Saab beats Impreza in a straight line
23 November 2001, 10:32 AM
#3
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Richi, place [ url ] before and [ /url ] after it, but without the spaces
like :
http://www.saab-900.com/forums/viewt...676&forum=4&14
like :
http://www.saab-900.com/forums/viewt...676&forum=4&14
23 November 2001, 10:45 AM
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Coke-meets-screen moment! 
I LOVE the "tally-ho chaps" writing style of the guys on that bbs. Am I the only person that thinks Saab drivers are the new Volvo drivers though? Seen a lot of examples recently!
What concerns me is why RichieB was hanging out on that bbs...and hands up who got their *** whupped by a Saab.
We must be told.
Whip
I LOVE the "tally-ho chaps" writing style of the guys on that bbs. Am I the only person that thinks Saab drivers are the new Volvo drivers though? Seen a lot of examples recently!
What concerns me is why RichieB was hanging out on that bbs...and hands up who got their *** whupped by a Saab.
We must be told.
Whip
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23 November 2001, 10:59 AM
#9
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The day i actually get my *** whopped my a Saab I'll buy a Saab.
This one off stuff is fine, could have caught the Scooby/whatever at a bad moment.
IMHO
too many factors involved to make an accurate comparisons, Perhaps the Saab drivers would like to do a joint track day?
BTW -I beat a flat front 911 Turbo off the lights the other day so My Scoob IS faster than a 911 Turbo!
This one off stuff is fine, could have caught the Scooby/whatever at a bad moment.
IMHO
too many factors involved to make an accurate comparisons, Perhaps the Saab drivers would like to do a joint track day?
BTW -I beat a flat front 911 Turbo off the lights the other day so My Scoob IS faster than a 911 Turbo!
23 November 2001, 11:06 AM
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I remember when i had my Pug 306 GTI-6 and met a guy with a saab 9000 2.3t (210bhp), think i shocked him cos i kept up with his car in my "lowly" gti got fed up at 120 thou and put her into 6th 
but was still with him ahhhhhh it wouldnt have stood a chance with the scoob
Tony
got fed up at 120 thou and put her into 6th but was still with him ahhhhhh it wouldnt have stood a chance with the scoob Tony
23 November 2001, 11:30 AM
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Hey I don't want imports disrespected here, they are a tad quicker than the UK's - but only a little before I get jumped on and without any mods
Gotta defend the Subaru camp, after all he posted no details about the Scoob, I want the facts
and without any mods Gotta defend the Subaru camp, after all he posted no details about the Scoob, I want the facts
23 November 2001, 11:37 AM
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He only says they were dead level & he could keep up - he didn't actually beat it. Is water spray a slight mod?
Having said that, the Aero's are pretty quick. Just don't mention Triumph engines or Vectra chassis to a Slab owner though!
They do seem a jolly nice bunch, a lot more grown up than most of the "performance enthusiast" types that are out there.
All the best,
Deano
{edited for a to show I'm not a misery}
[Edited by Beemer_Deano - 11/23/2001 11:39:23 AM]
Having said that, the Aero's are pretty quick. Just don't mention Triumph engines or Vectra chassis to a Slab owner though
!They do seem a jolly nice bunch, a lot more grown up than most of the "performance enthusiast" types that are out there.
All the best,
Deano
{edited for a
to show I'm not a misery}[Edited by Beemer_Deano - 11/23/2001 11:39:23 AM]
23 November 2001, 11:52 AM
#19
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Hi,
Actually, I am the person (Alanb) who owns the Saab and who raced the Subaru.
Once again, I’d like to preface this by saying that Subarus are great cars (especially around the twisty stuff). I don’t have an axe to grind against Subarus and I’m very willing to admit that I’ve been beaten in races before. However, in a straight line I (in a 1987 900 16ts) raced an M reg Subaru WRX and there was nothing in it. We didn’t go beyond 135-140mph, so I suppose he may have been faster than me above that speed. On the other hand, it definitely had less bottom end power than mine because he was significantly slower from the exits of the roundabouts.
If you think about it, there is nothing amazing about this: it’s relatively easy to tune the Saab two litre 16 v turbo to give 210-220bhp (and much more if you want); the Saab probably weighs a bit more (at about 1250kg) but probably has less in the way of transmission losses (FWD vs AWD). This makes a lightly tuned 900 16t fairly evenly matched against an untuned Subaru WRX.
The big difference between them is (a) I only paid GBP1100 for an immaculate 1 owner car vs GBP7000+ for a decent Subaru, and (b) it doesn’t shout ‘speed’ which means that people constantly underestimate it (including some Subaru drivers it seems).
Here’s a brief list of what I’ve done to my car:
External intercooler water spray
RRFPR
Mitsubishi TE05 turbo (bought for GBP100!)
MSD BTM (boost timing master to better control boost/timing relationship)
DIY tweaked APC (the APC controls boost in a Saab e.g. reduces boost if knock is detected).
If you live near Lewes in East Sussex watch out for me!
Alanb
Actually, I am the person (Alanb) who owns the Saab and who raced the Subaru.
Once again, I’d like to preface this by saying that Subarus are great cars (especially around the twisty stuff). I don’t have an axe to grind against Subarus and I’m very willing to admit that I’ve been beaten in races before. However, in a straight line I (in a 1987 900 16ts) raced an M reg Subaru WRX and there was nothing in it. We didn’t go beyond 135-140mph, so I suppose he may have been faster than me above that speed. On the other hand, it definitely had less bottom end power than mine because he was significantly slower from the exits of the roundabouts.
If you think about it, there is nothing amazing about this: it’s relatively easy to tune the Saab two litre 16 v turbo to give 210-220bhp (and much more if you want); the Saab probably weighs a bit more (at about 1250kg) but probably has less in the way of transmission losses (FWD vs AWD). This makes a lightly tuned 900 16t fairly evenly matched against an untuned Subaru WRX.
The big difference between them is (a) I only paid GBP1100 for an immaculate 1 owner car vs GBP7000+ for a decent Subaru, and (b) it doesn’t shout ‘speed’ which means that people constantly underestimate it (including some Subaru drivers it seems).
Here’s a brief list of what I’ve done to my car:
External intercooler water spray
RRFPR
Mitsubishi TE05 turbo (bought for GBP100!)
MSD BTM (boost timing master to better control boost/timing relationship)
DIY tweaked APC (the APC controls boost in a Saab e.g. reduces boost if knock is detected).
If you live near Lewes in East Sussex watch out for me!
Alanb
23 November 2001, 11:58 AM
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Alan, sounds like a veritable bargain for the performance you've got from it! Loved the suggestion of the tartan rug on the shelf, as you really could shock 'em. The impreza certainly ain't the unknown element that it once was...
Thanks for dropping by - do keep checking in!
Thanks for dropping by - do keep checking in!
23 November 2001, 12:04 PM
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Hi drabux
Welcome to scoobynet.
Sounds like you've a great bargain there.
How does the car handle? The Saabs i've driven are very quick in a straight line but tend to suffer from torque steer/wheel spin, esp in the wet.
Also I believe GM bought some of Subaru's 4WD technology from them so i'll expect to see some cracking 4WD saabs in the next few years. Mated with their variable compression engine Saab will be onto a winner.
Ignore the people who get 'offended' that a car will match their own. Enjoy what you've got, esp when it sounds a great Q car
Welcome to scoobynet.
Sounds like you've a great bargain there.
How does the car handle? The Saabs i've driven are very quick in a straight line but tend to suffer from torque steer/wheel spin, esp in the wet.
Also I believe GM bought some of Subaru's 4WD technology from them so i'll expect to see some cracking 4WD saabs in the next few years. Mated with their variable compression engine Saab will be onto a winner.
Ignore the people who get 'offended' that a car will match their own. Enjoy what you've got, esp when it sounds a great Q car
23 November 2001, 12:05 PM
#25
Alan B - welcome to our world! 
Great cars 900's - I helped my mate work on his 900 T 16 until he found it was a stolen/resprayed job!
He's gone all soft with a 9000 16V now though because his new wife thought he drove the 900 like a nut (she was right!)
BTW, what does RRFPR stand for? I'm guessing Rolling Road?
Keep up the Q-car status - don't forget the flat cap and string back gloves!
Cheers,
Steve
Great cars 900's - I helped my mate work on his 900 T 16 until he found it was a stolen/resprayed job!
He's gone all soft with a 9000 16V now though because his new wife thought he drove the 900 like a nut (she was right!)
BTW, what does RRFPR stand for? I'm guessing Rolling Road?
Keep up the Q-car status - don't forget the flat cap and string back gloves!
Cheers,
Steve
23 November 2001, 12:08 PM
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Thanks for the post Alan.
You'll have to pop along on a track day.
Come and say hi again.
Ian
ps a mate had a Scab 99 Turbo a while ago and it did go rather nice.
You'll have to pop along on a track day.
Come and say hi again.
Ian
ps a mate had a Scab 99 Turbo a while ago and it did go rather nice.
23 November 2001, 12:21 PM
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Just read some more of the replies on the Saab BBS, all the talk of pipe racks and dogs on the parcel shelf is cracking me up!
I think the next step is a tartan-rug colour scheme for the bbs
AlanB - respect. As others have said it makes a nice change for others not to be slating different marques/drivers, and I was pleasantly surprised at people's attitudes on your site. Btw my Volvo comment is the result of a strange trend I've noticed recently, lots of dawdlers & sunday drivers seem to be appearing in newer Saabs. As yet I've not been able to see what demographic the drivers fit either, what with the flat cap and all the smoke from the pipe etc
Keep it up m8.
Whip
I think the next step is a tartan-rug colour scheme for the bbs
AlanB - respect. As others have said it makes a nice change for others not to be slating different marques/drivers, and I was pleasantly surprised at people's attitudes on your site. Btw my Volvo comment is the result of a strange trend I've noticed recently, lots of dawdlers & sunday drivers seem to be appearing in newer Saabs. As yet I've not been able to see what demographic the drivers fit either, what with the flat cap and all the smoke from the pipe etc
Keep it up m8.
Whip
23 November 2001, 12:35 PM
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I've a foot in both camps with an MY93 900SE light pressure turbo and an MY00 PPP Scoob - Luv em both for different reasons. Although the Saab is not the full on turbo version, it is no slouch and can even be made to perform in the twisties!
Lazy boring slow journeys - quiet comfortable armchair with walnut dash, cruise cont. 30plus mpg solid Saab
Other journeys - the other one
(Non pipe smoking rug owner
Lazy boring slow journeys - quiet comfortable armchair with walnut dash, cruise cont. 30plus mpg solid Saab
Other journeys - the other one
(Non pipe smoking rug owner
23 November 2001, 12:37 PM
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AFAIK the LPT version doesn't have all the fancy boost control (APC -- which is entirely analogue.....) so you can wind the wick up a lot. However, IIRC it doesn't have an intercooler either so you start running into charge temperature problems.
MY93 was the last of the 'old' shape, so they started becoming parts-bin specials. I also had a 900SE from 1993, but it didn't have a turbo at all.
[Edited by carl - 11/23/2001 12:38:55 PM]
MY93 was the last of the 'old' shape, so they started becoming parts-bin specials. I also had a 900SE from 1993, but it didn't have a turbo at all.
[Edited by carl - 11/23/2001 12:38:55 PM]
23 November 2001, 01:17 PM
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Ladies and Gents
I am so sorry.....
So very, very sorry
But these,will...when suitably modified wipe the floor in midrange terms of 90% of all scoobs
if you go to www.trentsaab.co.uk, which is the other half of our company, you will see that we have been making these little buggers fly even longer than we have scoobs.
The Trouser Express 2 above packs 245 bhp BUT, a load more torque in the middle than we could ever get out the Scoob. you can also run nearly 2 bar with total safety. This only takes an APC re-map, change of exhaust, dump valve, wastegate, Fuel pressure reg, PCV check valve and a few other little nips and tucks.... ALL of that lot only costs £1200 plus VAT!!!!! FITTED!!!
and gives you another 70 BHP from standard .Guys, these are a GREAT second car!! With a mapped water injection kit, we get 275BHP and more torque than a Chieftain tank!
Big problems are traction, traction and traction!
.. for this reason the Scoob waves goodbye 0-30mph, but then the Saab will reel it in and spit it out! Handling on these classic 900 can be awesome with a little work, not Scooby territory but wicked on more open fast roads.
So if you see one of these with a "TrentSaab" web flash on the back... remember that discretion is the better part of valour!!
... pretend you're not trying and keep face!! 
he he Cheers
Trouser