SPS

Please take a few minutes and read through these instructions in their entirety BEFORE you start to modify your Saturn. Remember: careful planning and preparation will make your install experience educational and painless.

Transaxle and Engine Strut Preparation

1. Make sure that you have all the parts listed below before you attempt this installation! Contact SPS immediately if you have questions or concerns regarding part quantities or part descriptions.

Vehicle Preparation and Support

1. Raise the front end of the vehicle and place on jackstands supporting the vehicle by either the front cradle or spaceframe. Be sure that the car is firmly supported before going ANY further with this installation! Note that the car should be in gear and the emergency brake set to keep the car from moving while being supported.
2. Remove the right front hubcap / wheel cover, and road wheel using a 19mm socket.

Air Box and Ducting Removal

1. On vehicles equipped with a stock air induction system, disconnect the zip tube connecting the throttle body to the air cleaner box, the crossover tube which runs along the front radiator support bar, and the three fasteners holding the air box to the spaceframe using a 10mm socket on a long extension. Be sure to disconnect the air temperature sensor from the forward air inlet duct by squeezing the connector head before removing the duct from the car. Once all fasteners are loose, remove the ducting form the car.
2. On those vehicles utilizing non-stock air induction systems (an SPS Powerstack, for example), disconnect and remove the entire induction system assembly from the engine compartment.

Transaxle Strut Removal

1. Loosen and remove the transaxle strut-to-cradle bracket fastener with a 13mm socket (the BIG end of the strut which attaches to the body) and a 15mm box-end wrench. On 1994 and later Saturns, this fastener will attach the transaxle strut directly to the engine compartment mid-rail and NOT to an intermediate cradle bracket.
2. Loosen and remove the transaxle strut-to-transaxle bracket fastener with a 13mm socket (the SMALL end of the strut which attaches to the transaxle ).
3. Remove the transaxle strut from the vehicle.

Transaxle Strut Installation

1. Position the small end of the new transaxle strut into the transaxle bracket and install the transaxle strut-to-transaxle bracket fastener. Torque this fastener to 70 Nm (52 ft-lb) using a 13mm socket.
2. 1992-1993 only: position the big end of the new transaxle strut into the cradle bracket and install the transaxle strut-to-cradle bracket fastener. Using a new nut, torque this fastener to 50 Nm (37 ft-lb) with a 13mm socket and a 15mm box-end wrench. If you do not have a new nut, apply a small amount of Loctite to the threads of the fastener before installation.
3. 1994+ only: position the big end of the new transaxle strut against the weld nut opening in the engine compartment mid-rail and install the transaxle strut-to-mid-rail bracket fastener. Torque this fastener to 50 Nm (37 ft-lb) using a 13mm socket.

Air Box and Ducting Installation

1. On vehicles equipped with a stock air induction system, install the air box to the spaceframe using a 10mm socket on a long extension. Torque these fasteners to 10 Nm (89 in-lb).
2. Install the zip tube connecting the throttle body to the air cleaner box, the crossover tube which runs along the front radiator support bar, and the air temperature sensor by pushing the connector on to the air temperature sensor by hand.
3. On those vehicles utilizing non-stock air induction systems (an SPS Powerstack, for example), re-connect the entire induction system per the manufacturer’s original instructions.

Engine Strut Removal

1. Remove the wheelhouse splash shield(s) found in the right front wheel opening. Since there are several different designs, please consult your service manual if you have specific questions regarding this procedure. In most cases, however, the liner is held in place with 2-4 plastic re-usable rivets (don’t lose these!) and, in some cases, metal c-clips.
2. Loosen – but do NOT yet remove – the two 13mm engine strut cradle bracket fasteners found on the bottom of the engine cradle. These fasteners are actually inside the cradle and the socket must be placed into an access hole punched in the bottom side of the cradle to gain access to these fasteners.
3. Remove the engine strut-to-engine bracket fastener (the fastener on the small end of the strut) using a 13mm socket.
4. Remove the engine strut-to-cradle bracket fastener (the fastener on the big end of the strut) using a 13mm socket.
5. Place a floor jack under the engine oil pan. Using a block of wood between the jack and the pan, raise the engine slowly until enough clearance if obtained to remove the engine strut from the vehicle. Use caution NOT to damage any really expensive underhood thingys by raising the engine up and into the hood! An inch of upward movement is about all that will be required.
6. Remove the engine strut from the vehicle.

Engine Strut Installation

1. Position the small end of the new engine strut into the engine bracket and install the engine strut-to-engine bracket fastener. Torque this fastener to 70 Nm (52 ft-lb) using a 13mm socket.
2. Position the big end of the new engine strut into the cradle bracket and install the engine strut-to-cradle bracket fastener. Torque this fastener to 70 Nm (52 ft-lb) using a 13mm socket.
3. Tighten the the two 13mm engine strut cradle bracket fasteners found on the bottom of the engine cradle. Reminder: these fasteners are actually inside the cradle and the socket must be placed into an access hole punched in the bottom side of the cradle to gain access to these fasteners. Torque these fasteners to 50 Nm (37 ft-lb).
4. Re-install the wheelhouse splash shield(s) in the right front wheel opening, reusing any plastic rivets or metal c-clips removed earlier.

Vehicle Wrap-Up and Road Test

1. Re-install the right front road wheel. Torque the lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 ft-lb) using a 19mm socket. Note: you will need a buddy to hold the brake pedal down as you torque the lug nuts! Re-install the hubcap / wheel cover also using a 19mm socket.
2. Raise the front end of the vehicle and remove jackstands. Lower the vehicle and release the hand brake lever.
3. Road test the vehicle to confirm proper function of both the transaxle strut and the engine strut. USE CAUTION THE FIRST TIME YOU DRIVE YOUR CAR AFTER MODIFICATION TO ENSURE THE PROPER FUNCTION OF ALL VEHICLE SYSTEMS!
4. Enjoy your modified Saturn!