Rotary Saab?
 

so Im very Curious because I own a very old saab 900 turbo and im wondering would I be able to get a rotary engine to work in it?

I know that saabs are all front wheel and really heavy but would you be able to get this to work for front or only rear?

would like some feed back and im not sure really where to put this kind of question so im putting it here.

also making mounts for the engine would be pretty easy saab has nice wide and long enough space for it.

1983 SAAB 900 Turbo

PS. Iam asking the same question on saab forums so you guys are not the first.

not that it helps any but theres a pic of an ek civic with a weber carbed 13b going around on facebook... I suppose anything is possible but when its all said and done between cost time and efforts why lol.

Mazda Luce 130 at one point used a 13a in FF configuration. I've seen pictures of people who made their FF Honda use a 13b.

I think you would have to first see if the rotary engine would not interfere with your transmission shape/size. Then compare output shaft splines. Also tackle modifying your bell housing to match the rotary, or make an adaptor plate. You also need to make motor mounts.

Exhaust would have to be fabricated. I would use a 13b converted to carburetor for ease of clutter, wiring, and more work... but thats just me.

The swap could probably be done. Is it feasible? Probably not for your average person.

But youd still end up with a terrible car at the end of the day.

Nothing like an ugly torqueless bastard child car to get the blood going

I'm going to defend Saab a bit here... other than the convertibles, most Saabs in good condition handle well. Saabs are also built well, nicely equipped, and tanks in the snow. Rust is usually less of an issue than other cars of similar age and mileage. Random Saab owners that I talk to in parking lots are very happy.


I'm all for a rotary swapped 900. That's up there with the rotary beetle.

It could be done but it will cost a lot lol

Couple nice saabs in this clip, if you can make yours like that id say go for it.


Otherwise ->

well I don't have plans for that kind of a project yet at least not at this stage since Im pretty well aware that it would cost alot to do but. I just think it would be cool. and your right saab is a well built car as long as you don't get GMs version of it if you get the real thing you will have something that will last you for years.

but thank you I really wanted to hear some input on this kind of thing. kinda makes me happy on like the only two kinds of cars that make me happy at all xD

I have done a lot of swaps and conversions, and in my opinion what you propose is a bad idea. It makes no sense to put a rotary in a car of that weight unless you are going with a three rotor. In any case, mounting it transversely would also be a bad idea. For a two rotor swap, a longitudinally mounted transaxle from a 1980s Subaru front wheel drive car will handle the power unless you plan to go for more than 200 horsepower. Many years ago Kennedy Engineering made an adapter for me, and for several years they offered that adapter in their catalog - don't know if it is still available. Several were installed in early Subarus, which are fairly small and light weight.

The early Audi transaxles are also longitudinal mount, but they don't work with a rotary.

Now if you had a Saab 96, that would be a worthwhile swap, but would require some serious mods to the chassis.

The Saab 900 gearbox case also doubles as the engine oil pan. It cannot be adapted to another type of engine. Using a Subaru or other gearbox would not work because there is no room for it. None of the stock drive train extends rearward of the firewall. The engine actually sits in the car "backwards". The crank pulley and accessory drive is on the firewall side and the flywheel is on the front near the radiator. The gear box extends forward and underneath of the engine. It would take major fabrication to fit any other type of engine and gearbox to this car.

Steve

I had a Saab I think it was a 74 can't remember model # had CFI which was a bit of a pita if not working properly == , had a hell of a good heater , very good in snow , AT 90 MPH the car handled like a dream it seemed like the faster it went the steering tightened up somehow and became very positive I honestly think it was the easiest car to do maintenance on I ever owned you could do the brakes any wheel in a matter of just a few minutes pull the wheel remove 2 hair pin clips pull the rods and replace pads . the engine was very lazy at low speed but would build RPM's for a pretty fair top end .

Like emod19 said everything was backwards , even the drive axels came out of the second part of the oil pan and shared the same oil as the engine if I remember right .

that said it was a fun little car but hardly worth stepping back in time to own one . they , like most cars preformed well with a few mods .

seems to me they had very little frame to work with it was pretty much uni-body .

Looks to me like the floor tunnel in the Saab would come close to fitting the shifter case of the Subaru - certainly any modification required would be minor and would be hidden by the center console.

By the way, this is a very low mileage trans which I have had for more than 20 years, and I have no use for it.

You would have to relocate the steering rack. It's bolted to the firewall where the Subaru gearbox would placed.

Steve

I think it would be interesting, would suggest it be a ported 13B or a Turbo 13B considering the Saab weighs about the same as a FC. Personally I'd just upgrade the turbo on the 900.