saab turbo

Boris · Post by **Boris** » September 18th, 2006, 11:31 am

has anyone used the 9-3 turbo on their mx3? I bought a brand new saab turbo for a very decent price and would like to use it... I know that the turbo was made by a sister company of garett, but that's about all I know.

Any info on this turbo would be appreciated... I don't even know how much boost I'd be able to run, I'm assuming around 10psi?

PATDIESEL · Post by **PATDIESEL** » September 18th, 2006, 1:13 pm

I don't know if you'd want to use. Surely you could make it fit somehow, but it would cost more than a ZE and yield about the same power. Custom motor mounts, wiring to make it all work together and other obsticales would be a pain. Also, I'm a bit of a Saab enthusiast and I know the turbo 4 is a decent motor, but will onyl handle about 300 HP before you need to start upgrading major internals. The trannies can hold a good bit and are decent, but the diff will not hold much more than 300 either.

Boris · Post by **Boris** » September 18th, 2006, 1:36 pm

sorry misunderstanding. I didn't mean the 9-3 turbo engine...I'm just talking about the turbocharger itself lol.

I'm planning on matching this turbo with a BP

PATDIESEL · Post by **PATDIESEL** » September 18th, 2006, 4:59 pm

Saab is notorious for lag on the turbos. I'd try and find a good Volvo one if you need a junkyard turbo. Also, most JY turbos will need to be rebuilt so take a look online for how to check it before you begin to design around it for use. I know that the Saab fender mount intercooler has been used, but never heard of someone using their turbo.

Boris · Post by **Boris** » September 19th, 2006, 1:16 am

yeah that sucks about the lag... How much psi do you think a saab turbo could handle? I won't be exceeding 10psi cuz I am running stock internals and it's my daily driver, I'd say the saab turbo could handle it.

The turbo is brand new never been used. I know it's kind of weird to use, but I got it for a killer price and I am determined to use it.

I've heard great things about saab turbos. I heard they were extremely reliable.

BuGS · Post by **BuGS** » September 19th, 2006, 1:50 am

I bet you could use it. Lag would just be a nice chance for you to get some traction before you lose it

But just remember to put some gear shock proof in your tranny or you will blow it sky high...

Boris · Post by **Boris** » September 19th, 2006, 2:15 am

BuGS wrote:I bet you could use it. Lag would just be a nice chance for you to get some traction before you lose it

But just remember to put some gear shock proof in your tranny or you will blow it sky high...

Yeah even if it doesn't bolt up to the mani I end up buying, making an adapter would be really easy.

What's gear shock proof??

PATDIESEL · Post by **PATDIESEL** » September 19th, 2006, 9:55 am

It keeps the gear oil from degenerating from heat. The extra friction that the extra power is going to cause will casue more heat in the trans and thus some shock proof will help keep the trans lubed.
I've heard they are beastly relaible too. Saab turbos...

Boris · Post by **Boris** » September 19th, 2006, 4:23 pm

Yeah I hope they're reliable...

Thanks for the tips guys

BuGS · Post by **BuGS** » September 19th, 2006, 11:35 pm

just keep in mind once you get it running you will probably have to switch the the g-series tranny at some point. Even with gear shock I don't know how long the diff will hold up, that is the f-series trans weakpoint.

Boris · Post by **Boris** » September 19th, 2006, 11:40 pm

g-series is the protege tranny right? I'm getting a protege tranny and swapping that in. No way I'd put a turbo with an mx3 tranny lol

Boris · Post by **Boris** » September 20th, 2006, 9:21 pm

I took some pictures of the saab turbo. I'm just starting to learn about turbos. What kind of turbo does this look like??

http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/s ... 9_full.jpg

http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/s ... 0_full.jpg

http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/s ... 1_full.jpg

http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/s ... 2_full.jpg

PATDIESEL · Post by **PATDIESEL** » September 20th, 2006, 11:55 pm

Ahh, that is a newer style Saab Turbo. They still lag some, but are great turbos. AirResearch is an awesome manu. of turbos. Should yield some great power. You should be able to pull the model number off the turbo and get the specs from AirResearch. Looks T3ish size, but I'm no turbo expert.

Boris · Post by **Boris** » September 21st, 2006, 12:32 am

Cool thanks for the advice Pat. I will look at the model number tomorrow and try and figure out more info about it. I'm stoked

Gonna be jumping from less than 88hp to hopefully 200!