Miata Drivetrain in a SAAB 96
02-08-2012, 11:59 PM
#22
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Just got back from viewing/measuring the SAAB. It's awesome. It's pretty much intact. It's larger in every critical dimension than I require. I'm not going to say it's an easy swap but it will work exactly as I envisioned. I don't even know if I will have to hack the fenders. I may get by with a pull and roll. Rears maybe not. Front fenders are 62" wide, rears are 60" wide. Miata rears are 66" wide. Hub to hub on the Miata front is 58".
Tons of room in the engine bay. There is a clear 12" in front of where the crank pulley will be and I can fit as big of a radiator as I want to with puller fans, along with tons of room for an intercooler in front of that. I will have to cut out the existing firewall and install a new one about 10" back but everything looks good to go. Rear is WIDE open so installing the rear subframe/diff will be pretty easy.
Moving the firewall back 10" means also moving the seats back 10" but the seat back is 12" in front of the edge of the door so moving it back will just make entry easier and more roomy. The seats were forward obviously to access the back seat. The back seat is going away so there will be tons of room behind the seats for whatever. I had heard how narrow they are and that I will be rubbing shoulders with a passenger. Not a worry. A Miata is 48" inside of sill to sill. This is 50" so plenty of room to add the trans tunnel. It's FWD now.
The parcel shelf will have to be rebuilt with metal as there are currently wood panels and I'll likely use the Miata gas tank above the rear subframe so I will need metal bulkheads to separate it from the cabin to be legal.
All in all, I didn't see one issue that made me pause and wonder if it would work.
No pics. I forgot my phone in my truck and John's wouldn't flash. Hope to pick up as soon as the road dries up enough for a trailer after all of this snow. It won't be this weekend. Oh, and we have to make sure we can get a title. His uncle said he has about 20 SAAB titles so it should be there.
Tons of room in the engine bay. There is a clear 12" in front of where the crank pulley will be and I can fit as big of a radiator as I want to with puller fans, along with tons of room for an intercooler in front of that. I will have to cut out the existing firewall and install a new one about 10" back but everything looks good to go. Rear is WIDE open so installing the rear subframe/diff will be pretty easy.
Moving the firewall back 10" means also moving the seats back 10" but the seat back is 12" in front of the edge of the door so moving it back will just make entry easier and more roomy. The seats were forward obviously to access the back seat. The back seat is going away so there will be tons of room behind the seats for whatever. I had heard how narrow they are and that I will be rubbing shoulders with a passenger. Not a worry. A Miata is 48" inside of sill to sill. This is 50" so plenty of room to add the trans tunnel. It's FWD now.
The parcel shelf will have to be rebuilt with metal as there are currently wood panels and I'll likely use the Miata gas tank above the rear subframe so I will need metal bulkheads to separate it from the cabin to be legal.
All in all, I didn't see one issue that made me pause and wonder if it would work.
No pics. I forgot my phone in my truck and John's wouldn't flash. Hope to pick up as soon as the road dries up enough for a trailer after all of this snow. It won't be this weekend. Oh, and we have to make sure we can get a title. His uncle said he has about 20 SAAB titles so it should be there.
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02-09-2012, 11:14 AM
#23
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Just found out that the car is a '68 and the owner did find the title! It's in the mail. The last hurdle before the beginning of the swap has now been cleared.
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02-09-2012, 11:18 AM
#24
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Curb weight is 2,100. I would bet I gain 300 between the Miata lump, trans, diff, turbo kit and steel for semi-tube frame and cage and losing a few bits and seats. Putting a pair of Sparco Sprint V's in it. Have them in the V8 MIata and they are comfy and more importantly, they fit.
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02-09-2012, 02:18 PM
#29
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LOL, no roller. We are talking bare tub. BARE tub as in there won't be a single thing bolted or screwed to it. Still interested?
I have tried to give away several of these over the years. After sitting for a bit I run over them with the dozer and stack them on the truck and haul to the metal recycler.
I have tried to give away several of these over the years. After sitting for a bit I run over them with the dozer and stack them on the truck and haul to the metal recycler.
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02-09-2012, 02:20 PM
#30
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Thank you. Hope to pick up next weekend. It needs a passenger door - it's rusty. Wouldn't you know it there are two spare driver's doors in the pile of spare hoods, doors, trunks and fenders but no passenger doors. Oh, well.
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02-09-2012, 03:35 PM
#34
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I won't be done stripping it for a couple of weeks. After that I may keep it around for a month or so for measurements and reference. I can send pics when done. Don't worry I'll let you know before I do anything with it.
It's really clean. Rear fenders are good, it's very nice.
I'm only an hour west of Omaha. Seven hours door to door to Chicago.
It's really clean. Rear fenders are good, it's very nice.
I'm only an hour west of Omaha. Seven hours door to door to Chicago.
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02-15-2012, 11:52 PM
#39
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In anticipation of picking up the SAAB this weekend I started prepping some parts for the transfer to the new car. I will be using the Miata trans tunnel, floor with seat mounts and firewall to have all of the mounts for the MC, clutch master, throttle and cables. In addition there are four mounting holes for the subframe that tie into the footwells so it helps to use them.
Super Lightweight Miata
Parts were cut out as large as possible and will be trimmed later for best fit.
I still need to cut out the front rails, subframe mounts and shock towers but I'm waiting for the weekend when I can have both cars side by side in the shop.
Super Lightweight Miata
Parts were cut out as large as possible and will be trimmed later for best fit.
I still need to cut out the front rails, subframe mounts and shock towers but I'm waiting for the weekend when I can have both cars side by side in the shop.
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