9-3 Owners say hello & tuning tips

obi_waynne

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Meet other 9-3 owners Post up a short hello in here and tell us about yourself, your car and what you have planned modification wise for it.
 
I'm am a new owner of a 04 9-3 Aero. Black paint, tan leather, real nice. It's much nicer than my recently deceased Subaru WRX. Though I will admit, the saab hasn't yet won my loyalty from the subaru, and it might never... Anyways I am looking for some quick and easy mods for the 9-3. I am no stranger to a 2.0 turbo, but I was wondering if any one out there has any suggestions of quick and easy mods for this motor. I already have a K&N air filter for it, but I was looking to maybe open up the intake a little more, if at all possible; And maybe try to get a little more noise from the turbo??? Any suggestions?
 
hey and welcome wrxmatthew
best mod for the turbo would be remapping it your looking at around 35bhp and 40 ftlb gain.

the increase in boost should give you a louder whistle of the turbo
 
I've read about guys sending off their ecu to have it remapped, I know you can get great power gains, but about how much do people charge for stuff like that?? I know for my subaru I was able to street tune it myself by using a "user tunable" engine computer, but I havent found such a thing for the saab...
 
Ohh they look so nice in black! Welcome to TorqueCars.

I think I would go with a turbo upgrade and a remap on the 2.0 Turbo. Is it the HOT model? Do you know what turbo you have fitted to it?
 
Yea, the black is pretty slick, if I had a digi-camera I would post some pics.... but I dont. I have no idea which turbo the car has, it didnt know that they put different turbos in this car? Is one alot better than the other? I just know its has 210 hp and 220-ish ft-lbs stock.
I was also wondering if anyone knew how these cars reacted to cold-air intakes? I know some turbo-4s dont like them too much.
 
Manufacturers often switch turbos around. Most use the Garrett T25 but knowing which turbo you have gives you some options.

1) Upgrade the internals and go with ball bearings
2) Fit a larger turbo which may require some new pipe work

If you can see the turbo there will often be something stamped on the casing but in some cars the turbos are down at the back of the engine.

If you are not sure about cold air induction kits stick with a panel air filter. I have one in my A3 and although I don't get the induction noise I still get the benefit of more air into the engine.
 
The T25 was on the 1999 Saab 9-3 i think. I know some guys what have used a Saab 9000 T25 turbo with the NG900 bearing housing in their 9000s. Also TD04s are swap in replacements for the NG900 so you might be able to do it in reverse and put a TD04 bearing and internals inside the T25.
 
Hi,

I've a 9-3 convertible and just finished converting it from an LPT to a HPT.
Fitted the APC and pipes and had my ECU flashed to stage 1.
Apart from that the car is stock.

saab-93.jpg
 
Hi TopGear and welcome to TorqueCars. Great to have you along. Your post got held in the moderation queue as it had a picture in it and you have less than 10 posts. Sorry but I've authorised it.

The turbo swap sounds like a good mod. Did you swap the engines or just the turbos? Were there any other mods that you had to do?
 
I was also wondering if anyone knew how these cars reacted to cold-air intakes? I know some turbo-4s dont like them too much.

Get the biggest/most free flowing filter you can. Don't worry too much about COLD air, as the air will be heated immensly in it's compression and then cooled again by the intercooler anyways. Just get as MUCH air as possible.
 
The turbo swap sounds like a good mod. Did you swap the engines or just the turbos? Were there any other mods that you had to do?

Sorry my fault I must have confused you!
When I said I'd converted it to a HPT I meant the cheaper version. lol :lol:

If you fit an APC valve and connect the 3 pipes coming off it to the turbo, wastegate and air intake and then MAP the ECU to the HPT version or higher (stage 1) The new ECU will provide more power and also by utilising the APC more power provided via the turbo.
 
Cheers mate ;)

Cost me £45 for the APC, £5 for the pipes and £60 to remap the ECU.
Bargain! :twisted:
 
Matthew,
Your cars has a all alloy B207R engine, it has a Mitsubishi turbo, called MHI TD04L-14T with is bigger then the usual Garrett GT2025s.
The all alloy gas-engines are different from the older partly cast iron engine.
The ECU is the most modern Saab Triotronic 8 system, the older types use previous with lower nummers.
ECU tuning without hardwear changes is limited to ca. 10%, further you need hardware changes, most important a freeflow intercooler which will endure high boost better and cools better. Then you will need 4 bigger injectors.
Saab ECU remapping of this special high performance type B207R engine with already 210HP is no busines for non specialist firms, so stick to the Saab specialist to be safe and have the best results. In good hand this motor can tuned and be as powerfull as a Subaru. But you will miss still the four-wheel drive
 
I'm am a new owner of a 04 9-3 Aero. Black paint, tan leather, real nice. It's much nicer than my recently deceased Subaru WRX. Though I will admit, the saab hasn't yet won my loyalty from the subaru, and it might never... Anyways I am looking for some quick and easy mods for the 9-3. I am no stranger to a 2.0 turbo, but I was wondering if any one out there has any suggestions of quick and easy mods for this motor. I already have a K&N air filter for it, but I was looking to maybe open up the intake a little more, if at all possible; And maybe try to get a little more noise from the turbo??? Any suggestions?
hi there the saab will grow on you i was a vauxhall man for many years and went for the saab similar build up better performance and less off them around.back to intake upgrade there is a larger turbo intake pipe on early 93 aeros not to sure about newer ones
 
hi all,

found this interesting site and forum while trying to find out about strut braces/sway bars.

i owned a 93 SS 2.0T hirsched to 247hp and 350Nm. i am working to bring her to at least 280hp and 400Nm. i have got a cat-back dual exhaust coming in next week and looking for a 3"DP. any suggestions where can i get one for a good deal?

cheerios....:lol:
 
Hi there and welcome, it sounds like you have a great setup there.

Where abouts are you, did you want a parts supplier in your country? Sweden is probably the best place to buy Saab parts at the moment.
 
Hi there and welcome, it sounds like you have a great setup there.

Where abouts are you, did you want a parts supplier in your country? Sweden is probably the best place to buy Saab parts at the moment.

singapore! yes, i bought most of my parts from US & UK. the swede's response is a little sluggish and they don't do online payments. anyway, just want to find out what's the best HW flasher for T8 ECUs.

cheerios...:toung:
 
Hi, I have started of with a T9 Hirsch performance upgrade on my 93ss Aero 2003, which includes a bigger intercooler, remap, performance filter, and stainless 2 1/2" single exhaust. Had the head polished and ported with bigger valves and a reworked cam. Since then it has been to Abbott Racing for a much bigger hybrid turbo, a 3" dual conversion exhaust sytem from the turbo back, vented discs with motorsport pads, Samco performance hoses, Koni FSD shocks, lower and stiffer springs and some unique car body features installed. Yesterday, it was at Neo brothers for a full engine diagnostic and another remap to mate the turbo and fuel intake properly, 280bhp now! and it was sometime quite late into the evening, before I could remove the huge smile off my face! the missus was starting to get a little worried about me, Marvellous!
 
Thats a shame! well you have the picture, a metal fabricator or good garage in your area should be able to copy it and make it fit, that's what I intend to do! will let you know how it comes out when its completed.

All the best
 
Hi

New to the site and new to my saad 9-3 1.9 tid i dont have much of a clue what tuning i can do other than remapping which is first on my list can any one help with worth while tuning ideas???
 
Welcome to the Saab world, prepare to never leave.

Not to familiar with the 1.9TID, but let me see what we can do. An open intake with a free flowing exhaust would be first. Then maybe a larger intercooler, followed by a remap. I am not too sure what UK remap services are out there, abbot can surely hook you up however. If you want serious power gains a larger turbo would be in order. I am not too sure on the internal status of this engine however, not a "true" Saab engine by the books, so a little research is in order.

Enjoy, talk to T9, he controls things over on that side of the pond :)
 
Welcome to the Saab world, prepare to never leave.

Not to familiar with the 1.9TID, but let me see what we can do. An open intake with a free flowing exhaust would be first. Then maybe a larger intercooler, followed by a remap. I am not too s
ure what UK remap services are out there, abbot can surely hook you up however. If you want serious power gains a larger turbo would be in order. I am not too sure on the internal status of this engine however, not a "true" Saab engine by the books, so a little research is in order.

Enjoy, talk to T9, he controls things over on that side of the pond :)

Thanks for all the info Aikmanson I will be looking that all up when I get home! Only thing I'm unsure of is the remapp b4 or after the new turbo? Thanks again.
 
Hi all,

I have a 2001 Saab 9-3 2.2L TiD SE Coupe (approx. 169k miles at the mo!) and after reading a few articles and posts on here, I'd like to turn it into the best car it can be (also try and keep it running for a few more years!). I haven't done any mods/alterations to the car - what are the most essential ones for my 9-3, as I've read a bit about sludging and bulkheads going in older cars?

Thanks, any help's appreciated!
Ricky
 
Welcome to TorqueCars mate hope you enjoy your stay buddy.:bigsmile:



Hi all,

I have a 2001 Saab 9-3 2.2L TiD SE Coupe (approx. 169k miles at the mo!) and after reading a few articles and posts on here, I'd like to turn it into the best car it can be (also try and keep it running for a few more years!). I haven't done any mods/alterations to the car - what are the most essential ones for my 9-3, as I've read a bit about sludging and bulkheads going in older cars?

Thanks, any help's appreciated!
Ricky
 
Hi all,

I have a 2001 Saab 9-3 2.2L TiD SE Coupe (approx. 169k miles at the mo!) and after reading a few articles and posts on here, I'd like to turn it into the best car it can be (also try and keep it running for a few more years!). I haven't done any mods/alterations to the car - what are the most essential ones for my 9-3, as I've read a bit about sludging and bulkheads going in older cars?

Thanks, any help's appreciated!
Ricky

Greetings and Welcome! ;)
 
Hi all,

I have a 2001 Saab 9-3 2.2L TiD SE Coupe (approx. 169k miles at the mo!) and after reading a few articles and posts on here, I'd like to turn it into the best car it can be (also try and keep it running for a few more years!). I haven't done any mods/alterations to the car - what are the most essential ones for my 9-3, as I've read a bit about sludging and bulkheads going in older cars?

Thanks, any help's appreciated!
Ricky

Have the bulkhead and sludging checked out by a Saab specialist! I assume by your post that these issues were found out AFTER you purchased the car??

If your willing to travel? as I can't vouch for any good garages in your area but you may well know of one or two, then I would suggest a journey to Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire and to visit the highly regarded Neo Bros -www.neobrothers.co.uk
These chaps are very very good! :bigsmile: they install and sell factory products, performance equipment, and guaranteed used items as well.

They will NOT tell you any rubbish and you can trust them completely. Ask to speak to Andy or Nicholas and tell them Dr Reid recommended you.

Alternatively, there is Abbott Racing Motorsport - www.abbottracing.net based at Wix in Essex. They too are very good but a tad expensive, ask to speak to Giles or Ed and again tell them that I recommended you.

If your after mild performance mods for the 2.2 then I would suggest a panel filter upgrade first and then a stage 1 remap. Drive this around to get a good feel of it for a couple of months or so before going to the next stage.
Have a look in my gallery on my profile Ricky for some ideas of what you can do!

Good luck :)
 
hey and welcome

sludging can be helped by using quality oil - to the spec in the handbook - and by changing regularly.

most sludging is normally because people are following the extended services (20k) your better changing 9-10k. better spending £50-60, if you do it yourself, than having oil starvation due to the sludge in the pickup pipe and having a nice £££
 
What crankcase ventilation system does it have? If your car was built before 2004 it will be from before the engine was modified to cure the crankcase ventilation/sludge problem. There was one short-lived modification that caused a lot of mayo in the filler tube and caused quite high oil consumption.

Again, if you have an early car you should get the sump removed and cleaned. Then run the car on fully synthetic oil.
 
Thanks everyone...

The car's from 2001 T9 so I'll probably need the sump removed & cleaned/checked - I'll get the sump and the bulkhead checked soon by a garage, or is it something that you can do yourself?? The bulkhead & sludging probs weren't ones that I knew of when I bought the car a couple of years ago, but now I know of them I need to get them sorted.

Any views on the 9-3 rollbar modification that a few people have had on here? I understand that it's easy to do, relatively cheap and improves handling a lot, but from another thread on here, will it only make a big difference on the cabriolet and not a coupe like mine?

Cheers,
Ricky
 
I assume you mean the piggyback ARB? yes it is worth doing and you will notice the difference in the handling straightaway! I think the kit is a 19mm ARB, and it is getting very good feedback from people!
The sump you can do yourself but it is an absolute rascal apparently.
The bulkhead inspection I suppose you could also do yourself, but I would be inclined to let an expert look in the areas they would expect to find any cracks, then there is less chance of you missing it or them!

Sites to look at for performance goodies here are: www.partsforsaabs.com and www.elkparts.com plus abroad there is: www.maptun.com and finally www.genuinesaab.com


I have purchased goods from all of these sites over the years and have yet to be disappointed. ;)
 
hey Gang, first post just wanted to say hello. Apparently I joined the forum in 09, and posted for the first time today lol...
Name is Aaron, I have a 2007 Saab 93 2.0T in TitanGrey Metallic with a few modifications. I have quite the long "to-do" list of modifications, but here is what I do have:

BSR Stage 1 ecu reflash (247hp, 286 ft lbs)
BSR Optiflow open intake
GenuineSaab strut tower brace
GenuineSaab 3pt sub-frame brace
GenuineSaab short shift kit
Euro spec front rub strips
Hirsch Leather Door kit, including e-brake and smart slot
Aero decklid spoiler
front Euro plate "JAS-39A", for "those in the know"

and a few minor details like: interior led lighting, led license plate, NeffyWrap carbon fibre trim, G2 ebony calipers, 35% Llumar tint, and a few others....more to come.
Nice looking forum, look forward to haunting the Saab sub-forums haha! See ya on the boards!
 
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