And in rolls the SaaBeeru ... by Bradcr

7 minute(s) of a 145 minute read

Little crap has turned into big crap

First little crap is my front coilovers are binding and then getting unsprung like an SOB, which is really nice after a $200 corner balance. I ordered thrust bearings for the bottom and top perches, but I'm still going to disassemble the pillow ball to clean out and regrease. Now I need to figure out some type of cover for the pillowball to stop sand from getting in there. If you've bought or made one- please post a pic, I don't see where anyone sells such a cover.

Next little crap is AWD Auto's diagnosis of my rear brake glazing just being an issue with Stoptech pads... Not pleased, but I picked up a pair of Hawk HPS and got to sanding.

Before:

After:

They do look a bit dirty, but after proper break in, feel is much improved and there are no signs of glazing yet.

Now for the big crap! I pulled off my 3M Spray Defender spray on clear bra and there is a ton of damaged spots on my hood! I have no idea what happened, and neither does 3M yet, but after seeing my pics versus the many that I had from this build taken before I sprayed, they're willing to acknowledge fault and are sending out an inspector tomorrow. The damage (paint rippling) is right along my tape line in some spots.

Here is my worst damage around the emblem:

And a line right where it was taped off:

So pissed, especially after doing everything by the book. At least they've been cordial and hopefully they'll take care of a fix soon.

Finally, some VERY positive news. After keeping an eye out on the forums, I scored some ID1000 injectors and this baby:

That, my friends, is an FP 68HTA with 6,000 miles and zero shaft play. I've got a few supporting mods OTW as well, and barring any issues I should be installed and then headed to PIA in Parkland on the 28th for some protune luvin. Hopefully to be followed by some fresh paint...

5-9-2014

Removed my stock adjustment screw rubber grip:

Then picked up a pair of dust caps and grommet that was tight enough:

And it sits like this:

You can't obviously make it 100% flush, but this should block almost all the sand getting in there, after I've let it move around with the pillow ball's natural travel, it has a 1-2mm gap at most at any point.

5-12-2014

It took all weekend, but HIDs are done, the how to will be on its way soon:

5-22-2014

I tend to ride with my left knee against the door armrest, right against the edge of the center console. Needless to say, my right knee gets really uncomfortable, so today I picked up some wood, foam, leather scraps and adhesive and came up with this, you have no idea how much more comfortable this makes my ride, long overdue. 

Here is my full 9-2x HID how-to:  http://saab92x.com/viewtopic.php?id=55914

I did a couple of light mods after the fact, first I ground down the area around the horizontal adjustment screw so it can be accessed in the car: 

 Next I had to fix a couple of mistakes with my install, so when I had them apart I fully committed and went for a full blackout, with a light spray on the LED strips. Super pleased with the results: 

 Next, I picked up an Optima yellowtop to power all this goodness: 

  And upgraded my front coilovers with thrust sheets (work like bearings) on both the top and bottom Spring perches. No binding for me now. 

5-27-2014

This weekend I got back on the power mods, first off pulled the fuel pump, replaced with a Walbro 342: 

  Next I pulled the injectors and upgraded to ID 1000s, no pics because a good injector pic just doesn't exist. Moved on to pulling the stock boost solenoid and replacing it with a Grimmspeed 3 port: 

 Then installed the 68HTA, wrapped in blue. Had a hell of a time with the oil return hose (picked up a new one) and the lower coolant hose, it's like they just aren't made to be clamped by humans: 

  Replaced a bunch of hoses since I lost so much coolant already, gonna be real annoyed when I have to replace my water pump in 5,000 miles anyway: 

 And lastly, since I had the back seat out for the fuel pump anyway, I moved the fronts back, switched the crappy Subaru underseat sub to the passenger side and slipped a Sound Storm Lopro10 under the driver's. I bought my wife this sub 2 years ago and it is by far the best underseat I've heard. With my concerns about kegs and bottles rolling around, there just aren't that many options about where to go anyway. It maxes out the space between the seat rails too if I position it sideways, so I don't totally screw the backseat passenger out of room.