Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 09:14:59 -0500 From: "Skip" <whiterohnopsammxdotcomnow.com> Subject: Re: saab 900 turbo
THIS IS THE BEST REPLY I HAVE READ ON THIS NEWSGROUP! Jack B wrote in message <8tks57$2dcnopsamatch.concentric.net>... >chris patient family <chrisnopsament1.freeserve.co.uk> wrote: >> I am looking to buy a Saab 900 turbo post 1990 rear wheel drive. > >> is there anything I should be looking out so as not to get done > >YES! Not all RWD conversions are created equal! There are a lot of >unscrupulous RWD Saab converters out there, and a lot of badly made >kits, so the first thing you need to do is to work with a mechanic you >trust. > >The next thing you will need to do is go a junkyard. Most of the >RWD kits out there use the rear suspension from the 1990-1998 Ford >Thunderbirds. Be very careful when choosing your wrecked Thunderbird. >Be sure to tell the junkyard owner that you are putting this >stuff in a Saab; most of them are familiar with this conversion and >will be very helpful. > >After that, find your engine. Many people swear by the "Iron Duke" >GM 2.5L motor, but I prefer the Ford 6.8L "Triton" V10 motor, or the >"Power Stroke" diesel V8 built by Navistar. Either motor will make >your Saab more powerful while adding less than 800 pounds to the >car's total weight. To make these engines fit, you will have to >"stretch" the front clip by eighteen inches, so make sure you have >plenty of sheet metal and a welder handy! Sand those seams afterwards >so it looks like factory work. > >Last but not least, pull the old Saab mill and install the new engine >mounting points. You will need a "dog box" transmission from a >1914 REO truck, so make sure you have one handy. Watch out for the >ones with blue dots next to the driveshaft; they don't work in Saab >99s, only 900s. Slap the transmission in, making sure to add six inches >of depth to the door sills using the welder and sheet metal mentioned >earlier. > >The transmission will mount nicely to the Thunderbird rear suspension >and driveshafts. Raising the rear by about 10", using Rancho springs >and shocks, offers a little bit of clearance for the rear differential; >otherwise, you'll have to cut out the floor. > >Good luck - JB >