Any Saab, specifically B235r engine guru's on here at all?

[compass]

I'm after some options on a B235r engine conversion please.

I currently drive a Saab 9-5 estate with the 2.2 Tid engine in it. My dad bought this new, and passed it down to me a while ago now. The problem is in really don't like the 2.2 diesel engine. It's slow, noisy and not even that good on fuel. I 've has a few aero's in the past, and break a lot too, so have good access to the engines and parts

The question is though, what's the best route to achieve around 300-350 bhp? 250 bhp as standard, so not a huge hike, but want to make a good strong engine. Guessing cams, bigger turbo, exhaust and maybe injectors?

The swap itself shouldnt be an issue. The mounts look to be the same, so it should slot in easy enough. Guessing I'll need to use the loom and ECU off the donar car, and get a high pressure fuel pump. Am I missing anything abvious?

Basically, I'm wanting to make a bit of a daily sleeper! Any help appreciated.

[oli8925]

The maptun site gives a good idea of what is required for each stage.

I'm not an expert on the B2*5 but basically
290bhp/430nm can be had from a 3" down pipe, 3.5bar fpr and a remap

300bhp/440nm can be had from the above with an uprated IC

After this it gets expensive, a TD04-18 or 19t and injectors gets you 320bhp but torque needs to be limited to 450nm still. This is the limit of the B2*5 internals. From here you will need forged internals or a b234 bottom end to make a. B234/5 hybrid.

I believe the B2*5 head breathes slightly better but both are capable of big bhp without modification. The B2*4 cams will give you a bit more top end but lose out in the mid range, B2*5 cams give better driveability but are less peaky. Splashing out on Maptun/Abbott cams at this stage would be considered a waste and unnecessary. The general consensus is an LSD is the best modification you can do once once you get past 300bhp but thats £1k. The standard clutch in good condition will just about take the 450nm.

[oli8925]

For remapping go to Saabnoob (Noobtune) on UKSaabs. In fact go there for advice. Very friendly and hugely knowledgeable bunch.

Not sure what equipment the 2.2 came with but I would imagine you'll want an Eibach/Bilstein B12 kit, bigger brakes from the Aero or 9-3, a smattering of poly bushes and some decent rubber before you go making a B235r any quicker.

[xbl]

A Hirsch ecu gives 300bhp/400nm with no hardware changes.

[oli8925]

With that torque figure it would seem the map is reigned in so that standard hardware can live, but even that doesn't seem right. The OEM downpipe will be at its limit at 260/270. I also can't see anything on the Hirsch site that's available for the 9-5 Aero and they don't list detail of previously available maps.

From the maptun site
www.maptunparts.com/tuning-kits/saab-9-5/2004/23t-aero-230-250-hp-2000-2005/mt5/173

Stage 3 285bhp/440nm
Remap
Air filter
3.5bar FPR
Exhaust

Stage 4 315bhp/450nm
Above plus...
TD04HL-XT
IC
465cc injectors
Fuel rail spacers
Cobra intake pipe

[xbl]

Mine is a 2006 so already on the big cobra pipe, the hirsch figures are 315ps and 400nm. They are notoriously over the 260bhp mark when on the rollers standard anyway.

[compass]

Cheers guys. Its more or less what I expected, as knew the internals of the 235/205 was never as strong as the 234/204. On the plus side, it seems relatively cheap to get to the 280-300bhp mark, which would be adequate for now, I'm sure!

Suspension will definitely need sorting, as its still on its original shockers and springs after 160k!

[paul99]

Plenty of knowledge about the B235 on UKSaabs, but can't help thinking you're making extra work for yourself starting from the TiD, unless it has particular sentimental value? Petrol 2.3's are cheap enough these days....

[xbl]

If you're just going for the pretty marginal upgrade to 300bhp then they're pretty bomb proof, they do like a coil pack now and then and are very fussy when it comes to spark plugs.

[compass]

Yeah, I know the aero's are dirt cheap to buy, but my Dad bought this new, and gave it to me so would like to keep hold of it. Not really sentimental, just be nice to keep this one! Plus, unless I'm missing something, it'll be a simple job, probably done over a weekend.

I break quite a few too, so will always have the di cartridges in stock, and most other parts.

[compass]

I seem to have spent the day convincing myself that it makes more sense to fit a B234 bottom end to the B235 head before I fit the engine to the car! Saves taking the engine out again further down the line!

Pretty sure 300bhp would be adequate, but I always seem to want more. The question is, with the B234 bottom end, and 18T turbo with associated mods, would it make it too much to use as,a daily? I'm in no major rush to do it, but if I'm spending upwards of £2/3000 on parts and software upgrades, I'd rather start the collection now!

[xbl]

I'd go HX35 over the 18T if you're going that far. If you're stripping the bottom end then go for PEC rods or similar so it's all brand new - that would be the plan for mine if SWMBO didn't drive it a fair bit.