tbi wagons getting some positive press

Nice article but it stuff that we already know that's why we love these cars !

The '91-93 cars definitely had the better interior, and that was by design. The Roadmaster and Olds Custom Cruiser had the best gauges too.

Unfortunately a number of manufacturers introduce a new platform with lots of features and the quietly take content out in later years. My other car has a shocking amount of content reduction in the 7 model year run, in places visible and invisible.

One of my favorite features that came only on the '91 B-body was a heater core coolant bypass valve that was vacuum actuated. If your temperature knob was all the way cold, that valve would bypass the heater core and you'd literally have zero heat in the HVAC module in the dash. In hot climates, this would make a difference. Other vehicles have these valves and I may retrofit one onto my wagon whenever I have time.

sherlock9c1 wrote:

The '91-93 cars definitely had the better interior, and that was by design. The Roadmaster and Olds Custom Cruiser had the best gauges too.

Unfortunately a number of manufacturers introduce a new platform with lots of features and the quietly take content out in later years. My other car has a shocking amount of content reduction in the 7 model year run, in places visible and invisible.

One of my favorite features that came only on the '91 B-body was a heater core coolant bypass valve that was vacuum actuated. If your temperature knob was all the way cold, that valve would bypass the heater core and you'd literally have zero heat in the HVAC module in the dash.  In hot climates, this would make a difference.  Other vehicles have these valves and I may retrofit one onto my wagon whenever I have time.

You may need the harness for the 91, because it has the return vacuum hose for the bypass valve. There are some variances in the wring. I found them when I was installing the 454, and trying to get everything to work.

sherlock9c1 wrote:

The '91-93 cars definitely had the better interior, and that was by design. The Roadmaster and Olds Custom Cruiser had the best gauges too.

Unfortunately a number of manufacturers introduce a new platform with lots of features and the quietly take content out in later years. My other car has a shocking amount of content reduction in the 7 model year run, in places visible and invisible.

One of my favorite features that came only on the '91 B-body was a heater core coolant bypass valve that was vacuum actuated. If your temperature knob was all the way cold, that valve would bypass the heater core and you'd literally have zero heat in the HVAC module in the dash.  In hot climates, this would make a difference.  Other vehicles have these valves and I may retrofit one onto my wagon whenever I have time.

I had that valve also in my 95 Jeep Cherokee (same part) and it left me on the side of the road when the plastic cracked (also broke on two of my wagons but when I was at home), so not a fan myself lol.

I see similar valves on most trucks at work. Some are factory and work with the knob on the HVAC panels. The best ones are a much simpler design. A 1/4 turn valve installed in the hose. Open for heat and close it to keep hot coolant away. Pretty simple. No wires, no custom parts.

I think most 70's era GM cars with A/C had a heater control valve...