Econmancer

In April I sold the SAAB 9-5 and purchased a 2010 Ford Focus. I guess this will be the end of my SAAB posts.

It was a good car and I enjoyed it. But it was 12 years old and the worry of future repairs (along with the current shortage of some SAAB parts) made me realize I should sell it while it was still running good. I found a Focus with all the features I loved in the 9-5 (minus the beautiful turbocharged SAAB engine) and the Focus has the added benefits of being smaller, newer, cheaper to maintain, and better fuel mileage (it takes regular, my 9-5 was never happy unless it had premium). So here is the new car:

I can still do my best to assist with SAAB questions. I just won’t be able to run to the garage and check a physical 9-5 to make sure my memory is correct. Meanwhile, expect occasional economics posts and posts about the Focus.

I got new tires for the SAAB. They’re P205/60R-16 91T. The Hankook Optimo H727 were highly rated by Consumer Reports. They’re narrower than stock (205 v 215) and not as high performance as my previous tire choices. I felt I’ve got to a point in my life when I’m never going to need tires rated to speeds of 149mph ever again. I instead looked for comfort, quietness and an all-season that handles snow/ice okay.

Here are the various tire sizes (from narrow to wide) that fit a stock 2000 SAAB 9-5 with 16″ wheels:

195/65-16
205/60-16
215/55-16 (stock size)
225/55-16

I’ve just installed a turbo intercooler / radiator water spray system on my SAAB 9-5. I want to see if it reduces the heat soak that the 9-5s suffer from in hot weather and after a spirited drive (sometimes even when the weather isn’t that hot). I think every 9-5 owner has at least once tried to make a left turn and found that the car suddenly had a total lack of power. I hope to correct that issue cheaply with the water spray.

The setup cost me $45 and took one evening to install. I want to test it out before I post a detailed how-to, but I thought I would show a couple of videos as a teaser.

There are many people online that said they’ve cured the heat soak by upgrading the intercooler, either with a larger one in the OEM space behind the radiator or a smaller FMIC behind the lower grill of the bumper. This would be the ideal solution if you are having real trouble with heat soak, but it’s expensive and takes mechanical knowledge many people do not have. I hope after I test this system to have a simple and cheap way of combating the heat soak in the SAAB 9-5 specifically for people not looking to drastically modify their car.

I’ve been bad about having things to post here, but not getting around to posting them. A lot of these items don’t really need their own post. I figure I’ll post them all and save some time.

New Direct Ignition Cassette:

My cassette was not part of the recent recall, but I was getting the usual misfire codes that signal a DIC on the way out. So I bit the bullet and purchased a new cassette. No more CEL and the car now runs so much smoother that I’m embarrassed I let it go without repair for what little time I did.

Update on Harrah’s Car Museum Shirt:

I received a brown envelope that was either originally purchased along with the t-shirt or it came with the t-shirt, I’m not sure which. I’m updating that post, but wanted to share anyways.

Tornado Warning:

I’m what I suspect is one of the few people in the world who have worked on a SAAB during a tornado warning. The sirens went off as I was installing the ignition cassette. I finished up, went inside, turned on the TV. I found my wife in the basement, but she was unaware of the tornado warning because she was playing video games very loudly at the time. Naturally I also went outside and took some photos of the “scary looking clouds” overhead. We got horizontal rain, light wind damage, and a little road flooding; but the radar indicated tornado never materialized. Not that I’m complaining.

And finally,

Reverse Diverter Valve

I purchased some silicone vacuum line along with the new ignition cassette so I could replace the line on the DV. This also gave me the extra length I needed to install the DV in reverse, as recommended in THE GREAT Diverter Valve FACE OFF. This has made a huge improvement in the sound of the DV releasing. I suggest anyone looking to get that “turbo sound” from their T7 SAAB to first get an open air intake, and second get a performance diverter valve installed in reverse. I’ll be updating my DV and intake posts to add this information.

I purchased a pair of Silver Star 1157A ST bulbs for my front corner lights.

Before and After

I’ve read how to remove the yellow reflectors from behind the lenses, but I’ve not sat down and done the process myself. At least I’ll be ready for when I do that project and won’t have to change out my bulbs to get clear corner lights.