These cars are made by GM?
Yes, they are GM vehicles.
think its more, even though we are a world wide forum, predominately uk based and dont get them over here.
That makes sense, thanks!
This will not prevent you from posting and asking questions on the Saturn though as I am sure it shares it's internals with more recognised models, so help for you will not be very far away!
Where would be the best place to put my questions (so that I place them in the appropriate area)?
The car is a 1997 Saturn SC2
It is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FF layout) coupe (it is one of GM's "Z" body style vehicles)
1.9L (116 cu in) Inline 4 cylinder "LLO" engine, DOHC with 4 valves per cylinder. It has a water-cooled cast aluminum block with cast iron bore liners, cast aluminum heads, aluminum pistons, cast iron 2-bolt main bearing caps, crankshaft with 4 counterweights (not sure of the material, probably steel though), forged steel connecting rods, floating piston pins with snap rings, direct-acting hydraulic lifters, electronic, linear EGR mechanism, multi-port fuel injection, rated at 124 hp (92.5 kW) and 122 ft·lbf (165 N·m).
3.23 inch (82.0 mm) bore, 3.54 inch (90.0 mm) stroke. 9.5:1 compression ratio.
Dry weight: 220.22 lb (99.89 kg)
Specific power: 65.26 hp/L
The car has a 5-speed manual "MP3" transmission with the following ratios:
1st Gear: 3.250
2nd Gear: 2.056
3rd Gear: 1.423
4th Gear: 1.033
5th Gear: 0.730
Reverse: 2.923
Final Drive: 4.063
The car weighs 2,415 lb.
102.4 inch wheelbase
180 inch length
67.3 inch width
52.2 inch height
5.6 inch ground clearance
What are your plans then long term for the car?
Goal of at least 200 wheel horsepower (hoping to go up to ~300 hp in the end, but will be happy with at least 200whp)
possibilities are (for starters):
1) swapping in pistons out of a 1993 version of the car (they are the exact same, except dished, lowering compression about 2-2.5 points)
2) swapping in a crankshaft out of a 99-02 version of the car (exact same, except it has 8 counterweights instead of 4, which makes it run a little smoother, although it adds a little weight)
3) swapping in a 1997 (same year) intake camshaft in place of the exhaust crankshaft (Adds 5 degrees of duration and .01 inch lift on the exhaust side)
4) '00-'03 version of the car tie-plate (girdle), dipstick, oil pan, and windage tray
4) larger throttle body
5) stand alone controller
6) POSSIBLY swap to all billet-forged internals
7) have crankshaft knife-edged, polish crankshaft journals, polish connecting rod journals
8) port and polish heads, intake and exhaust manifolds, and throttlebody
9) 5-angle valve job
10) install a bar-and-plate intercooled turbocharger (8-10 lb of boost) - possibly a T3 (trying to put the powerband in the 3k-8k rpm range) - with recirculating blow-off valve, electronic boost controller, and external wastegate.
11) install a 50 hp shot of direct port nitrous oxide injection (electronic controlled, only on at W.O.T.) - nitrous purge aimed at intercooler front (possibly utilizing a spray bar?)
12) re-gapped, colder, copper plugs
13) higher volume fuel pump, injectors, oil pump, and oil filter
14) Oil cooler with fan
15) have it all tuned (ECU Remap)
16) lowering springs for the car
17) thicker sway bars
18) wider tires with slightly lower profile (larger rims to keep the speedometer accurate)
19) lightweight alloy rims
20) stronger clutch & flywheel
21) limited slip differential with ring gear and welded differential pin
22) rear drum to disc brake conversion
And anything else you guys can help me out with.