[Dads Toy]

I saw this for sale for $700 and was considering taking it on as a project. The floor and rockers are good. Just the front end is the major problem. Is there a modern replace to use like a mustang II front suspension that has the rack and pinion? Wanted to know before I get knee deep into this and have no way out before I start. Was thinking of using the new mustang steering and replace the motor with an LS V8 or 5.0. Has the original V4 motor in it. Don't know if it any good. The car has been dry barn stored for over 40 years. Last register 1980's.
Should I buy or not...

 

[jvanabra]

I think you may have overestimated the size of the car... it's about the size of a Beetle.

 

[Dads Toy]

I think you may have overestimated the size of the car... it's about the size of a Beetle.

I think your right. And after thinking about it. Must go smaller. I did just see some video's of the V4 being rebuild and sound amazing. Might just stick with it if the motor is good to rebuild. This would be the dream concept I would want to build. Available parts are my main concern.

 

[jvanabra]

As mentioned elsewhere, I think the ideal motor swap for a Saab V4 might be a Ford 3-cylinder Ecoboost. That's a lot of power from a very light motor in a very light car. Back in the day, a good swap was a Mazda rotary, but the old dual rotor motors are hard to find, and modern Renesis motors not much easier. Subaru flat motors are much too wide unfortunately. Maybe try and find a Mazda K8.

 

[Dads Toy]

As mentioned elsewhere, I think the ideal motor swap for a Saab V4 might be a Ford 3-cylinder Ecoboost. That's a lot of power from a very light motor in a very light car. Back in the day, a good swap was a Mazda rotary, but the old dual rotor motors are hard to find, and modern Renesis motors not much easier. Subaru flat motors are much too wide unfortunately. Maybe try and find a Mazda K8.

Never thought about the Ford motor. They put out a lot of power. Good call. Have to look into that. Main concern is the front suspension is broken. Tie rods, steering links, ball joints, shocks springs etc. Those are the parts I am more concern about sourcing. Thanks for the input. cheers.

 

[jvanabra]

Eh, it's '50s-era technology. I'd say if you're up for stuffing a non-factory motor in there, probably finding a k-member that works well won't be too difficult.

 

[Joshinator99]

The OEM V4 engine is also a Ford, FYI…

The gearbox is finicky, especially the freewheel mechanism. It’s not a strong unit either, and you cannot bolt it up to an LS or 5.0 engine. The floor plan layout will not accept a RWD engine/gearbox setup without major surgery. Working on the 95/96/Sonett chassis can be expensive and there are not a lot of experts out there. Mark Ashcraft is one, and he’s not cheap to be sure. I invested a significant amount of money into my Sonett, which uses the same suspension, engine, gearbox, etc. So there’s no way you get out of restoring that for cheap money. Buying the actual car is the cheapest part lol…by far…

 

[Dads Toy]

Thanks Joshinator99. More soundly to say its best to keep the original systems, motor etc. Won't be a super car. Just a nice sounding, good looking vintage car. Always best to keep it simple and the rest of the idea's will come into play. Yes the cheapest part would be buying the car..lol It's more like how much of your time do you want to commit to it. Not how much its going to cost. Its a dream at this point.

 

[Joshinator99]

Thanks Joshinator99. More soundly to say its best to keep the original systems, motor etc. Won't be a super car. Just a nice sounding, good looking vintage car. Always best to keep it simple and the rest of the idea's will come into play. Yes the cheapest part would be buying the car..lol It's more like how much of your time do you want to commit to it. Not how much its going to cost. Its a dream at this point.

I committed four years and $20K towards my Sonett restoration, and that didn’t include interior, paint work, or final reassembly (or the cost of the car either). So it’s definitely not just time, FYI…