Get this..an 8 valve Sedan Project...

[gregd4g]

So after being on here reading all the great info, cool projects and mods, I have given to my kindergarten like need to share. To begin with I have to say thanks to everyone here who takes the time to post info and how to's, because I would have been lost without them. It is what brought me, and I bet many others, here. And now on with our story.....

"Ladies and gentlemen, can I please have your attention. I've just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story. I need all of you, to stop what you're doing and listen. Cannonball! "

So I jumped in....

So I love movies..sue me. Anyway I was looking for a project to be used as a daily commuter and have some fun. You have to understand I am 37 and since I was 16, I have had 43 cars. It's not a typo. Mostly air-cooled VW's, a sprinkling of early Porsche and a dibble dabble of MG. I have always liked Saabs, a close friend of mine used to take us out in his moms 86 Turbo hatch. And my neighbor had the one that left the lasting impression...it was a black 87 SPG with tinted windows, the whale tail spoiler, rear window slats and that burble of an exhaust I can still hear. The license plates read BRRRRRRR. But I have never owned a Saab. So I am cruising through the craigslist ads and come upon an ad for an 87 Saab 900 for $600 and it is only 10 minutes from my place. I make the call. I have low expectations.

We meet later the next day and it turns out the guy owns his own little restoration shop and mostly does Saab! Good sign, very cool. We go to look at the car...it is in great shape body wise..maybe two spots of rust in the rockers and one in the right fender the size of a quarter. It runs like a top! Interior is a bit dirty but no rips and no headliner sag! So the deal is struck $500 and I am outta there with the car. What a bargain for such a great car.(The first 5 pictures are the day I brought it home 7 months ago)

So I do some clean and wax, oil change and call it a car for 3 months and she gives me no trouble. In the forth month I am ready to do some rehab on the girl. I read through the forums on what to look for and fix and add that to my list and off I go. PO had already done: L/R Inner/Outer tie rods, L/R ball joints, shocks all 4 corners, original tool set and owners manual with all records since new.

Here is what I have done and I do my own work:

MECHANICAL

-New auxillary idle air valve (thanks to the forum for showing me this was an issue)(this was also the best deal because I scored this $150+ part for $27,wanna know the secret? This part number is the same as a plethora of cars out there. Don't buy ours for $150 plus, buy one for another make and pay $27)
-new head gasket (didn't go bad..preventative measure after what I read on the forums)
-intake gasket (came in kit w/ head gasket)
-thermostat gasket (came in kit w/ head gasket)
-thermostat
-ALL coolant hoses
-coolant cap
-coolant flush
-synthetic oil change w/ Mobil 1 filter
-K&N air filter
-fuel filter
-plugs, wires, cap & rotor
-ALL vacuum lines/grommets (this was also per the forum)
-center exhaust section
-brakes
-tires
-transmission fluid
-A/C recharge (R134 update) yes self charged...had no leaks, just did the conversion.

COSMETIC AND INTERIOR

-all interior/dash bulbs
-hard dash cap (some people on the forum bad mouth these but it looks great when installed right and better than the "dash toupée" carpet cover)
-steering wheel emblem and painted horn buttons
-CD player
-floor mats
-detail, shampoo carpet and seats
-Repainted hood and cleared rear trunk and roof
-sanded and painted bumpers
-Undercoated and painted wheel wells with truck bed liner
-painted window trim
-new fog lights
-New Emblems all around
-wet sand, buff, clay bar and wax buff entire exterior
-new chrome exhaust tip
-SAAB front plate

So that's it for now until I get the itch to play again. Thanks everyone!

The first 5 pictures are the day it came home, the remaining 8 I will post next page...are current.


First brought home

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/saab1.jpghttp://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/saab3.jpghttp://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/saab4.jpghttp://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/saab5.jpghttp://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/saab6.jpg

[gregd4g]

Here are the current pics:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/saabdecember002.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/saabdecember003.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/saabdecember005.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/saabdecember007.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/saabdecember008.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/saabdecember009.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/saabdecember010.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/saabdecember011.jpg

[AlbertaDrew]

That beauty looks almost identical to my first c900....mine was a 1987 8V non turbo sedan with red cloth interior. I miss that old girl!

Enjoy the project and enjoy the car!!

Dr

[gregd4g]

Thanks for the comment AlbertaDrew....

More goodies came from Santa over the holidays. Well not from Santa exactly. I had to make a run to Pennsylvania over the holiday. As I am an avid car nut I am always on the lookout for treasure. Well last time I had been to Pennsylvania I spotted a shop that specializes in Old School Saab. I figured this time I would stop and look around. I was looking for a decklid and a chin spoiler for my baby. I met with great all around guy Drew. He works for the gang over at Lititz Auto Service in Manheim PA owned by Jeff Cook. I got to rummage through their goodies but no spoiler. Well long story short, I told Drew I was not only looking for the spoilers but a set of decent "Saab Silvervane's by Ronal". A decent set is hard to find, so I hear, at least here in the states. I found them on http://jpowell.tripod.com/saab-wheels/ . He laughs and says "I've got like three sets downstairs". No way! We go down and sure enough there they are! As well as many other wheels including a very clean set of early Incas. The price was VERY right and they were in excellent shape. So Merry Christmas to me! Money exchanged hands and they were in the back of my truck! So a big thanks to the guys, especially Drew and the info to the shop is as follows: Lititz Auto Service (soon to be County Line Auto) 3152 Lebanon Rd. Manheim Pa 17545...#717-664-5595 they have a great reputation and great goodies! So I brought them home, did some scrubbing, sanding and a repaint and....The new pics follow:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/december2020.jpghttp://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/december2023.jpg

[Squaab99t]

The new wheels look great. I've always liked the look of the "Panasport" style. 100% improvement over the frizbee hubcaps. Good looking solid 4 dr too. I love my 4 dr, not as sporty as the 3, but when I have more than 1 passenger...

[woywitka]

Very smart looking car. Talk to eggsngrits about interior dye if you are interested. He brought back a much more faded red interior with incredible results.

The car is in great shape, and I'm glad you are taking the time to care for an 8V.

[Saab named Jag]

When any of my saabs need work that I can't do Lititz auto service is where they go. I know one of the mechanics through the local racing scene (Take three geusses what he used to race in :cool: ) He took the saab master tech course but didn't want to work for GM. They know what they are doing and they are good people.

Nice looking car, makes me miss my four door.;)

[gregd4g]

So January came and went, but during that time some neat (well at least to me) things have been done. Some are creative, others just normal. First a new Radio/cd/dvd/7"touch screen was added along with 4 new speakers (Polk Audio 4X10 rear/4" front, to keep things stock). I love this new toy. Touch screen EQ/CD/DVD/Radio navigation, good sound and picture quality and the kids will love it on road trips to watch their movies! Next came new decals for my center caps ordered from ebay. I think they make the wheels look more finished now. Now these next two items, I love personally, but others may find stupid, incorrect or maybe creative. I don't really know but I like what I have done.

I did a little searching locally and sourced a rear spoiler from a '92 'vert to fit the trunk of my sedan. Now...I have seen others cringe at this elsewhere on the site..I have also seen positive feedback. This is my spin on things...The notch back of the sedan to me needs to be broken up and to me (although I do still like it) the optional spoiler that is normally found on the rear is not quite there. I also like the bridge spoiler, but for me it is a bit to busy looking on my car. To me, I like the way the spoiler is half way down on the 3dr hatches and to me using the 'vert spoiler gave the same effect. So there it is...my view. I removed the third break light from inside the window and used the same wires for the third light on the 'vert spoiler.

Ok so the next item many may laugh or you may think it's a great idea. So I have wanted a front "chin" spoiler like the ones found on the sixteen valve and the turbo, which basically just screws on to the bottom of what I have already on the car. I haven't been able to come up with a used one and didn't want to pay $130 or more for the factory ones I have found on line. I also very much like the very low chin spoilers found on the Carlsson/SPG/Areo but that was a no go for me right now. So what could I do? Be creative! I thought and thought about what I could use to make one. I even read through some bits on here about modding retro to the older spoilers pre face lift and didn't want to go through all that. I needed flexibility and strength. Laugh as you may I came up with this....lawn edging found as follows:

$14.47/Box Valley View Industries 20 Ft. Professional Lawn Edging
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100013884&N=10000003+90401

I cut it to length...did a little trimming and used the tabbed edge to screw it into the factory holes for the factory chin spoiler. It is solid yet flexible and you be the judge on the pics, but I think it looks like it is supposed to be there. It is lower than the factory turbo/16V spoiler. I love it.

Next, the hood insulation (the old foam crap) was falling apart on my nice clean engine. I wanted something light as well as lined with something that wouldn't shred. I also wanted it to be self adhesive. I found some expensive stuff online, but then I found this which fit the bill perfectly and was inexpensive:

$18.77/EA Thermwell 12 In. x 15 Ft. x 1/8 In. Self-adhesive Foil/foam Duct Insulation
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100028603

It has been taking the heat great, just like my truck bed liner paint I used for the exposed part of my exhaust that I wanted nice and black! So there were some pretty creative ideas (I think) that made quite a change on my car.

As you can see I also painted the chrome grill black. I sanded then used adhesive promoter to help out before using nice thick black heat resistant paint. I took out the metal Saab emblem and used my steel brush wheel to clean it up nice and give it back it's original brushed aluminum look.

Lastly I added a nice Thule (Swede) rack to my ride. There's my two bits guys, love it or leave it till next time. The Pics follow:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/Jan1.jpghttp://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/Jan2.jpghttp://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/Jan3.jpghttp://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/Jan4.jpghttp://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/Jan5.jpg

[snowboardin58]

looks GREAT!! Awesome project

[Orca]

Looking good :cool:
The lawn edging chin spoiler is very innovative.

[Saab named Jag]

That beauty looks almost identical to my first c900....mine was a 1987 8V non turbo sedan with red cloth interior. I miss that old girl!



Second that, I miss my old 900s:cry: . It was slow but Looked soo much better than my turbo. 1987 four door with maroon interior. On a sunny day that thing had soo much class, It was in great condition like gregs:) . Oh well give me a year or two and I'll see if I can't pretty my new one up some. I just wish I didn't have to work with a tan interior:( at least it isn't leather;).

[gregd4g]

Thanks for the positive comments guys. Working hard trying to make her nice...:cheesy:

[IronJoe]

Looking good. Definitely need to lower it ;-)

[gregd4g]

Ok Iron Joe I am majorly game to lower it. It's just I am low on funds. I recently became an economic statistic when my IT company went outta business. Is there a free way to do this? (LOL). Is it a major job without major tools to do it?

[SaabMon]

Another Saab C900 in Florida:D! Car looks great!I always liked the classy style of the 4 door C900.Yours is superb!

[Palmer1980]

Very cool. The 4 door is growing on me, and I love those wheels. Nice work.




I bought my C900 for 500 bucks too. It's a magic number.

:cheesy:

[gregd4g]

Thanks SaabMon! Way funny that you saw I was from FL and you live where you do...my best friend lives in Palm Beach Gardens, not far from you. I just got back last night, I was over there for a long weekend to do Super Bowl with him. I drove the Saab for the trip across the state by Lake Okeechobee, it was a blast with all that open highway across State Rd. 80.:lol:

[gregd4g]

Thanks Palmer. It's funny...your 900 is pretty much my favorite one on here. Your project was the first one I read all the way through when I joined. My black grille is because of your ride. My next read all the way through was Iron Joe's 'vert. You guys have some sweet cars.

[Palmer1980]

Hey thanks!

It's always nice to hear that, I have a ton of work into that thing.

You really should lower your car when you get back in the working world. A dropped 4 door would be pretty sweet looking, and pretty unique.

You should look for a set of SPG springs, or some Intrax springs. Not cheap, but the look is pretty sweet.

Happy sabbing!

[IronJoe]

Thanks Palmer. It's funny...your 900 is pretty much my favorite one on here. Your project was the first one I read all the way through when I joined. My black grille is because of your ride. My next read all the way through was Iron Joe's 'vert. You guys have some sweet cars.

Geez... reading all the way through both our project threads! Man, that's a journey.

Regarding lowering, a friend of mine recently cut his springs (not recommeded) but he likes the way it turned out:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/anathemasrevenge/0124091537.jpg






Lowering springs are around $200-$250.

[philjohnhb]

I think the vert rear spoiler works really well on your car. The whole thing looks like new, testimony to your hard work. Nice motor Squire.

[gregd4g]

Thanks Philjohnhb. You guys have made my year! Hearing from you makes my top three favorite cars/owners list complete. You are the only other thread I have read all the way through. You, IronJoe and Palmer1980 are the three I would have most wanted to hear good things from and now I have. Your 'vert is beautiful. Wow, I guess I'm doing ok. Thanks guys!!!!!!!!:D:lol::cheesy:

[gregd4g]

Not much recently, just a few things...

1. The oil pressure light was coming on at low idle and I read here in the forum that it was likely just the pressure sensor...$7, a new sensor and the problem is fixed.

2. As you may have read in previous posts I replaced every coolant hose..I have also replaced the coolant reservoir tank cap. The only problem I still saw now and then was coming off the highway at high speed, into merging traffic or a signal light. The temp gauge would rise from the halfway point to 3/4. I read a lot of info on the Townsend Imports site and here on the forum. I did have one cool spot in the radiator. After a little reading I found this could be slight clogging (mineral buildup). So in went a shiny new Nissen radiator. I have read about doing a re-core, but why???... the old unit weighs SO much more and copper holds heat longer than aluminum. The new unit did come with the correct drain, I read some others say theirs just came with a plug. Very nice. I replaced this with all new stainless hardware at the fans and mounts.

3. Also per the Townsend Imports site I did the fan thermo switch and thermostat upgrade. I went down from the factory 92 degree celsius thermostat to the 82 degree celsius thermostat. I ordered VW part # 823959481D (82 degree celsius fan thermo switch). This is a drop from the 92 degree unit. It fits right in the Nissen rad for the Saab.;) It was a quick job, only a couple of hours. I also followed this of course with a complete flush and the Mercedes Benz coolant. What a huge difference! It is always pegged at the halfway mark no matter what kind of driving now.

4. 4 new tires...upgraded from 185/65/15 to 195/60/15....big difference in ride quality and handling.

5. Painted my brake calipers and cleaned all wheel hardware.

6. I bought high heat exhaust paint and painted the header.

After all this she got a good cleaning and waxing, interior detailed and engine steam cleaned and detailed. I always overclean this car :lol:. Tommorow she goes to her first carshow...I hope to have pics.

Maybe I did do quite a bit this round :roll:

[brownie]

I always like seeing someone's 4 door project. Here's mine, which is an 85t with SPG wheels and Intrax springs.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc314/redwheel/DSC03713.jpg

[gregd4g]

As promised a few pics from the car show...

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/febshow010.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/febshow004.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/febshow016.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/febshow011.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/gregd4g/febshow013.jpg

It was a lot of fun. Not many foreign makes...I was the only Saab. Florida is full of American muscle and antiques. There were some cool aircooled VW's (my true love since I was 16) and a couple of Porsches and Austin Healeys. My car was the UFO with puzzled looks being the gesture of the day because of the backwards engine and tranny.:lol:

[Orca]

^ mate! That''s a gorgeous four door! You should be proud :cool:

[Donkehote]

It was a lot of fun. Not many foreign makes...I was the only Saab. Florida is full of American muscle and antiques. There were some cool aircooled VW's (my true love since I was 16) and a couple of Porsches and Austin Healeys. My car was the UFO with puzzled looks being the gesture of the day because of the backwards engine and tranny.:lol:

You should have tried to fool some people and told them that it was custom, and that it took forever to get the gearbox working properly :cheesy:

Seriously though, its a great looking car. I really like the lip youve made, looks really nice. i agree that 500$ is the magic price for saabs' both of mine have cost me that much. (each)

[gregd4g]

Thanks for the comments guys and BTW...nice 4dr brownie.

[Sheerdal]

Nice Job on the Car. Not alot of 8v floating around especially down here in Florida. I have an 86 8v that I am tinkering with. I'll have to post it up here.

I like the spoiler on the back it looks really good. Personally I like it a little farther on the back end but to each their own. You are right it does break up that back end and gives it a nice look.

[Tweek's Turbos]

Just saw the craigslist add, sorry I don't have a van.