Saab engine technology has evolved through the years, but the same basic design of the original B202 engine is still used in today's Saabs.

When the 16-valve 2.0L engine (B202) was developed in 1984, I was one of 10 people chosen from the East Coast area by Saab in the United States to attend a special crash course to learn about the new engine and fuel management controls. It was a "first" to use the new LH fuel system backed by an intercooled turbocharger that developed 160 hp.

When the engine was released in 1985, it was available only in turbocharged form. The following year, a normally aspirated version was used in the S series.

To me, this was highly unusual to see a completely new engine having high positive combustion pressures from a Garrett T3 turbocharger linked with an air-to-air intercooler.

The engine was very durable and proved to be tough, as these engines were acquired directly from the factory and installed into the Skip Barber race cars that won many championships for a two-year timespan.

In 1991, the displacement was increased to 2.3L by changing the stroke while keeping the same bore size. This setup was offered only in the 9000 model. The engine used direct ignition linked with an LH Bosch fuel system for remarkable performance.

The engine block was redesigned to accommodate the balance shafts and have stronger webbing at the main bearing journals for the added torque (see Figure 1...