Jose's "Saab Speed Edition"

[saab_speed_maniac_2k6]

I figured i've been spending enough money to be worthy of starting a new project thread. Here is the run down on the ride:

Started off as a bone stock 1990 Saab 900s N/A
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10152&stc=1
(This is after louvers and rims and spoiler were installed)

Upgrades:
1. Msd 6AL ignition box with Msd Blaster 2 coil and Msd Wires.
2. K&N cone filter
3. 27# fuel injectors and 3 bar fuel pressure regulator Swedish Dynamics
4. 9 lb. Aluminum flywheel & 8 1/2 in Centerforce clutch from group 9
5. Dropped in a Turbo motor from 1988 900. :cool:
6. standard t3 turbo with fresh rebuild and 360 degree oil seal and ceramic coated upgraded quality exhaust housing.
7. 2 of 3 polyurethene Motor mounts (3rd will be ordered next availiable check)
8. High flow cat, Magna flow muffler with 2 1/2 stainless steel exhaust pipe
9. Additional gauges

Uninstalled Parts laying around:
1. Megasquirt 3.57 getting set up for coil on plug set up, boost control, and response to knock.
2.Lc-1 wideband air fuel gauge and controller.
3. Megasquirt relay board
4.Proform shiftlight

Next on list to be purchased:
1.Remaining components for needed Megasquirt
2.Front mount Intercooler
3.Uprated bypass valve
4.steel plate and oil cooler "kit" for transmission
5.Battery relocation kit
6.Turbo downpipe
7.additional guages
8.DRIVETRAIN components

Looks:
1. 16 inch rims
2. Saab rear window louvers
3. custom modified side skirts (don't worry, they are very simple, nothing ricy)
4. exhaust tip

Current Projects:
1. Big suprise....waiting for 1992 5-speed tranny to arrive:roll: . then need to swap.
2. I am actually proud of this...I am fiber glass coating the dash removing the big unnecessary cubby in center and hugh cracks and adding gauge pods and shift light. Pictures soon.;)
3. trying to squeeze as much power safetly out of the turbo motor while still using the 1990 N/A computer until megasquirt is ready for install.
4. rebuild heater valve while dash is out.
5.assembling megasquirt system

That is all of it in a nutshell. I will try to take more pictures. let me know what you guys think.

[Palmer1980]

Very cool!

[Squaab99t]

Very cool!

Second that...
IMO out of your list I'd put your efforts and money towards the stand alone engine management. Not only will it give your engine more power, but a smoother torque curve so it will be better for the trans.
BTW, nice list of completed items.

[thestig99]

Very nice, I like the wheels.

BTW.. SWEET avatar :cheesy:

[ziedoniz]

What is the manufacturer of the wheels?
Btw white colour looks realy good on a classic 900 ;)

[saab_speed_maniac_2k6]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the positive reply:cheesy: , most mock my saab but it is ok cuz i am saab for life. those rims where made by borbet. :cry: unfortunatly they are no longer on the car. i totaled one of the rims when i plowed into a curve. i got new aftermarket rims but i like the old ones better. 3 rims are still good. i am thinking about someday seeing if i can have the 4th one repaired and refurbished. I am gonna be working on my saab all weekend so hopefully i can post some updated pix.

[saab_speed_maniac_2k6]

I am still waiting on the tranny, turns out it was delayed for a week and gets shipped out to me tomorow. o well it was done to ensure high quaility parts. Anyways i was working on the dash all weekend and just now finished laying the middle coat of gloss black. i am gonna lay some clear coat later but i figured now is a good time to upload some progress pix. i hope you guys like them.

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10170&stc=1
here you can see where i got rid of the crappy cubby

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10171&stc=1
I fiberglassed the glovebox lid too. i am gonna have my upstairs neighbor airbrush some simple emblems and letters on for me

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10172&stc=1
those arent ripples. i think it is reflection from the shelves behind it

I took these in the dark just now... well almost in the dark i took a couple of lamps out side. you should have seen the look on my downstairs neighbors face. ha priceless... anyways i will get better qualitly once it is back in the car with everything mounted back on.

[TheRedBaron]

I see no mention of suspenion - some bilstein or koni shocks, it will greatly up your enjoyment of the car!

[Matthew]

Hey Jose, read this thread about posting photos:
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54050

SC's picture attachment facility is too weedy to support decent-quality photos. If you host them off the site then you can show us your project in all its glory :D Details in the link above.

The current limit on photos is 9 per post. To display more photos, put 'em in an additional post.

Nice thread BTW - I look forward to following this one.

[ejenner]

damm - 9 photos..! I've been limiting my posts to 6 photos... was that the old limit?

[saab_speed_maniac_2k6]

Hey guys,

I know I haven't posted in a while. It has been very hectic. I have had to travel every weekend this month for various reasons and I did recieve my transmission that was supposed to be 91+ but I have dated it to maybe around a 83(dont know for sure, they removed the part number). I am just gonna have to eat it. I need to get my car back on the road. I will just turn down the boost and baby it until I can get my next years tax return. Then I will take my 3 dead transmissions and some money, throw it all in a big melting pot, stir thoughly, and hope and reliable transmission will rise from the ashes. I do have more pictures to load up but i need to find an image host and I dont have time between work and dealing with the people I bought the transmission from and ups who has lost my polyurethene motor mount. I keep calling customer service and talk only to automated machines. Anyways please bare with me and I will post some new material soon.

ps. do you think with a proper manual, a shadetree like me can rebuild a saab transmission? If not does anyone have cheap alternatives?

[DanF.]

Car looks good... I love the white.

I can't help you on the transmission dilemma though..

Where are you located?

[ejenner]

The old boxes aren't entirely useless.. If you have a 5-speed from around 83' / 84' / 85' era it's worth having a peek inside to see if it has the chillcast bearing housing for the pinion bearings on the main shaft. These are much stronger than the normal cast iron bearing housings... later and earlier boxes had the weaker housing. There is information elsewhere on this forum that would help you identify the different housings. If you find a chillcast bearing housing then it can be installed into any of the other boxes as an upgrade.

Personally - if you're not confident then I wouldn't attempt a transmission rebuild. I found it quite difficult when I recently re-did mine and I'd consider myself well past the 'shadetree' stage at this point.

When you rebuild a transmission and you replace all the bearings you'll need to spend around £300 to renew them all. Probably cheaper in the US... perhaps $450? So if you're going to give your gearbox to an 'expert' to rebuild for you... just beware of anyone who quotes less than the cost of the bearings themselves for a full rebuild... because obviously, they aren't doing a full rebuild if they aren't charging enough to cover the cost of the parts required for the job. If the price is high enough then you need to ask if that includes all of the bearings as well? Probably around 12 bearings if you want the full set. x2 pinion for the main shaft, x2 pinion for diff, x2 for driveshafts, 2 or 3 in the primary housing, x2 more on the layshaft.. can't remember where they all go.

[saab_speed_maniac_2k6]

Hey guys,

I finally had some time so here are new pix of the dash. this is pretty much what it will look like minus a little wire loom to pretty it up.

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/][img]http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/1ada5c232e.jpghttp://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/1ada5c232e.jpg
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/8e6bc594c2.jpg
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/ed88ffacd6.jpg
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/9887d3a0c5.jpg

I will post again when i figure out what i am gonna do about the transmission.

b.t.w. Swedish dynamics is great. Ups lost my motor mount so SD sent me another. I got the other and it is perfect.

[idiot_saabvant]

See my project thread BAAbS I recently rebuilt my tranny. A combination of 78, 84 and 88, plus all new bearings/journals. Not counting shipping and all new bearings and associated journals, where applicable, my total came out to $325 in AK so ejenner is correct about price. I list all bearings, chillcast pinion housings, transfer case/primary case and chillcast housing. ejenner's thread also does same. You have three trannies and earlier years, so may be in better shape because less miles (perhaps) but more importantly less hp to the tranny as most would be from 8V or NA 16V. I spent 70-80 hours dismantling used and rebuilding my current tranny. Of this I spent 4-6 hours making "special tools". If you have a press then the task is not difficult, just really challenging the first time.

ps

[Boosted]

I rebuilt my transmisson last year and spent $750 in parts. Of course I went crazy with all new bearings and syncros.

[saab_speed_maniac_2k6]

I pulled out the transmission again....:confused: . Anyways, I am gonna send it back to these jerks and have them send me another. I already told them i am not gonna pay anymore and they have to cover all the shipping back and forth. I am also gonna demand a part number b4 they send it and i am gonna demand that the transmission have the part number on it. the last one they sent did not have it on it.. the only thing i saw was scratch marks from the screwdriver. anyways afterwards i will raise hell, only after i have my new transmission. I dont know if i will have the time to rebuild my own. i will have to worry about that later. i really need my saab. i am driving a ford exploder that is auto and v8 and rwd. the complete opposite of my saab. i just got the turbo running good too. i was getting so addicted to that feeling of the turbo spooling. not to mention it was alot nicer on the wallet..fuel comsumption wise at least. o well. I will try to post when i get this all figured out.

[saab_speed_maniac_2k6]

Hey all,

I am still dealing with the transmission people. it is getting ugly. anyways. not much to report. car is dusty, rotors are rusty, jose is :cry: . I am going down to my moms where i keep a 88 900t parts car. does anyone know if i can switch the fuel ecus with no wiring involved. i am doing little things while it is sitting. i will probably do the distributor capsule mod soon. thanks for all advice.

[85spgATL]

I like the thread... Did you rebuild the turbo. or just purchase a new one?

[saab_speed_maniac_2k6]

The turbo is a stock one rebuilt with all the usual and a 360 degree exhaust oil seal. the only thing is that every used turbo i found had a severely cracked exhaust housing. so a buddy helped me find a upgraded quaility steel exhaust housing and i dished out for the ceramic coating. i am hoping to some day buy a ceramic bearing turbo but that is way down the road.

[saab_speed_maniac_2k6]

Hey buddies,

No real update. still waiting on refund money to go buy another tranny and hopefully some gauges to complete my dash project. I also did the distributor vac capsule mod by bending back that stopper a little and adding a washer to cancel the advace since it is still using a ezk system and not an apc. it came out pretty well. i cant wait to see what it does. I have an Idea for a big brake upgrade. I know the front rotors and calipers from a 9000 will fit with a little modification. My idea is for the rear. I am wondering if it is possible to install 89 front rotors to the rear and use front calipers for a pre 87 900.I am hoping since they all use similiar mounting brakets that i can maybe modify or just plug and play them. of course i would install a proportion valve so the rear wont lock so quickly. Has anyone tried this? I have all the required parts scattered across family members homes (parts cars) but i dont really have a car or time or money. i do want to try it soon but i dont know if it would b worth the effort and gas money. any thoughts?

[saab_speed_maniac_2k6]

Thankfully I finally have the time and proper materials to post. This is the latest.
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/1869/dscn0079t.jpg
This picture is from last year. This is what it looks like with out the racing seat, and Kilen springs.

1990 "Saab Speed" edition pics/vid
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2614/dscn0044zk.jpg
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/2905/dscn0079h.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA_G7lnKhaM
Sorry the engine was dirty in the video. I just fixed an oil cooler line leak, plus I drove it on a 2 hour trip just before the show. I stopped at a car wash but their engine degrease setting was broken. But it runs great, the trip usually takes 3 hours. Gotta love 4 a.m. traffic.

Current condition: layed out with another dead 5-speed. Good time to renovate

Current projects:
1. Complete install of megasquirt
2. Weight reduction
-custom make lighter door panels and other interior pieces
Remove
-ALL a/c and heater components including wiring
-back seats
-insulation under carpet plus new black carpet
-all useless wiring and ecu/components
3. Transmission repair

To buy
1. 34 lb trick flow fuel injectors
2. Intercooler/bypass valve
3. Blisten shocks

Present Modifications:

Engine: 88 turbo
1. 27 lb SD blue series fuel injectors
2. K&N cone filter
3. Megasquirt 3.57 (currently being installed)
- Coil on plug ignition
- Electronic boost control
- Knock control with knock LED
4. 2 1/2 inch stainless steel exhaust
-high flow cat
-Magna flow muffler (the video makes it sound weird but it sounds alot better in person ;))
5. Poly urethane motor mounts
6. 3 bar fuel pressure regulator
7. mildly port and polished intake manifold and throttle body

Drivetrain:
1. 8 1/2 inch Centerforce clutch
2. 9 lb aluminum flywheel
3. 16 inch aluminum wheels / 205-55R16 Goodyear Eagle H2
4. Kilen lowering springs (20% increased spring rate)
5. Removed sway bar (helps alot with understeer)
6. spring cradle poly Urethane bushings

Interior:
1. Summit racing seat with 4 point harness (driver side only)
2. Fiber glass coated dashboard
3. 7 gauges various brand plus adjustable shift light
-Transmission temp
-Oil temp
-Wide band air/fuel (on A-pillar)
-20lb vac/boost gauge (on A-pillar)
-Volts
-Water temp
-Oil pressure
4.pedal covers

Exterior:
1.SPG vent covers
2.Modified Honda side skirts
3.Original Saab window and sunroof ventshades

[saab_speed_maniac_2k6]

This is my design for megasquirt sequential coil on plug. I modified an original valve cover plate and used ignition coils from a 99 dodge intrepid. I had to flip the plate and correctly space and stagger the coils so that they would rest on the spark plugs just right. What do you think?

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/8573/dscn1245v.jpg

Here are more pictures.
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/2103/dscn1246z.jpg
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3017/dscn1247km.jpg

[swmeatball]

Hey Jose,

I'm getting my megasquirt going at the moment, the plan is to go with the dizzy and fuel for the moment, but i want to get a COP set up going. Was pondering the LS2 coils, what made you go for the Intrepid units? Do they have a built in igniter? or did you have to put extra ignition drivers in the MS box? And how are you triggering them? I was thinking of doing wasted spark and triggering them with the distributor pickup. Anyhow, just picking your brain here, any info appreciated,

Zac

[spgeebee88]

very cool COP. i thought about going that route but i just went wasted spark with ford escort coils for my car. your luck your running V3.0 i was doing v2.2 and had to build a wheel decoder circuit witch made it difficult. but that should be easy to set up

[saab_speed_maniac_2k6]

I know that the ford ignition works well but I eventually want a 7.2k redline so I figured COP would be best. I chose the intrepid coils because you can buy them at any Oreilly auto parts new for 30 bucks ($20 when I bought them) each with a lifetime warranty. The coils also power .60 gap platinum plugs in the intrepids so they should be strong enough. Plus I figured since Intrepids are everywhere so wiring harnesses would be easy to get. They are a 2-wire set up. I added 4 coil drivers. Since there was no room inside the 3.57 megasquirt, I added an extra proto-board on top of the case. I routed all the wiring between the proto and ms2 through the DB15 which is pads 6-19 on the 3.57. Then I added a db20 that connected the proto mounted features to a second wire harness that I made for the ignition. There is a 36-1 wheel on the crank and a modified saab distributor on the cam. For the COP ignition you need both a crank trigger and a single tooth cam sensor. That's how I did it.

[spgeebee88]

nice work! how does she run?

[saab_speed_maniac_2k6]

I had spent a whole spring break building 2 entire new wire harnesses and fabricating the coil on plug plate. Since at the time my 1990 was still a daily driver and I had only one distributor to modify, I made sure that everything that could be done was done. Then 2-days before the scheduled weekend that was going to be the complete conversion, the transmission crapped out. EEHHH:x. Luckily 2 months later I bought this 1987 900 for 250 bucks.
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/4352/dscn0980z.jpg
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/1766/dscn0981l.jpg
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/6548/dscn0984m.jpg
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/4513/dscn0987qy.jpg
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/185/dscn0988xh.jpg
It needed a fuel pump plus things that go bad siting for 4-5 years. It had 113k when I got it.

Anyways, since the 1990 is just a toy now I am gonna tear it all apart. The rebuild will consist of a rebuilt tranny (got enough dead ones to make a good one), Weight reduction, and a completely installed Megasquirt. I am saving monthly so I am hoping to have it race worthy by the end of spring tuning and all.