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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!ihnp4!zehntel!jackh
From: jackh@zehntel.UUCP (jack hagerty)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: SAAB acceleration question
Message-ID: <1643@zehntel.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 23-Oct-84 15:32:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: zehntel.1643
Posted: Tue Oct 23 15:32:13 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 24-Oct-84 04:09:05 EDT
References: <640@inuxd.UUCP>
Organization: Zehntel Automation Systems Inc, Walnut Creek CA
Lines: 30

> Do any of you who own a 900 or a 900S
> find that the acceleration is too slow
> at low speeds?   At any speed?
> 

I had the same impression with our new 900 at first. Then I realized that
it was the "behavioral modification" of the tach at fault. The "green line"
on the tach which starts out as a broad band at 1500 rpm dwindles to nothing
at 3500 rpm, even though the redline is 6500. This little psychological ploy
encourages you to keep the engine in the lower (hence more fuel efficient)
range where there is only modest torque available.

After it was fully broken in, I did some full throttle, redline charges onto
the freeway. It really comes alive around 4500!

As for the turbo, it all depends on if you're retrofitting or buying a
factory model. The factory jobs are well sorted out by now but (in my opnion)
overpriced due to all of the high margin stuff they add: sunroof, A/C, power
windows, etc.

Aftermarket kits are either too much trouble (if you do it yourself) or too
much money (if you have it done) for the results. Also, the engine won't
be as reliable as the factory turbo.

As you can tell, I'm not crazy about turbos. Then again, that's what makes 
horse races.

                                      Jack Hagerty, Zehntel Inc.
                                      ...!ihnp4!zehntel!jackh