Question about Roadmasters

So now that our Explorer might be shot I am looking at possible transportation until I can get my car out. I have a lead on a '92 Buick Roadmaster Wagon for $1600 OBO. I was thinking this would be a good DD until spring at which point I can yoink the motor and trans for a motor swap for another car and sell the clean body to a buddy of mine who is obsessed with these cars and his is falling apart.

What I need to know is, in 1992 the Roadmaster is listed to have a 5.7L motor. Is this an LT1 or a another SBC? Also what trans did it come with. I know it is an 4 Sp Auto, but is is a 4L60E or a 700R4? Also what other differences are there in the motors besides the cast iron heads? Is the block cast iron or aluminum?

Please let me know any thoughts you have.

[JoeliusZ28]

not all roadmasters came with LT1s. and beware of "baby LT1s" too... only 4.3L

Im not sure if a 92 roadmaster wouldve had an LT1

[MP81]

Roadmasters didn't come with a 4.3L.

Only the LT1 and the 5.7L LO5 (TBI) were availible in '92

and it's going to be a 4L60, the 4L60E was released in '93.

[JoeliusZ28]

Roadmasters didn't come with a 4.3L.

Only the LT1 and the 5.7L LO5 (TBI) were availible in '92

and it's going to be a 4L60, the 4L60E was released in '93.

maybe roadmasters didnt but other e-bodies like caprices most definitely did come with a 4.3L LT1

[MP81]

Yeah, a friend of mine had a Caprice with the 4.3L.

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

maybe roadmasters didnt but other e-bodies like caprices most definitely did come with a 4.3L LT1

Yep, correct, but I'm 95% sure that all Roadies came with the 5.7.

I would love to have a Roadie wagon as a project...I know, I'm sick...

[Camaroe3]

Well all you realy have to do is write down the codes that is on the ECU . the ecu is under the air box. under the hood. It should have a few strips of code. Then look the codes up. or just post them and i can run them for you. also look at the back of the driver side door by the locking pice. their should be info on the car their. or look under the hood that shows the belt map.

[phoenix_rising]

Okay I will check it out. If it turns out that it is a 5.7L SBC and not an LT1 would it still be worth it? Nick was mentioning that he thought it might be a 2 bolt main 350 and thought it might not be worth it. But maybe I can talk my buddy into going in together and buying the car and giving me his LT1 car.

[TSTONE]

ROADMASTERS ALONG WITH GRAND MARQUIS/CROWN VICS ARE SOME THE MOST UNDER-RATED VEHICLE AROUND - THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS UNDER CARRAGGE RUST ON THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES - OTHERWISE PRETTY MUCH BULLET PROOF - WE HAVE A FEW THAT COME IN ON A REGULAR BASIS OVER 150k

sorry bout the caps

[MP81]

I'm not sure about the output on the L05, but it was a pretty widely used motor (used in trucks).

[phoenix_rising]

Any idea what kind of output I could expect or if built what I could expect?

[MP81]

Wait - I made a mistake.

The '92 Roadmaster ONLY came with the L05.

The LT1 wasn't installed until '94.

The output for the L05 was 180 HP (Not sure about torque).