Page three: Improvements with stock parts
Okay getting parts straight from Saturn isn't hard (Go to your local Saturn dealer, and go to the parts desk and ask what you want), it is VERY EXPENSIVE! Here's a list of what I replaced:
1 Headliner (tan, with sunroof)
2 sunshades (Tan)
2 TWIN CAM emblems (Found on the back of SW2 vehicles, I put them above my sideskirts, behind the doors.)
1 cargo compartment convience net (I wanted a fully loaded car, including all the 'small' stuff.)
2 front speakers (OUCH, not a good move there. Saturn Premium-grade speakers are pretty cool, but for $68. I could have gotten nice Pioneer ones! Oh well, I didn't know a darn thing about car audio systems at the time.)
lots of bolts and fasteners that needed replacement.
and a whole bunch of random stuff I forgot about.
Hey all 1991-1994 Saturn DOHC owners, want to make your car sound a little nicer with the stock intake, but with out spending any money? Here's a cool procedure that helps your car sounding nice at 3000-5000 RPM.
Removing the cross car duct
Step 1: first pop open the hood.
Step 2: Get a flathead screwdriver and undo the push pin retainers that hold the frame to the cross car duct.
Step 3: Remove the cross car duct, and unscrew the IAT (Inlet air temperature) sensor. Put the IAT sensor aside.
I know these pictures are dark, but if you have any questions, sign my guestbook.
Step 4: close the hood, get the keys, start up your car, and drive the car to at least 3000 RPM. Once there, you'll hear a rumbly, throaty, and powerful sound.
It is nice, but getting a custom short ram air intake sounds nicer, but that's at least $120.
Enjoy!
Another appearance upgrade is making the exhaust tip (Or the entire system if you want) look nice. If you have a stock exhaust, and you want it to look nice, get some sandpaper. Then sand off all the rust that's on the tip or system (surely there will be lots.). What I do in the summer is sand off the rust, get a sponge and wash the outside, then I spray on some EagleOne wax on the tip and muffler. That way dirt, crap, and water won't make it rust for a short while. It works for me. Stand back a few feet and look at your clean looking Saturn!
It will greatly improve your car's appearance from behind. (Actually I guess this tip will work for all cars, except with performance exhaust mufflers with chrome or polished tips.)
Another cool thing I did to my car's appearance is I put TWIN CAM emblems on the sides of my car. On the back of 1993-2002 SW2s there is a silver emblem that says TWIN CAM (on the back of 1991-1995 SC2s and SL2s there is a black TWIN CAM text on the right reflex panel (Reflex panels are the reflector panels on the SC2 and SL2 models. I'll soon be trying to wire light bulbs to those panels so the entire strip of lights will light up)).
Anywho, I ordered two TWIN CAM emblems from the SW2 models and I put them on the side of my car, behind the doors. ( See picture )
Headliner procedure coming soon! when the frickin` weather clears up, god knows when that's going to happen.
My old headliner.
Changing the headliner. ( Steps and more pics coming soon!) It's not a very hard procedure, it can be done sometimes by ordinary tools, (it's mainly done by hand.). I actually used some service manuals to do all my work. For all 1994 Saturn SC owners, go to your owner's Manual, and go to the pink colored pages called "Publications" And go to your local Saturn dealer, go to the parts desk, and ask for a set of 1991-1994 Service Manuals, you can't get the individual manuals, you can only get a set of 3 binders. (~$200.00, but definately worth it.) Now I can do anything with my Saturn!
Contents:
1st binder:
1. General information/specifications/fasteners,
2. Engine electronic controls
3. Engine mechanical
4. Fuel/Air Intake/Exhaust
5. Automatic transaxle
6. Manual transaxle and clutch
2nd binder:
1. Chassis (Suspension, sway bars, frame, etc.)
2. Brakes (Both drum and disc, with ABS stuff)
3. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning)
4. Electrical (Huge manual! Shows wiring diagrams for every single thing in the car!)
5. R12-R134A retrofit manual (For 1991-1992 R12 A/C systems.)
3rd binder:
1. Body collision repair (Contains body changing stuff, and interior stuff)
2. SIR manual (for 1993-1994 cars)
3. Special tools (Contains part numbers for special tools to get for your Saturn.)
4. Index (Well, umm, in index for all your service manuals!)
Page one: Intro
Page two: About the car
Page three: Stock Improvements (You are here.)
Page four: Car shows
Page five: Performance baby!
Page six: Interior
Page seven: Future projects
Page eight: Exterior
Page nine: Work days