1988 Saab SPG modified for land speed racing. Raced from Fall of 2008 to May 2021 in East Coast Timing Association at Maxton NC, Willington OH, Blytheville AR and Loring Timing Association at Loring ME. Best speed in the mile 170.454 mph 30 psi boost at Wilmington in May 2015.. Best speed in the 2 Km. 173.044 km 30 psi boost at Blytheville in May 2021. Modifications 2.0L short block 2.1L cylinder head & 2.1L Intake Wiseco custom forged pistons - 9.0 to 1 c.r. SAAB/Crower regrind camshafts 267 degree duration; .348 lift; 8,000 rpm valve spring set Master Power 70 series turbocharger with external wastegate 2-stage adj. boost control Deatsch Werks 78 lb-hr fuel injectors Deatsch Werks DW301 high volume fuel pump Custom 3” I/O intercooler & plumbing with 5L Ford throttle body Custom modified carbon Kevlar clutch disc Autobahn #8 primary drive gear set Quailfe ATB limited differential Solid motor mounts KD custom tube header with T4 merge collector 3-inch street exhaust with Flowmaster muffle; Race 3-inch straight pipe Cooling Mist water injection Megasquirt MS3 Fuel Mgmt. sys. AFCO 400 lb. rate front springs with adjustable ride height jack bolt KD custom 8-point roll bar & door bars RJS 4-point race belts Firefox 5 lb. aqueous fire suppressant system Custom front air dam Dyno April 2015 - 391 whp 25 lbs. boost at 6,000 rpm; torque 349 lb-ft at 5,850 rpm. 232,942 miles on odometer. Current engine has 2000 miles on it. Currently used on the street occasionally. $10,000 OBO
Holy E36M3: +170 MPH is FAST.
GLWS!
Dirt cheap for a good SPG without the mods. Wow. Just wow
I think I'll sit here and stare at this all night.
In reply to Slippery :
Me too. Prefer the bull nose of my 86, but this build is very impressive
TIL there is a land speed race in Arkansas, Too bad it is in the other side of the state from where I am and 10+ hours away.
Pretty sweet car and build.
In reply to bmw88rider :
I'm not sure you'll ever find another built Saab that'll do 170, especially one that's as cool, and special as an SPG. If I had some spare coin and no SPG, I'd jump on it. It's cheap and these are appreciating
In reply to Docwemple :
I just bought a one of 1000 globally Mitsubishi. (250 a year for 4 years)
A 170MPH SPG is a pretty neat car no doubt. Need to clear out 2 other cars to make room for anything else.
Very impressive. How do you keep the transmission together?
In reply to Broadspeed :
Did you ask Dan Haugh if he's interested?
In reply to spitfirebill :
Good question. The Saab 5 speed isn't the most robust
In reply to spitfirebill :
Shredded 2 transmissions. Broke in third gear at 6,000 rpm before installing Quaifle ATB limited slip differential May 2011 Maxton, NC. 2nd transmission broke in 4th gear at 6,200 rpm at 32 psi boost. May 2015 Wilmington, Oh. Current transmission is out of a 1991 900 non turbo. Developed a 2-stage boost using 25 psi in the first 4 gears. 5th gear 30-32 psi 5th gear drive is straight through main shaft so no load on countershaft. Electric solenoid activated by the red switch on panel forward of the shifter activates 5 gear boost. Two adj. regulators in glove box sets boost psi. So far, limiting boost in first 4 gears seems to work.
In reply to procainestart :
Yes, Dan has too many SAABs no room for another one. Mainly interested in Bonneville. This car would not fit in a competitive class at Bonneville. He is a good friend over the years and we have worked on many parts for SAABs. He drove this car at Maxton to get his ECTA licensing runs in 2010.
I love this build, especially how you guys have been dealing with the fragile gearbox. Ever thought of doing a 4 speed and an electric overdrive of some sort
In reply to Docwemple :
Not aware of a 4-spd w/overdrive that would mate up to the SAAB engine and fit the chassis. Considered a SAAB 4-spd rally box 1:1 mainshaft out of Europe. Very pricey! If I were to develop further would convert to rear wheel drive, more horsepower and safety eqt. to run 200+ mph . It ruin it as a street car so let someone else acquire it and have the fun.
Be I ng a SPG, better t not to.cut it up. Plenty of basic 2 doors still ot there
In reply to Broadspeed :
Agree, that is why I am selling it.
