DenzComp

Hey everyone...I have no clue about turbo...at all...

I'm thinking about researching, researching, and then do a bit more researching on the topic before I make any real choices.

I have access to an older Saab 900 turbo vehicle...not sure on the year right off the top of my head.

Has anyone used anything off a saab turbo? What should I be looking to strip off this thing?

Thanks in advance.

numbnuts22715

im sure some of the homemade turbo guys use it.


Pull that sucker off if you can get it for free, check for shaft play and oil leaks.


If you want to turbo, and you want to turbo cheap, getting stuff for next to nothing is the way to do it.

DenzComp

I'm not 100% sure if I ever even will go turbo. I figure if it's free, I might as well take it while it's there, regardless...


I'd be clueless on what anything was...other than the turbocharger...so can anyone tell me specifically what it would likely have that I should keep an eye out for so I can snag it?

DenzComp

BUMP for more info.

DenzComp

I just went out and looked. It has everything on it still. Just from looking at it, I located the Turbo and the intercooler. Anything else I should take besides those two? Maybe I'll actually start a turbo build on a motor since I think I'll be able to get quite a bit off this.

HiProfile

The newer ones are not garret units, and generally smaller than the earlier 50trim t3's. If you look in my sig at my coupe, you'll see the 50trim T3 version, which is good for ~250whp on a maxed out setup, 225whp on a more typical setup >15psi.

DenzComp

It's an 87 or 88. What type of turbo is this? I just finally got everything off. Seems to be in great condition.


Modified by DenzComp at 11:10 AM 6/16/2007

DenzComp

DH 1/4 Garrett M4 is the only real marking I can see right off the bat, besides Airesearch. Does this help in identifying?


Edit: Also... M4 AR 48


Modified by DenzComp at 11:01 AM 6/16/2007

DenzComp

Bump for info...maybe some specs on this...or what ot expect out of it....

big-cat

air research is garret owned but i dont know when they started it/ maybe took air research over, hell if its lasted this long and you say its in good shape it cant be that bad other than its seen alot of spooling.

ILcrxsi1

I think I saw one of these at a junkyard one time and they have a really really small turbo on it. If it is what I'm thinking of, I would just pass on it. Can you take a pic of it?

numbnuts22715

it seems really hard to find info on it...

I looked around A LOT and cant really find much about it.. I wouldnt even worry about getting it.. Most lilkely its a tiny turbo.

HiProfile

I've found info, by my head mixes it all up

I know the ideal cars to get T3's from are 89 and older Volvo 7xx's (740s, etc). Its a 50trim Garrett T3, .42 AR comp housing, .48 AR turbine housing, Stg1 exhaust wheel. They flow ~30lb/min at 18psi, which can be good for 250whp on a good setup. 200whp is a more realistic, lower-psi number. This same turbo came on 80's Saabs as well in virtually the same spec, and were also on Dodge/Chraplers (different flanges), and on Merkurs. The other main diff is the inlet (some fully machined) and wastegate (older ones were blocky, newer ones look like the current garrett wg).

In other words, if it says AiResearch, it should be the 50trim. Nice street turbo for a daily driver.

DenzComp

Yeah, that's all I was looking for. Just a small turbo to make reliable for a DD.

mike02cky

I beleive thats the same turbo that my friend has on his b16a2 which im buying from him. Im rebuilding the bottom end of the b16 with forged internals and was wondering if i should keep that turbo and use it. Ive been getting into auto cross lately and was thinkin that, that smaller turbo would work good to use for auto cross since it would spool fast and give decent power.

Since im building the motor ill be able to go with a bigger turbo later too. But since that Saab T3 comes with the motor and the rest of the turbo stuff, i figured id try it for auto cross...

Any info or thoughts would be nice...