SAAB 9 3 'Vert Shed

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Fat Albert

Original Poster:

1,392 posts

180 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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Thanks for the tips JM!

R6VED

1,365 posts

139 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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I had a MK1 TT Roadster a few years ago and used Milton's Sterilising Fluid followed by a couple of coats of Fabsil and they worked very well at keeping the mould away and retaining the waterproof characteristic.

I had an M reg 900 and it was a thoroughly competent and worthwhile car.

Fat Albert

Original Poster:

1,392 posts

180 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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More great roof cleaning tips, thanks!

I still can't believe what good value for money these 9 3s are, as a sensible car at shed money with character and difference I am really pleased

ZiggyNiva

1,134 posts

185 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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R6VED said:
I had a MK1 TT Roadster a few years ago and used Milton's Sterilising Fluid followed by a couple of coats of Fabsil and they worked very well at keeping the mould away and retaining the waterproof characteristic.

I had an M reg 900 and it was a thoroughly competent and worthwhile car.
After the milton use johnsons baby bath blue and a stiff nail brush.

On the 9-3 there is a waterproof membrane under the top layer of the hood, but the fabsil will help give it some good beading.

Have a read through this http://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewtopic.php?f=24&am... in particular Kent's posts.

You'll also find saabnoobs details on there, but you probably already know Karl if this is your 7th Saab

OP are you on UKSaabs?

Edited by ZiggyNiva on Tuesday 21st October 15:40

Fat Albert

Original Poster:

1,392 posts

180 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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Hi Ziggy, I have just re-discovered my login to UK SAABs so having a poke around on there, asking some questions and answering some others.
judging by one thread I may have the wrong DI cassette!?! (black on a B204)

2013BRM

39,731 posts

283 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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the ignition cassette should be red for your engine, a B204, if it's black it's from a late B205

Fat Albert

Original Poster:

1,392 posts

180 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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Thanks BRM, what is the impact of running the wrong one?

Fat Albert

Original Poster:

1,392 posts

180 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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As my rear badge was worn out and a new one is expensive as they are curved I went down a different route..
... a bit sad but a bit of fun and the closest I will get to a Prancing horse for a while...




griffin dai

3,194 posts

148 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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Fat Albert said:
what is the impact of running the wrong one?
I've heard a few t5 guys run the black di with no issues, and some have a lumpy idle, misfires etc. I think the biggest concern running black over red is you lose knock detection?

I'd stick a red one in there along with a fresh set of NGK BCPR7ES plugs.

Fat Albert

Original Poster:

1,392 posts

180 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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Thanks Grif, I have a new set of NGKs to go in this weekend and will also re-set my ECU too

griffin dai

3,194 posts

148 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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Have you remapped it yet? 100% worth doing as it's nice & cheap and the best bang per buck mod on these cars, but go for the t7 conversion same time as it gives a much smoother power delivery.

Couple guys on uks can remap it for you.

Fat Albert

Original Poster:

1,392 posts

180 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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Of my previous 6 SAABs only 1 wasn't remapped! (9000 V6 Griffin)

The plan with this is to get all the basics sorted over the next few months (engine mounts, brakes, service) and then if the car is still a solid foundation to do a few little tweaks in spring (rack brace, bushing, 2nd rear ARB, bigger wheels & remap)

My last 9 3 ended up as a useful bit of kit for a cheap station car, the dealer selling it didn't realise it had the Viggen Rescue kit, full polybushing and the Abbott remap to 230, so I then fitted a Leather Interior and swapped out the cruddy 16s for some cheap 17s that came with free Toyo Proxes (for less than the usual cost of the Toyos!)

Can't believe I sold this for £800 in 2009:


griffin dai

3,194 posts

148 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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They're a nice car mate, especially once the handling's sorted. I'm still getting grief off the missis for selling mine and swapping it for the v6!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I liked my vert just didn't get much use out of it with the top down frown

Fat Albert

Original Poster:

1,392 posts

180 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Looks a nice car griff! I wanted another blue one, but at this price point you just buy on condition and drive.

One question, how much difference did the 6 point brace make?

Fat Albert

Original Poster:

1,392 posts

180 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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In a discussion about my DI Cassette on UKSAAB someone spotted my 15 year old brittle and perished vacuum hoses, so 3m of 4mm silicone hose has just been ordered (in blue of course)



I will leave the black DI in whilst I sort some of the other issues as it is not a big issue whilst running standard booooost, but a Red one will be sourced at some point soon

griffin dai

3,194 posts

148 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Fat Albert said:
Looks a nice car griff! I wanted another blue one, but at this price point you just buy on condition and drive.

One question, how much difference did the 6 point brace make?
Yeah pretty noticeable on the verts, it cuts down on scuttle shake & feels a little more planted. Handling's not the best standard on these but can be made ok with a few bits upgraded. This 6 point came from Saabbrace on ebay but delivery was long around 6 weeks!! It's a copy of Genuine Saabs brace in the States. Avoid getting one from a guy called Zeli, there's a few threads about it on uks, basically taking money then not delivering. There's also the 2 point from Abbotts, 4 point from Speedparts, which is better?? No idea!

I did the lot in one go though so can't really say what upgrade was better, it was basically VRK but made up from different suppliers, pollybushed throughout plus added a 22mm GS rear arb. The rear arb's definitely worth upgrading, either a 22mm bar or cheaper and almost as good just double up the standard one wink

Steering rack clamp & brace also 100% worry doing, just get the PFS version....100 quid cheaper than Abbotts smile

Fat Albert

Original Poster:

1,392 posts

180 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Thanks for the advice Griff, all added to the list of work over the winter!

Fat Albert

Original Poster:

1,392 posts

180 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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I Got my 11 year-old mechanic to swap the air filter and plugs out at the weekend, also unplugged the battery for an hour to re-set the ECU





It turns out it had Denso plugs in there - the Trionic engine management system much prefers NGK plugs, so the correct ones are now in - quite an improvement overall smoothness and in pickup above 3,000 revs now, always nice when you get a big improvement for only £12 spent!

Fat Albert

Original Poster:

1,392 posts

180 months

Friday 31st October 2014
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Well, I have performed probably my most cost-effective performance upgrade ever!

I swapped out the 4 vacuum pipes (and broke my breather pipe frown )fo rthe new 4mm ones and it has transformed the performance! It now pulls cleanly all the way to the red line and the torque continue way beyond the 3,000 rev fall-off it had before.

Most of the hoses just disintegrated as I tried to take them off, so obviously just leaking and collapsing left, right and centre. It would have taken me about 30 minutes end to end If I hadn't broken the breather, but I had to epoxy and gaffer tape that back together at the start (also fixed a leaking turbo/rocker cover breather pipe too)

will take a photo in daylight over the weekend, well worth the £3.19 investment!

Hallsy01

350 posts

180 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
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Good stuff FA!!

I had the same issues with the 9-5 aero I just bought. On the way home I decided it must have a boost leak as it was making a funny noise on boost and felt very flat.

Had a look when I got home and three of the boost/VAC hoses were disconnected (and looking pretty crumbly!). I had some 4mm fuel hose in the shed so replaced them, reset the ECU then went out to enjoy the recovered booooooosssstt!!!

Are the badges the same as 9-5? I had heard they were pricey but I got one from eBay for about £5.99. The surround is genuine as it is stamped Saab on the back, the self adhesive badge may well be aftermarket but looks plenty good enough for the money.