Date: Thu, 19 Dec 2002 09:02:10 +0000 From: C Sutherland <cggsnopsamere.co.uk> Subject: What makes a Saab Engine so durable ?
In article <3E00E7A6.8C71F530nopsamspamtrick.org>, J Dexter <stillcomplet elylamenopsamspamtrick.org> writes > >The original 4 cylinder A series engines were designed by Triumph and apparently >share mains, casts, block plugs and several other minor internals with a Stag >engine.. A V8.. Which - as long as you could keep the wiring from grounding out >- was a very tough little engine.. The original engine in the 99 for an initial short period only was Triumph's 1850 slant 4 overhead cam unit. I think it was bought ready built from British Leyland and it even had the 'Triumph' casting left on the cam cover when in the 99. If this seems strange remember Saab's previous engine was the Ford V4 in the 96. The Triumph V8, used in the Stag, which goes down in UK automotive history as one of the most notoriously unreliable, underdeveloped engines ever was conceptually 2 of those engines in a V8 hence sharing some components. This 1850 engine was used in the Triumph Dolomite, a small and quite boring saloon of the period. In this guise the engine did not have any reputation for longevity. It took SAAB's considerable reworking and in- house manufacturing and materials quality to develop the design out of all recognition into the near indestructible 200bhp capable motor we know and love today. To their credit however, Triumph developed a single cam 16valve head for their engine well ahead of most of the rest of the market and put it in the Dolomite Sprint which was one of the fastest European compact saloons of the day and would see off a BMW 2002 until BM came up with their turbo. Triumph's engine did not outlive the Dolomite. SAAB of course took the turbo route before developing 16V and the rest is history. Am I right in thinking that this Saab slant 4 which can trace it's ancestry back to Triumph has finally ended with the outgoing 9-3? It's been a long production run anyway. Chas -- C Sutherland
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