Hello from France , i am looking for some help . i don't have a saab 96 but i have a matra 530 with the ford V4 1.7 liters. i have the project to improve it a little but parts are from saab 96 as matra doesn't existe anymore. The idea is to buy saab 96 parts and change the camshaft for : http://classicsaabracing.com/Order/detail.php?item=111 and putting lighter lifters : http://classicsaabracing.com/Order/detail.php?item=29 and that : http://classicsaabracing.com/Order/detail.php?item=28 Anyone can tell me if it is a good or a bad idea? Are the saabs 96 only with V4 of 1.5 liters engines or with 1.7 liters also ? i guess suppose that those parts are identical on boths 1.5 and 1.7L engines .right ? your comments and suggestions are welcome and thanks for the help.
The Matra looks good I have never seen one and wouldn't have known it has a V4! The later 96's had 1700cc engines and the Sonnet IIIs. But you are right the camshaft etc you have mentioned will suit both. If you are going to the trouble of higher lift cams and up rated valve gear then to get most benefit you certainly need to open out the inlet and exhaust tracts on the heads and consider the bigger valves. I don't know what carb you are running but again a twin choke weber makes a tremendous difference even without any other mods.