RadioFlyer's 1980 900T

[kuponut]

Would 3-D printing be a viable option yet? Or is it still a bit primitive and needs advancement? I just remember seeing it years ago on the Colbert Report.

[DrewP]

It's not that it is primitive, it's just that since it's essentially small particles being fused together the parts have lots of voids when compared to parts made by other processes, so they aren't as strong.

[RadioFlyer]

Got this in the mail last week. Awesome little accessory!

[DrewP]

That's sweet, I haven't seen one like that before.

[Crazyswede]

Got this in the mail last week. Awesome little accessory!

are you starting a museum or rounding up the oddities with hope that the Saab accessory market is going to explode?

[RadioFlyer]

Yeah, it's kinda flimsy nylon, but I LOVE that patch! I've actually accumulated quite the collection of Saab patches. I'll post a pic later. The case came up on ebay last week, the seller said it was from a 99 turbo. It's quite a bit smaller than the 900 manual cases.

As far as the museum, I've actually got a stack of accessories catalogs from various years and I either have or have had most of the things listed at one point or another. I never planned on it becoming such a collection, but the more I find, the more I love it! I think the cars themselves are turning into museums - you can sit in them and compare to the catalog. Especially the '90 SPG. There are a few though that still elude me. Like the accessory gas can that fits into the spare tire, the cylinder head and winshield washer fluid res heaters, and the clothing - I found a Saab 900 tie on ebay a couple years ago and tried to snag it but it got sniped.

[RadioFlyer]

Just got these in the mail... Swedish Dynamics lowering springs and Koni Reds.
Still deciding whether to put them on the '80 900T or the '91 Monte Carlo Yellow SE. Any suggestions?

[DrewP]

Tough choice. You will like them on either car I'm sure.

[Jordan]

I'm not sure if it is true with the Koni Reds, but with the yellows, I had to fully compress and extend them a few times while upright before they came back to life after sitting for a while. Install them before they get laid down again.

The hatch is going to deal better with the stiffer suspension.

[RadioFlyer]

Jordan - that brings up another question. Other people have also told me that the convertibles should not have much stiffer suspension, and that's why the CEs, SEs and SISs did not get SPG suspension. What's the deal with that? I would think that with more flex in the body, stiffer suspension might be more comfortable? Is it just less comfortable, or not good for the car?

[Jordan]

I thought the SEs had SPG suspension along with the kits... not sure though.

In simple terms a stiffer suspension can put more load on the body which is already a little flimsy at this point...

[RadioFlyer]

It does seem a little more flimsy. I looked into suspension when I purchased my SE last year. It has yellow-stripe shocks that seem very tall. My CE has something similar. Everything that I can find says that they did not come with SPG suspension - only the SPG panels and interior. Smooth ride (both of them), but I would love to try a set of performance springs. That said, the verts do seem to flex quite a bit. My dad's '94 was the first vert that I ever drove and I was shocked at how much it would flex.

[DrewP]

You should drive an NG900 or '99-'03 9-3 convertible - the amount the chassis moves around is abysmal...

JK88 (who posts on here) has B&G's and Koni's on his '87 'vert and it rides really nicely, not too harsh, but sporty. However the hatch will deal with it much better.

The sport springs and Bilsteins that came on my green '79 are perfect. Not harsh, but firm. I also have B&G's and Koni's in my '85 3-door and love the combo. Have had it for.... maybe 4 years now? Still tight and fun to toss around.

[RadioFlyer]

I think you're right, Drew. The '80 may be a better fit for them. I stuck a set of sway bars from a '90 SPG on her last year and it went from "classic but scary" amount of roll in corners to "love the roundabout on my way to work" corner hugging.

I have Konis and Intrax on my '90 SPG right now and I have been surprised how soft they are. The stance is perfect and I LOVE the look, but I thought they would be a lot stiffer. Maybe the Konis need adjustment. I think the SPG springs feel stiffer, but not as low. That said, I'm thinking OEM SPG springs may be a better fit for the SE.

[Quecer]

See, I think that would be really cool. Swap in an old working eq unit down below, keep the 2-knob radio, and stick car dvd players in one of those hidden USB jacks so the iPod works and rock out. Thanks for posting that, hutch - I've always wondered how to hook up the eq to a non-stock deck.

That is pretty old deck. Why you want to use it in this modern world