[Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
I just received a mailing about the new models from KCSAAB.
Lots of this old news, but my perspective.
The new engines will be all aluminum. This should eliminate a lot of problems with head gaskets, if the factory can get them torqued better than 1999 ;0
The iron block, aluminum heads, has a lot of differential expansion and movement with every heat/cool cycle. With the heads and block being both the same material, most of this will be eliminated.
There could be more engine noise. Yes the weight distribution will be better, but this might reduce the front wheel drive traction. But all of this added electronic trickery may just limit the torque to avoid wheel spin. So we will have to wait and see what the limits are.
The only iron in the cooling system will be the turbocharger bearing cartridge and the iron impeller on the water pump. Plastic you say? I hope not, many water pumps with plastic impellers on european engines have been self destructing and in some cases people are after after market pumps with iron. But the coolant will probably last much longer without all of the iron in the iron block. When I say this I am expecting that the iron cylinders in the block will be dry, not wet. Speaking of iron cylinder liners. These can be made with a much finer grain structure and can be optimally alloyed if the manufacture cares to, because the alloy is going into these small pieces, not the whole engine block. So the life of the liner can be better than an all iron block.
So the balance shafts are still there. I hope the balance and timing chains and lubrication problems have been addressed.
The VTN Turbo will be much more responsive and efficient. So there should be more power in the high rpms where some of the current conventional turbos run out of air, or blows only hot air. This will be a real leap of technology that should improve the driveabiltiy of things. Ball bearing turbos? I doubt it, but that would be cool.
Six speed transmissions. This sounds like a blast for the enthusiast. The tranmissions in the NG's and 9-3's were quite bullet proof. Yes there has been a few problems, but there are almost no reports of problems with the vehciles that are modified, that this suggests that no one has found the point where torque causes the box to grenade.
The new aluminum calipers, new to Saab anyways might be a new learning curve for maintenance.
These new vehicles are probably going to be closed to basic modifications. VTN turbos don't like having there adjustments tweeked. Some VTN turbos on VW's are very close to the surge instability line and a few have self destructed. I think the fun days are over. But we can wait and see what the aftermarket and Brad come up with. We will probably be able to get aftermarket power, but it will be pay and play, not the same experience.
I hope they finally get some stainless exhaust systems on these vehciles as stock! Carbon steel exhaust systems on the Saabs has been a crime when many cheap econo boxes have had these basics for over 15 years.
I hope that Saab learned some lessons with the front suspension on the Saabs. Can't say much good about it other than it was/is ok if you throw $1100 US$ at it. But they will produce a sporty car with the mushy ride that sells to the mass market.
Anyone know if the oil filter is basic? Anything exotic about the engine oil specs?
posted by 65.68.100...
, Tue, 10 Sep 2002 14:54:58
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
