1996 manual question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 409
Likes: 87
From: Hutto, Texas
1996 manual question
I believe I have discovered an anomaly... All the information I am seeing, everywhere I have looked, tells me that in 1996 the LT1 was not offered with a manual transmission, only the LT4 cars came equipped with a manual.
I have however come across a white 1996 with a manual transmission and an LT1... I have confirmed the Vin shows a "P" as the 8th digit meaning its (at least by the VIN) an LT1 car, and the motor looks like an LT1 from everything I can tell from the pictures I have seen. I am waiting on more pictures from the owner of the RPO sheet and the tach since the LT4's all came with the 8000 rpm tach.
Were there manual 1996 LT1 cars?
I have however come across a white 1996 with a manual transmission and an LT1... I have confirmed the Vin shows a "P" as the 8th digit meaning its (at least by the VIN) an LT1 car, and the motor looks like an LT1 from everything I can tell from the pictures I have seen. I am waiting on more pictures from the owner of the RPO sheet and the tach since the LT4's all came with the 8000 rpm tach.
Were there manual 1996 LT1 cars?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 409
Likes: 87
From: Hutto, Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 86
The engine and the transmission have VIN derivatives stamped on them. There are also hidden VIN stamping on the frame. On a 96, one is under the battery on the forward facing frame rail. Requires removal of the rear half of the fender well. There is a "crayon" number on the rear face of the floor pan on the left hand side, under the car, forward of the half-shaft. Usually 2 digits, and the same number is behind the air cleaner assembly on the core support. Almost always, these two digits match the last two digits of the VIN. Almost always.
The machine code on the engine will tell you LT1 or LT4. The engine wiring harness which includes the transmission wiring is very different between manual and automatic in the 96. (The 60e has about 15 wires going to it. The MN6 has only CAGS and B/U lps wiring). An automatic to manual conversion is complex. I'm thinking the guys that are suggesting a VIN swap may be on to something.
1G1YY22P8T5115575 was built April 16, 1996. Lots of components like relays, master cyl, wheels, front cross-member, various suspension brackets and pieces, OEM shock absorbers all have date codes. Rule of thumb is that dates generally precede the assembly date by less than 3-4 weeks. Shock absorbers about 8-10 weeks. If component dates are much earlier than April 16, something's up.
The machine code on the engine will tell you LT1 or LT4. The engine wiring harness which includes the transmission wiring is very different between manual and automatic in the 96. (The 60e has about 15 wires going to it. The MN6 has only CAGS and B/U lps wiring). An automatic to manual conversion is complex. I'm thinking the guys that are suggesting a VIN swap may be on to something.
1G1YY22P8T5115575 was built April 16, 1996. Lots of components like relays, master cyl, wheels, front cross-member, various suspension brackets and pieces, OEM shock absorbers all have date codes. Rule of thumb is that dates generally precede the assembly date by less than 3-4 weeks. Shock absorbers about 8-10 weeks. If component dates are much earlier than April 16, something's up.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,311
Likes: 1,125
From: Vermilion OH
This is well worth following. Having the car in front of you and seeing the RPO codes will tell you everything you need to know. To be honest it was likely manual trans swapped or vin swapped. I'm extremely curious to see where this goes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
There are GM parts online sources that will allow vin to be typed in; to aid in getting correct parts.This VIN is for a automatic with a beige interior. IDK of a exterior part that isn't paint to match to get exterior color. Local GM parts department can run VIN for build RPOs. If RPOs don't match car, VIN swap would be suspected.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 70
Likes: 17
From: Morton, Illinois
https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/...076145029.html
Yes that is an LT1 and manual trans. I agree about the trans swap. Exhaust and brake rotors aren't stock, missing radio bezel. This has definitely had some work done to it.
Yes that is an LT1 and manual trans. I agree about the trans swap. Exhaust and brake rotors aren't stock, missing radio bezel. This has definitely had some work done to it.
Last edited by TorchRed427; Feb 27, 2020 at 09:26 AM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 745
Likes: 66
From: Hutto Texas
I have seen that car on CL as well and it is definitely a swap from an auto to a 6spd. That is not necessarily a bad thing if it was done right. @Raith If you are interested in it, go take a look at it, test drive it, and make an offer if you like it. The sellers asking price is a bit high and has some inaccuracies in the description. I live in Hutto and have a '93 LT1 6spd I just picked up a few weeks ago. If you have any questions or want to talk shop, just PM me. Keep us posted on what you decide to do.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 409
Likes: 87
From: Hutto, Texas
https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/...076145029.html
Yes that is an LT1 and manual trans. I agree about the trans swap. Exhaust and brake rotors aren't stock, missing radio bezel. This has definitely had some work done to it.
Yes that is an LT1 and manual trans. I agree about the trans swap. Exhaust and brake rotors aren't stock, missing radio bezel. This has definitely had some work done to it.
I have seen that car on CL as well and it is definitely a swap from an auto to a 6spd. That is not necessarily a bad thing if it was done right. @Raith If you are interested in it, go take a look at it, test drive it, and make an offer if you like it. The sellers asking price is a bit high and has some inaccuracies in the description. I live in Hutto and have a '93 LT1 6spd I just picked up a few weeks ago. If you have any questions or want to talk shop, just PM me. Keep us posted on what you decide to do.
And for those who were curious about the tach, he sent me a pic this morning, it's an lt1 tach. I am in agreement that it was an auto swapped to manual.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 262
From: Park Ridge New Jersey
https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/...076145029.html
Yes that is an LT1 and manual trans. I agree about the trans swap. Exhaust and brake rotors aren't stock, missing radio bezel. This has definitely had some work done to it.
Yes that is an LT1 and manual trans. I agree about the trans swap. Exhaust and brake rotors aren't stock, missing radio bezel. This has definitely had some work done to it.
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From: Rolla Missouri
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