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/at...id=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.
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 . 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]

Originally Posted by Palmer1980

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

[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 , most mock my saab but it is ok cuz i am saab for life. those rims where made by borbet. 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/at...id=10170&stc=1
here you can see where i got rid of the crappy cubby

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/at...id=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/at...id=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/sh...ad.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 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://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.... . 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 . 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.