91 Saab 900 turbo, 87 Golf gti16v, 90 MG Maestro, 89 BX GTI

[richie]

Been just over a year since I posted on here, but new toy = new thread

Put my long term project on a back burner for a bit. Having a break from it as i was getting carried away with small details and not making much progress.

As it sits now.


The new toy got delivered the other day, always wanted one of these and I was told about it locally and went for a look.

It is unfortunately the LPT version but it was the right money..

Not driven it properly yet as it has been off the road since 2006. Starts, drives and stops.
Pics,




Might have a poke round it tomorrow if I get chance.

[k1664]

I've always had a thing for the old shape 900 turbo, that looks in pretty good nick from a distance.
If you're not happy with the LPT then you could go the whole hog and do a T5 conversion for 220bhp (or so I've read)!

[madwelshman]

Another classic Saab on here, that's great. A gorgeous looking car.
lpt to Full fat Turbo isn't too bad a conversion.
Get yourself on uksaabs.co.uk , plenty of knowledge and help on there.
Gearbox can be the weak link on Classic 900's, engines if maintained well can be bullet proof and capable of big power.
Bookmarked.

[richie]

Must admit I didn't look at the car properly when I bought it. Upon closer inspection it is very solid with no visible rot that I can see from lying on the floor.
The engine cooling system is an interesting concept. When running the water weeps out of the water pump onto the pulley and is then sprayed over the engine. So won't be running it too much until that is sorted. However the short drive to its temporary storage was great. Especially considering it has been off the road since 2006.

When I am happy the engine will run as it is intended I will be looking into upgrading to fpt spec. If it's fooked then T5 conversion may well be on the cards.

[Deleted]

External cooling?
Interesting concept that :-)

[richie]

Out of storage and looking a bit sorry for itself..



first job, sort out the water pump.

bearing in the old unit was scrap and making an right noise. Sounds much smoother now.

Next to carry on with changing fluids etc.

Found a box of goodies in the car, some of the parts point towards a FPT conversion..

[madwelshman]

That increase from LPT 145 bhp to FPT 175 bhp will definitely be noticeable

[richie]

Christmas project is to get this MOTed.
First set back is it won't start. Has been sat for 6months and fuel pump seems to have seized.

[richie]

Well, the christmas bit didn't work out too well.
Been waiting for parts.

Removed the whole fuel pump unit and found it to be in a bit of a mess.



replaced everything I could get hold of and cleaned up the rest.



Fitted up and nearly ready for the car, just a new pipe from the tank into the unit on it way.


Next job, decide on a new deadline to get it MOTed

[richie]

Picking this up tomorrow.




Not sure why I have bought it.
Not sure what I am going to do with it.
Not sure where I am going to put it.

[polo6n1600i]

Hmm - Nice trio of motors! Always wanted an MG Maestro!

[peter96]

Oh an MG Maestro. Should be a hoot to drive. Nice collection of cars there.

[richie]

The MG Maestro is one of the cars that has always been on my radar whilst surfing the bay and browsing the classifieds in car mags.

This one came up with sensible mileage, 73k, and a brand new MOT. As neither the golf or the saab are on the road yet I thought I would have a look at it. You all know how the rest goes, who really just "looks" at a car?

Its not perfect up close but its all there.

Just drove it back the 80m home and it drove without fault, pulls well and is good fun to drive. Surprisingly capable on the twisty bits as well.

[richie]

few more pics.

Towbar needs to go as does the arch gap.

Read that mk2 golf suspension fits, got some standard mk2 suspension off mine so will offer it up. If it works the I might get some ebay coilovers...

[dapser]

Little bit of info from a long term owner.....

There are no Maestro badges on your MG 2.0i

Austin Rover decided to remove the Maestro badging from the MG version in the last couple of years of production.

Your car is fitted with MG Montego alloys which, although identical in design, were half an inch wider at 6" rim width. They not only fill the arches a bit better but also allow safer fitment of wider tyres too.

Bizarrely the MG 2.0 Turbo (Maestro shape) was still fitted with 5.5" wheels as standard.

I'll grab my anorak on the way out....

Dapser

[richie]

Feb 19, 2017 21:24:19 GMT dapser said:

Little bit of info from a long term owner.....

There are no Maestro badges on your MG 2.0i

Austin Rover decided to remove the Maestro badging from the MG version in the last couple of years of production.

Your car is fitted with MG Montego alloys which, although identical in design, were half an inch wider at 6" rim width. They not only fill the arches a bit better but also allow safer fitment of wider tyres too.

Bizarrely the MG 2.0 Turbo (Maestro shape) was still fitted with 5.5" wheels as standard.

I'll grab my anorak on the way out....

Dapser

All things I didn't know/realise..

Can you shed any light on the mk2 golf suspension theory?

[dapser]

Feb 19, 2017 21:41:33 GMT richie said:

Feb 19, 2017 21:24:19 GMT dapser said:

Little bit of info from a long term owner.....

There are no Maestro badges on your MG 2.0i

Austin Rover decided to remove the Maestro badging from the MG version in the last couple of years of production.

Your car is fitted with MG Montego alloys which, although identical in design, were half an inch wider at 6" rim width. They not only fill the arches a bit better but also allow safer fitment of wider tyres too.

Bizarrely the MG 2.0 Turbo (Maestro shape) was still fitted with 5.5" wheels as standard.

I'll grab my anorak on the way out....

Dapser

All things I didn't know/realise..

Can you shed any light on the mk2 golf suspension theory?

I too have read that the VW uprights are a straightforward fit with minimal alteration however I have a nagging idea that it was Polo and not Golf items.

My car is pretty much standard so haven't pursued the mod myself.

Dapser

[jimspolicev8sd1]

The Maestro is seriously cool. Love it. I'd quite like one myself.

[jaykay]

That mk2 is perfect. Examples like that make me start looking again.

[richie]

Feb 19, 2017 22:13:31 GMT jaykay said:

That mk2 is perfect. Examples like that make me start looking again.

I must admit, out of the three the golf is my favorite. It will be getting a comprehensive body restoration. I am waiting until I get a proper workshop so I can strip it down myself.