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Re: Does V6 have performance potential? Posted by Larry West [Email]  (#1140)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Larry West) on Thu, 18 Jul 2013 09:20:49
In Reply to: Does V6 have performance potential?, thatbobguy  [Profile/Gallery]
, Wed, 17 Jul 2013 01:26:52
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As Justin says, if you want POWERRRRRR, get the turbo 4. Plenty of stuff out there, and easier to do.
I'm sure you could get more power from the 3.0 V6, but I'm not sure it is cost-effective at the end of the day.
As for parts availability & reliability, the V6s in the 9000 (3.0L, 210 HP), NG900 (2.5L 168HP) and 9-5 (Low pressure turbo 3.0L 200HP) share bits, and are of the same basic design. But all three share the same basic motor, the GM L81, as the Cadillac Catera, Saturn L, Saturn Vue and some Opels. So parts availability should not be any more difficult going forward than the Saab turbo 4.
The big issue they all share is timing belt life. If the belt fails, pistons hit valves and bend things, ruining your whole week. With the 9-5, you have little choice but head replacement, which is very costly. I'm not sure if repair parts are available for the 9000 & 900 heads.
On the 9-5, the timing belt is specced as a replacement item every 60k. It has also been noted that Saab only specifies the belt be replaced, but many folks have had failures of pulleys and timing belt tensioner after belt replacement, so the common practice is to replace the belt, pulleys and tensioner every 60k. Then replace the water pump every other timing belt, just because it's there (and if it fails, it can take out the timing belt...).
The oil cooler is an oil-water unit located down in the "vee" between cylinder banks. They can develop leaks, and you end up with some oil in the water, and sometimes water in the oil. The biggest problem with repair, is the whole inlet system needs to be removed to get at it. On the 9-5, the inlet manifold is two sections. Not hard to do, just very fiddly and time-consuming.
The reward, though, for all the "extra" maintenance and some repairs, is a quiet, powerful, and very smooth engine in stock trim.
_______________________________________ Current: 2002 9-5 Aero Kombi Cosmic Blue 2000 9-5 SE sedan, Imola Red 1990 900S Rose Quartz, Auto Past: 1999 9-5 LPT Combi 1999 9-5 LPT sedan 2002 9-5 Arc 1990 900 5-speed 1986 900 turbo Convertible 1991 9000 turbo 1980 99 GLi 1986 900 turbo 1986 900 S 1991 900 turbo 1984 900 turbo 1976 99 GL
, Wed, 17 Jul 2013 01:26:52, Thu, 18 Jul 2013 19:51:47, Fri, 19 Jul 2013 06:39:25, Fri, 19 Jul 2013 19:43:11, Thu, 18 Jul 2013 09:20:49 <-- Viewing This Message, Wed, 17 Jul 2013 19:50:57
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