saab 96 V4 to V6

[ethel]

Hi - i am new to this forum, i am new to saabs, and new to tinkering under the hood.
I have loved the shape Saab 96 since i was 15 and now im 30 i seem to have got myself one. One that doesnt run. Yet.
i have heard thay handle like a dream, and they need to be driven (if you know what i mean).
but
I read (on the internet) that some 96s were converted to the ford V6 engine (same as a mondeo) for rallying.
does anybody have any stories or advice (esp on the handling) - the more i think about it - the more tempting it seems.
would this be killing the nature or the car or taking it to a better place?

[enor]

Well, dropping the Ford V6s into SAAB 96 is a tried-and-true concept, although certainly not for rallying. Rally regulations do not allow (and never have) anything but a V4. As for handling.. well, the 96 V4 is pretty nose-heavy as is, so adding yet more weight to the car, in front of the front axle, certainly isn't going to be a picnic.

Keep in mind that the entire body was designed for the 2-stroke engine which weighs in at a mere 70 kgs-or-so.

Also, you're going to run into a host of other problems such as

* getting the gearbox to hold together
* finding a clutch assy that works with that kind of torque
* finding a place to put the radiator
* redesigning the oil trough
* trimming various body parts to fit the V6
* mating the electronics from the V6 to the ancient electrical system in the SAAB

To sum this up: If this is your first restoration project, or if you're experienced but just don't feel like taking on a HUGE project (because if you want it to work right it WILL be a huge project) - don't do it. Spend your money on rebuilding and tuning the V4 engine. There are lots and lots of goodie bits out there for it.

[ethel]

thanks
good advice & i know in my heart you are right!
I shall blame it on any youthful enthusiasm i have left.
I have to say i am not a purist thou and if there is anything to give the car some more poke i am all ears.

[enor]

The SAAB 96 V4 has been a very successful rally car. As such there are plenty of tuning bits on the market for it, it's really not a question of "can it be done", it's a question of "how much are you willing to spend"?

The V4 engine, in it's most refined form for competition use, put out some 180 Hp back in the day. That's with pretty poor driveability though, not very suitable for street use. But 90-100 Hp shouldn't be a problem, with maintained user-friendliness.

[part]

I am also on the "V4" side, which, when having good health, is not "just a sleepy old-timer" even at the totally original condition. The most usual stock 1.5 with 2throat Solex gives nice sound and runs good (and quite robust and long lasting). Of course, if I´d get me an 1.7 with sonett´s (faster ratio diff.?) gearbox, I´d be happy. However - I have started to wonder - what are the most simple tips to tune the 1.5 up to lets say 80-85 hp?

What are the experiences on raising the compression (heads to lower ca 1-1.5 mm or so),

flywheel to be lightened/if possible/ (how much and from where) and

the Cam profile to sharpen a little?

[boxman]

Originally Posted by ethel

I read (on the internet) that some 96s were converted to the ford V6 engine (same as a mondeo)

the V6 engine you would need would be a granada or sierra engine not mondeo, the granada/sierra engine has the same bell housing patten as the V4

[Fliptop]

One of my old V4s was a 1500 with SAH cam, skimmed heads with the exaust ports & flanges ground out to match the exhaust headers, lightened/balanced flywheel, and a 28/36DCD Weber on S&R manifold. I tried/made various exhausts over the years but obvious choice is a Jetex. This was good for about 85-90bhp. A good road car, if a bit stiff on S&R springs :wink:

Cologne V6 sounds a good cheap power mod in principle but they handle like a dog and you have to find somewhere for the rad etc as has been previously stated.

[earthworm]

I was able to "shoehorn" a V4 into a '60 93 and use the same radiator, and no overheating.
Actually the Ford engine(sans the fan) is several mm shorter than the "Shrike"..
Would a V6 actually fit without stretching the car ??
It would have horrible handling - the V4 was not too bad, but with very heavy steering !
Better, I think , but very risky, is a Triumph V8 in a 99 with power steering.