 analog.

CLUSTER, compatibility - The analog and digital clusters for 1993 fit 1993 ONLY. The analog and digital clusters for 1990 through 1992 fit ‘90-‘92 ONLY. 1987 digital cluster will fit 1987 through 1989. ‘88/’89 digital clusters will fit ‘87 through ‘89. The ‘88/’89 analog clusters will fit ‘87 through ‘89. Nothing is backward or forward compatible outside of these groupings.

COMPARTMENTS / KEY LOCKED - 1987 to 1989? No locks on ‘90 ½ to ‘93.

DASH, dash pads - ONE piece dash no separate pad. 1990 -1993 are same configuration. 1987-89 are the same. The difference between the two: area under the steering column, switch bezels and method of attaching them,1990 and up has the knee bolster under the column, under dash trim on the driver side is different for 1987-89 than it is for 1990-93.

DIC, Driver Information Console - 1987 and 1988 use the same DIC; 1989 is 1989 only and has unique part number; 1990 through 1992 use the same DIC; 1993 is 1993 only (info per Dick H.)

DIC, lights - Backlighting on 1990 - 1993 CC-DIC is grey in color with black lettering, while the 1987 to 1989 CC-DIC units have a greenish-hued backlighting.

DIC, music media - 1987 - 1989 have a vertical tape drive, 1990 to 1993 have a CD & a horizontal tape drive.

DIC, BOSE STEREO SOUND - The DELCO-GM / BOSE Symphony Sound System was used in the 1987-1990 models with a 100 Watts and the 1991-1992 with a 200 Watt system. The 1993 model dropped the BOSE in favor of cost reduction and was shipped with an economy sound system that sounds anemic. 200 watt rear assy is pn16146476 with internal amp pn16148748.

EMBLEM-NORTHSTAR - The Northstar fender emblem was placed on the 1993 models. Some units display a sticker, some display the metal emblem.

ENGINES / H.O. ENGINES (High Output) - The 4100 (170 hp) was used on 1987 - 1988, the 4500 (200 hp) on 1989 to 1992, and the 4600 (270 hp) NorthStar for 1993. The 4.1 and the 4.5 used the std blocks but among other things sported unique pistons, different camshaft profile and roller rocker arms to reduce reciprocating weight, crankshafts, manifolds, etc. The Northstar was introduced in the Allante pace cars for the 1992 Indy 500 - this was the 1st generation and use of the Northstar. The 1993 had a mid-year V4J engine change. All these engines have shown a tendency for headgasket failure due to coolant issues. Experience has shown that all coolants failed to protect the aluminum engines after 24 months. The Touring and Sports Coupe El Dorados were also given their own versions of the N* in the late '93 models as was the ‘93 Seville STS.

GLASS - all OEM glass was made by "Sikursiv" Dealer pn # 3523653 for windshield glass, same pn 89-93, driver faux window pn #: "1644829 WDO F/S/D 10.681 0 K". Door glass of course changed in 1993.

INTERIOR / QUIET CABIN - Sales brochures of the early models was that with the top down, the advanced aerodynamics allowed for a normal conversation at 55 mph - with the FAUX vent window, model years 1987 to 1992. The locking compartments behind the seats were eliminated in 1990 ½. In 1991, the trim around the door openings was changed to black no matter what color interior was in the car. The FAUX window vanished with the1993 models, cost savings and increased wind noise.

INTERIOR COLORS - Saddle; Maroon for ‘87 to ‘89. Charcoal, maroon, and natural beige for ‘90 to ‘93. Liner for H.T. Black on all ‘93, matching colors for other years. Liners for Soft Tops, BLACK.

FUEL TANK - Fuel tank capacity increased in ‘93 and the baffles inside the fuel tank were now gone creating sloshing sounds behind the occupants on some cars. Probably a cost savings and creating a partial recall.

IGNITION SYSTEM / VATS - Introduced in the 1989 model year as an extension of the theft resistant system. A chip / resistor in ignition key.

LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY - A technological advance was the Exterior Lighting System. The exterior lighting system in model years 1987-1992 Allante is one of the truly unique and advanced features. The system allows a bulb that has burned out or is in failing mode, to be replaced with another available bulb by the BCM. For example, if the LOW headlight on the drivers side burns out, the fog lamp on that side is turned on and the driver alerted to the failed bulb via the DIC, Redundancy is also applied for rear lights, stop lights, etc. The lighting controls actually serve to program the Body Computer Module (BCM) with your desires for the way things should be, but the BCM actually calls the plays. All of the exterior lights (and inside courtesy lights) are turned ON and OFF by small electronic devices called Output Switch Modules (OSM) by what you desire, understanding that the light unit you expect may or may not be the one turned on by the BCM as it substitutes failed bulbs or filaments to accomplish the job desired. And of course, reports failures (and in some cars failing but still working) of filaments or bulbs to the driver via the DIC.. This technological advance was deemed too expensive for the 1993 model year and cut in favor of cost reduction. Not available for the 1993. (original info provided by JIMHESLOP)

LIGHTING, REDUNDANT - The left headlight is turn ON when cranking to test the Redundant Lighting feature. The system uses a relay for both the left headlight and taillight, so if the BCM detects a problem in the OSM-driven system, it grounds these relays which bypasses the OSMs by providing direct power to the left lights so you will have enough light to get home or at get off the road, safely. The left headlight comes on during starting to test the system. (original info provided by JIMHESLOP)

MARKETING - The SALES BROCHURE - The 1997 Cadillac marketing catalogue/brochure shows on its first entry, the Allante as the New Spirit of Cadillac. A Silver/Maroon, sporting factory alloy wheels, and RED Accent stripe was photographed topless, in front of the Music Center in Los Angeles California for the catalogue /sales brochure.

MAP LIGHT - With the powered latch design, the MAP LIGHT design changed in the Phase II, 1990½. Along with this change, the famous droopy visor was replaced.

MIRRORS, OUTSIDE - in 1989, the outside rearview mirror standoffs were shortened about 1 inch to improve line of sight. Once again, the mirrors changed in 1993 with the disappearance of the faux windows.

MOVIES - Tango; Cash, Cadillac Man, Terminal Velocity, Lethal Weapon 3, Steven King's The Stand, Rocky V .... TV Shows: Dallas, Married with Children ...

OIL LIFE MONITOR - Installed on model year 1989 to ‘93. This unit determines the frequency of oil changes based on algorithms of usage.

PAINT - EXTERIOR COLORS - TOTAL Production for all 7 years: code color qty;
The known colors include: 84U Hawaiian Orchid (Mary Kay, unk qty); 98U Pearl Flax (yellow) 88 units; 99U Other Special 128 units; 21U Montana Blue 149 units; 29U Verde Flax (Teal) 151 units; 43U Maroon Metallic 166 units; 92U Gray Metallic 305 units; 43U Burgundy Metallic 363 units; 49U Light Blue Metallic 374 units; 45U Gold Metallic 426 units; 38U Light Beige Metallic 758 units; 09U Opaque White 856 units; 91U Polo Green 960 units; 86U Pearl Red 1,091 units; 30U Silver Metallic 1,807 units; 48U Black 2,526 units; 47U Bright Red 5,132 units; 55U Pearl White 6,151units. If you add all those 7 years, your total is 21,431 cars. This is a area of controversy as other colors have surfaced and could be under 99U Other Special, but clarity is lacking. Specials: dark gray, metalized quartz, yellow ?

PAINT - Pearl colors seem to have been an option, around $700.

PLENUM - originally was rigidly mounted to the plenum. In spring of 93, different mounting bolts with torque fittings on bolt heads were installed on a RECALL. Rubber was installed under bolts so that if plenum blew up, it would press on top and come down again. Needs to be done on ALL 1993 models.

PRODUCTION QTY - At its onset, for the 1987 models, 3,363 units were produced. Production slowly declined until model year 1992 when 1,932 units were produced. For the 1993 model, 4670 units were produced. From 1987 to 1993, a grand total of 21,430 Allantes had been produced.

PACE CAR - In the May 1992, the 1993 Allante become the Official Pace Car 76th Indianapolis 500". It was powered by NorthStar 32 valve Powerplant. The car was all original except for the safety features, like the 5 point seat belts and the light bar as required by officials for a pace car. The pace car was a RED and sported the 16" alloy wheels (PF4 aluminum bright). They were two identical pace cars, but only one was used to pace as the 2nd unit was for backup. The 1st unit was pulled out after its last run due to low fuel and the 2nd unit made at the ready, but did not get to run the track.

PRODUCTION / 1st UNIT - The earliest production Allante known to have been sold is believed to be VIN# XHU100106. A Silver/Maroon with Black (Repainted) Accent Stripe and Digital Cluster, built in December, 1986 and sold in Florida. However, this was not the first production Allante built. About 100 production units were not sold as they were used for testing, safety and various purposes.

PRODUCTION / LAST UNIT - The Allante dream was stopped by the economic downturn of the ‘90's. The last 1993 Allante built was VIN# 1G6VS3390PU129311 dated July, 1993. It is a Bright Red with Natural Beige Interior, silver accent stripe and analog cluster. It resides in the Cadillac museum in Detroit. Cadillac concluded the Allante program an economic failure. At the time GM was losing billions in their various automotive programs, and having lost nearly $5000 per Allante, the program was ended. Many of the electronic components and design features built into the original Allante are now found in many modern GM cars.

SEATS - The 1987 -1992 were equipped with the thick leather, multi-position Keiper-Recaro seats made in Austria. The 1987 - 1988 seats had multiple segmented panels for the bolsters, and the switches faced UP; were next to the seat. The 1989 -1992 had single piece panels for the bolsters, switches facing sideways & next to the seats. The 1987-1988 models had a seatbelt hoop attached to the headrest, it vanished with the 1989 models. The Recaros had three different headrest designs: ‘87, ‘88, ‘89-‘92. Due to cost reductions, the 1993 models dropped the Keiper-Recaro seats and received economy El Dorado seats.

SEAT - COLORS: Saddle Tan only occurred in 1987, 1988, and 1989. Saddle Tan was discontinued after the 1989 model year. From 1990 on, the interior color pallette included charcoal, maroon, and natural beige(which was somewhat lighter and grayer than Saddle Tan). The phase II cars had a rear pocket for storage of the mini-covers.

SEATS - BACK POCKETS - These were a Phase II introduction on the 1990 ½ Allante. The pockets were designed to hold the new style mini-covers used to cover exposed hardware of at the boot cover.

SPARE - in 1991, the telescoping section for the spare tire in the trunk floor was eliminated.

STEERING WHEEL, TELESCOPING - used in 1987 to 1990. In 1990 ½ the air bags made their appearance and the telescoping wheel vanished. SEEMS cruise control & mirror controls were also moved at this time.

STRUTS - Model years 1987 - 1988 had passive struts, 1989 to 1993 had electrical driven variable damping struts. Availability of OEM replacements on the later, terminated. However, the passive struts can be used after disabling the SDD messages on the DIC.

SUSPENSION - the Speed Sensing Suspension started in the 1989 .... The idea was to make the car comfortable (softer, cushier, etc.) at lower speeds and normal driving maneuvers and then to instantly stiffen the suspension with aggressive inputs and higher speeds. Parts no longer available. In 1993 suspension was modified.

TAIL LIGHT ARRAYS COLOR - For 1987 - 1992, internal lens colored keyed in a complimentary color to the car’s color. Some of the known are: SILVER or RED for red cars, SILVER for other colors where it would be complimentary; BLACK for black cars, BEIGE for the beige metallic cars, blue for Blue cars. On 1993 all cars went to the Silver, a cost reduction. Red, Black, Silver Gold, Beige, Blue, etc ... for 1987 to 1992 models. Manufactured in Spain.

TAIL LIGHT ARRAY, BULBS; Sockets - The 1987 - 1988 have dual sockets, the 1989 is a transition year with either single or double sockets, the 1990 to 1993 have single sockets. The proper bulb is 2057 with a BRASS base (the1057 bulbs tend to damage the light arrays).

TELEPHONE - 1987 to 1990 ?

TRANSMISSION - 440 turbo hydro transmission 1987 - 1988. For the additional hp of the 4500 engines of 1989 - 1990, the 440 turbo hydro transmission was modified including larger axles to handle the increased power (440-T4 was later renamed the 4T60, also it appears the 4T60, the THM 440-T4, and the F-7 are one in the same). The 1991 and 1992 had a 4T60E electronic transmission - solenoid valves are unique to 1991 and 1992 Allante and parts are no longer available (it is reported that the 4T60E transmissions are also used by the 1992-93 El Dorados - unverified) The first 1993s had the 4T80E, the later V4J 1993 saw another transmission, from the ElDorado. With V4J Northstar engine you can use the 1993 ETC and STS transmissions.
Also, the F-7 and 4T60E are very similar but the valve body is different and there's some things to beef it up such as an extra 4th clutch plate).

TRIM - Chrome trim (SS) on front edge of hood and around headlight on the fenders, 1987 - 1989.

TOP, both - Manual front latch operation for 1987 to 1990, powered front latch from 1990 ½ to 1993. All equipped with glass rear window, electrical rear window defrost, and REAR pull-down.

TOP - MINI COVERS - With the Phase II for the 1990 ½, the shape of the mini-covers changed. In models 1987 to 1990 ½ the mini covers were stored inside the soft cover boot well. On 1990 ½ the storage of the mini-covers was shifted to a pocket behind the seats.

TOP, Soft - Canvas exterior and fine fabric insulating liner. Black ‘87 to ‘92 with two new ‘93 options: the Montana BLUE / ‘93 BLUE; 26T and ‘93 MAROON; 76T. Robins is the recommended source for replacement material. The BOOT COVERS changed with each Phase.

TOP, ALUMINUM - Model years 1987 to 1989 were sold with both the soft canvas and hard aluminum tops. The aluminum top become an option for model years 1990 to 1993. Design of latches changed on Feb 1990 (90 ½ models) and those tops are known as the Phase II and were used until the 1992 model. In 1993, the Phase III top was introduced, the 1993 car now had no faux vent window, and the difference from the Phase II is ONLY the weatherstripping. It is reported that the weatherstrip for the Phase III is identical to the weatherstrip for the soft top. It is reported that for 1993 models, 330 cars were produced as dual-top cars (xPU10xxxx) but that a total of 618 Phase III hardtops were made. All 1993 hard tops are reported to have BLACK FABRIC liners, instead of matching vinyl. Weatherstrip for the Phase II; III is now an aftermarket item. All 1993 factory installed hardtops have vin#'s with the last 6 digits starting with 100XXX. All the 93's have VS in the vin#. In the earlier Allantes VS was a convertible only car and VR was a convertible that came with a hardtop and soft-top. All 1987 to 1990 ½ are VR cars.

TRUNK PULL DOWN - 1987 had none and was added on the 1988 to 1993 models.

WEATHERSTRIP - later / in process

WHEELS / RIMS - Early models 1987 & 1988 had 15" alloy rims, silver paint. The 1989 to 1992 models had 16" alloy rims identical to the 1987-1988 wheels except for their bigger size. The 1993 models had two different OEM designs, 16" rims - a standard painted alloy and a chrome-over-aluminum alloy. Both had a similar bullet design, OEM chrome units have the bullets with a depression around them while the OEM silver units had the bullets raised on a flat surface. Model years 1987 - 1992 had identical aluminum center caps with riveted wreath and screwed on multicolor crowns. The 1993 had a plastic cap with imprinted wreath and crown and the 1993 chromes seem to have a metal chromed center cap with imprinted logo. Seems that Cadillac also used the 1987 - 88 rims on some 1988 Sevilles.

WIPERS - The two wiper assemblies are not equal or interchangeable. The passenger side is a shallow design needed to clear the hood. The refills are the Pylon 20" or the Trico 43-200.

VIN - The 17 position VIN itself does not detail such things as colors, trim, or optional accessories. You will find that info in a tag in the spare tire compartment.
The first 3 digits, 1G6 mean Cadillac (6), built by GM (G) in the United States (1).
The next 2 mean 2-door convertible (VS) or 2-door convertible with removable hard top (VR). All 93's have VS in the vin# regardless of configuration - on ALL cars, 93's included, the last 6 digits determine the soft/hard top..
The next 3 digits, 317, deal with driver/passenger restraint systems (31) and the 7 indicates the engine.
The ninth is a check digit.
The next 2 are the year (J =198? and the assembly plant (L = Detroit/Hamtramck)
The next 2 again indicate the configuration, (12 = 2-door convertible, 10 = convertible/hardtop, 15 = export).
- All 93 factory installed hardtops conform with "10" , dealer added hard tops conform with the "12".
The final 4 are the actual serial number of the car

VISORS - changed on the Phase II cars and on, eliminated the garage door opener in the map-light.




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