My new (to me!) Saab 9-3 SE Convertible Project
Discussion
Bit of vinyl wrapping therapy today! I picked up a spare wood dash a while back for £8!!! The Saab c/f one is no good for the new single din head unit so this ones getting used instead.
I bought a few samples the other month and decided on this dark aluminium finish vinyl from 3M. Basically the same stuff as the Carbon Fibre Di-Noc ...just a different finish which has a brushed metal feel/look to it:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-ALUMINIUM-FILM-3M-...
Pics:
Spare wood dash
Small roll of vinyl
Not the best pic but you can make out the grain on the film
Placed over dash & cut to size....have a tiny bit left over for something else (couple rare parts from what I've seen!!)
Back part getting heated up, gets it nice and flexible then and stops it rolling back into a big tube
Air drain holes on the sticky bit (make sure you have these or it just bubbles like crazy and ends up in the bin)
Slowly peel off with a little heat as you go
All flat
Gently & lightly placed over dash (don't press down as it needs to be lifted up repeatedly to get nice & smooth.
Start one one side, heat up so its nice and floppy! Then tuck under the side and start smoothing the bubbles out
Air vent knobs cut out (or you cant get it tight)
Heat up the dash holes as you go along then get the rough shape pressed through. I found heating it right up then press it down to shape, then it stays like that.
Other side
Starting to take shape
Very carefully heat up the din/stereo etc holes then push the vinyl down so it sticks...then cut but be careful not to cut too much off as the walnut will show underneath
Tuck excess vinyl around back, heat up and stick down then trim
All done, by no means perfect, I'm out of practice with not doing one in over a year! Two small bits I'm not happy with but its virtually impossible to get 100% perfect so it'll have to do!
Also fitted the stereo blanking plate so I can finally get this Head Unit fitted....going in Monday....
This afternoons job was gonna be carpeting the amp rack but the heavens have opened back up...
I bought a few samples the other month and decided on this dark aluminium finish vinyl from 3M. Basically the same stuff as the Carbon Fibre Di-Noc ...just a different finish which has a brushed metal feel/look to it:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-ALUMINIUM-FILM-3M-...
Pics:
Spare wood dash
Small roll of vinyl
Not the best pic but you can make out the grain on the film
Placed over dash & cut to size....have a tiny bit left over for something else (couple rare parts from what I've seen!!)
Back part getting heated up, gets it nice and flexible then and stops it rolling back into a big tube
Air drain holes on the sticky bit (make sure you have these or it just bubbles like crazy and ends up in the bin)
Slowly peel off with a little heat as you go
All flat
Gently & lightly placed over dash (don't press down as it needs to be lifted up repeatedly to get nice & smooth.
Start one one side, heat up so its nice and floppy! Then tuck under the side and start smoothing the bubbles out
Air vent knobs cut out (or you cant get it tight)
Heat up the dash holes as you go along then get the rough shape pressed through. I found heating it right up then press it down to shape, then it stays like that.
Other side
Starting to take shape
Very carefully heat up the din/stereo etc holes then push the vinyl down so it sticks...then cut but be careful not to cut too much off as the walnut will show underneath
Tuck excess vinyl around back, heat up and stick down then trim
All done, by no means perfect, I'm out of practice with not doing one in over a year! Two small bits I'm not happy with but its virtually impossible to get 100% perfect so it'll have to do!
Also fitted the stereo blanking plate so I can finally get this Head Unit fitted....going in Monday....
This afternoons job was gonna be carpeting the amp rack but the heavens have opened back up...
Little more vinyl wrapping
Picked these up off eBay for 25 quid!
Walnut door caps plus glove box trimming (rare!!!)
Just had enough wrap left over, but need to get more for a few other parts that I fancy covering
Bit more fiddly to cover as there's not much to grab onto...dash was easier as I could lay it flat and use both hands!
Heated up the ends then pulled the vinyl tight and wrapped it around
Repeated this all the way round, smaller parts are a right pita to wrap!!
One side done
Both done
Glove box thingy next
Tucked under, thinner/tight curved parts are a 'mare to cover!!
Done!!
Plan is to also cover the grey door handle surround, then add these like so...(pic pinched off google)
Also bought some more Focal speakers to replace the dodgy passenger side one, these went back to sender for a refund....they're in a hell of a state....I'll give it another couple weeks looking for a replacement speaker then I'm sacking the Focal's and going down another route but with some HQ home Hi-Fi speakers instead.
Picked these up off eBay for 25 quid!
Walnut door caps plus glove box trimming (rare!!!)
Just had enough wrap left over, but need to get more for a few other parts that I fancy covering
Bit more fiddly to cover as there's not much to grab onto...dash was easier as I could lay it flat and use both hands!
Heated up the ends then pulled the vinyl tight and wrapped it around
Repeated this all the way round, smaller parts are a right pita to wrap!!
One side done
Both done
Glove box thingy next
Tucked under, thinner/tight curved parts are a 'mare to cover!!
Done!!
Plan is to also cover the grey door handle surround, then add these like so...(pic pinched off google)
Also bought some more Focal speakers to replace the dodgy passenger side one, these went back to sender for a refund....they're in a hell of a state....I'll give it another couple weeks looking for a replacement speaker then I'm sacking the Focal's and going down another route but with some HQ home Hi-Fi speakers instead.
Need to update this and get it to where I am now...
Finally got a chance to finish off the false boot floor!!!!!
Couple samples, decided on the darker graphite one in the end.
Crappy UK weather is driving me bananas so I did it indoors while SWMBO was in work!!
Ordered 1.2 x 3M worth of acoustic carpet...thought it best to get a little more than required just in case I **** it up...plus I might have enough left over for the sub enclosure...
Cut to size with enough for an overlap
Strips cut out & trimmed to size, then glued down
Pulled tight & glued down on opposite side
Base done
Finally got a chance to finish off the false boot floor!!!!!
Couple samples, decided on the darker graphite one in the end.
Crappy UK weather is driving me bananas so I did it indoors while SWMBO was in work!!
Ordered 1.2 x 3M worth of acoustic carpet...thought it best to get a little more than required just in case I **** it up...plus I might have enough left over for the sub enclosure...
Cut to size with enough for an overlap
Strips cut out & trimmed to size, then glued down
Pulled tight & glued down on opposite side
Base done
Spare slat used as a template, then cloth cut to size & glued to each one.
Slats done
Top side was then cut to size, slits cut out then trimmed & glued down.
All done
Won't win any competitions!! But I just want the thing up & running now, fingers crossed it'll be dry tomorrow so I can fit the amp, dash & head unit..
Slats done
Top side was then cut to size, slits cut out then trimmed & glued down.
All done
Won't win any competitions!! But I just want the thing up & running now, fingers crossed it'll be dry tomorrow so I can fit the amp, dash & head unit..
Back fitted in the boot. I'll mount the x-overs each side of the amp.
Then swapped the dashes over...and I'm fresh out of new swear words as this really tested me!!!!! Got the old one stuck getting it out and the new one wedged solid getting the ******* thing back in!
Also fitted the new pioneer...looks very complicated but lets me go 2 way active front end plus sub, might go 3 way front next year. Fantastic unit with loads of cool features like time alignment and various EQ settings plus the active stuff....but takes a bit of getting used to after coming from Alipne....
Pretty happy with the colour, more to do later this month!
Vents need a quick going over with hair dryer & tidying up:
Not that happy with this single din adapter piece of crap though. Just can't get the HU to sit correctly, will take a better look tomorrow.
Next job...cut cables & get the amp fitted/wired up and that should be it for now until I find some new speakers.
Then swapped the dashes over...and I'm fresh out of new swear words as this really tested me!!!!! Got the old one stuck getting it out and the new one wedged solid getting the ******* thing back in!
Also fitted the new pioneer...looks very complicated but lets me go 2 way active front end plus sub, might go 3 way front next year. Fantastic unit with loads of cool features like time alignment and various EQ settings plus the active stuff....but takes a bit of getting used to after coming from Alipne....
Pretty happy with the colour, more to do later this month!
Vents need a quick going over with hair dryer & tidying up:
Not that happy with this single din adapter piece of crap though. Just can't get the HU to sit correctly, will take a better look tomorrow.
Next job...cut cables & get the amp fitted/wired up and that should be it for now until I find some new speakers.
Amps now fitted and wired up
I'm running the front mids & tweeters active through the amp (each speaker has its own separate amp channel) but controlling them through the head units intnal active crossover. Channel 5 will be for the sub when I get round to building an enclosure and again ran active from the head unit.
Rear mids & tweets will be run passive with the unused Focal crossovers from the front components but for now they're disconnected with the HU's internal amp switched off
So will be an active/passive system
Also fitted the Bluetooth mic which works a treat.
Then had a play around with the audio settings (sounded really crap at first) I used the auto SQ & Time Alighnmemt feature and this made a hell of a difference...tons of features on this unit!! Still not bang on and needs some tweaking so I've turned off the TA & Auto EQ features for now (pretty hard to set up)
Also tried out a few differnt USB options (no cd changer with these) works fine with a normal USB stick doesn't work with my micro USB stick but works great with my Western Digital 250 & 320gb external HD's (pretty sure these Pioneers can read up to 750gb) but doesnt work with my new 500gb HD (with new gen USB)
Works great with iphone4 and has full control over iTunes.
Coming together now!!!
I'm running the front mids & tweeters active through the amp (each speaker has its own separate amp channel) but controlling them through the head units intnal active crossover. Channel 5 will be for the sub when I get round to building an enclosure and again ran active from the head unit.
Rear mids & tweets will be run passive with the unused Focal crossovers from the front components but for now they're disconnected with the HU's internal amp switched off
So will be an active/passive system
Also fitted the Bluetooth mic which works a treat.
Then had a play around with the audio settings (sounded really crap at first) I used the auto SQ & Time Alighnmemt feature and this made a hell of a difference...tons of features on this unit!! Still not bang on and needs some tweaking so I've turned off the TA & Auto EQ features for now (pretty hard to set up)
Also tried out a few differnt USB options (no cd changer with these) works fine with a normal USB stick doesn't work with my micro USB stick but works great with my Western Digital 250 & 320gb external HD's (pretty sure these Pioneers can read up to 750gb) but doesnt work with my new 500gb HD (with new gen USB)
Works great with iphone4 and has full control over iTunes.
Coming together now!!!
Possible turbo change for something a bit loopy....
Couldn't help myself
Holset HE451ve
Not sure if I'll fit this to the vert or keep it for the next car which will either be another 9-3 or go back to building a nutter 9000 Aero...or leave Saab for a while and get a Fiat Coupe Turbo which ive been hankering after for a while now.
A few guys have fitted the HE351 to their Saabs with success but this it a little bigger...so we'll see...
Couldn't help myself
Holset HE451ve
Not sure if I'll fit this to the vert or keep it for the next car which will either be another 9-3 or go back to building a nutter 9000 Aero...or leave Saab for a while and get a Fiat Coupe Turbo which ive been hankering after for a while now.
A few guys have fitted the HE351 to their Saabs with success but this it a little bigger...so we'll see...
Collected the turbo this week...I'll let the pics do the talking but it's one spicy meatball
My 'spare' 0.64ar GT3076R with 0.70 compressor housing...still a fairly big turbo that should give around 450bhp on this 2.0 (give or take) but still pretty laggy on this engine, would have been better on my old 2.3
And the Holset...compressor housing doesn't look loads bigger here...
Until you look down on it!
GT30 again
Holset...exhaust housing is just huge on this thing! Also weighs a ton!
My 'spare' 0.64ar GT3076R with 0.70 compressor housing...still a fairly big turbo that should give around 450bhp on this 2.0 (give or take) but still pretty laggy on this engine, would have been better on my old 2.3
And the Holset...compressor housing doesn't look loads bigger here...
Until you look down on it!
GT30 again
Holset...exhaust housing is just huge on this thing! Also weighs a ton!
Couple side by side shots....fair play to Holset!! this thing is just enormous and feels twice as heavy as the 76
Just dwarfs the gt30 here! Bit bigger than expected!
Big innit!! Maybe too big....
Best get myself over to the various Holset/DSM etc forums for info. I've had it cheap anyway so if it is too much then can always sell back on eBay, then stick the 76 on....or just go for the Super40 which is what I'm eventually after as its been a well proven turbo on a few of these engines, spools up just a tad later than the 76 but gives miles more oomph up top (Awesome unit)
Apparently this is a 750bhp blower so a good 100 over what I was really after! And 300 over the last car...and around 600 over standard!!! Maybe too much! I'm still not sure if this is right for this car so it might get shelved for the next one or even sold/swapped for something more subtle, the veins can be locked in place so looking at it I might be able to still get an early ish spool while still making decent numbers...also I've read that the electronic actuator can fair/play up so I'll probably go for a mechanical one instead if I do fit it.
In the mean time I'm after fitting something a litte more sensible to give circa 340/350bhp like a 19t tdo4 or more likely a t28/gt28 series turbo as ive still got the fitting kit here off the gt28rs/gt3076 build.
Just need an uprated clutch (Viggen clutch for the 28 or Spec stage ??? for the big one) bigger IC but need to keep the A/C as ime not doing that mistake again so can't go too tall but thickness is ok with 3.5" and then get a decent 3" downpipe built and matted up to the moded 200sx tubular manifold I've had sat in the garage for around a year! Everything else is boxed up and ready to go.
That's it up to date now! Just need to think on this Holset...as its mahoosive!
Just dwarfs the gt30 here! Bit bigger than expected!
Big innit!! Maybe too big....
Best get myself over to the various Holset/DSM etc forums for info. I've had it cheap anyway so if it is too much then can always sell back on eBay, then stick the 76 on....or just go for the Super40 which is what I'm eventually after as its been a well proven turbo on a few of these engines, spools up just a tad later than the 76 but gives miles more oomph up top (Awesome unit)
Apparently this is a 750bhp blower so a good 100 over what I was really after! And 300 over the last car...and around 600 over standard!!! Maybe too much! I'm still not sure if this is right for this car so it might get shelved for the next one or even sold/swapped for something more subtle, the veins can be locked in place so looking at it I might be able to still get an early ish spool while still making decent numbers...also I've read that the electronic actuator can fair/play up so I'll probably go for a mechanical one instead if I do fit it.
In the mean time I'm after fitting something a litte more sensible to give circa 340/350bhp like a 19t tdo4 or more likely a t28/gt28 series turbo as ive still got the fitting kit here off the gt28rs/gt3076 build.
Just need an uprated clutch (Viggen clutch for the 28 or Spec stage ??? for the big one) bigger IC but need to keep the A/C as ime not doing that mistake again so can't go too tall but thickness is ok with 3.5" and then get a decent 3" downpipe built and matted up to the moded 200sx tubular manifold I've had sat in the garage for around a year! Everything else is boxed up and ready to go.
That's it up to date now! Just need to think on this Holset...as its mahoosive!
Ilovejapcrap said:
2012 last update !
I guess I'll never know what happened
Sold it for this: I guess I'll never know what happened
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Nice enough car but just couldn't get on with a convertible and felt a right prick everytime the roof was down.
Monster Holset & gt30 also went, I think the Holsets on a turbo'd e30 in Eastern Europe now!
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