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Saab 900: an automotive enigma.
A friend of mine bought an '89 Saab 900 SPG over the weekend. It really is a very cool car, and I'll admit that at least some of my ridicule is envy-driven.
Do any of you know why the engine is mounted the way it is? It's sideways, backwards and slanted. The slant makes a little sense, but the sideways and backwards? Come on. It's also got chains in the drivetrain. Wow. I've spent at least thirty seconds looking on the internets, and I can't find an answer.
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2005 RX-8 Grand Touring 2005 Outback 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 wagon END OF LINE |
#2
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is this the engine?
I see where you get that this is slanted... but sideways and backwards?? edit I now see the pulleys up against the firewall......... whoah. Last edited by zukiru; 05-28-2008 at 02:10 PM. |
#3
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Exactly. It's FWD, but has the engine in longitudinally. Then it's flipped around. Besides easy access to the clutch, I haven't found an explanation. Even that's not a very good one.
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2005 RX-8 Grand Touring 2005 Outback 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 wagon END OF LINE |
#4
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I had a 1993 900 5 spd coupe for a month, and sold it before I even registered it. I paid $150 because I towed it out of some womans driveway, but it turned out the car was in good condition, under all the dust, and fetched $1800 on ebay. (I had two SVXs and an ML320 at the time so I didnt really need the car anyway.)
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1991 SVX L JDM |
#5
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SAABs are built by aircraft engineers, so the old ones are all funky. If you look closer, the oil pan is the transaxle. They don't share oil though.
Those cars were designed to not need any major maintenance until 100,000 miles, at which point you dropped the engine out from the bottom and pretty much replaced everything lol. I work with a guy who has a turbo Saab 900 convertible that's his wifes, after watching him replace the head gasket I knew I DID NOT WANT ONE lol.
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1992 SVX LS-L #1222 Pearl White 1987 GL Turbo wagon, 5 lug conversion, D/R 5 speed (Rice killer) 1992 Dodge Ram 4x4 diesel (car hauler) 1968 Dodge Polara convertible (Camaro killer) 1990 Toyota Corolla FWD auto (330,000 mile grocery getter) 1986 VW Jetta |
#6
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Right, I understand all that, but you didn't answer my question. It still doesn't explain why they did it. There has to be an explanation for why they would go to all that trouble to mount an engine that way.
Thanks for playing, though.
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2005 RX-8 Grand Touring 2005 Outback 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 wagon END OF LINE |
#7
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I love those Saabs. Expesially the SPG's. My uncle's got a think for them, and can be a pain to work on. Expesially with those cable run wipers. The automatic trannys go also. They can't handle the motor. Other wise a real cool car.
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1992 Subaru SVX LS-L #5045 Dark Teal 1992 Subaru Loyale Wagon Gray (SOLD) 1999 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS Coupe Black Ruby (SOLD) 1969 Subaru 360 Deluxe Ivory White 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STi World Rally Blue 1993 Subaru Legacy L Wagon Teal Metallic (SOLD) 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS Coupe Rally Blue Pearl [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] |
#8
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I'm not sure why, probably has to do with the airplane thing... I found a big article on the B and H engines on Wikipedia, but nothing about the weird layout. Newer Saabs (circa 1994) have the engine mounted sideways, but it's otherwise the same slant 4.
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1992 SVX LS-L #1222 Pearl White 1987 GL Turbo wagon, 5 lug conversion, D/R 5 speed (Rice killer) 1992 Dodge Ram 4x4 diesel (car hauler) 1968 Dodge Polara convertible (Camaro killer) 1990 Toyota Corolla FWD auto (330,000 mile grocery getter) 1986 VW Jetta |
#9
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I think I have it figured..
bear with me... they wanted a front engine front drive. the wanted it longitudinal the slant balances the weight and they didn't want it the way subaru did it with the engine ahead of the front axle line (less overhang weight) (if they had put that engine in ahead of the axle line it would have been a real nightmare, the way subaru did it was okay cause it was a well balanced aluminum flat 4) if it was in an airplane it would be mounted just like that as well. so they said "okay let's put it in that way" Last edited by zukiru; 05-31-2008 at 02:04 AM. |
#10
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Quote:
I'm sorry, but until I hear from somebody who actually knows (which isn't looking likely), I'm going to be frustrated. What Saab did was overcomplicated, would have questionable value in terms of vehicle dynamics and, more importantly for a smallish manufacturer, expensive. That's why I assume there has to be an actual explanation. When I find it, I'll let you know.
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2005 RX-8 Grand Touring 2005 Outback 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 wagon END OF LINE |
#11
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Hoodline and center of gravity may have contributed?
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Disclaimer: The above post is on the internet. |
#12
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Find a Saab 900 forum?
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Chris SVX World Network Administrator -1993 Subaru SVX LS-L, Barcelona Red, #46, 160,000+ Miles (Sold to SomethingElse) -2011 Toyota Sienna SE, Black, 30,000+ Miles (Swagger Wagon ) -2002 BMW R 1150R ABS, Black, 26,000+ Miles (Daily Driver ) SVX Owner from February 1997 to March 2008 SVX Online Community Member since February 1998 SVX World Network Member since February 2002, Member #520 Life is a game. Play to win. The world belongs to those who can laugh at it. |
#13
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why? nobody wanted sideways engines.. and a lot of companies fought it.
but it was more compact and cheaper... I have browsed a few 900 forums and haven't found a definitive answer. but my guesses make sense. oh and no offense taken.. (but it is kind of like asking why an SVX has funky windows and the older ones are black-topped. |
#14
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Either being built by aircraft engineers or not, I think that Saabs are not worth even a dime. Who would want to drive a car full of headaches? Nothing is easy in those cars, mechanically or electrically...
Why the engine is mounted like that, I dunno. Also wanted to share the famous system followed by Saab in my country... after the warranty is over, and you want to fix it in the company itself, you are liable to pay $3000 per year for a service ticket to be able to let the car go inside their garage! Stupid car
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Danny 1994 Silver SVX in hybernation, awaiting for the monsterous awakening (Lebanon) 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL Euro Specs, Hard/Softtop, White/Red. Under Complete Restoration 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL350 Euro Specs, White/Red. Mint... Another step into SL Collection. |
#15
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I believe that configuration started out in the Saab Super Sport. It was done for better weight distribution.
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