New here, with a '98 900 SE...questions.

Duncandog

Hi, great site and community you have here. I hate to start my membershiop by bieng a pain, but I am really hoping you can direct me to the right forum/article or steer me in the right direction.

I just bought this car from the original owner. It's a '98 900 SE, w/92K Mi. They just had turbo seals, timing belt, brake calipers, belt and tensioner, etc. done. No leaks, and the engine looks totally clean and new. In fact the whole car has been garaged and well maintained it's entire life and runs quiet and is great fun to drive, but I have some questions...

I'm looking at the engine, and it looks like the upper engine mount is missing. There's not alot of play, and the lower mounts seem fine, though. Can someone post a pic so I can see where it would be?

Also, I was driving it today and got on it a little, when the turbo started hesitating at around the yellow/red barrier. It doesn't seem to want to boost into the red at all, and then the check engine lite came on. It's off now, but I am wondering if it is the control valve (original Bosch), or if the wastegate control rod was mis-adjusted after the gasket install.

Any ideas? Thanks!!

Pat

Saaboheme · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:32 pm Post subject:

Welcome to CustomSaab Pat and thank you for your kind words.
Unlike the 9000, the NG 900 and the OG9-3s do not use an upper mount - just the three lower mounts at the front, passenger side and rear. The head does have two pre-drilled bolt holes where the 9000 mount would be. Here is an upper torque damper I fabricated for mine:

It mounts to the head here (looking forward from the strut tower toward the front of the car, you are seeing the back of the head and the bracket I made from stainless steel:

This is the 1/4 inch stainless bracket for the strut tower:

Fairly complete instructions with pics and a diagram with dimensions for the strut tower bracket are here:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2666481/2

As for boosting - a stock 9-3 should not boost into the red at all, except on a nice cold day with 93 or 94 octane in, and then it will just nudge into the red. If you want boost 1/4 or better into the red zone, you shall have to spring for a tune or DIY with T5 Suite (the Saab Trionic 5 code has been open-sourced by an enterprising and resourceful collaboaration of dedicated and talented enthusiasts).

Duncandog · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 10:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your pics and info. I am relieved that there is nothing missing in there, as far as an upper mount, although it seems like Saab should have provided one... I noticed that you have removed the heat shield on the exhaust and painted up the engine nicely. It looks great. I will look into an upper mount.

So, when the boost needle approaches redline, it cuts out like a rev-limiter. So until I re-tune the ECU, I have to mind the guage, like I did with my old SVT Turbo Mustang, I guess. I was assuming that it would manage the wastegate for best performance like the Volvo S80, and not just cut the turbo at redline. Oops, hope I didn't hurt anything with my lead foot. I reset the ECU by disconnecting the battery and touching the cables together, and all seems fine now.

I will read the performance articles and proceed from there with mods, and try not to bug you guys too much with more stupid questions before I have exhausted the other available resources.

I am guessing that it's a good idea to perform some exhaust and intake upgrades to let the engine breathe better before I increase the boost, anyway.

Thanks again for the great site and the help. I am very grateful for your attention to my query. Hopefully I can reciprocate some day.

Pat:)

Saaboheme · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 1:55 am Post subject:

Your symptom sounds like you are hitting the preset fuel cut. This happened to my brother-in-law after he converted to BOV and put on an open air intake. It turned out he was indeed suffering a malfunctioning BPC solenoid. You may attempt cleaning yours out to see if thaat fixes things. Of course, you should not, short of having a tune or an MBC, be boosting to fuel cut. So the BPC is suspect as is the wastegate actuator. I suggest you check both out.
Mine is '95 and came equipped without a heat shield. Someday I will probably add one.
This is what it looks like now:

Duncandog · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 7:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks again. I was thinking that I would clean out the controller. I have read the pos concerning this. Also, I will check the pressure valve and make sure the diaphram is not ruptured. I should probably upgrade the Bosh part anyway.

The turbo seals have been replaced recently on this car and the heat shield is not there... If anyone knows where i could get one (besides the dealer)...

Thanks,

Pat

Saaboheme · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:14 am Post subject:

This one?
900 94-98 4 Cyl Heat Shield Exhaust Manifold Turbo 9176223 $ 36.86

Go here:
http://www.thesaabsite.com/900new/NG900heatshields.htm

Duncandog · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 4:56 am Post subject:

Exzzactly riiiight Smile

Thank you again. The debts to you and your wealth of acccumulated knowledge are piling up to an embarrasing level.

Smile

You rock!! Please let me know how I can reciprocate before it becomes unaitainable...

Duncandog · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 5:14 am Post subject:

I know you think "m kidding, but I' seroius. I really think that you have been much more than kind with your response to my dilemmas. The electronic controls seem fine now, but I know for a fact that an amateur was in charge of the turbo re-seat. I am genuinely concerned about the boost control rod, and whether its withtin the 5psi to 5.5psi range.

I will send you pics. This cvar is so clean it absolutely SQueakes!~! i want to have this car for a long time and add it to my collection of great cars...

E-mail me for a list.

Pat R.

Smile