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Re: Normally Aspirated
Posted by speedlaw (more from speedlaw) on Thu, 25 May 2000 18:45:35
In Reply to: , Kok Chen, Sat, 17 Dec 1988 12:00:00 

>Does it seem to those who have had more Saabs that the normally aspirated
>cars have fewer headaches?

I disagree.  Your observations have more to do with the vintage of your
saabs, and probably high mileage.  I have had 6 turbos, a Callaway VW
Scirocco, the Ford Mustang turbo (1979-NOT the later SVT), Volvo Turbo
Sedan, Dodge Omni GLH Turbo, a 1988 900T, and a 1999 9-3.  I have also
extensively driven the Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo.

The Callaway was well designed and had no problems.  It would not live in
an OE application due to absolute need for 3K oil changes, a lack of a
water cooling for the turbo bearing meaning cool down times were religious,
and 'no boost till warm'.  Note zero electronics on that engine, but it was
fun abusing Z cars and 924/944's.  It required an enthusiast owner.

The Mustang was a nightmare, (bad pun), and should not have been cleared
for production-let alone spec'ed with a 4 speed and a narrow powerband
turbo. Every turbo flaw in one place.

The GLH was a good idea, but normal Chryco cheapness meant once things got
fun (read fast and warm), the lack of an intercooler made the horsepower go
away.  OK for stoplight drags, tho.  Bulletproof but set up very
conservatively.  I have seen these engines go 140 K in the hands of 'non
car people'

The Volvo, the 900T and the 9-3, and the Mitsu  never had any real turbo
related problems.  A combination of engine management and understanding of
the heat loads inherent has made the turbo almost trouble free.  I used the
86 Volvo and the  88 900T very hard with no problems, and the 99 9-3 is
really 'turbo-the next generation'.  The other cars are also later than the
cars Lane mentions.

You will always have greater maintenence issues with a turbo, but much of
that is because they are high performance engines usually run in 'sports
sedans', not grandma's grocery getter.

Your cars date from the first generation of OE turbos, and there were some
bugs to be worked out-even for our favorite car maker.  I kind of liked the
900 Classic turbo design better than my 9-3, but the 9-3 engine/turbo/trans
wins without a question.

Casey Raskob
9-3

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