Saab intercooler

[rage557]

I was wondering if anybody has used a saab intercooler in their turbosetup.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SAAB-900-SPG-Turbo-Intercooler-FMIC-good-for-custom_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33742QQitemZ7992498583QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

They seem to be really cheap, compact and an overall good buy but I dont want to start predetonation if it is reality a pos. I was surfin ebay and saw a bunch of other used intercoolers too of eclipse's or volvos. I'd rather not spend a ton on a new one if I can get one of those for next to nothing.

If anybody knows what a good size intercooler for the bp is let me know. I couldnt find any guide for it when I searched

[JoeDeep]

Fitment is the only issue you need to worry yourself with. Saab is one of the leaders when it comes to factory turbo charged cars.

Any size intercooler will work, depending on placement, boost level, and airflow.

[rage557]

so would that be ok for a T3 running 10psi?

[JoeDeep]

Stock turbo'd Saabs run a small T3 with anywhere from 8psi-12psi. Depends on what year, and I believe the only difference in the intercoolers is from the i4 and the v6.

If it's an older one, then it won't matter, they all came off either the 900 series, or the later 9000 series, which both had the same set-ups, but one was for luxury, and the other was 'sporty'.

[Kreator]

waste. i run a dsm ic, it's similar looking and its not enough to keep up with a T3. Well, imho.

[rage557]

So the bigger the intercooler the better?

[*PL*]

There is only one rule that is valid in the intercooling world.

- You get what you pay for

some cheap 200- bux ebay intercoolers may be like 30x12x3.5 but if you have 3psi pressur loss, its no better or if the welds crack after 3 months....

OEM intercoolers seem to be good quality, onforthunatly, there are often small sized.... You know what they say; buy cheap, buy twice, a good greddy/spearco/griffin/turbonetics/forced performance etc core with the proper size for your HP goals will keep you happy for years

[rage557]

I have heard of people using 2 of the smaller oem intercoolers. I could get 2 oem saab intercoolers for around 40$ if there pretty good quailty I might be inclined to do that.

[Kreator]

I have heard of people using 2 of the smaller oem intercoolers. I could get 2 oem saab intercoolers for around 40$ if there pretty good quailty I might be inclined to do that.

for two of htem to be efficient, you'll have to weld end tanks together.... which is an adventure on its own and imho not worth it.

find a starion intercooler (usually hard to come buy, priced ~$150), an isuzu npr ic (truck ic, cheap, but rare and big - might have to cut ****) or one of those front mount saab viggen ics (~$170 new)

or you could always get a cheap ebay one. they dont give too much of a drop compared to more expensive ones.. no matte what some people believe but i'll warn ya, the "prettiness" factor is on the lower side, although they are fully operational.

[JoeDeep]

waste. i run a dsm ic, it's similar looking and its not enough to keep up with a T3. Well, imho.

Umm, what are saying? DSM's are SMIC. Saab's are FMIC, unless you are looking at the older versions off the 900 series. Then they are still bigger than the DSM, and are FMIC. DSM's have always had SMIC.

[Kreator]

Umm, what are saying? DSM's are SMIC. Saab's are FMIC, unless you are looking at the older versions off the 900 series. Then they are still bigger than the DSM, and are FMIC. DSM's have always had SMIC.

ummm smics are still mounted up front, still in the direct flow of air, although due to their small size, they can be offsetted in order to not block air to the radiator. so in other words the only significant difference between a smic and fmic is their size. The ic in the picture (if you bothered to look) is the size of the dsm ic, therefore chances are its a side mount, and even if its not it mounted on the side and put in front of the radiator (which i really doubt) the cooling effects are most definately similar.

actually, just realized: you are talking about a 9000 ic. which was a front mount (similar to volvo). I'm talking, and the poster linked to, a 85-93 900 turbo smic. Get your facts straight, and be sure you know you are on the same page with everyone before you post.

and to confirm:



please note where the ic lines go to.

and offtopic: what a NASTY manifold design, lol.

[rage557]

I know they are a bit small would using 2 in parallel beable to provide enough of a pressure drop to make it worth while. I know it's getto but im going for lowest price sollution. I'm thinking getting a Y pipe connect the intercoolers then merge them back together. It would be like using one big intercooler

[Kreator]

I know they are a bit small would using 2 in parallel beable to provide enough of a pressure drop to make it worth while. I know it's getto but im going for lowest price sollution. I'm thinking getting a Y pipe connect the intercoolers then merge them back together. It would be like using one big intercooler

you can try, but personal opinion - waste. I scored myself one of those cheapo front mounts off ebay for $100 shipped. 2 sidemounts @ $40 + 2 y-pipes @ $20 + various reducers + need to find space where to mount them + general headache = i think you are creating to much work for yourself.

if you are low on cash, get the sidemount, but be warned it might not be enough, so place it with possible replacement in the near future. I didn't think i would need to change anything when i was doing it, so now i'm stuck with having to redo and reroute all ic piping.

[D323]

rkives (member here) used to saab IC's put together and has good results last I heard.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/263925

I know James (limpgtx) has a t3/t4 and is pushing 330whp thru a Starion with redone endtanks.

Quite a few ppl use the Johnny race car FMIC's b/c they are sub 200 bux and are quality products.

I plan to use a fat ass FC3S SMIC mounted vertically behind the AC condensor with a civic 1/2 sized radiator next to it.

[rage557]

Looks like he connected the two tanks. If i can't find something good and cheaper i will go for that.