1990 Saab SPG + Holset

I guess I should finally get around to starting a thread for this one. About a year ago I bought this car, which had been built by a guy named Tom in Massachusetts before he decided to get out of auto racing. Lots of work in this machine, and lots of potential for even more. I decided it was time to finally break into the world of autocross and hillclimb, and this was the perfect setup.

Previous owner's photos:

Modifications it had when I bought it (taken from for-sale ad): -The rear hatch is braced with a 4 point triangulated brace. Battery has been relocated to behind the passenger seat with SCCA approved mounting procedure. -New windsheild. -The rear suspension has been completely gone through with new Power Flex bushings and Afco Racing springs. -The rear brake lines have been replaced with OEM lines, and new rear calipers and E-brake cables. -The front suspension has been completely gone through as well, 4 new ball joints, new inner and outer tie rods, wheel bearings, new axles, Axxis Ceramic pads with drilled and slotted rotors, Afco racing springs. -The Engine had about 700miles on a fresh rebuild. -The Holset HY35 turbo was just rebuilt. -The transmission is in great shape, always put Redline Lightweight shock proof transmission fluid in it. -It has a 90-91 9000 clutch/flywheel. -It has a steel diff cover with a cooler installed and a bung for temperature reading. -It's running OBD2 Trionic 5 engine management tuned by MikeD, with red top injectors (est. 235hp). -It has and upgraded Walbro throttle body around 60mm. -Upgraded Walbro fuel pump. -2.1 intake manifold with tapped fittings for vacuum lines. -3" front mount intercooler. -3 1/2" down pipe to full 3" exhaust. -It also comes with a set of Hoosier 13X10 slicks.

Here it is after I took delivery: (Roommate's V70R didn't seem impressed by the new Ginger)

Then it had to sit through the winter, since it has no heater. This past summer though, I was finally able to get to some events and try my hand at racing.

Took the SPG to my first-ever autocross. Such a capable car, I’m just not a capable enough driver yet to make the most of it. Steadily improved throughout the day though, and managed 2nd in Novice class, so I’m calling it a success. You'll notice the exhaust on the ground behind the car. It fell off at the end of my first run. Got a little loud after that ;) And that was just a hint of what was to come.

After another month of two of just tootling around town, I noticed this happened to the wastegate flange:

So I had it welded up and took it to St. Lawrence Motorports Park in Morristown, NY for some laps around the mini-road-course. Had a few issues the first few times out, first the exhaust fell off again, and then the bolts holding the throttle body to the intake manifold worked their way loose and blew the TB off. Kind of scary flying into a hairpin and suddenly your tach is pinned above redline. Thankfully I was able to shut it off quickly enough it didn't seem to do any damage. Limped it to the pits, fixed it, and finally got a series of clean runs in. Had a hoot, but then the manifold broke again. Had to sit out Sunday's racing, but got some seat time in two other cars whose owners were generous enough to let me drive. The four hour drive back home was interesting to say the least. (These next five photos are not mine).

Trackside fix (there's ultra-high-temp manifold sealing paste under the Heady can):

But of course it blew through on the way home:

And here's the Stig and myself finding a use for the loose parts while the SPG was inoperable. (Not my photo, used with permission)

Most excellent. I wanted this car when it was for sale on TSL.

Cool stuff. I always liked those old Saabs.

And now a more current update. Here's what I pulled off the car after SLMP:

And here's what my fab guy (Ryan at Higbee Performance Fabrication in Unity, NH) has been up to the past few months:

Now I just need to pick it up from the shop and reinstall everything. Next the car is off to another guy who is going to modify my downpipe for extra ground clearance, weld in a flex pipe, and build a triangulated brace that should take the majority of the weight off the header and spread it over the engine block and/or transmission case. Something like this is what I have in mind:

In the meantime, the Holset has been relegated to temporary duty in a highly experimental hatch-mounted setup.*

Love this car. I saw the previous owners build when I was researching Saab's before buying mine.

How is the trans cooler plumbed in? What pump does it use and where is it located? Any pics? Is the steel case the SaabRally one?

well-made custom manifolds make my pants tight.

Adrian_Thompson wrote: Love this car. I saw the previous owners build when I was researching Saab's before buying mine. How is the trans cooler plumbed in? What pump does it use and where is it located? Any pics? Is the steel case the SaabRally one?

Thanks man! I'll have to take a peek as to where the lines themselves are actually plumbed, but the pump (standard Marine water pump type deal) sits on the driver's side frame rail, and the cooler itself is bracketed parallel to the hood, behind the driver's headlight. And I'm not totally sure what 'steel case' you're referring to. I'm still trying to learn the ins and outs of the car, I'm more used to the 9000 chassis (I've owned 5 of them over the past several years!) I'll snap some photos of how things are set up and post them up while I'm installing the turbo and exhaust back on the car.

Good things have happened:

Had a blast hooning around town last weekend for the first time in months. No exhaust from the downpipe back, so it screamed pretty loud, but my God I've missed this car.

Got home late last night and had a package waiting in my mailbox. I do love unwrapping new shiny bits. You'll just have to wait and see what I have in mind for these:

I just dropped her off with Dylan at Competition Motorsports Solutions so he can build the turbo brace and modify the downpipe. Then I fear it's time to pack her up for the winter. They're forecasting snow tomorrow >:(

Picking her back up from the second fabrication shop (Competition Motorsports Solutions, run by Dylan Costello, in Milton VT) tomorrow. Gotta say, I'm hugely impressed with this guy's work. He has experience working on F1 cars and even helped build Ken Block's new Mustang before moving back north. Top-notch work quality, incredibly friendly and patient, great communication, and really eager to put everything he has into his work so he can be proud of the product. So far he's sent me these photos, I'll have more after I pick up the car tomorrow.

And he finally did what I've been meaning to do for awhile; he took the exhaust wrap off the downpipe. From this pic, he probably should have left it on:

Granted, the previous owner built the car himself intending to just thrash on it, but...damn. I guess I know what my next project will be.

Seeing those pics makes me feel so much better about my welding skill.

moparman76_69 wrote: Seeing those pics makes me feel so much better about my welding skill.

That's exactly why I'm happy to leave that stuff to the professionals ;)