Project 85 SPG

[Tyler]

Ok, here goes. I got this SPG in the fall of 2003 for $2500. It was basically untouched except the lovely, if not a touch gaudy gold mesh wheels. Tan interior, stock suspension, SAAB sport exhaust, black paint. Over the next couple years I've invested WAY too much time and money into it, and now it's about half way done (riiiight...).

Car: 1985 SAAB SPG Black/Tan.


Goal: To have the most fun with a street legal car possible. This includes, but is not limited to stereo and sound quality, power, handling, interior, aesthetics, reliabilty, efficiency, and overall balance.

Power:
Current Mods-

• JSP Front Mount Intercooler Kit w/ 2.5" stainless piping and silicone connectors.
• Greddy-style blow off valve
• 2.1 liter head and intake manifold
• 2.5" cat-back exhaust w/ Magnaflow turbo muffler
• Garrett t3-60 turbo
• K+N filter mounted on AMM
• Mildly tweaked APC (15 psi limit based on slipping clutch and the fact that I just put a rebuilt tranny in last month)
• Initial timing of about 20 deg., retarding to about 14 deg. at 15 psi.
• FMS 30# injectors
• JSP Stage I ECU

Future Mods-

• JSP Stage II ECU (sitting on my desk, awaiting it's matching...)
• Trionic red top injectors
• PCV catch can
• Larger diameter 9000 turbo clutch (needed BADLY)
• 3" downpipe (custom, using ATP's ultimate wastegate)
• Some sort of ignition system

Handling:
Current:

• Bilstein HD's
• Intrax springs trimmed to desired height (approximately too low)
• 16x7" Rota Slipstream wheels (~13 lbs.)
• Some garbage tires I'll never try again
• Worn out bushings basically everwhere
• Stainless Goodridge brake lines
• Cross-drilled rotors (did it myself)

Future:

• Brad's Adjustable ride height springs
• Dunlop Direzza's (replaced the lovely fm901's)
• New rubber bushings were applicable
• Brake upgrade

Interior:
Current-

• Swapped to a grey leather interior out of a late 80's 900 turbo
• Grant GT steering wheel
• Pioneer CD player with iPod connection and Polk 6x9's in the rear with an 8" JL Audio sub and some amp I got for free powering all of it.

Future-

• Corbeau or 9K Aero seats (If I am motivated enough for the fabriction required for the latter)
• Momo Competition steering wheel

Exterior:
Current-

• Tinted windows
• Rims mentioned above
• E-code headlights
• Black grill

Okay, sorry that was so long-winded, but I just finished a paper so I'm in typing mode. I'll take a stab at the picture part now.

[Tyler]

This is what the engine looked like today. It's a bit dirty in spots because I didn't get time to clean it, but soon It'll have a new valve cover in the same color as the manifold, and that crimped rad hose will be fixed. I also have plans to do something about the air filter just sitting there and the loose FPR. Thanks for checking it out.

[Boosted]

That engine is still really clean. Have you had any problems with the slivering in your e-codes flaking off? How thick is your intercooler? I wish my car was that straight and clean.

[Palmer1980]

Very nice!


I like the all black look!

[Tyler]

Boosted, I got the E-codes a couple years ago and they were kind of beat up, but it looked like the reflectors were still in decent shape. A bit dull maybe, but nothing flaking off.

Oh and the intercooler is 3" thick. For the record that's WAY too thick for a pre-facelift car w/ e-codes...Notice how the radiator is tilted back and I have smaller fans to clear the turbo. I will say that Jak did a great job on that kit though.

[mikewitdaspike]

i've found a new car to lust after

[SteveMcqueen]

I know as a wheel hooker, I should be hating those Rotas. But they look so gosh darn pretty! How have the held up in terms of bumps and stuff?

[philjohnhb]

Now that is LOW!

[Tyler]

Well even with the relatively crappy roads around here, they seem to have held up for the last couple years very well. The finish on them is not as durable as I'd like, but it's not too bad. And yeah, it's LOW. Too low, especially with the way the exhaust shop hung my magnaflow muffler so low...

[eddiethegreat]

I love the black beauty of this aero... and clear corner lights.

The pre-facelift aero still remains in my dreams.

Has it leather interiors? Of course I suppose

[Tyler]

Yeah, it came with tan leather that was actually very nice, but I hated the tan and swapped it to a grey leather that was in bit worse shape... But yeah leather either way.


-T

[Tyler]

Not much has been going on with the SPG, but I DID wash it today and take it for a trip up the mountain and back. I have to say, the IC has completely changed this car. I got to the top of this road (Highway 9), which sometimes requires sustained boost for long periods...Anyway, the outlet pipe from the IC is literally COLD. It was probably 55-60 degrees out today, and my intake charge must have been below that! Thanks to Jak again on that one.

In other news, my radiator fans are not coming on as early as they should and sometimes not at all, so I guess I need a new thermoswitch. Oh and the other day I got another fix-it ticket for my front windows, so I have put the clear ones back in (in the second pic). Tell me how ugly they look, please, so I'll be motivated to get them tinted very lightly as to not turn the heads of cops, but not to clash with my dark back windows either.

Bottom line, I love this car. It's crazy quick for what it has done to it, and for being as old as me.

[Tyler]

I realize there has been little to no progress with this damn car because money is short at the moment. After a few beers yesterday, I decided to do something free and install the valve cover I had powdercoated a month ago. It came out pretty well, I'd say.


-Tyler

[Breakin5speeds]

Thank you for convincing me to paint my new rims black and get clear corners

[SteveMcqueen]

That cover looks great!

[Tyler]

Thank you for convincing me to paint my new rims black and get clear corners

Hey, no fair, that was MY idea!! Ha, just kidding. What kind of rims did you get?

-Tyler

[Matthew]

Nice cam cover. Did the lettering end up powder coated? If so, I'd be interested in tips for removing the coating on the raised letters.

[Tyler]

I'd assume a sanding block would take the powder coat right off the raised letters, but I chose to leave it on.

[Breakin5speeds]

Hey, no fair, that was MY idea!! Ha, just kidding. What kind of rims did you get?

-Tyler

8 spoke Saab Branded MINILITES Made in great britain....awesome, I bent 2 of my shelbys, I happen to be getting cross drilled rotors as we speak, and I blacked the grille out the other day, with the rims, rotors, grille, and corners she'll be mean looking

[IronJoe]

Originally Posted by Breakin5speeds

I happen to be getting cross drilled rotors as we speak

sorry to threadjack tyler!

Breakin, where are you getting xdrilled rotors? are they the 86-87 type (vented) ? I was only able to find the non-vented discs in xdrilled...