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Rejuvinating 89 900TC (long)
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Posted by Rob Smith [Email] (more from Rob Smith) on Thu, 3 Mar 2005 13:46:26 Share Post by Email
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I am getting ready to promote my 1989 900 Turbo Convertible from backyard storage to daily driver over the next month or two. I will also be starting in with some moderate performance mods, so I want to make sure the car is ready for it. I know it is difficult to speculate, but does anyone have specific recommendations on what should be gone over?

Car was daily driver until about 2 yrs ago, then went into occasional use. I try to start it up and drive around a bit every month or two, but probably haven't done a great job of it. Car started life in CO, then CA most of life and finally AZ for last few years. Has about 130,000 miles.

My thoughts are:

1. Front end: I already know I need a front right wheel bearing, so I should probably rebuild the front end while its half apart. Was thinking about getting the front suspension kit from thesaabsite with ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings etc plus maybe upgrade rest of bushings to poly. Anyone have any experience with quality of this kit? I am pretty handy and have the Bentley, but am thinking I might let someone else tackle all those 15 yr old bolts.

2. Suspension: Seems to have gotten quite floaty during storage, and back springs sag and bottom out under load (4 adults). Am thinking of upgrading to B&G springs with Koni kit from shox.com. Anyone tried this combo on this car? Was quite interested to see B&G and Kilen are both made by Lesjöfors. Should probably add skid plate, new tires.

3. Fuel: Was planning to flush the fuel system out by running a few tanks through, perhaps with fuel system cleaner (any recommended?). Then will replace filter(s?), may go ahead and upgrade FPR to 3 bar and inj. to 24-27 lb/hr range. Any other components I should look at or consider just replacing?

4. Turbo: Seems healthy, no smoke, only faint whistle at speed. Am thinking of replacing all vac/turbo tubing with viton from smallparts.com (size?). Phoenix heat seems to destroy ordinary vacuum tubing in no time. May go ahead and upgrade/mod wastegate act. and bypass valve. Will probably start tweaking up a spare APC box, eventually replace with G9 or the like.

5. Cooling: Had a leak with pooling behind right front tire (as I recall) 2 years back. Replaced expansion tank, cap and major hoses. Still chasing HP leak.

6. Tune up: Planning to replace plugs (NGK with slightly smaller gap for higher psi?), wires (magnicor 8-8.5mm?), belts, check timing, idle, base boost. Maybe mod/replace timing retard? Any thing else in control/emissions etc I should clean out or replace?

8. Transmission: 5sp was rebuilt a few years ago, hoping it will last....

9. Top: Fabric on back glass panel has disintegrated, anyone know a good source for replacement? May have to go custom?

10. Other: will probably go to 2.5 or 3" exhaust and upgrade intake a bit later on. Am a bit worried about more open filter with desert dust. Brakes seem ok, will probably upgrade rotors/pads later on.

Please let me know if that seems reasonable, or if I am missing something. I have a bit of a clue, but not much. Most of what I know is from reading this list over the years (thanks all!). Now we'll see if I can put it to use....

Thanks,

Rob Smith

89 900TC soon to be daily ride
73 Sonnet III gone but not forgotten


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