My 'Shed' Saab 900 Carlsson
Discussion
Just thought I would try and drum up some enthusiasm for it as it's currently sitting on the drive on axles stands awaiting refurbished wheels / brakes, new ball joints, new track rod ends and various suspension bushes.
Bought this for 900 pounds as a non runner in around March time. These cars were quite sort after in their day and were fairly rare with only 600 black Carlssons being made between 1990 and 1992. These days good examples regularly fetch 6 or 7 thousand and it was originally bought with the intent of making a bit of money on it but I have kind of fallen in love with it and it's my daily driver now.
I'll copy the story so far across from UKSaabs to fill you all in on how it came to this point..
Bought this for 900 pounds as a non runner in around March time. These cars were quite sort after in their day and were fairly rare with only 600 black Carlssons being made between 1990 and 1992. These days good examples regularly fetch 6 or 7 thousand and it was originally bought with the intent of making a bit of money on it but I have kind of fallen in love with it and it's my daily driver now.
I'll copy the story so far across from UKSaabs to fill you all in on how it came to this point..
Thought I would start this thread as I purchased a 900 Carlsson in a rather sorry state on saturday which is my first Saab. I am however no stranger to the marque having grown up in a family with a terrible case of Saabitis having owned several 96s, 99s, 900s, A Sonett III and even a 9-3 over the years. We still have the Sonett III which I helped put back on the road and did quite a lot of work on but it looks like this one may be even more of a challenge.
It has been left standing for 2 years after a coming together of a kerb and the front bumper which did not end so favourably for the car. Consequently a lot of things have degraded over time and left the car which I will probably name "Sven" in a very sorry looking state indeed. I don't have many pictures at the moment and I am travelling to pick the car up on a trailer on Thursday so will post some more up then when the full extent of what I have let myself in for dawns on me. I am determined to save it though and not let it end up as a breaker. The one major plus is the car seems relatively solid all over apart from a couple of areas that need attention and has full service history and thousands spent on the mechanicals. I am hoping a bit of TLC and a damn good clean will put it well on its way to tearing up the open road again.
Here are a few pictures which are pretty terrible but as I said I will take some better ones when I have access to the car:
The main problems that spring to mind at the moment other than the usual cleaning are:
Problem selecting 5th reverse, have been advised this is just a threaded pin that needs adjusting in the bottom of the selector rod
Headlining needs replacing (Surprise Surprise)
Sort drivers door rust (door bottom is still solid we think surprisingly)
Drivers front wheel arch needs welding from where front bumper has dropped and allowed water to rot the inner lining
Drivers/Passenger door mechanisms need repairing
Full service and soaking bores in oil before attempting to start engine (turn over by hand and on the starter first)
Iron out a few electrical gremlins (could be fun that one)
tidy up bonnet mechanism (surface rust)
Source a replacement chrome grille/ rear decor panel as they are damaged (could get pricey)
Wheels off and check over brakes/suspension.
New rad possibly
No concrete plans as of yet but I would just like to get it back into its former glory and then maybe a FMIC and a 3" JT system, some bilsteins and remove the front ARB and source a leather interior and I imagine that would keep me happy for a fair while!
It has been left standing for 2 years after a coming together of a kerb and the front bumper which did not end so favourably for the car. Consequently a lot of things have degraded over time and left the car which I will probably name "Sven" in a very sorry looking state indeed. I don't have many pictures at the moment and I am travelling to pick the car up on a trailer on Thursday so will post some more up then when the full extent of what I have let myself in for dawns on me. I am determined to save it though and not let it end up as a breaker. The one major plus is the car seems relatively solid all over apart from a couple of areas that need attention and has full service history and thousands spent on the mechanicals. I am hoping a bit of TLC and a damn good clean will put it well on its way to tearing up the open road again.
Here are a few pictures which are pretty terrible but as I said I will take some better ones when I have access to the car:
The main problems that spring to mind at the moment other than the usual cleaning are:
Problem selecting 5th reverse, have been advised this is just a threaded pin that needs adjusting in the bottom of the selector rod
Headlining needs replacing (Surprise Surprise)
Sort drivers door rust (door bottom is still solid we think surprisingly)
Drivers front wheel arch needs welding from where front bumper has dropped and allowed water to rot the inner lining
Drivers/Passenger door mechanisms need repairing
Full service and soaking bores in oil before attempting to start engine (turn over by hand and on the starter first)
Iron out a few electrical gremlins (could be fun that one)
tidy up bonnet mechanism (surface rust)
Source a replacement chrome grille/ rear decor panel as they are damaged (could get pricey)
Wheels off and check over brakes/suspension.
New rad possibly
No concrete plans as of yet but I would just like to get it back into its former glory and then maybe a FMIC and a 3" JT system, some bilsteins and remove the front ARB and source a leather interior and I imagine that would keep me happy for a fair while!
Wow what an exhausting few days!
Picked the car up yesterday, weather was okay until 20 minutes before we arrived when the heavens opened and didn't stop till we made it back the 130 odd miles on the trailer with the car. The whole day was in jeopardy when we turned up to pick up the trailer I had booked for hire to find it didn't have a winch because it had been taken off to be repaired. Not a good start. There was no way a car that had not moved in two years was going to be pushed up onto a trailer and I thought it was going to be a wasted trip but some quick thinking from my dad saw us depart to pick up the car plus one "turf winch" and 20m of 3/4" thick steel cable.
When we arrived we had to find a way to rig up the turf winch to the trailer and then had to jack through the 15 or so metres of unnecessary cable before the car even moved an inch. Not fun I can tell you but at least that's my exercise done for the year. After removing various bits of trailer that the winch shackle fouled on its way up (the car didnt have a towing eye so tied some ratchet straps round the lower wishbones as a quick bodge) the car finally was dragged kicking and screaming onto the trailer after having fought us for over an hour in the pouring rain . Maybe it didn't want to leave.
That left us with this:
Got home still soaking wet but happy with my purchase (so far) wondering what surprises the next day would bring. Put some oil down the bores to soak for tomorrow through the spark plug holes as the engine had not turned in over 2 years. On taking off the plug lead cover I was greeted with an immaculate head underneath with clean new plug leads and plugs. A good sign for things to come perhaps.
Which brings me to today. First job, source a new battery. The battery on the car was virtually brand new before it was laid up but 2 years left standing had left it with 0.5V open circuit across the terminals. The battery tester wouldnt even recognise it as a battery, Oh dear. I had read that sourcing a battery for a T16S was nigh on impossible as the standard 900 battery shoves the heatshield right up against the turbo elbow and I didn't want the engine clanging into it as it rocked about under the immense torque of the engine that hadnt run in 2 years. Every motor factor catalogue we tried listed the standard 900 battery dimensions for the T16S and I was beginning to give up hope but a final visit to Warwick Batteries in, well, Warwick surprisingly saw us strike gold. The man who served us saw us approaching with the Saab battery and instantly knew of the problem we were talking about, without even taking any measurements he walked into the back and came out with the correct sized battery fully charged with a 3 year warranty after about 20 seconds. Fantastic service. If any of you T16S owners are having a similar struggle to find the correct battery then I suggest you pay them a visit.
Then the usual change of filters and fluids (and ending up minus one sump plug - severly mangled trying to get it off) and the car up on axle stands to have a check over revealed a surprisingly solid car underneath, better than my '98 Rover anyway! The front right wheel arch after a good prodding is quite badly corroded where it meets the wing but as far as we have found so far this is the only rot on the car that needs patching! Result.
First I turned the engine over by hand, then on the starter to build some oil pressure, then plugs back in and leads on and the moment of truth had arrived...
..
.....
In true Saab fashion, started up on the first turn of the key. Apart from a HUGE cloud of white spoke from all the oil in the cylinders and a noisy hydraulic tappet which quietened down after idling for 5-10 minutes it ran sweet as a nut. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Still have brakes, Still have clutch. Managed to find all the gears although the linkage needs some adjustment as 5th is a pain to find, almost as if it is not gated.
There are a few niggly problems however. The rad is weeping down the passenger side and the temperature gauge appears to be broken but other than that much not to complain about mechanically or electrically.
Next Job was to give the car a thorough clean. I didn't really have time to clay, polish and wax the car but this will get done as soon as I can spare a weekend! The paint is pretty badly swirled but surprisingly few dents dings and scrapes for a car of this age.
Here he is post wash talking to our other Swede, the Sonett III:
In the final pic you can see where the bumper is held on with copious amounts of gaffer tape. A job that will have to be tackled sooner rather than later.
There are a lot of niggly jobs on this car to do but so far I haven't uncovered anything too serious and I am chuffed to bits. The 900 burble on tick over is fantastic if you ask me!
Picked the car up yesterday, weather was okay until 20 minutes before we arrived when the heavens opened and didn't stop till we made it back the 130 odd miles on the trailer with the car. The whole day was in jeopardy when we turned up to pick up the trailer I had booked for hire to find it didn't have a winch because it had been taken off to be repaired. Not a good start. There was no way a car that had not moved in two years was going to be pushed up onto a trailer and I thought it was going to be a wasted trip but some quick thinking from my dad saw us depart to pick up the car plus one "turf winch" and 20m of 3/4" thick steel cable.
When we arrived we had to find a way to rig up the turf winch to the trailer and then had to jack through the 15 or so metres of unnecessary cable before the car even moved an inch. Not fun I can tell you but at least that's my exercise done for the year. After removing various bits of trailer that the winch shackle fouled on its way up (the car didnt have a towing eye so tied some ratchet straps round the lower wishbones as a quick bodge) the car finally was dragged kicking and screaming onto the trailer after having fought us for over an hour in the pouring rain . Maybe it didn't want to leave.
That left us with this:
Got home still soaking wet but happy with my purchase (so far) wondering what surprises the next day would bring. Put some oil down the bores to soak for tomorrow through the spark plug holes as the engine had not turned in over 2 years. On taking off the plug lead cover I was greeted with an immaculate head underneath with clean new plug leads and plugs. A good sign for things to come perhaps.
Which brings me to today. First job, source a new battery. The battery on the car was virtually brand new before it was laid up but 2 years left standing had left it with 0.5V open circuit across the terminals. The battery tester wouldnt even recognise it as a battery, Oh dear. I had read that sourcing a battery for a T16S was nigh on impossible as the standard 900 battery shoves the heatshield right up against the turbo elbow and I didn't want the engine clanging into it as it rocked about under the immense torque of the engine that hadnt run in 2 years. Every motor factor catalogue we tried listed the standard 900 battery dimensions for the T16S and I was beginning to give up hope but a final visit to Warwick Batteries in, well, Warwick surprisingly saw us strike gold. The man who served us saw us approaching with the Saab battery and instantly knew of the problem we were talking about, without even taking any measurements he walked into the back and came out with the correct sized battery fully charged with a 3 year warranty after about 20 seconds. Fantastic service. If any of you T16S owners are having a similar struggle to find the correct battery then I suggest you pay them a visit.
Then the usual change of filters and fluids (and ending up minus one sump plug - severly mangled trying to get it off) and the car up on axle stands to have a check over revealed a surprisingly solid car underneath, better than my '98 Rover anyway! The front right wheel arch after a good prodding is quite badly corroded where it meets the wing but as far as we have found so far this is the only rot on the car that needs patching! Result.
First I turned the engine over by hand, then on the starter to build some oil pressure, then plugs back in and leads on and the moment of truth had arrived...
..
.....
In true Saab fashion, started up on the first turn of the key. Apart from a HUGE cloud of white spoke from all the oil in the cylinders and a noisy hydraulic tappet which quietened down after idling for 5-10 minutes it ran sweet as a nut. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Still have brakes, Still have clutch. Managed to find all the gears although the linkage needs some adjustment as 5th is a pain to find, almost as if it is not gated.
There are a few niggly problems however. The rad is weeping down the passenger side and the temperature gauge appears to be broken but other than that much not to complain about mechanically or electrically.
Next Job was to give the car a thorough clean. I didn't really have time to clay, polish and wax the car but this will get done as soon as I can spare a weekend! The paint is pretty badly swirled but surprisingly few dents dings and scrapes for a car of this age.
Here he is post wash talking to our other Swede, the Sonett III:
In the final pic you can see where the bumper is held on with copious amounts of gaffer tape. A job that will have to be tackled sooner rather than later.
There are a lot of niggly jobs on this car to do but so far I haven't uncovered anything too serious and I am chuffed to bits. The 900 burble on tick over is fantastic if you ask me!
So, major progress update! We are onnn the roadd again!
Only needed the handbrake reconnecting on the passenger side to get through the MOT! (Don't know how I didnt spot it! D'oh!)
On running the engine on my drive it became apparent the radiator was shot so that was replaced and whilst having a good dig around the car found a few more slightly dodgy areas of rust.
I am not in a position to weld the car right now as I am supposed to be writing a dissertation (eek!) and the rot isn't structual so I made the decision to kill it, paint it, and forget about it until summer comes along when I have time to effect a proper repair.
Effected a repair to the bumper by gluing up the crack with a hot glue gun from the inside and spent hours and hours removing duct tape and residue that was baked on by the sun, not a nice job! it turns out that the mounting points on the bumper are fine it is just that the bolt was missing so nipped into the garage and found one straight away and it was straight back on although not fitting quite as well as I had hoped due to the offside inner arch mounting bolt holes having err...rusted away!
Managed to fix the 5th gear change just by adjusting the length of the pin on the bottom of the shifter rod to 22mm.
A temperature sender from a spare 96 inlet manifold looked remarkably similar to the item found in the thermostat housing so I swapped them out and now have a working temperature gauge, although it took a while to realize it with the new rad keeping things super cool!
Had a little bit of an incident experimenting with boost along a straight in 3rd gear as we kept experiencing overboosting then fuel cut but I think this was due to a slightly sticky waste gate actuator as this has all but dissapeared now. I hope the policeman waiting at the end of the straight was too busy munching and appreciative of the fact that my third gear pull over the bridge was in the interest of scientific experiment otherwise I am awaiting a NIP to drop through the doormat :bag: , I knew this car would end up with me losing my licence but didn't think it would be before I even got an MOT on it!
So off to the MOT and had a nervous coffee down the road whilst the test was carried out, I have never been so scared about an MOT before as alot of aspects of the car were a complete unknown to me. I need not be afraid however as the car passed with no advisories in true saab style! :mrgreen:
Then began wrangling with insurance companies and the like before I could drive the lovely thing up to Sheffield so I could carry on with my life and actually do some work....This however went straight out the window when the prospect of the A57 Snakes pass entered my mind as a proper shakedown for the car and before I knew it I had been to glossop and back "just because" and watched the fuel gauge creep towards empty as though money was pouring out my wallet. I have to say the way the car rides over sweeping A/B roads is fantastic and feels really planted on the road which is great and the whoosh in 3rd gear is a phenomenal experience. Some pictures of this super day out are located below!
Tomorrow I have a day off lectures and if the weather holds good then the car will be getting a full polish and wax to try and bring some of the shine back, I clayed the car before which made a big difference but ran out of time before I could get some polish down so hopefully a proper wash will bring it back to a nice shine. I can't believe how hard it is to keep black cars clean argh
Been shopping for the car recently and ordered some bits that I needed/wanted. Its quite frightening how quickly it all adds up but considering the car owes me very little money compared to its value at the moment I thought I should maybe splash out a little bit seeing as how it was kind to me.
PICTURES!
A late finish before battle with the MOT man at dawn...well 11:30 actually.
Snow topped Snakes Pass
Only needed the handbrake reconnecting on the passenger side to get through the MOT! (Don't know how I didnt spot it! D'oh!)
On running the engine on my drive it became apparent the radiator was shot so that was replaced and whilst having a good dig around the car found a few more slightly dodgy areas of rust.
I am not in a position to weld the car right now as I am supposed to be writing a dissertation (eek!) and the rot isn't structual so I made the decision to kill it, paint it, and forget about it until summer comes along when I have time to effect a proper repair.
Effected a repair to the bumper by gluing up the crack with a hot glue gun from the inside and spent hours and hours removing duct tape and residue that was baked on by the sun, not a nice job! it turns out that the mounting points on the bumper are fine it is just that the bolt was missing so nipped into the garage and found one straight away and it was straight back on although not fitting quite as well as I had hoped due to the offside inner arch mounting bolt holes having err...rusted away!
Managed to fix the 5th gear change just by adjusting the length of the pin on the bottom of the shifter rod to 22mm.
A temperature sender from a spare 96 inlet manifold looked remarkably similar to the item found in the thermostat housing so I swapped them out and now have a working temperature gauge, although it took a while to realize it with the new rad keeping things super cool!
Had a little bit of an incident experimenting with boost along a straight in 3rd gear as we kept experiencing overboosting then fuel cut but I think this was due to a slightly sticky waste gate actuator as this has all but dissapeared now. I hope the policeman waiting at the end of the straight was too busy munching and appreciative of the fact that my third gear pull over the bridge was in the interest of scientific experiment otherwise I am awaiting a NIP to drop through the doormat :bag: , I knew this car would end up with me losing my licence but didn't think it would be before I even got an MOT on it!
So off to the MOT and had a nervous coffee down the road whilst the test was carried out, I have never been so scared about an MOT before as alot of aspects of the car were a complete unknown to me. I need not be afraid however as the car passed with no advisories in true saab style! :mrgreen:
Then began wrangling with insurance companies and the like before I could drive the lovely thing up to Sheffield so I could carry on with my life and actually do some work....This however went straight out the window when the prospect of the A57 Snakes pass entered my mind as a proper shakedown for the car and before I knew it I had been to glossop and back "just because" and watched the fuel gauge creep towards empty as though money was pouring out my wallet. I have to say the way the car rides over sweeping A/B roads is fantastic and feels really planted on the road which is great and the whoosh in 3rd gear is a phenomenal experience. Some pictures of this super day out are located below!
Tomorrow I have a day off lectures and if the weather holds good then the car will be getting a full polish and wax to try and bring some of the shine back, I clayed the car before which made a big difference but ran out of time before I could get some polish down so hopefully a proper wash will bring it back to a nice shine. I can't believe how hard it is to keep black cars clean argh
Been shopping for the car recently and ordered some bits that I needed/wanted. Its quite frightening how quickly it all adds up but considering the car owes me very little money compared to its value at the moment I thought I should maybe splash out a little bit seeing as how it was kind to me.
PICTURES!
A late finish before battle with the MOT man at dawn...well 11:30 actually.
Snow topped Snakes Pass
Welcome to the world of heartache, elation and damnation....
I note you are looking for a rear decor panel....this may be a bigger challenge than you thought. According to the DVLA there are only 2 manuals presently 'on the road' and 5 declared SORN. There's only 1 auto...
So don't expect Saab - even the 'museum' to have much on the shelf to support you.
Getting as rare as the 9000 2.3 CD Carlsson I have two - one fully refurbished and the only factory blue one made which is in process and a red 5 door.
Have you got somewhere to get your wheels refurbed? I've just had 2 sets redone at Pristine Alloys in Milton Keynes - the UK experts and they will do it right. Another 2 sets as spares to go... Gunmetal insert, polished (diamond turned) edge, take out the kinks and buckles which these three spokes are pigs for. The orginal wheels on that motor were actually 15" with a 195/60 VR tyre. You should be running a 205/50 ZR or W rated 16 - no matter how tempted, do not put a 55 profile tyre on. Try Avon ZV5 - I've been driving these motors for 20 years now and have had several Carlsson's in my collection and the Avon's are without a doubt the very best match. Pristine are the recognised experts in their field and they charge a really fair price.
There's not a job I haven't done on one of these 900's - I've stripped and refurbed several - including, lately, a 1985 900T 16S on a B plate with knacked rear inner arches. No longer available from Saab, replacements had to be hand made.
Getting back to the rear decor panel - Ebay. I spent 4 years looking across just about every Saab Dealer on the planet looking for a decor panel for the 9000. The panel had been discontinued more than 10 years ago. Finally got one through a contact, through a contact with an international Saab Owners Club. Try the UK Saab owners club - they may have one or two with a member somewhere....
However, you may find a decent used one in a breaker, but you are on a treasure hunt now!
Note of caution - don't wind up the boost pressure too much - you've felt the effects of fuel cut-off already when the boost dumps and your head cracks off the windscreen. Too much loud pedal in third will result in a new gearbox demand within a few thousand miles. While you are under the car, drop the gearbox oil and change it regularly - it's cheap insurance and you'll probably find what's in there already has some metal filings floating around.
Make sure the APC valve has been cleaned out with a bit of electrical cleaner and make sure all the vacuum hose is in first class condition - spend 20 quid and replace it all - even the slightest loss of vacuum and they drive 'off colour'. Change the spark plug leads - they degrade when standing and do the dizzy cap and rotor arm for a tenner or so at the same time.
Put a new fuel filter on - don't miss that one.
Once you have got used to how this one is settling, drop me a note and I can point you in the direction of how to fettle the APC unit to give you a little more poke without causing significant downside (like whacking up the wastegate control arm does)
If you want to get the best out of the motor - run it on V Power and DON'T DISCONNECT THE KNOCK SENSOR! The turbo boost is electronically controlled using feedback from the knock sensor to reduce detonation.
I'm taking my refurbed black CD Carlsson on a European road trip starting this Friday, leaving Aberdeen, heading to France, Holland, Switzerland and Germany. I'll post a photo of the motors at some point, but I'm not at home until Thursday. I'm dropping past on my way south to show Erik Carlsson himself, how the refurb has gone. He was kind enough to sign me a new signature to scan onto the car after the paintwork was redone. Note that the decal kit is now discontinued (unsurprisingly) so take care of it!
Oh, and by the way - the correct interior for your car and they can still be found, is either Dover Grey or Charcoal leather with the suede inserts on the thigh and shoulder bolsters.
Good luck! You've bought a big smile factor and I agree, the shape still looks 'right'. Wait until the next snow comes - with a set of 195/65/15 winter tyres on it, you'll feel as if you are driving on dry tarmac!
Best regards.
I note you are looking for a rear decor panel....this may be a bigger challenge than you thought. According to the DVLA there are only 2 manuals presently 'on the road' and 5 declared SORN. There's only 1 auto...
So don't expect Saab - even the 'museum' to have much on the shelf to support you.
Getting as rare as the 9000 2.3 CD Carlsson I have two - one fully refurbished and the only factory blue one made which is in process and a red 5 door.
Have you got somewhere to get your wheels refurbed? I've just had 2 sets redone at Pristine Alloys in Milton Keynes - the UK experts and they will do it right. Another 2 sets as spares to go... Gunmetal insert, polished (diamond turned) edge, take out the kinks and buckles which these three spokes are pigs for. The orginal wheels on that motor were actually 15" with a 195/60 VR tyre. You should be running a 205/50 ZR or W rated 16 - no matter how tempted, do not put a 55 profile tyre on. Try Avon ZV5 - I've been driving these motors for 20 years now and have had several Carlsson's in my collection and the Avon's are without a doubt the very best match. Pristine are the recognised experts in their field and they charge a really fair price.
There's not a job I haven't done on one of these 900's - I've stripped and refurbed several - including, lately, a 1985 900T 16S on a B plate with knacked rear inner arches. No longer available from Saab, replacements had to be hand made.
Getting back to the rear decor panel - Ebay. I spent 4 years looking across just about every Saab Dealer on the planet looking for a decor panel for the 9000. The panel had been discontinued more than 10 years ago. Finally got one through a contact, through a contact with an international Saab Owners Club. Try the UK Saab owners club - they may have one or two with a member somewhere....
However, you may find a decent used one in a breaker, but you are on a treasure hunt now!
Note of caution - don't wind up the boost pressure too much - you've felt the effects of fuel cut-off already when the boost dumps and your head cracks off the windscreen. Too much loud pedal in third will result in a new gearbox demand within a few thousand miles. While you are under the car, drop the gearbox oil and change it regularly - it's cheap insurance and you'll probably find what's in there already has some metal filings floating around.
Make sure the APC valve has been cleaned out with a bit of electrical cleaner and make sure all the vacuum hose is in first class condition - spend 20 quid and replace it all - even the slightest loss of vacuum and they drive 'off colour'. Change the spark plug leads - they degrade when standing and do the dizzy cap and rotor arm for a tenner or so at the same time.
Put a new fuel filter on - don't miss that one.
Once you have got used to how this one is settling, drop me a note and I can point you in the direction of how to fettle the APC unit to give you a little more poke without causing significant downside (like whacking up the wastegate control arm does)
If you want to get the best out of the motor - run it on V Power and DON'T DISCONNECT THE KNOCK SENSOR! The turbo boost is electronically controlled using feedback from the knock sensor to reduce detonation.
I'm taking my refurbed black CD Carlsson on a European road trip starting this Friday, leaving Aberdeen, heading to France, Holland, Switzerland and Germany. I'll post a photo of the motors at some point, but I'm not at home until Thursday. I'm dropping past on my way south to show Erik Carlsson himself, how the refurb has gone. He was kind enough to sign me a new signature to scan onto the car after the paintwork was redone. Note that the decal kit is now discontinued (unsurprisingly) so take care of it!
Oh, and by the way - the correct interior for your car and they can still be found, is either Dover Grey or Charcoal leather with the suede inserts on the thigh and shoulder bolsters.
Good luck! You've bought a big smile factor and I agree, the shape still looks 'right'. Wait until the next snow comes - with a set of 195/65/15 winter tyres on it, you'll feel as if you are driving on dry tarmac!
Best regards.
H141RUJ said:
Welcome to the world of heartache, elation and damnation....
I note you are looking for a rear decor panel....this may be a bigger challenge than you thought. According to the DVLA there are only 2 manuals presently 'on the road' and 5 declared SORN. There's only 1 auto...
So don't expect Saab - even the 'museum' to have much on the shelf to support you.
Getting as rare as the 9000 2.3 CD Carlsson I have two - one fully refurbished and the only factory blue one made which is in process and a red 5 door.
Have you got somewhere to get your wheels refurbed? I've just had 2 sets redone at Pristine Alloys in Milton Keynes - the UK experts and they will do it right. Another 2 sets as spares to go... Gunmetal insert, polished (diamond turned) edge, take out the kinks and buckles which these three spokes are pigs for. The orginal wheels on that motor were actually 15" with a 195/60 VR tyre. You should be running a 205/50 ZR or W rated 16 - no matter how tempted, do not put a 55 profile tyre on. Try Avon ZV5 - I've been driving these motors for 20 years now and have had several Carlsson's in my collection and the Avon's are without a doubt the very best match. Pristine are the recognised experts in their field and they charge a really fair price.
There's not a job I haven't done on one of these 900's - I've stripped and refurbed several - including, lately, a 1985 900T 16S on a B plate with knacked rear inner arches. No longer available from Saab, replacements had to be hand made.
Getting back to the rear decor panel - Ebay. I spent 4 years looking across just about every Saab Dealer on the planet looking for a decor panel for the 9000. The panel had been discontinued more than 10 years ago. Finally got one through a contact, through a contact with an international Saab Owners Club. Try the UK Saab owners club - they may have one or two with a member somewhere....
However, you may find a decent used one in a breaker, but you are on a treasure hunt now!
Note of caution - don't wind up the boost pressure too much - you've felt the effects of fuel cut-off already when the boost dumps and your head cracks off the windscreen. Too much loud pedal in third will result in a new gearbox demand within a few thousand miles. While you are under the car, drop the gearbox oil and change it regularly - it's cheap insurance and you'll probably find what's in there already has some metal filings floating around.
Make sure the APC valve has been cleaned out with a bit of electrical cleaner and make sure all the vacuum hose is in first class condition - spend 20 quid and replace it all - even the slightest loss of vacuum and they drive 'off colour'. Change the spark plug leads - they degrade when standing and do the dizzy cap and rotor arm for a tenner or so at the same time.
Put a new fuel filter on - don't miss that one.
Once you have got used to how this one is settling, drop me a note and I can point you in the direction of how to fettle the APC unit to give you a little more poke without causing significant downside (like whacking up the wastegate control arm does)
If you want to get the best out of the motor - run it on V Power and DON'T DISCONNECT THE KNOCK SENSOR! The turbo boost is electronically controlled using feedback from the knock sensor to reduce detonation.
I'm taking my refurbed black CD Carlsson on a European road trip starting this Friday, leaving Aberdeen, heading to France, Holland, Switzerland and Germany. I'll post a photo of the motors at some point, but I'm not at home until Thursday. I'm dropping past on my way south to show Erik Carlsson himself, how the refurb has gone. He was kind enough to sign me a new signature to scan onto the car after the paintwork was redone. Note that the decal kit is now discontinued (unsurprisingly) so take care of it!
Oh, and by the way - the correct interior for your car and they can still be found, is either Dover Grey or Charcoal leather with the suede inserts on the thigh and shoulder bolsters.
Good luck! You've bought a big smile factor and I agree, the shape still looks 'right'. Wait until the next snow comes - with a set of 195/65/15 winter tyres on it, you'll feel as if you are driving on dry tarmac!
Best regards.
Thanks for all this, good reading!I note you are looking for a rear decor panel....this may be a bigger challenge than you thought. According to the DVLA there are only 2 manuals presently 'on the road' and 5 declared SORN. There's only 1 auto...
So don't expect Saab - even the 'museum' to have much on the shelf to support you.
Getting as rare as the 9000 2.3 CD Carlsson I have two - one fully refurbished and the only factory blue one made which is in process and a red 5 door.
Have you got somewhere to get your wheels refurbed? I've just had 2 sets redone at Pristine Alloys in Milton Keynes - the UK experts and they will do it right. Another 2 sets as spares to go... Gunmetal insert, polished (diamond turned) edge, take out the kinks and buckles which these three spokes are pigs for. The orginal wheels on that motor were actually 15" with a 195/60 VR tyre. You should be running a 205/50 ZR or W rated 16 - no matter how tempted, do not put a 55 profile tyre on. Try Avon ZV5 - I've been driving these motors for 20 years now and have had several Carlsson's in my collection and the Avon's are without a doubt the very best match. Pristine are the recognised experts in their field and they charge a really fair price.
There's not a job I haven't done on one of these 900's - I've stripped and refurbed several - including, lately, a 1985 900T 16S on a B plate with knacked rear inner arches. No longer available from Saab, replacements had to be hand made.
Getting back to the rear decor panel - Ebay. I spent 4 years looking across just about every Saab Dealer on the planet looking for a decor panel for the 9000. The panel had been discontinued more than 10 years ago. Finally got one through a contact, through a contact with an international Saab Owners Club. Try the UK Saab owners club - they may have one or two with a member somewhere....
However, you may find a decent used one in a breaker, but you are on a treasure hunt now!
Note of caution - don't wind up the boost pressure too much - you've felt the effects of fuel cut-off already when the boost dumps and your head cracks off the windscreen. Too much loud pedal in third will result in a new gearbox demand within a few thousand miles. While you are under the car, drop the gearbox oil and change it regularly - it's cheap insurance and you'll probably find what's in there already has some metal filings floating around.
Make sure the APC valve has been cleaned out with a bit of electrical cleaner and make sure all the vacuum hose is in first class condition - spend 20 quid and replace it all - even the slightest loss of vacuum and they drive 'off colour'. Change the spark plug leads - they degrade when standing and do the dizzy cap and rotor arm for a tenner or so at the same time.
Put a new fuel filter on - don't miss that one.
Once you have got used to how this one is settling, drop me a note and I can point you in the direction of how to fettle the APC unit to give you a little more poke without causing significant downside (like whacking up the wastegate control arm does)
If you want to get the best out of the motor - run it on V Power and DON'T DISCONNECT THE KNOCK SENSOR! The turbo boost is electronically controlled using feedback from the knock sensor to reduce detonation.
I'm taking my refurbed black CD Carlsson on a European road trip starting this Friday, leaving Aberdeen, heading to France, Holland, Switzerland and Germany. I'll post a photo of the motors at some point, but I'm not at home until Thursday. I'm dropping past on my way south to show Erik Carlsson himself, how the refurb has gone. He was kind enough to sign me a new signature to scan onto the car after the paintwork was redone. Note that the decal kit is now discontinued (unsurprisingly) so take care of it!
Oh, and by the way - the correct interior for your car and they can still be found, is either Dover Grey or Charcoal leather with the suede inserts on the thigh and shoulder bolsters.
Good luck! You've bought a big smile factor and I agree, the shape still looks 'right'. Wait until the next snow comes - with a set of 195/65/15 winter tyres on it, you'll feel as if you are driving on dry tarmac!
Best regards.
I have managed to source a rear decor panel through someone on UKSaabs for a not too astronomical sum but I found the broken pieces and managed to effect a fairly decent repair so its all glued back together currently.
I think the reason lists so few left on howmanyleft is because of how the log books were written by the dealers and not all logbooks feature 'Carlsson' in the vehicle name section, some are just listed as T16S' although they are genuine items... I know of 2 other manuals on the road in the same model year and black at least and I am sure there are a few more. Having said that, yes they are getting rather thin on the ground yes and I can't imagine there to be many more than 30 or so left in the UK.
The wheel had been refurbished just 3 years ago, about 6 months before it got laid up but unfortunately water crept under the laquer on the rim where they were standing and has lifted it and turned the polished lip milky. The wheel centres are perfect still though. I am just getting the rims polished by PureKlas in coventry who have done them before and going on their previous work there wont be any problems here.. I currently have Yokohama 205/45 tyres on which aren't a bad match for the original rolling radius but I will try the Avons next.
I have fairly good advice to go on on tuning these as I have been in touch with Craig Bell who owns an immaculate black 900 carlsson which was featured in Saab Driver not too long ago. I've have enjoyed learning about how the APC works and have gained quite a bit of respect for how sophisticated these cars are so I am not going to rip it all off and stick a manual boost controller on there like some people do. I already have the red box APC I have seen the mods to make it adjustable to higher boost so I will probably do this towards the tail end of the summer coupled with a 3 bar FPR and hopefully a FMIC if I can squeeze one in there without doing any cutting as the current intercooler is more of a heat sink than anything else as it sees no airflow whatsoever behind the left headlight. I'm only really aiming for 230-240bhp at the moment so don't need to go too silly.
I never floor it in 1st or 2nd as these are most common to go first so I am told and I am not much of a traffic light grand prix man anyway. The gear oil is being changed later this week and I will invest in a stiffened diff inspection plate from Jamsaab in a few months aswell when I am earning.
The interior believe it or not was actually original as leather interiors were actually an option on the 91 cars (which was normally always specified by Carlsson buyers..) Having said that I am trying down to track a black leather interior and I may have found one in Scotland.
If you know where I can get hold of a set of 15" steel wheels let me know... I have heard all about these cars on decent winter tyres in the snow and I cannot wait to be whizzing about past everyone spinning away come a bit of snow. This video never fails to amaze me - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUxKdF7BjNE
I am tremendously jealous of your road trip and some friends and I are planning something similar later in the year. I have met Erik a few times now but it was before I bought the car, my dad used to Rally 96's so is a huge fan, and as I said I've effectively been brought up on saabs. I desperately would like him to sign the sunvisor of the vehicle (on a transparent self adhesive film..) but I have no idea which shows he is attending if any this year and would feel so guilty asking as he isn't exactly getting any younger...
Anyway,
Thanks a lot for your advice and I look forward to seeing some pictures of the CD's
Sure - no problem in helping out another true Saab driver....
I've been following these motors very closely since they first came out!
Don't go past 200 bhp on the engine - though they are plenty strong and can take a good bit more, the gearbox is the weak spot and it's at about 200 bhp where the critical threshold is crossed. It's not 1st and 2nd that kills it - it's 3rd - the temptation to drop the gear and hoof it to get that kick in the kidneys is too intoxicating for most people and hence the gearbox dies. It's the 5th gear idler that goes - you'll know because of the whine that turns up. Replacements are getting harder to get. The best thing you can do for the car is strip the engine and get everything balanced - do that and they drive and sound even better. Porting and polishing the head gives a nice 'second' breath at about 4000 rpm. You'll find bumping up the fuel pressure too much makes them overfuel, the injectors leak and they run like a dog.
As for the comment on the V5 - some Carlssons were Factory made - all in 1991 in particular, but a considerable number of the earlier models were dealer completed - i.e body kit and decals fitted locally. That's why you will find that factory made have Carlsson listed in the V5 and dealer install shows a 16S.
When I get home, I'll check the detail on the leather - I have the detailed spec for these cars from 89 through to 91 and I was sure the leather came as standard on the '91 model. You may have a '90 H plate - anyhoo it makes no difference as you have what you have. The leather will make it feel real nice and it's worth getting the bolsters refurbed while the seats are out before you install them.
By the way - fixing the seat heaters is normally on the cards - it's usually a broken/burnt out wire in the heater pad which a bit of solder and wire will fix. I would be gobsmacked if the driver's seat still heated for you, though the passenger's might work....that and you often find one rear screen element broken from some one overpacking the already huge boot!
Actually I may know where I could find steel wheels for this... let me check and revert.
One day we need to arrange for a Carlsson re-union - take the motors down to Luton and take the old fella out for lunch.(we spoke on the phone a week or so ago - he's now 82)
regards.
I've been following these motors very closely since they first came out!
Don't go past 200 bhp on the engine - though they are plenty strong and can take a good bit more, the gearbox is the weak spot and it's at about 200 bhp where the critical threshold is crossed. It's not 1st and 2nd that kills it - it's 3rd - the temptation to drop the gear and hoof it to get that kick in the kidneys is too intoxicating for most people and hence the gearbox dies. It's the 5th gear idler that goes - you'll know because of the whine that turns up. Replacements are getting harder to get. The best thing you can do for the car is strip the engine and get everything balanced - do that and they drive and sound even better. Porting and polishing the head gives a nice 'second' breath at about 4000 rpm. You'll find bumping up the fuel pressure too much makes them overfuel, the injectors leak and they run like a dog.
As for the comment on the V5 - some Carlssons were Factory made - all in 1991 in particular, but a considerable number of the earlier models were dealer completed - i.e body kit and decals fitted locally. That's why you will find that factory made have Carlsson listed in the V5 and dealer install shows a 16S.
When I get home, I'll check the detail on the leather - I have the detailed spec for these cars from 89 through to 91 and I was sure the leather came as standard on the '91 model. You may have a '90 H plate - anyhoo it makes no difference as you have what you have. The leather will make it feel real nice and it's worth getting the bolsters refurbed while the seats are out before you install them.
By the way - fixing the seat heaters is normally on the cards - it's usually a broken/burnt out wire in the heater pad which a bit of solder and wire will fix. I would be gobsmacked if the driver's seat still heated for you, though the passenger's might work....that and you often find one rear screen element broken from some one overpacking the already huge boot!
Actually I may know where I could find steel wheels for this... let me check and revert.
One day we need to arrange for a Carlsson re-union - take the motors down to Luton and take the old fella out for lunch.(we spoke on the phone a week or so ago - he's now 82)
regards.
Meldonte said:
I hope the policeman waiting at the end of the straight was too busy munching and appreciative of the fact that my third gear pull over the bridge was in the interest of scientific experiment otherwise I am awaiting a NIP to drop through the doormat :bag: , I knew this car would end up with me losing my licence but didn't think it would be before I even got an MOT on it!
I have a sneaking suspicion this is the A45 flyover near Dunchurch? Sounds like where we used to go to 'iron out' any gremlins, or give cars an italian tune up before their MOTs 
Probably miles off, but you're only in Warwick, and its quite well known...
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