I'm starting this build thread for my 1997 Saturn to keep track of all my progress and gather knowledge and advise from yall. I've been reading the build threads here for a while and am amazed by many of the projects and think it's time to start my own thread. I got this car a couple years ago for $500 off craigslist and have been slowly working on it here and there. Current mods H&r lowering springs Kyb struts Energy suspension bushings L.e.d.head&taillights Weight reduction A/C delete, P/S delete, Airbags removed, No spare tire or jack, Unused wires under hood removed Planned mods 3800 w f23 More weight reduction Hx35 turbocharger
Do you want Planted seat brackets, a strut bar, and a rear sway bar?
Do you mean like seat brackets for aftermarket seats?
Yuuuuuuup. I had an awesome polka dot SC2 for a year that I intended on rallycrossing but the engine was spraying oil, the grounding was all wrong, and it discharged batteries. I sadly scrapped it....
I have a driver and passenger seat bracket for racing seats made for the SC2 (both new Planted). I also have side mounts (one used Sparco, one new Planted) and a slider (one used Sparco).
The performance bits (rear sway for sure; not sure what else is in the package) were from Swank Force One. I... uh... never opened the package, but you definitely want the rear bar to help the car rotate.
It's stuff sitting in my Miata-filled garage. Shoot me an email with a price. If it's more than $20, it'll cover shipping.
Which rear sway? I might be interested.
Ah. SFO, so its a progress.
I might have to hit you up at some point but currently I'm gathering parts to do an engine swap
No worries and sorry for the thread jack! I also love the light bar on the hood!
Those seat mounts make me want to buy a Saturn.
Ya its purely functional I've never driven a car with such terrible headlight range
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H&r springs on kyb struts
So currently I'm planning on swapping in a 3800 series 2 and a getrag f23 transmission I have the f23 sitting in my garage and am buying a 03 bonnie from a coworker in a few weeks but I'm having a little trouble finding out exactly what clutch kit I need
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This is my mock up engine bolted to my f23
After some research and a couple calls to spec I think the GM Late 3800/supercharged to Fiero 5sp clutch kit will work both the f23 and 282 have a 1" 14 spine input shaft but I'm not sure about clearance inside the bellhousing between the pressure plate and the transmission or if I need a spacer for the throwout bearing
My wife had one of these. She loved it. Nice looking car. It was a light purplish color. I think she named it one of those cute names ladies give their cars.
I am 5'8". My head hit the ceiling when I sat in it. The engine kind of fell on its face when you floored it. The CV joints whined going around turns. The mirrors whistled at 80mph. You could not see the front fender edges for parking.
At the time I had an '86 CRX Si. It did none of these things. It would go 120 downhill and feel more planted than at 80 - the front air dam and rear spoiler really worked. It had room for a 6'4" person, the engine revved majestically, and no extraneous noises. It was like a go-cart on turns. Seriously. Why did Honda ever stop making this car I'll never know.
I haven't had any problems with head room and im 6'2" but it helps that I don't have a sunroof and I tend to recline my seat. My biggest complaint is the terrible factory headlights and the lack of power. I like how different these cars are and how cheap and easy they are to work on
My first car was a 94' SL1 5 speed haha. If you are going 3.8 Pontiac maybe you can pick up a grand prix GTP supercharger to bolt on top?
I've thought about a supercharger but for the price I could add an hx35 and build more power with less knock and I've always wanted a turbo car
Yay, a Saturn build thread! I liked the 97 SL2 I had for a little while.
Good news everyone!
Saturn parts!
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In reply to Saturnguy:
We bought an SC2 for the engine. Would you be interested in parts trade for your ECU and engine harness?
I might be in the near future but currently the Saturn is my dd and I can't start the swap till I have all the parts I need
In reply to Saturnguy:
We're not in a real big hurry. Looking forward to your build. I keep having to remind myself I bought it as a parts car. They're some good looking cars.
Ya I've always liked Saturn I would really like to have another one to get the mounts wiring and axles figured out before I tare mine apart but that's not in the budget at this moment. In the mean time I plan to get this 3800 running out of the car and make a standalone harness.
The Saturn and cavalier have the same spline count on the axles and a similar track width so I'm hoping that will be a drop in option if not I can get the cavalier axles shortened and resplined for the Saturn CV ends.
Too bad you're not closer. We just want the engine so the rest of ours could be your mock up.
Haven't updated in a while but have made a small amount of progress I got the motor pulled out of the Bonneville and sold the headlights tail lights and radio for $110 and only paid $300 for the whole car. I'm hoping to get all my money back out of it before I scrap it. This motor swap should be starting soon I managed to find a Saturn wagon with a bad rod knock so I'm planning to swap my current motor into that and drive it till my sc2 gets done
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