Ok, yesterday’s foray into the world of Saturn automobiles was pushing an envelope, one the size of a freaking Post Office. I knew that. But I honestly like early Saturns, before they became Pontiac Lite. They are the closest that GM came to nailing down the small-car vibe that Honda and Toyota nailed, with any kind of reliability, and they aren’t the worst thing in the world to drive as long as you got one with a five-speed stick. When I used to run SCCA autocrosses in Bremerton, one guy in particular would take his mid-1990s SL sedan and absolutely waste all but the most built competition with a combination of killer brakes, sticky tires, and a heaping dose of “not giving a damn today!” You ever hear that quote about how the fastest car ever made is a rental car? Yeah…he drove it like that.

I was going to leave the Saturn kick well enough alone after yesterday, but for my own sake, I decided to just search the local Craigslist to see if any older Saturns were still kicking around the area. Who knows, maybe I could find a $500 SL that needed a clutch and a serious cleaning and have a high-MPG daily. Instead, this 2002 Saturn SC2 popped up in my feed. “Fully built turbo Saturn drag car”. Oh, yeah, gotta read this listing…

From the ad: “I am getting out of FWD drag racing after giving it a valorous try. The car is not practical to go cruising around with the wife so time to move back to the classics. I am the 2nd owner and have been playing with it for 10 years. It has a clear title and priced to sell. The car was tuned at 16psi Making 498whp but we never finished the tuning. I have it on a safe tune for 22.5psi est. 580-600whp. The best track time achieved was 2 years ago on the old set-up in Bandimere, CO 1/4 mile running a 10.6. I have had problems this season with breaking axles so the times have not been great with the new upgrades.(possibly because I don’t know how to drive lol) The Best time on this current build was in Clarksville, TN 1/8 mile 6.89 on tired slicks. This is purpose built Drag race car and is a violent beast to drive and ride in. It will not pass emissions. Looking for a classic Mustang 65-69) or a Saturn Sky for trade not interested in anything else. This includes a 16ft flat steel bed trailer with winch.”

“Here is the lengthy build list:

2002 Saturn SC2 Body total body weight is 1,875 pounds.
MS3PRO Standalone ECU
E85 Fuel
Golden Eagle Fuel Rail
Honda K series Ignition Coils
JE 10.8:1 100 over Pistons
Crower Connecting Rods
Balanced lower Rotating Assembly
3rd generation Crankshaft and Tie Plate
ACL Engine Bearings
Golden Eagle Sleeved Block Bored 100 over
Gude Pro Race Cams 400lift
Ferrera Double Valve Springs
Ported Head 1998 Saturn Head
ARP Head Studs
MLS Head Gasket
Fidanza Adjustable Cam Gears
Clutch Masters Twin Disc
Clutch Masters Hydrolic Throw out Bearing
Clutch Masters Clutch Delay Valve
MFactory Limited Slip Differential
Top Mount Turbo manifold
Precision 46mm Wastegate
Precision 6266 gen2 BB turbo
Turbosmart 50mm BOV
JCFab Center feed Intake Manifold
JCFab Crankcase ventilation system
Garrett core Intercooler 24×10.5×3.5
LS1 Throttle Body
ZZP 1700cc Injectors
Aeromotive A1000 Fuel Pump
Aeromotive 1:1 Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator
Honda Radiator
Mishimoto Fan and Shroud
10gal Fuel Cell
10 point roll cage (NHRA Certified)
Kirkeys PRO Race Seat
5 point G-Force Harness
Ludicrous Speed Rear lower adjustable control arms
Agility Coil overs
Street Scene Carbon fiber Hood
Rear Disc conversion
Power stop front brakes with EBC Pads
Keep It Clean wiring harness (factory harness is completely gone)
Black Racing Pro N1 15×7.5 front wheels
Enkie 15×6 rear wheels
M&H Racemaster 24.5×8.5×15 slicks (4 passes)
Innovate SCG-1 Boost Controller and AFR Gauge
Innovate MTX-D EGT Gauge
Autometer electric Oil Pressure Gauge
Autometer electric Oil Temperature Gauge
Autometer 5″ Tachometer
Grant Steering wheel w/quick release
ARP Wheel Studs
VMS Short Throw Shifter
Lithium Ion Phosphate battery(weighs 1lb)”

Craigslist Link: 2002 Saturn SC2