Date: Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:54:19 -0500 From: ma_twain <ma_twainnospamo.com> Subject: Re: Saab Quick?
Starman wrote: > "ma_twain" <ma_twainnospamo.com> wrote in message > news:41D898E2.3060709nospamo.com... > >>James Sweet wrote: >> >> >>>"Starman" <mail.spamnospamt.net.au> wrote in message >>>news:41d7ee2e$0$17987$5a62ac22nospamqv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au... >>> >>> >>>>Does my Saab have a problem? >>>> >>>>I have a 98 Saab 9-5 5 speed manual (my first Saab) and I regularly see >>>>other Saab owners saying that they are quick, however, I would not have >>>>listed this as one of their strengths. I love the Saab for other >>>>reason's >>>>so I am happy with it, but I'm seeing it so often I'm begining to wonder >>>> >>>> >>>if >>> >>> >>>>something is not quite right with mine... >>>> >>>>Mine is not quicker than ANY V8 or most 6 cylinder cars, or a lot of >>>> >>>> >>>smaller >>> >>> >>>>engine sports cars such as Suburu, Honda, Mitsubishi. >>>> >>>>I have had a lot of V8s in my time so maybe I'm asking too much out of my >>>>first turbo charged car? I have not put on any after-market mods that >>>> >>>> >>>would >>> >>> >>>>increase HP but surely it should be quicker than a 20 year old V8?? >>>> >>>>Regards >>>>Starman from Oz >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>Define "quick". Are you timing 0-60, 50-70, etc or are you going by feel? >>>A >>>turbo will naturally feel a bit soft off the line, though this can help >>>prevent wheelspin. The 9-5 should be fairly fast, it won't feel like a >>>V8, >>>it won't have that low end kick, but it should still fair pretty well >>>against one. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>The term "Saab" can cover many models from many years. I have an older >>Saab 900 turbo that can spin the wheels from 1st through 3rd on dry road. >>Obviously is not the fastest way to accelerate nor does this practice help >>with the life of the transmission, but it does indicate the amount of >>power available. The best part is the suspension is capable of handling >>this power, even in the turns:-) >> >> I should add this car has the SPG package :-) >> > > I get no wheel spin in 2nd or 3rd and only very jerky wheel spin on takeoff. > I'm assuming that the later model 9-5 should be more powerful than the > earlier models. Does the SPG pack include changing the ECU? > > Regards > Starman form Oz > > > Yes, the ECU is changed :-) I have driven other 900 Turbos without the SPG package and the power difference is very noticeable. The later model 9-5 does have more power, but it carries more weight. Also, acceleration depends on more factors than just power and weight. The gearing of the transmission and transaxles, tire size and type, where the engine puts out the max torque, and emission control systems will impact 0-60 acceleration - not to mention driver skill. The engine power listed on paper is just one way of advertising the car. The new Toyota Corolla XRS lists 170 Hp - at 7,600 RPMs but the max torque is only 127 lb/ft at 4,400 RPMs. This car sounds fast, but it probably has nothing out of a dead stop. I drove an Altima that listed 175 Hp, but it felt slower than a 1990 900S - both cars had manual transmissions.
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