Saab motor in Foxbody?

I have a couple questions on some modifications to a 4cyl foxbody project i'm thinking of. I want to do something other than a coyote swap or LS or something. I want to be different. I want to swap a Saab B234R into a foxbody. Has anyone done this? I can buy a bellhousing adaptor to adapt it to a T5, then I would use a spec pressure plate and a SVO clutch disk. I'm just wondering on placement of the motor, the sump is in the middle kind of and the only mounting points i've seen are farther to the front of the car. Is there a k member that gives good clearance? Maybe go tubular and cut it up? I'd like to keep all my accessories, A/C and Power steering, and from what i've seen I can just get some steel braided lines with the right sized fittings on each end. How possible is this project? It would be a street car, but more towards circle/autocross/hillclimb. The goal power would be around 450-550ish off a tubular manifiold by SAS Customs and a Holset Super 40 and supporting fuel mods and maybe pistons. The Saab ECU is a very open ecu that can be tuned easily too, and it's very intelligent. How much work would the wiring to the cluster be?

I know it's a lot of questions, but a car like this would be one of my dream cars, it melts my love of imports and domestics together. If you're wondering why this engine, just look up "Saab (enter number between 300 and 1000)hp" They are very robust and tough engines limited by the drive train. Thanks

This has been done with 4g63 motors. Do a google search. I know there is a 4g63 fox body running 8's with a similar setup to what you are quoting. I can tell you from experience a build like this will take multiple form factors of your anticipated time and financial investment.

In reply to NordicSaab:

I have seen that on YouTube and some threads in on Miatas and e30s with the same swap. There was also a 240sx with one.

I'd probably just get the stock engine in the car to get it running first. Then when I trust it, the mods begin. Lol

Wow, this should be awesome!

For me, no need to question the engine choice. Strong like bull!

I've seen this done with XR4Ti bodies in the past.

I have been told that the stock suspension in the Merkurs aren't too great. Very primitive. Also the trans is even a step below the t5. I would have to buy one regardless, but still. That was one of the first cars I thought if because I have a soft spot for Escorts. lol

I've seen one in an rx8, why not a fox body?

In reply to bgkast:

bgkast wrote: I've seen one in an rx8, why not a fox body?

Is there a thread on this? I would like to read about it. More info I can get the better.

Would it be easier to modify the oil pan or the k member? The oil pan would be significantly cheaper.

XLR99 wrote: In reply to bgkast:

Can you imagine saab sonnet? rwd saab with mazda rx8 handling?

I have imagined just such a thing: locost with a Sonett body dropped on top, Ford V6 to make it look almost stock under the hood. It would be glorious.

These are all great ideas. I found the thread on the RX8 and man did he get flamed for it. It seems that no one knows how great these motors are. I get flamed just for owning a Saab from any of my friends. But can we get back to my question? My biggest concern is wiring the engine into the car with Trionic 5. I don't have much experience with wiring. But I know someone that does.

The only useful thing that I can add is that I've owned several turbo SAABs, and I've always thought that those engines wanted to be in a RWD chassis.

xdoboi said: It seems that no one knows how great these motors are

That right there is why I don't get it. But I am grateful that there are people brave enough to follow the voices in their head.

We can't all be normal like me.

i could see a volvo 2.3 dohc going in a fox body, i have kicked that idea around my self

tdrrally wrote: i could see a volvo 2.3 dohc going in a fox body, i have kicked that idea around my self

The motors are practically the same anyways. Would connecting the complete motor to the Power steering system and AC system only take some braided lines with correct fittings on each side? Or is there something else i'm missing.

HappyAndy wrote: The only useful thing that I can add is that I've owned several turbo SAABs, and I've always thought that those engines wanted to be in a RWD chassis.

I agree 100%. If I recall certain 9000 aero's came with forged internals and could hold pretty stout numbers. I feel like the ats 2.0T is the realization of a rwd saab. The b207r probably has some relation to the 2.0 liter in the ats but of course with all the upgrade fancy shmancy stuff, like direct injection et.

They nearly were. The engine from the TR7 is very closely related, albeit with extra British head-gaskety problemage.

Tim Baxter wrote: They nearly were. The engine from the TR7 is *very* closely related, albeit with extra British head-gaskety problemage.

That's why you replace the head gasket and then put head studs in the engine. lol

The TR7 engine differed greatly in the way the head torques to the block. the TR7 uses a combination of bolts and studs. The bolts are all on one side and perpendicular to the mating surface. The studs are on the other side and not perpendicular to the mating surface. So the clamping loads are different. All the fasteners in subsequent SAAB engines run perpendicular to the mating surface.