Saab 9-3 radiator conversion Sprint

[cleverusername]

I am actually making progress, I might get the car going before the turn of the next decade.

I now have the correct 9-3 radiator, It actually fits under the bonnet, I am now pondering the best way of fixing the thing. I was wondering if anyone has any pictures of a finished conversion?

They use to be on the forum, but photobucket has taken them hostage.

[new to this]

Ive got the same rad to fit,if i dont get my clutch hose by the weekend,ill try fitting the rad and take photos to show how i fitted my

Dave

[cleverusername]

Ive got the same rad to fit,if i dont get my clutch hose by the weekend,ill try fitting the rad and take photos to show how i fitted my

Dave

Thanks, I am trying to make some custom mounts, but figuring out exactly how to fit everything is like a jigsaw puzzle with no instructions. Trying to avoid cutting any of the bodywork to make it work.

[new to this]

Ive got the same rad to fit,if i dont get my clutch hose by the weekend,ill try fitting the rad and take photos to show how i fitted my

Dave

Thanks, I am trying to make some custom mounts, but figuring out exactly how to fit everything is like a jigsaw puzzle with no instructions. Trying to avoid cutting any of the bodywork to make it work.

I was going to make brackets for the bottom of the rad to sit in,and use the same spring clips the Saab uses to hold the top of the rad

Dave

[Carledo]

You shouldn't need to cut the body, but you will need to remove some of the superfluous plastic from the sides of the rad so that the overall shape conforms more closely to that of the header tanks.

I made 2 brackets in a roughly z shape to support the lower mounts with holes for the stock bushes and bolted them to the underside of the chassis rails with a couple of 10mm tapping bolts each. Someday I will get around to making similar fittings for the top, my Toledo actually has a captive nut in just the right place on the n/s inner front panel (for the horn originally) On my Vauxhall powered car the top hose and air filter hold the top of the rad in position without the need for brackets! So I have adopted the "if it ain't broke....." philosophy!

Steve

[Badger]

More importantly, is there enough room to fit an intercooler with a Saab radiator in position? Well it's important to me

XHO's currently running an MGTF rad which doesn't seem to be doing a brilliant job, so am considering an upgrade

Pictures would be good! Can't seem to find any, especially now photobucket's gone more bucket than photo.

[cleverusername]

More importantly, is there enough room to fit an intercooler with a Saab radiator in position? Well it's important to me

XHO's currently running an MGTF rad which doesn't seem to be doing a brilliant job, so am considering an upgrade

Pictures would be good! Can't seem to find any, especially now photobucket's gone more bucket than photo.

Based on what I have done, maybe, but only if you could fit it in front of the radiator. The problem is the rad is a bit wider than the Sprint one, so it sits closer to the engine.

[new to this]

you have to trim all the fins of to get it in,but it is a tight fit at the bottom
ill post pictures of what i have done so far,i was tiring the get this rad to fit yesterday











im using the Dolomite fixing points and the Saab,so dont cut the four tubes of the rad,the bracket for passengers side has a few bends in it not finished it yet,ive push my rad as far forward as i can,im planing on using the original fan set up,but was hoping i could have a electric fan in front of the rad,but now dont think there be enough room now

[cleverusername]

you have to trim all the fins of to get it in,but it is a tight fit at the bottom
ill post pictures of what i have done so far,i was tiring the get this rad to fit yesterday











im using the Dolomite fixing points and the Saab,so dont cut the four tubes of the rad,the bracket for passengers side has a few bends in it not finished it yet,ive push my rad as far forward as i can,im planing on using the original fan set up,but was hoping i could have a electric fan in front of the rad,but now dont think there be enough room now

Your work is so much nicer than mine, mine looks like a gorilla took a chainsaw to the plastic.

What metal are you using for the mounts? I got some think brackets from a DIY store, I had to mig weld in every join, it took ages. I prefer your solution.

[new to this]

you have to trim all the fins of to get it in,but it is a tight fit at the bottom
ill post pictures of what i have done so far,i was tiring the get this rad to fit yesterday











im using the Dolomite fixing points and the Saab,so dont cut the four tubes of the rad,the bracket for passengers side has a few bends in it not finished it yet,ive push my rad as far forward as i can,im planing on using the original fan set up,but was hoping i could have a electric fan in front of the rad,but now dont think there be enough room now

Your work is so much nicer than mine, mine looks like a gorilla took a chainsaw to the plastic.

What metal are you using for the mounts? I got some think brackets from a DIY store, I had to mig weld in every join, it took ages. I prefer your solution.

This was my third attempt at get the right shape , as i needed the rad to go as far forward as possible,first time i used 1mm steel but that bent under the weight of the rad,so in the end i used 2x 1.5mm welded together,i know its a bit over the top but it dosent bend now

Dave

[Badger]

Awesome, thanks for the pictures. Looks like it may be possible - my engine sits a bit further back than that from memory