Newbie question - Sprints

Hi all,

I'm pretty much a complete newbie, so forgive me if elements of this Q seem a little uneducated.

I'm actually a Saab nut (I have a 900 16V and a Viggen), but have owned a Sprint in the past and want to pick one up again as project/track/occasional driver.

Tassie Tony (from here) was kind enough to allow me to take his 87 sprint for a spin last weekend and whilst it was fun, I'm not sure I'll remain happy with the lesser amount of oomph, being used to turbos as I am.

My thoughts therefore turned to tuning, to see if I could get a little more out of the boxer. There do seem to be some options, but I'm wondering now if it makes a difference which engine you start out with.

I've asked around a little and have been told that the 1.7IE makes a good base for a little xtra. Is this so?

And if so, is it possible to get a 1.7IE and fit it to a Sprint? I assume so given the similar bases between the sprint and the 33. I really love the sprint body style and would love to pick one up and make into the Sprint I'd like.

my Saab website - www.trollhattansaab.net

Cheers,

Steven

Early 16V has 137bhp as std so it would be a higher starting point but probably more xpensive to raise the state of tune of. If you are going to change cams you'll need 4 instead of two. More ports to open up etc.bottom end is virtually the same so same costs apply.

rsfruitbat

Unfortunately , boxer engines are not easy to tune and require great ammoutn of money to accomplish something good. The best solution is to install a 16V 1.7 engine and perform a standar tuning like polisshing and balancing the parts of the engine and then you will have a great engine with no problems...

depends on your budget, there is a mechanic in adelaide that has a supercharged boxer motor in his race car, that would give you the oomph you want.

Thanks gents.

I'm not sure if the 16V will be possible both for budgetary reasons, as well as for ease of maintenance etc. But I might check the price of a used one out, just the same.

Drove this yesterday and it was fantastic fun. In really good condition inside and out. Asking price is good, too.

3368207.jpg

that looks a nice car
don't worry about getting extra power from it, suds & sprints are about handling, not straight-line speed get it and enjoy it as it is

Yes it seems like a nice car with minimum rust..

I'm not sure the 1.7IE would be the best base for tuning, I'd have thought tha carbed 1.7 would have been better?

Buck

Where are you located? Are you in Australia?

Am indeed. In Hobart.

Now looking more seriously at 16V's rather than Sprints, though.

Sell the sweeds and dump your dosh into an alfa