Saab 9-5 Aero - Hybrid Turbo and 9000 Bottom End - 350 bhp
Discussion
pti said:
That's a new one to me, just having a google now. Annoyingly, I won't be driving her for a few weeks due to my insurance company's idea of "multi-car discount"
Maybe an opportunity for you to get it sorted before you start running it then. Do you know which oil it's been ran on? Best oil I've been recommended (by many a folk) is Dexos2 5W30 fully synthetic. If it isn't fully synth then that can lead to sludging. Also how many miles she done?HybridAero said:
pti said:
That's a new one to me, just having a google now. Annoyingly, I won't be driving her for a few weeks due to my insurance company's idea of "multi-car discount"
Maybe an opportunity for you to get it sorted before you start running it then. Do you know which oil it's been ran on? Best oil I've been recommended (by many a folk) is Dexos2 5W30 fully synthetic. If it isn't fully synth then that can lead to sludging. Also how many miles she done?It's got a pretty much FSH (3 year gap) with everywhere being a Saab dealer / specialist so you'd assume fully synthetic. Even if that assumption's wrong, the sump was dropped by the previous owner at around 120k and it has the latest PCV so all good
It's only on 121.5k now.
Though I have been tinkering tonight and the driver's heated seat is very weak. I assume the elements are fried as the fuses and connectors are fine and the passenger's works a treat. Bugger
Turns out the thermostat was knackered, and was running the wrong spark plugs.
Have switched over to NGK BCPR7ES and with the stat working it's running like a dream. Pulling much better at the top end too.
Would still love to get a big turbo but right now isn't the time. The front upper strut brace has improved handling in that it inspires more confidence and there is less body roll.
MOT is due in 6 months so just going to enjoy it for now. Will pick up a gearbox with 70k on it next month as a spare.
Have switched over to NGK BCPR7ES and with the stat working it's running like a dream. Pulling much better at the top end too.
Would still love to get a big turbo but right now isn't the time. The front upper strut brace has improved handling in that it inspires more confidence and there is less body roll.
MOT is due in 6 months so just going to enjoy it for now. Will pick up a gearbox with 70k on it next month as a spare.
pti said:
Please let me know if you ever sell this beast 
Mine's booked in for a stage 1 in the next couple of weeks
No plans to sell but I will let you know Mine's booked in for a stage 1 in the next couple of weeks
Loving driving it at the minute, it's returning 23 mpg with a heavy-ish right foot and running so smooth. That's round town driving, on a big run it'll do 35+ with ease.
Nice! Stage 1 will be so much fun, it will surprise you! You'll be able to accelerate just as hard in 1 gear higher than usual and 2nd will be a big wall of torque.
Edited by HybridAero on Saturday 15th April 18:27
Hi all,
Over in the States the Holset HX35 turbo is very popular with tuners. While it is only oil-cooled they are mass-produced and used on trucks all over there.
In a quest for more power, I would like to retain some driveability and I have heard that these spool up nice and quick for such a big turbo, and are efficient.
My current spec is as follows:
b234/5r hybrid engine
TD04 19T-7cm hybrid turbocharger
King cobra turbo inlet
do88 intercooler and big intake
Abbott Racing 3" downpipe and full exhaust system
Bilstein B12 suspension system (Revalved B8s with Eibach Pro springs)
Walbro 255 LPH fuel pump
BOSCH Green Giant 465 cc fuel injectors
Maptun recirculating dump valve
Maptun 550 NM clutch kit
Alloy race radiator
Kinugawa 0.8 bar/11.7 Psi actuator
Noobtune 360 Stage 5 mapping
Dyno'd at 341.8 bhp and 521.2 NM
As far as I understand, I will need the following:
Holset HX35 - Will this one fit? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Holset-HX35-550bhp-T...
Manifold spacer?
T3 adapter?
875 injectors
T5 cams
Tial 38mm wastegate
Bigger clutch? Spec stage 2+ or stick with this relatively new one
Noobtune mapping or a map from the States?
Custom downpipe
Keep stock manifold?
Lots of spare gearboxes
Will the freshly rebuilt b234/5r be able to handle the Holset?
Has anyone ran one of these in the UK? How much power and torque would it make with T5 cams?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Over in the States the Holset HX35 turbo is very popular with tuners. While it is only oil-cooled they are mass-produced and used on trucks all over there.
In a quest for more power, I would like to retain some driveability and I have heard that these spool up nice and quick for such a big turbo, and are efficient.
My current spec is as follows:
b234/5r hybrid engine
TD04 19T-7cm hybrid turbocharger
King cobra turbo inlet
do88 intercooler and big intake
Abbott Racing 3" downpipe and full exhaust system
Bilstein B12 suspension system (Revalved B8s with Eibach Pro springs)
Walbro 255 LPH fuel pump
BOSCH Green Giant 465 cc fuel injectors
Maptun recirculating dump valve
Maptun 550 NM clutch kit
Alloy race radiator
Kinugawa 0.8 bar/11.7 Psi actuator
Noobtune 360 Stage 5 mapping
Dyno'd at 341.8 bhp and 521.2 NM
As far as I understand, I will need the following:
Holset HX35 - Will this one fit? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Holset-HX35-550bhp-T...
Manifold spacer?
T3 adapter?
875 injectors
T5 cams
Tial 38mm wastegate
Bigger clutch? Spec stage 2+ or stick with this relatively new one
Noobtune mapping or a map from the States?
Custom downpipe
Keep stock manifold?
Lots of spare gearboxes
Will the freshly rebuilt b234/5r be able to handle the Holset?
Has anyone ran one of these in the UK? How much power and torque would it make with T5 cams?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Rear bumper is looking a bit tired. Luckily a fellow member of Saab Nuts was breaking his 9-5 and he had a rare facelift rear bumper from an 04-05 Aero going spare, which fortunately retains the parking sensor holes. Got it for a box of 1664 so can't complain! Will get it resprayed on its next visit to South Yorkshire.
Had a think about going big turbo and right now I just don't think it's worth the hassle and expense. Given that these cars have pretty fragile gearboxes and that they're front wheel drive I think Griffin Dai is right, stage 5 is the sweet spot and an LSD would be a great mod, in addition to SAS anti roll bars and bigger brakes. I quite like the idea of just buying another scrap gearbox every now and then for next to nothing ready to replace the existing one. The added complication of an LSD would just add more cost in terms of labour, having to break open the gearbox every time a new one is installed. I guess I've decided to stop and appreciate how lovely the car is to drive now rather than relentlessly pursue more and more power. I also love being able to floor it in 2nd gear and any turbo bigger than the 19t would render 2nd useless. Since fixing the thermostat mpg has crept up from 22 to 25 mpg. That's with LOTS of round town driving.
Had a think about going big turbo and right now I just don't think it's worth the hassle and expense. Given that these cars have pretty fragile gearboxes and that they're front wheel drive I think Griffin Dai is right, stage 5 is the sweet spot and an LSD would be a great mod, in addition to SAS anti roll bars and bigger brakes. I quite like the idea of just buying another scrap gearbox every now and then for next to nothing ready to replace the existing one. The added complication of an LSD would just add more cost in terms of labour, having to break open the gearbox every time a new one is installed. I guess I've decided to stop and appreciate how lovely the car is to drive now rather than relentlessly pursue more and more power. I also love being able to floor it in 2nd gear and any turbo bigger than the 19t would render 2nd useless. Since fixing the thermostat mpg has crept up from 22 to 25 mpg. That's with LOTS of round town driving.
Edited by HybridAero on Saturday 15th April 18:31
egor110 said:
What sort of price do 2nd hand gearboxes go for?
My aero's diff whines above 40mph , but doesn't seem to effect the car ( at least for the last 11 months anyway)
Maybe it's on its way out, should be fine though depends how hard you drive it. Let's see yours you done any work to it? Last gearbox I got for £40 and £200 labour to install. Picking up another next week for £100, it's only done 60k miles so should be ready to take some abuse. Be interesting to see how long this current one lasts.My aero's diff whines above 40mph , but doesn't seem to effect the car ( at least for the last 11 months anyway)
Edited by HybridAero on Monday 13th March 08:36
HybridAero said:
egor110 said:
What sort of price do 2nd hand gearboxes go for?
My aero's diff whines above 40mph , but doesn't seem to effect the car ( at least for the last 11 months anyway)
Maybe it's on its way out, should be fine though depends how hard you drive it. Let's see yours you done any work to it? Last gearbox I got for £40 and £200 labour to install. Picking up another next week for £100, it's only done 60k miles so should be ready to take some abuse. Be interesting to see how long this current one lasts.My aero's diff whines above 40mph , but doesn't seem to effect the car ( at least for the last 11 months anyway)
Edited by HybridAero on Monday 13th March 08:36
It only cost me £500 last year and has almost lasted me a year so can't complain.
All i've done is drop the sump, oil change , new oil sender, oil pump.
mot next month and xenons don't work properly, rear middle seat belt is jammed, and it really needs new brakes, tyres and suspension refresh.
So in 2 minds if it's worth sorting or getting something else, trouble is it's so comfy.
I'm contemplating a 9-5 Hot Aero as a cheap replacement for my Megane if it goes this weekend, purely something to be a workhorses/comfy daily/fairly quick/mountain bike carrier. This thread makes me want my car to be sold at the weekend so I can get one 
it's hardly a car I'm planning to modify but a stage 1 remap will be very tempting....
it's hardly a car I'm planning to modify but a stage 1 remap will be very tempting.... 
DanielSan said:
I'm contemplating a 9-5 Hot Aero as a cheap replacement for my Megane if it goes this weekend, purely something to be a workhorses/comfy daily/fairly quick/mountain bike carrier. This thread makes me want my car to be sold at the weekend so I can get one it's hardly a car I'm planning to modify but a stage 1 remap will be very tempting....
Do it! A 9-5, especially an estate, makes for the perfect workhorse. Check the oil sump or at least check if the previous owner has ran it on 5w30 fully synthetic. Stage 1 is nuts, a vast improvement over stock. it's hardly a car I'm planning to modify but a stage 1 remap will be very tempting.... Is it just me or the graphs posted for this car are a bit rubbish. Max boost doesn't come into till quite late and then drops off rather quickly along with the power. A 3k powerband isn't something I'd want. Very very narrow powerband for a road car. It's the area under the graph that makes a car fast on the road not the peak number
HedgeyGedgey said:
Is it just me or the graphs posted for this car are a bit rubbish. Max boost doesn't come into till quite late and then drops off rather quickly along with the power. A 3k powerband isn't something I'd want. Very very narrow powerband for a road car. It's the area under the graph that makes a car fast on the road not the peak number
Which graph are you referring to?This is what it's mapped for:
I can assure you it's very driveable with a broad spread of torque; Karl really knows how to map a car.
60-125: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKBcEpyvmPA
30-90ish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UGi8QcAmJ8
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