Classic Saab 900 project...
Discussion
So... I'm going to be in a position in the summer where I can spend a bit of money on a toy.
I really want something a bit different, it doesn't have to be super-reliable, it doesn't have to be super-practical (although 4 seats would be beneficial).
A colleague of mine has a mint H-reg 900 turbo (turbo S maybe?). I've always liked these for their oddity and rarity and I've been thinking more and more about them recently.
Seems a good one can be picked up for around £3k. My toy budget would probably stretch to early VX Turbo money but I've been there and done that. For the same kind of cash I wonder if I could build a very well sorted and properly fast 900 for mostly road and occasional track use (3 or 4 trackdays/year).
I'm thinking of a 900 turbo (16v hopefully) with suspension, brakes and power upgrades.
Tried searching but info seems a bit scare on engine options. The chap at my work has suggested that it's fairly common to transplant the 2.3 Aero HOT motor into the classic 900 which can fairly easily be modded to >300bhp. Along with an LSD in the front axle, some decent coilovers and a brake upgrade, this sounds very interesting!
Anyone got an opinion or useful info?
I really want something a bit different, it doesn't have to be super-reliable, it doesn't have to be super-practical (although 4 seats would be beneficial).
A colleague of mine has a mint H-reg 900 turbo (turbo S maybe?). I've always liked these for their oddity and rarity and I've been thinking more and more about them recently.
Seems a good one can be picked up for around £3k. My toy budget would probably stretch to early VX Turbo money but I've been there and done that. For the same kind of cash I wonder if I could build a very well sorted and properly fast 900 for mostly road and occasional track use (3 or 4 trackdays/year).
I'm thinking of a 900 turbo (16v hopefully) with suspension, brakes and power upgrades.
Tried searching but info seems a bit scare on engine options. The chap at my work has suggested that it's fairly common to transplant the 2.3 Aero HOT motor into the classic 900 which can fairly easily be modded to >300bhp. Along with an LSD in the front axle, some decent coilovers and a brake upgrade, this sounds very interesting!
Anyone got an opinion or useful info?
I'll keep this short as i'm at work.
2.3 aero engine cannot be transplanted into the c900 as it simply wont fit with the c900 having its gearbox bolted onto the underside. However, the 2.0 engine is essentially the same and can still be modified to produce as much power as the 2.3.
As for brake and handling upgrades - there are plenty out there.
I run 9000 front brakes with brembo discs and Ferodo DS2500 pads.
Bilstein HD dampers and kilen lowering springs. Also a good idea to remove the front ARB as it allows the suspension to work properly (though there will be a tiny bit more roll).
As of the rest of it there are a couple of options. Best, esp if it is a toy, would be to transplant T5 engine management from a GM900 or 9000 model. This can then be home mapped and improves the efficiency of the engine massively - partly down to removing the distributor based ignition.
If you want to go old school you can do what i have done (though in time i will go for the above) and find a tweaked c900 ECU, tweaked APC and just dump more fuel in with a larger FPR and fifth injector. No doubt it is not efficient, and a bit crude but it is a lot of fun. Last R/R it made 260+bhp and 280+lb/ft.
Other bits on my c900 are a Quaife LSD, steel diff plate for gearbox, short shift kit, 3inch JT exhuast with swept elbow, 2.1 N/A inlet manifold, TD04 turbo, FMIC, ITG air filter, 2.3 N/A head, 9000 Aero seats, 16inch Carlsson Aero alloy and solid front engine mount amongst others.
Gearboxes are weaknesses on these cars, so you will need to have some sort of plan B if you are going to track it. They handle very very well (esp with LSD, and will surprise a few of the 'big boys' out there. I know of a couple of c900T track cars with over 300bhp and there is one rumoured to be making over 350bhp this year.
In short there are lots of parts and advice available for this quest, and you will end up with a genuinely quick, well handling and different car.
If you have any more questions i suggest you check out www.uksaabs.co.uk and ask over there.
HTH,
G
2.3 aero engine cannot be transplanted into the c900 as it simply wont fit with the c900 having its gearbox bolted onto the underside. However, the 2.0 engine is essentially the same and can still be modified to produce as much power as the 2.3.
As for brake and handling upgrades - there are plenty out there.
I run 9000 front brakes with brembo discs and Ferodo DS2500 pads.
Bilstein HD dampers and kilen lowering springs. Also a good idea to remove the front ARB as it allows the suspension to work properly (though there will be a tiny bit more roll).
As of the rest of it there are a couple of options. Best, esp if it is a toy, would be to transplant T5 engine management from a GM900 or 9000 model. This can then be home mapped and improves the efficiency of the engine massively - partly down to removing the distributor based ignition.
If you want to go old school you can do what i have done (though in time i will go for the above) and find a tweaked c900 ECU, tweaked APC and just dump more fuel in with a larger FPR and fifth injector. No doubt it is not efficient, and a bit crude but it is a lot of fun. Last R/R it made 260+bhp and 280+lb/ft.
Other bits on my c900 are a Quaife LSD, steel diff plate for gearbox, short shift kit, 3inch JT exhuast with swept elbow, 2.1 N/A inlet manifold, TD04 turbo, FMIC, ITG air filter, 2.3 N/A head, 9000 Aero seats, 16inch Carlsson Aero alloy and solid front engine mount amongst others.
Gearboxes are weaknesses on these cars, so you will need to have some sort of plan B if you are going to track it. They handle very very well (esp with LSD, and will surprise a few of the 'big boys' out there. I know of a couple of c900T track cars with over 300bhp and there is one rumoured to be making over 350bhp this year.
In short there are lots of parts and advice available for this quest, and you will end up with a genuinely quick, well handling and different car.
If you have any more questions i suggest you check out www.uksaabs.co.uk and ask over there.
HTH,
G
Photos can be found at www.saabphotos.com/gallery/album31
Various cars on there but mine is the black 3dr that features in most of them.
G
Various cars on there but mine is the black 3dr that features in most of them.
G
look over at saabcentral site. More than a fair few have 240-300 ps. Gearbox is the weakest link - and watch out for the tin worm. Do it right and it will be one fo the finest front wheel cars you can buy. Done well they are an absolute joy to drive quickly. Distinctive, quirky and just plain lovely
They really are quite addictive and when you get one, don't be surprised if you get a hankering after another.. and another ...
They really are quite addictive and when you get one, don't be surprised if you get a hankering after another.. and another ...
Lefty Guns said:
The chap at my work has suggested that it's fairly common to transplant the 2.3 Aero HOT motor into the classic 900 which can fairly easily be modded to >300bhp.
Anyone got an opinion or useful info?
Opinion/useful info: don't listen to the chap at your work any more Anyone got an opinion or useful info?
Most of it has been covered already.
Exhaust and boost tweaks should see you within a smidgen of 200bhp. Plenty of people have changed turbos and changed fuelling/management up to 250bhp, but you're at the point where gearboxes become a consumable.
My personal opinion (which many will disagree with, I'm sure) is, if you are looking for a track weapon, look elsewhere. Sure, they are quick and handle well, but they are heavy, front wheel drive, and if you have big power you will nuke the gearbox if you push hard).
However, IMHO they make great fast road weapons.
My route would be:
- Full service
- Check for boost leaks and make sure cooling system is up to spec
- Check wastegate actuator/BPV integrity / replace
- JT 3" exhaust including downpipe
- Boost mods (turn up pots in existing APC or 900aero.com mod)
- fit knock LED
- Bilstein / Kilen suspension, replace bushes
That should see you 1.0+ bar boost that you can use with impunity, giving you 190 bhp or so in relative safety.
You can go the bigger turbo / front mounted intercooler / bigger injectors route but I am a fan of enjoying the cars for what they are and not buggering around with them too much.
All IMHO of course.
Ach, bit far away to have a look at either mine or Saabstudents then.
Shame. As Saabtudent said, join UKS and see if there is anyone up there with a nicely sorted one.
They go, stop and handle pretty well from stock if everything is in good order.
But with the Kilen springs, Bilstein shocks and a few choice engine mods they really are fun.
Just took a mate of mine who has owned one for 18mnths out along a local route and shown him what they're capable of... Haven't heard him go that quiet before - ever!
Shame. As Saabtudent said, join UKS and see if there is anyone up there with a nicely sorted one.
They go, stop and handle pretty well from stock if everything is in good order.
But with the Kilen springs, Bilstein shocks and a few choice engine mods they really are fun.
Just took a mate of mine who has owned one for 18mnths out along a local route and shown him what they're capable of... Haven't heard him go that quiet before - ever!
NiceCupOfTea said:
Lefty Guns said:
The chap at my work has suggested that it's fairly common to transplant the 2.3 Aero HOT motor into the classic 900 which can fairly easily be modded to >300bhp.
Anyone got an opinion or useful info?
Opinion/useful info: don't listen to the chap at your work any more Anyone got an opinion or useful info?
Most of it has been covered already.
Exhaust and boost tweaks should see you within a smidgen of 200bhp. Plenty of people have changed turbos and changed fuelling/management up to 250bhp, but you're at the point where gearboxes become a consumable.
My personal opinion (which many will disagree with, I'm sure) is, if you are looking for a track weapon, look elsewhere. Sure, they are quick and handle well, but they are heavy, front wheel drive, and if you have big power you will nuke the gearbox if you push hard).
However, IMHO they make great fast road weapons.
My route would be:
- Full service
- Check for boost leaks and make sure cooling system is up to spec
- Check wastegate actuator/BPV integrity / replace
- JT 3" exhaust including downpipe
- Boost mods (turn up pots in existing APC or 900aero.com mod)
- fit knock LED
- Bilstein / Kilen suspension, replace bushes
That should see you 1.0+ bar boost that you can use with impunity, giving you 190 bhp or so in relative safety.
You can go the bigger turbo / front mounted intercooler / bigger injectors route but I am a fan of enjoying the cars for what they are and not buggering around with them too much.
All IMHO of course.
stevoknevo said:
I do believe a certain saviour of UKSaabs, who is also a member on here, stays in Aberdeenshire! Got a couple of nice 900's he does. And a 99. Plus quite a few other vehicles. Knowing what he is like, he will be more than happy to take you for a spin.
Of course! Yep, get a ride in that 99 for sure!MrMoonyMan said:
stevoknevo said:
I do believe a certain saviour of UKSaabs, who is also a member on here, stays in Aberdeenshire! Got a couple of nice 900's he does. And a 99. Plus quite a few other vehicles. Knowing what he is like, he will be more than happy to take you for a spin.
Of course! Yep, get a ride in that 99 for sure!I'd post on that website and see if you get an answer (or shout if you don't).
Cheers
Rob
Hi Lefty
Sorry, only just spotted this post, and I am the one the above posts refer to!
I have a few Saabs and you are most welcome to try one out to see what you think. On the road is a standard LPT and a modded 3 door T16 with just the upgrades you discussed in your OP. It was built for fast road use and the occasional track day.
I also have a 99 with a T16 motor in it but that is away getting the T5 modification. When it comes back it should be 300 bhp and again you are welcome to try it.
I am located just south of Stonehaven by Auchenblae, but we can meet somewhere more convenient if you wish!
Sorry, only just spotted this post, and I am the one the above posts refer to!
I have a few Saabs and you are most welcome to try one out to see what you think. On the road is a standard LPT and a modded 3 door T16 with just the upgrades you discussed in your OP. It was built for fast road use and the occasional track day.
I also have a 99 with a T16 motor in it but that is away getting the T5 modification. When it comes back it should be 300 bhp and again you are welcome to try it.
I am located just south of Stonehaven by Auchenblae, but we can meet somewhere more convenient if you wish!
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