What to choose and why
JZac - 9/3/08 at 03:33 PM
So, time for my first "real" project. In my back-yard there is a sad old Volvo 480 rusting. There has been many plans for the poor bastard
but when I drove home from work this thursday I desided to make it into a mid-engine sports car (sunny wheater and slow traffic).
From some stupid reason I like the 480 so donīt come saying itīs a bad base for the project. 
I am thinking a long the lines of Toyota MR2 MK2 for the "overall body-design".
Now the biggest question, what engine to use? I have a 1.7l boxer from an Alfa 33 but I donīt think they are realiable and since itīs a NA engine
there will be problems getting some real BHPs out of it (aiming for 200-250).
An other alternative is a 2,3l SAAB 9000 engine. Easy to put a turbo on and from what I can understand it has the CoG well in front of the
drive-shafts. SAAB 9000s are cheap and easy to get hold of as well. Maybe there are other parts from it suitable for a project?
What do you think I schould go with? This is LOCOST so any Porsche or Corvette parts are out of the question (sadly).
Greatful for any inputs on the matter.
speedyxjs - 9/3/08 at 05:43 PM
Welcome to the madhouse 
I would go for the saab 'cos as you say, easy to get power from and parts are readily availiable.
JZac - 9/3/08 at 08:09 PM
Hmm. Maybe an other suggestion to go with? A T4 engine from a Volvo V40 -99. It could be fun to be true to Volvo and not let SAAB (Ford) be in on the
fun...
If I recall correctly the T4 is also "front heavy", (Why bother? Because it must be a MID), and a fairly short engine. How about the
gearbox? Anyone who knows anything about them. I heard the SAAB gearbox is a bit weak.
[Edited on 9/3/08 by JZac]
Schrodinger - 9/3/08 at 10:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by JZac
Hmm. Maybe an other suggestion to go with? A T4 engine from a Volvo V40 -99. It could be fun to be true to Volvo and not let SAAB (Ford) be in on the
fun...
If I recall correctly the T4 is also "front heavy", (Why bother? Because it must be a MID), and a fairly short engine. How about the
gearbox? Anyone who knows anything about them. I heard the SAAB gearbox is a bit weak.
[Edited on 9/3/08 by JZac]
Seeing as my 900 is refered to as the 900GM I thought Saab was part of GM not Ford
I think you will find the Saab 9000 Turbo gearbox is ok upto about 300BHP
[Edited on 9/3/08 by Schrodinger]
leto - 10/3/08 at 04:18 AM
Volvo is part of Ford, SAAB is GM
JZac - 10/3/08 at 04:31 PM
I am an idiot and will spend the evening spanking myself for this stupid mistake. GM - Ford, no big difference anyway. Two bad brands of cars. No
really - a "real" Ford would never be welcome in my garage (my girlfriend had one, I had to crasch it into a tree to get rid of it. Didnīt
go very good on the way to the tree either, sucky Escort).