That appears to be a " B " block. Is the 16 valve head a stock casting? Looks like a single row chain and a lot of custom parts, like the idler and chain guides. Nice project from some one with free time. what would be any advantage of using a B block?
I t certainly would be a conversion piece.

It must take a big band saw to make those cut away demo models?

That's Dave Snider's 16v/B engine conversion. He drove a 99 with one of those setups to SOC 2009 in Colorado but it used a dual-row chain and more custom parts. It consists of pretty much what you see there: A custom length chain, custom lower chain guide (replaces the stock tensioner), custom idler bracket setup that utilizes the 16v chain tensioner, custom rear cover (on the car I saw he had cut and welded B engine and 16v rear covers together). I think the other chain guide is a stock 16v piece. He utilizes the 16v distributor which is why you can see a B motor distributor blocked off on top.

I think it was more of a conversation piece than a performance upgrade over a H/16v engine. I think one of the advantages is that the firewall didn't have to be modified and of course a better flowing head than on a stock B engine.

Some photos from 2009:

Dave had the car at Redmond as well. He now has a kit available if you wanted to have your own.

SalemSaab wrote:somehow I forgot to take one of Chouan's amazing 99 Turbo (minus a few front-end cameos) despite being parked next to it all weekend

Great meeting you SalemSaab, squaab99t and 99Super. Scored a sweet squaabworks flywheel tool.

Here I am with the car lining up for the group photo.

This picture seems germane to SaabRally.com :-)

When I told him where I had driven from, Carlsson replied "Thats a damn far way!"
Never thought I'd get to meet him let alone impress him.

It was great to see so many SAABRally-ists there!
Chouan's 99T was pretty spectacular and Dennis' work is flawless as always.
Not sure how I missed SalemSaab and his 99
I spun my clutch pretty badly taking MikeD for a test drive, but I needed a new one anyway...

The highlight of my year was when Peter Backstrom insisting on buying Frank's grille for his own car! Getting Eric to sign my visor was pretty cool too...

John

Lots of maroon ones there, my street car would have fit right in.
How many cars in total showed up?

321go wrote:Lots of maroon ones there, my street car would have fit right in.
How many cars in total showed up?

At the at the group photo a number like 150 was being bounce around.