does anyone know offhand when saab started using a chain drive primary in the 4 speed instead of the old gear drive?

'75 or '76 I think? My '73's had gear primaries, and I am pretty sure by '77 they were chains.

I'm pretty sure it was '77 gear / '78 chains.
I believe it may have some connection to the turbo 99 development.
Not sure what the early test car 99 turbos had in '77.
I've had a couple '77's with gear type.

thank you! the car in question is a '79.
buying a whole car for a primary gearset.... oh well.

I am also under the impression ALL (chain drive) 4 speed cars have the #4 or #5 primarys, correct?

tirediron wrote:I am also under the impression ALL (chain drive) 4 speed cars have the #4 or #5 primarys, correct?

correct.

I put a #6 in a 4 speed once. it became very hard to start in first on a hill but 4th gear was good for 75 mph at about 3000 rpm as I recall

#5 was only in the 4spds that came in turbo cars.
How's the body on that '79?

excellent. I was unaware that type 5 was from the turbo cars but I guess that makes sense.

one of my race cars is currently getting a 4 speed currently due to a failure last weekend which ruined one of my #4 primary sets.

was using a late build 5 speed with #4 and 3rd gear. total ratio is 6.5:1. using #7 primarys with second gear in the 4 speed gives about a 6.2:1 ratio which will work. I just liked using the 5 speed due to being able to easily gear up for larger tracks. ill just have to bump up the rev limiter a little bit....

Geoff, not sure how the body is. haven't seen it yet, looks like its spent a good deal of time out in the woods.