Did anyone else read Revs this month?
Allegedly one of their cars (an old Saab with the boost cranked up) was quicker than an RB5 up a steep hill. Can anyone here enlighten me as to how this could happen? I can only assume that what was meant was that the Sabb was quicker going down the steep hill than the RB5 was going up it.
Or this story may have the same element of truth as an exhaust and induction kit adding over 20% to the power output of a PSA 1.6 engine (ahem!)

 

Does it really matter?

 

Take it with a large pinch of salt !!

I could crank up the boost on my car, thrash it up a hill beeting every other car on the road, it proves nothing.

 

It's entirely possible. I had a 1988 Saab 900 Turbo 16 which was quick. After I sold it the next owner turned upp the boost and got a lot more power from it. I recall that some people claimed to be able to get over 300bhp for a 900 16v, though I have no idea whether this is based on truth or wishful thinking.

Of course, it torque steered like crazy even in its almost-standard form when I had it, and had appalling lag (plant foot, use egg-timer to measure delay) so would have been far worse after the boost went skywards.

Plus, the guy broke the gearbox (too much torque) as well as destroying several clutches in the process. The base and head gaskets didn't survive long either.

So yes, you can make a Saab faster than a Scoob, but it's going to be terrible to drive, and won't last very long without eating its innards.

Nick

 

Saab tend to produce turbo cars which produce maximum torque quite low in the rev range. This is great for producing impresive in gear acceleration times, such as 50-70 in fifth gear. Peak torque on my 95 Impreza is at 4800 revs so 50-70 takes over 11 seconds. The non-turbo Lancia Dedra I owned a few years ago could do it in 8.8. Change down a gear and get the Impreza on boost and it's a different story though.

 

REVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MUPPETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SAY NO MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Recently driving between stages at a rally I came up behind an RB5 which are very rare in Ireland,and I was going about as fast as my 1.6 Impreza RX would allow and I thought the RB5 must not be that good but my joy was short lived as the driver hadnt looked in his mirror yet and as soon as he did,within about 4 seconds the RB5 was no where to be seen.

 

Complete rubbish I reckon. The Saab in question had less than 200 bhp. Okay, so it might be quick but not that quick. A friend's 900 16v Aero is producing about 180 bhp and is a good 4 seconds slower over a quarter mile than my Impreza.

Feeling slightly embarrassed as there's a picture of me in this month's Revs too ...

A.

 

Apparently the RB5 was parked on the hill when the Saab passed it. However the owner finished his toast and cup of tea, sauntered out to his car ,let the engine warm up, and still managed to pass the Saab before it had reached the brow! He then changed up into second gear!!!