1991 CADILLAC ELDORADO

• In addition to the previously offered Eldorado coupe and special edition Eldorado Biarritz coupe (option code YP3), a special edition Eldorado Touring Coupe (option code YP5) joined the series for 1991.
• As with other Cadillacs, anti-lock braking became standard on Eldos in 1991.
• Powering the coupes was the 4.9-liter V-8 mated to the 4T60-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
  • The 4.9-liter V-8 with port fuel in­jection improved the Eldo's 0-60 mph time to 8.2 seconds over the previously used 4.5-liter V-8.
  • The transverse-mounted engine was comprised of an aluminum block with wet, cast iron cylinder liners and cast iron cylinder heads.
  • It had a com­pression ratio of 9.5:1 and needed premium unleaded fuel with a minimum octane rating of 91.
  • The 4.9-liter V-8's functions were controlled by Cadillac's GMP4 Pow­etrain Control Module(PCM).
  • This 64-kilobyte on-board computer sensed vital operating conditions, including
    • engine rpm
    • intake manifold pressure
    • air temperature
    • outside air temperature
    • coolant temperature
    • exhaust gas oxygen content
    • throttle position
    • vehicle speed
    • accessory load level
    • brake operation
  • The PCM also functioned as a data storage system for service technicians to diagnose malfunc­tions.
  • Eldorado coupes also received new focused engine mounts that aimed the mounts at the engine/transmission torque axis, which aided in isolat­ing engine noise and reducing vibration.
• Computer Command Ride became standard equipment.
• Also new was the exterior color Polo Green, upping the total to 16 colors for Eldos and 15 for Biarritz.
• New options included a heated wind­shield system that melted frost and ice five tmes faster than a conventional defroster and a Security Package that includ­ed remote keyless entry, automatic door locks with central door unlocking capability and theft-deterrent system.
• Eldorado's Body Computer Module (BCM)--the heart of the car's sophistcated electronic information system--also provided driver and diagnostic information. The BCM also monitored and controlled functions such as air conditioning, Twilight Sentinel headlamp operaton, theft alarm and elec­tric cooling fan.
• Eldo's exhaust system featured a new wide-oval catalytic converter that provided 35 percent less restric­tion than the previous year's unit. The Touring Coupe had dual exhaust pipes with a specific rear valance and rocker moldings.
• The Touring Coupe's final drive ratio was 3.33:1, and its suspension provided a more "international feel" of driving. This suspension package included a 23mm diameter front stabilizer bar, 16mm diameter rear stabilizer bar and 16-inch styled aluminum wheels with Goodyear Eagle GTA P215/60R16 tires.
• The steering system was modified to include a quicker ratio (2.97 turns lock-to-lock vs. 3.13) and a higher effort steering gear compared to the standard Eldo.
• The Touring Coupe's coachwork featured body color front and rear fascias and rocker moldings, all with black bead edging. Side mirrors and door handles were also body color.
• The Touring Coupe also featured a grille-mounted Cadillac wreath-and-crest emblem. A cloisonne emblem highlighted the rear decklid, while Eldorado script was dropped from the fenders and decklid.
• The Touring Coupe also received specific tai­llamp treatment and offered six exterior colors: white, black, bright red (crimson), polo green, medium slate gray metallic and black sapphire metallic.

Regarding the 1991 Touring Coupe (option code YP5), there are few changes on the outside, although if you see one in Polo Green, you'll know it's a '91. The big news is all under the sheetmetal. First of all, the aluminum V-8 has been enlarged to 4.9 liters and 200 bhp at 4400 rpm, while the torque jumps to 275 lbs/ft at 3000 rpm. Meanwhile, the more powerful engine is marginally more fuel efficient: 16 mpg (14.7 l/100 km) city and 26 mpg (9.0 l/100 km) highway according to EPA. It's mated to a new four-speed automatic transaxle with overdrive, viscous clutch, and electronic shift control. Not only that, a new standard Computer Command Ride System boasts three automatically selected damping modes -- comfort, normal, and firm -- for better ride and handling under all driving conditions. And finally, an uplevel Bosch II antilock braking system has been made standard. All of the improvements are aimed directly at the driver, enhancing what was already a very good package. Acceleration from 0-60 mph has been cut to 8.2 seconds, Cadillac claims, though top speed remains a computer-controlled 125 mph.

Cadillac was adamant that the Touring Coupe is strictly a limited-edition model. That should help its prospects for collectibility in the future, while the excellent engineering will make it more than pleasant to live with until then. There's little to choose from between the '90 and '91 TC style-wise, but at least the Eldorado's smaller size looks friendlier to most eyes in 1991 than it did in 1986. The '91, however, is clearly the better choice because of the engineering enhancements. Even so, the '90 is no slouch, and is worth considering. Grab one now and enjoy it for the next 15 or so years at used-car prices. Either way, you'll likely be happy that you selected an Eldorado Touring Coupe. Motor Trend called the 1982-85 generation TC a "truly impressive handler for a car of its mass." For the 1990-91 models, there's less mass, even more impressive handling, and a lot more go when you step on the gas. How could you go wrong?

I. D. NUMBERS

The 1991 Cadillac had a 17-symbol vehicle iden­tification number (VIN) stamped on a metal tag attached to the upper left surface of the cowl visible through the wind­shield. The code was as follows:
The first digit "1," represented the manufacturing country (United States)
The second, "G" represented General Motors.
The third, "6," represented Ca­dillac
The fourth and fifth represented the car line/series, E/L=Eldo­rodo.
Digit six represents the body style: 1=two-door coupe/sedan
Digit seven identities the restraint code: 1=active (manual) belts, 3=active (manual) belts w/driver's side airbag, and 4=passive (automatic) belts.
The eighth digit identifies the engine: "B"=­L26 4.9L V-8
A check digit follows.
The 10th digit represents the model year, "M" for 1991.
The eleventh digit represents the assembly plant.
The remaining six digits identify the produc­tion sequence number.
Series: EL1
Body/Style: L57
Body Type: 2-dr. Coupe
Factory Price: $31245
Shipping Weight: 3470 lb
Production Total: 16,212 (includes Eldorados equipped with Touring Coupe and Biarritz options)

ENGINE

Type	90-degree overhead valve V-8
Block	Aluminum block
Cylinders	cast iron cylinder liners
Head	cast iron cylinder heads
Displacement	300 cu. in. (4.9 liters)
Bore & Stroke	3.62 x 3.62 in.
Compression ratio	9.5:1
Bhp	200@4100 rpm
Torque	275 lb.-ft.©3000 rpm
Lifters	Roller hydraulic valve lifters
Injection	Sequential port fuel injection

CHASSIS

Feature	Standard	Touring
Wheelbase	108.0 in.(2743 mm)	108.0 in.(2743 mm)
Overali Length	191.4 in. (4862 mm)	191.4 in. (4862 mm)
Height	53.2 in. (1351 mm)	53.2 in. (1351 mm)
Width	72.4 in. (1839 mm)	72.4 in. (1839 mm)
Front Tread	59.9 in. (1521 mm)	59.9 in. (1521 mm)
RearTread	59.9 in. (1521 mm)	59.9 in. (1521 mm)
Standard Tires	P205~70R15	Goodyear Eagle 0T4 P215/65Ri5

TECHNICAL

Transmission	4T60-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic with overdrive (includes viscous converter clutch)
Steering	Power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Front Suspension	indepen­dent Macpherson strut with coil springs. strut-type shock absorbers-integral-in strut and Computer Command Ride) and stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension	Fully independent transverse monoleaf w/automat­ic level control and Computer Command Ride. no rear stabilizer
Brakes	Power assisted front disc/rear drum w/Teves anti-lock braking system (Eldorado used Bosch II ABS)
Body Construction	integral body-frame
Fuel Tank	18.8 gal.

OPTIONS

Eldora­do Spring Special Pkg. (incl. cast alum wheels, full cabriolet roof, leather seating, Delco Bose sound syst., and gold or­namentation)			$115
FE2 Touring Suspension pkg	$155	YP3 Biarritz Opt,	$3,275
YP5 Touring Coupe Opt.	$2,050	Birdseye Maple Wood Applique	$245
Security Pkg	$480	Heated Windshield Syst.	$309
Astroroof	$1,550	Gold Ornamentation Pkg.	$395
Leather Seating	$555	Auto Day/Night Mirror	$110
Firemist Paint	$240	Lower Accent Firemist Paint	$50
White Diamond Paint	$240	Delco-Bose Sound Syst.	$575
Delco-Bose Sound Syst. w/CD	$872	Full Vinyl Roof	$1,095
Full Cabriolet Roof	$1,095	P215/65R15 WSW Tires (only w/FS2 Touring Susp.)	$76
Locking Wire Wheel Discs	$235	Cast Alum Wheels	$115.

HISTORICAL NOTE

Cadillac's model year production totaled 220,284 compared with 268,698 the year previous.
Based on sales at 213, 288 automobiles in 1991 (vs. 258,168 the year before).
Cadillac's share of the U.S. market was 2.61 percent com­pared with 2.78 percent in 1990.

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May 11, 2000; March 8/03