Vehicle Owner

Member ID: jackmaker

Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Vehicle Info

1984 Saab 900

Bragging Rights

  • 1/4 Mile0 sec @ -1 mph
  • 0-600sec
  • Top Speed140mph
  • HP153
  • Weight2900lbs

Major Upgrades

  • turbo
  • nitrous
  • bore increase
  • port and polish
  • supercharger
  • extrude honed
  • stroke increase
  • engine swap

Ratings

    • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
    • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
    • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
    • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.

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Last updated: Mar 07, 2009

Hits: 14,591

Lance’s Saab 900
“The Bronze Beast”

  • Currently 3.5176470588235 /5 Stars.
14 guestbook comments

Exterior

Here's a shot of the finished exterior:

jackmaker's 1984 Saab 900

I always thought the c900's looked like they were being launched on a 1/4 mile run, even when they were standing still. I decided to totally revamp it's looks. I lowered it by about 2", and I installed a fiberglass body kit from Wicked Bodies. After some experience with these, I strongly recommend staying away from fiberglass body kits. Cracking and chunks breaking off are a major issue, especially with a lowered vehicle.

The kit came in several big boxes which I had delivered at work, where we have a delivery dock. I unpacked them, and the parts were no problem to fit into the back of my car. Sometimes I think you could fit a small country into the back of a 3-door c900.

jackmaker's 1984 Saab 900

Here are some shots of the car before the body kit.
jackmaker's 1984 Saab 900jackmaker's 1984 Saab 900
jackmaker's 1984 Saab 900jackmaker's 1984 Saab 900
jackmaker's 1984 Saab 900jackmaker's 1984 Saab 900

jackmaker's 1984 Saab 900

Here are some shots of the body kit peices.
jackmaker's 1984 Saab 900jackmaker's 1984 Saab 900
jackmaker's 1984 Saab 900jackmaker's 1984 Saab 900

jackmaker's 1984 Saab 900

I initially hung the body kit on with basic sheet metal screws. That worked OK, but the screws on the front and back bumpers backed out over time. When I had the car repainted, I had them fill in over the screws on the sideskirts. I replaced the sheet metal screws on the bumpers with machine screws and locking nuts. I also had the paint shop paint some screw caps, so I could still remove the bumpers peices.

The body kit turned out pretty good in the end, but there is still some rubbing around the wheel wells and the door.

I added a plastic hood vent for a cold air intake. The guys at the body shop pop-riveted it in place, with some bondo where I cut it to match the hood lines. I think it looks pretty sweet.

I had the paint shop paint it with a Ford Mustang Mineral Grey. It turns out that wasn't the color I was after, but it looks pretty sweet even so. I'm not dissapointed. The hood had some major spider web cracking in the paint, and I just started noticing it again. I suspect the heat shield under the hood isn't good enough and I'll need to replace it before repainting it again.

Guestbook

Displaying entries 1-5 of 14

marksbm  

Posted by: marksbm

05/07/2009 08:23PM

Very, very nice bit of work youve done there mate! Im planning on a very basic performnace upgrade, by a minor boost increase and fuel pressure/pump upgrade, this should be the cheapest option and should keep me happy for 5 minutes, lol! Keep up the good work, Mark

red88saab  

Posted by: red88saab

01/20/2009 08:25PM

great saab

Jitters  

Posted by: Jitters

01/03/2009 07:18PM

Wow! Thanks for posting. This has definitely been a journey for you I'm sure. I'm in the process of doing something with my 88 SPG. Probably nothing as extensive as yours but just a little something to occasionally have some fun on the streets... Happy New Year! Jitters

XsaabX  

Posted by: XsaabX

09/28/2008 04:08PM

Very nice Beast...5*****

jackmaker  

Posted by: jackmaker

06/18/2008 08:33AM

I'm not totally sure I'm the best person to answer that question really. I just tore into everything at the same time and that approach has allowed me to build a vehicle with a lot of potential that I'll be tuning for quite some time. There are a couple of things that I can recommend that I've really noticed have made a difference and some that I can certainly not recommend. First, lighten the tires/wheels. I picked up several mpg in fuel efficiency just from that. It also allows the car to accelerate faster. Second, put in a wideband O2 sensor. At a minimum, it'll allow you to pass vehicle inspections easier. I don't recommend the water injection system. It's a waste of time for anyone not running on the hairy edge of performance. It's a good thing your starting with a 16V. That'll simplify the fuel injection management and allow you to run the more modern aftermarket upgrades to the ECU. The turbo/intercooler upgrade is a certainly a nice upgrade. Also, I'd wrap the exhaust header. It'll certainly keep the under hood temperatures down and allow you to get higher boost pressure. You certainly have to beware of cracking it however. I don't recommend the rollbar, unless it's required for a racing class. It's a pain in the butt to install and certainly adds a lot of weight.

Good luck.

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Vehicle Owner

Member ID: jackmaker

Location: Salt Lake City, UT