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Saab APC: Modifying and Installing

I'm not gonna call names or hate, I'm just gonna suggest two points, read it or not. You guys put a bunch of research and development in making consistent power UP TO THE POINT OF DETONATION. I suggest an alcohol kit to go past that point and squash detonation like the evil little ping bastard it is.
We can learn from one of the fastest 2js in the world, Titan.
 
Troll warning: APC proves SAAB superiority...

So now you know - not only SAAB fighter jets - Viggen, Draken, Gripen, etc, the SAAB 340 airliner that's still used all over the world, FWD since 1947 (it took Volvo until 1994) and the first successful and still the premiere Turbo car technology in all the world, despite GMS attempt to starve it, the 1st to develop (in house) and use advanced APC and Trionic, the best engine management system ever, the safest cars in class according to European safety agencies, the leader in aerodynamic design since the 1940s (ummm...Volvo are bricks?)... so just wait until you see the new SAAB/NEVS Electric in 2014, whose COO is the Swedish former head of Volvo Trucks ...just Google it. This is an interesting thread that just proves how ahead SAAB technology was, and it will be yet again, wait and see. Meantime, nice to adapt advanced SAAB technology for the bricks - I love em too!

From a Volvo owner since 1970, but still proud SAAB owner since 1971... yes, we've sold all our Volvos, but we still own 7 SAABS! Made by trolls in Trollhatten... SKOL!
 
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APC_drive.GIF
https://sites.google.com/site/ys3al35l/Dont know if you guys have seen this yet. Im assuming you have but ill post it anyway. Ms directly to apc for boost control.

http://www.900aero.com/ Havent been to this site in quite some time either . May answer some questions about different pinouts on different boxes
 
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Is this old news? I thought it was really neat. I guess Im old and out of date. I know the smc has boost control but I dont know about a pull up or down option in the software just frequency of the valve. Thats a really cool feature to have in an ecu. So you guys are not talking to me now :-(?
 
I figured this out yesterday and thought it might be handy to other APC users. Particularly those who come across a bad solenoid and especially with some things getting to be more of a PITA to get.

My solenoid valve stopped clicking and I couldn't figure out what was wrong (without the click, I couldn't even tell if the unit was powering) so I pulled the entire APC system out, went over everything and of course it was the bad solenoid.

Since I was looking for a replacement anyways, I popped it apart (just pried the top off with a knife) and started looking around. Well, I hooked it back up and when I pressed firmly down on the prongs, it clicked back to life. Turns out the connection is not made by the prongs, but a conductive material inside the prong and the prong is just barely held in place. (weird word, prong.)

So if you can repair that connection with solder and secure the prong back in place with epoxy, then you can fix your solenoid. I imagine after years of unplugging and wiggling that tight connector off, it breaks the material in the prong and the solenoid just stops getting power... That's what I did and mine is working perfectly again.
 
Saab 9000 MY 1988 APC

Hi there, I am new to here, I cannot find the APC in my Saab 9000T 1988 B202.
Is this Saab equipped with a APC? In the manual it uses a ignition coil to instead of the DI/APC to connect to the spark plugs. Can anyone give me insight because I want to upgrade the APC.
Thanks
Mat:-(
 
new_apc_mod.jpg

This mod should allow you to control the boost in the APC puling down 9 with the NPN drive circuit posted previously in the thread. The megasquirt and other ECU's with boost control options can set it. Terminal 19 of the APC pulls down the knock sense for aftermarket ECU's.

knock_settings.jpg


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Back in 2008 these things used to be easy to find in recycling yard... today? I remember the same apc pages and mods, and even built an 8ft extension harness to “tune” the apc from the passenger seat but nothing I did seemed to make any difference whatsoever. Ended up junking it and throwing the mbc back in place. Eventually MS3 took over my boost and knock control duties.

If you’re only ever going to run 5-10psi of boost and you enjoy 80’s technology then the apc might be for you, but there are so many other boost control systems out there now that actually do integrate directly with the ecu. The apc was a cool trick that was perfect for those limited to Tb money but it has clearly seen it’s day.
 
Well I had already ran it long ago with well over 17 psi with no issue and it worked correctly. So have many other on this forum who didn't need to spend major coin for a fast brick and have plenty of it then and now. Im not exactly a novice with Volvos or coin so it will be okay if we talk about the APC here. Im an engineer for amazon and previously Mercedes Benz before covid 19 and will be returning shortly. This is a person who tinkers for pleasure it's okay if it is old. Old rules like Tom Brady and old volvos...... A group A volvos tech is certainly old and its certainly alot of coin to replicate one or purchase an original Picasso in 2021. There is no question the Maserati knock computer is antiquated in its own right but it still has value to die hard Volvo tuners. I make that fact if no one else. It isn't my style to depend solely on a wallet and a shelf. As far as availably there is a Volvo plus system on sale here today. And why would we wanna restrict a fast brick to only people with big pockets? Im an inclusive turbobrick in every regard. Some people with coin give their kids who don't have alot Volvos to play with coz the cars are cheap old and pretty dependable when kept in running order. If you still have the unit and you'd like to send it to me to see if it works I can.

Regards
Hubert
 
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The APC may have been great in it's day (I have one, but only used it for the 'knock' light part), but for a fraction of the cost of finding one now you can build something similar out of an Arduino, or even buy an off-the-shelf electronic boost controller/datalogger for less than $200. I don't like chequebook tuning either, but currently the APC is way more expensive than any other option due to it's rarity in parts of the continent that aren't year-round sunshine/warm temps. I live in Canada and it's been at least a decade since I've seen a Saab of the proper generation in a junkyard, and even if I did, there's a good chance the parts I want are non-functional and expensive to replace.

If you want another APC brain box (that's all I have), shoot me your address and I'll send it to you for the cost of shipping :). I'd much rather it go to someone who enjoys tinkering with it than have it rot in my my collection of parts :).
 
I mean, I'm certainly not trying to knock it (pun intended), but there are literally thousands of open-source Arduino based electronic boost controllers and knock boxes out there. Most of the time the code has been shared, so there's not much need to know how to do the coding at all. I've built a bunch of Speeduino engine management units, which are arduino-based, and the full BOM comes to less than $150 CAD, including PCBs from a chinese manufacturer. I don't know anything about coding, but I don't have to, the recipes are available and the open source community ensures everyone gets the help they're after. A quick google search shows me at least 10 open source arduino-based boost controllers, with varying degrees of complexity. The sky is the limit in regards to the functionality you desire, because it's virtually all been done and shared online.

None of this is a replacement for actual engineering knowlege and experience, but discounting modern internet open-source sharing and knowledge is just as bad as people saying the APC is old and useless. I have followed instructions here on Turbobricks to build a controller for an automatic transmission that allows paddle shifting, and it uses the small parallax basic stamp. I know nothing of coding, but 'The Poi' shared everything, including schematics and BOM, so it was cake to build. Now, could I improve it or diagnose it if it breaks...nope...but thanks to the internet, I don't have to be an expert. I can ask questions and get as much help as I desire. I can also ignore people's opinions and experience if I so choose, but that just means my knowledge-base is going to be handicapped.

https://www.srtforums.com/threads/how-to-make-your-own-electronic-boost-controller.635751/
http://www.bylund-automotive.com/educative/knock/

It takes far more knowledge and intelligence to understand the APC than it does to build the exact same thing with off-the-shelf microcontrollers now. Google provides all answers :).
 
hk 40 said:
Thank you for the links. You may possibly just build a bandpass filter for the piezo and delay its output to the the APC's input. You could trigger it off a crank shaft sensor or 4 tooth distributor that fools the APC with on frequency digital time delay to listen on a cylinder by cylinder discriminatory basis in flight. You will need an ADC and DAC maybe. Have you thought about the freedom in an open source world with old sht and new bonded in harmony. Im holding you to sending me the APC too.:)

I also think in have in my 'old' collection some very nice analog time delay circuit schematics as well. Ill have to look.

Regards,
Hubert
Click to expand...

Sure thing, just send me your address and I'll get it winging your way :).
 
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