12-28-2009, 02:16 AM
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#41 (permalink)
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Pokémoderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
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Me -
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Originally Posted by cfg83
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It's on the road! :
SaturnFans Forums - View Single Post - Saturn TDI
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After 2+ years of plugging away at this conversion, it is finally on the road! I've only driven it 20 or so miles, but wow, it really pulls! Still some sorting out to do (the main reason why I did it in this car before I swap it into the SW2), but it runs and drives very well. The lack of power steering at low speeds takes some getting used to, but it's not that difficult to steer. It also warms up quick and puts out some great heat...I also got some funny looks when I pulled up to the diesel pump the other day.
I got it up to a quick 70-mph blast, and found that it turns about 2300 rpm, just on the other side of the 1800-2200 rpm torque peak. I'm usually in the lower gears below 50 mph since it's geared for a diesel to begin with, and the taller 195-60 15 tires on the Saturn makes for an even taller ratio. But with the car being lighter and possibly a bit more aerodynamic than the Jetta, it has no problem getting up to speed. Peak boost is about 18 lbs, most of the time it is producing 4-5 lbs under normal driving conditions.
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TDIClub Forums - View Single Post - Saturn TDI Conversion
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After two years of plugging away at this project, I finally got it insured and registered yesterday and drove it. I put about fifteen or so miles on it, running errands in town and getting a feel for the car. I got in a quick blast to 70 mph and found the tachometer read about 2300 rpm, which sounds about right for the gearing and the taller 195-60-15 tires it runs; anyone know the ratios for fifth year and the R&P so I can calculate it?
The diesel gear ratios took a bit of getting used to, as I'm accustomed to the twin-cam gearbox in my SW2. But it sure does pull! I still have some minor sorting to do; the glow plug relay quit, so I made a heavy jumper wire to do the job for now, and the fuel gauge also quit working after I fueled up. Got some funny looks when I pulled up to the diesel pump, but nobody said anything to me! It also has a really good heater in it; even with the temps in the low 20's, it didn't take long to warm up, and the temp gauge stayed at about the halfway mark.
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CarloSW2
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