Saab 9000 Aero - Boost Your Mood

Saab 9000 Aero - Boost Your Mood

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Discussion

griffin dai

3,205 posts

150 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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NiceCupOfTea said:
Just remembered, early CSes had the shorter gearbox, very quick if you can get the power down. Later ones got the long gearboxes which are annoying around town IMHO - 3rd is too low a gear for 30mph...
Can't remember if the n/a cars had the 4.45 box or 4.05? Some conflicting info over on UKS so im not sure what they came on. Loadsa fun though smile If I had another it would be a 4.45 with quaife smile

Was never a fan of the 3.61 box, great for motorway cruising but a pain around town

themanwithnoname

1,634 posts

214 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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griffin dai said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
Just remembered, early CSes had the shorter gearbox, very quick if you can get the power down. Later ones got the long gearboxes which are annoying around town IMHO - 3rd is too low a gear for 30mph...
Can't remember if the n/a cars had the 4.45 box or 4.05? Some conflicting info over on UKS so im not sure what they came on. Loadsa fun though smile If I had another it would be a 4.45 with quaife smile

Was never a fan of the 3.61 box, great for motorway cruising but a pain around town
The 4.45 I stuck in my 9kA with a similar spec to the OP was bonkers!

carinaman said:
It may have the doubling up on the standard ARB mod?
Yup that works nicely as well, I tried with good success on my ng900 and og9-3 SETs

tog

4,552 posts

229 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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MDMA . said:
W00DY said:
So, onto some important questions:

1. Do I go ginger?

I think this was for sale recently. Went to auction the other week -

http://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C860119
Didn't sell. Estimated at £5k-6k.

whytheory

750 posts

147 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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Seems likely yours would have come ginger from factory, so part of me approves and the other part prefers the clear anyway! Definite no to the grey here, nice motor!

W00DY

Original Poster:

15,508 posts

227 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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Thanks guys!

Really appreciate the info, I'm learning lots!


Think I'll get a set of gingers from a breaker and I can see how they look.


On the gearbox front mine is very happy in 3rd at 30 and doesn't feel long so probably one of the shorter ones. I doubt it'll be original though given the car has spent at least 10 years in a fairly modified state.

Jobbo

12,980 posts

265 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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W00DY said:
2. Do I go grey?

Grey centres with silver rims, like the 900 on the right. Looks fab on a 9000 Aero.



ETA: hang on, you have the later curvy spoke alloys; the grey centre only really suits the earlier flat-spoke alloys (which I assume your car would have come on, as a K-reg). The flat alloys look right with the gingers, since that's how they came from the factory.


Edited by Jobbo on Tuesday 25th April 09:18

W00DY

Original Poster:

15,508 posts

227 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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Jobbo said:
rey centres with silver rims, like the 900 on the right. Looks fab on a 9000 Aero.



ETA: hang on, you have the later curvy spoke alloys; the grey centre only really suits the earlier flat-spoke alloys (which I assume your car would have come on, as a K-reg). The flat alloys look right with the gingers, since that's how they came from the factory.


Edited by Jobbo on Tuesday 25th April 09:18
I do like that look and reckon it could still work.

Re: The wheels, I hadn't noticed there are 3 designs: flat, curvy w/centre caps, curvy without.


For the Saab guys, is fitting a cone filter/CAI a bad idea? I'd quite like a little more induction noise, but not if it effects the performance negatively.

griffin dai

3,205 posts

150 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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You won't notice any difference really until your over 350bh, but no real issues with one just fit it in the wing. All I did was jubilee clip an itg foam filter onto the induction pipe. Tried a few like JR/JT, Blitz Sonic Power and an old HKS mushroom filter I had in the garage on there but found the ITG Maxogen sounded the best. Like a jumbo jet on take off smile

Have you checked what's on there? Abbotts sell the ITG carbon fibre housing with the maxogen filter, previous owner might have fitted one? I had one fitted for a year or so but swapped the whole intake side for 3" when I upgraded the turbo.

lestiq

705 posts

170 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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I prefer the ginger myself. But then, I quite like the modified but OEM look. Cracking car, enjoy : )

McVities

354 posts

199 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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For a bit more induction noise, if you take the airbox lid off (held on with 3 metal spring clips) remove the snorkel from the lid and then drill some extra holes in it - maybe just on the upper surface to bear in mind potential water ingress from the road. You will definitely get a nice growl and maybe a bit of a hiss on lift off.
There is also the option to graft in a second circular part (that the snorkel attaches to) to the lid and run some 3" ducting to the front bumper.


I'm not sure if I have seen mention of SAS anti-roll bars - these are for both front and rear and are 25mm thick. Gives a very flat and composed car with excellent turn in. Does make it quite neutral, but removes the understeery safety element - over cook things and the back will step out. That being said, it is the second best mod to do after an LSD.

FRA53R

1,077 posts

169 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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Very nice, I had been looking at these for quite some time, but the lack of decent examples within budget and the distance away from me always put paid to the idea. This looks a lovely one, hope it gives you loads of enjoyment!

W00DY

Original Poster:

15,508 posts

227 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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griffin dai said:
You won't notice any difference really until your over 350bh, but no real issues with one just fit it in the wing. All I did was jubilee clip an itg foam filter onto the induction pipe. Tried a few like JR/JT, Blitz Sonic Power and an old HKS mushroom filter I had in the garage on there but found the ITG Maxogen sounded the best. Like a jumbo jet on take off smile

Have you checked what's on there? Abbotts sell the ITG carbon fibre housing with the maxogen filter, previous owner might have fitted one? I had one fitted for a year or so but swapped the whole intake side for 3" when I upgraded the turbo.
Arghh, I really hope I don't get caught up in the power hunt!


It looks stock to me, but will have a look.

McVities said:
For a bit more induction noise, if you take the airbox lid off (held on with 3 metal spring clips) remove the snorkel from the lid and then drill some extra holes in it - maybe just on the upper surface to bear in mind potential water ingress from the road. You will definitely get a nice growl and maybe a bit of a hiss on lift off.
There is also the option to graft in a second circular part (that the snorkel attaches to) to the lid and run some 3" ducting to the front bumper.


I'm not sure if I have seen mention of SAS anti-roll bars - these are for both front and rear and are 25mm thick. Gives a very flat and composed car with excellent turn in. Does make it quite neutral, but removes the understeery safety element - over cook things and the back will step out. That being said, it is the second best mod to do after an LSD.
Thanks. I'll have a look and maybe get out the drill.




Great to see it getting some love, it gets very mixed reactions from others, but I'm definitely starting to bond with it and I've started a bit of a to do list.

machinery

5 posts

121 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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Woody if you start working at the 9000 it will become apparent how well engineered these cars are and why Saab had difficulty in making a profit out of selling them.
Put a Quaife box in it an be amazed at their ability.

willyco

35 posts

165 months

Friday 28th April 2017
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2nd causes the tyres much distress. This gave me a laugh haha. I bet you could surprise a few folk with that thing.

tog

4,552 posts

229 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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How are you getting on? I've found another one at last to replace my Hyundai-killed one, a bit spendier than I'd hoped but exact spec I wanted and immaculate, restored condition. Collecting tomorrow.

W00DY

Original Poster:

15,508 posts

227 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
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tog said:
How are you getting on? I've found another one at last to replace my Hyundai-killed one, a bit spendier than I'd hoped but exact spec I wanted and immaculate, restored condition. Collecting tomorrow.
Congratulations!

Looks ace on the other thread. Would make an interesting comparison to my well used example I'm sure.


Can't say I've much to report, been very busy and therefore all I've done is add petrol (i've been going with V power, but not sure whether it's worth doing?). I've got a bit of a mental list of what I want to do to it, but it's given me no issues as yet so it'll all have to wait until I've a little more time.

tog

4,552 posts

229 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
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It is immaculate!



200k miles, but repainted and restored by a Saab mechanic (the same one who signed the PDI at the supplying dealer when it was new) with amazing attention to detail. It's done very few miles over the last few years, and is certainly good enough to show and cosset. It will get more use now, but I may need a shed to run over the winter to preserver this. (Is that the PH way - buy one car as excuse to buy another?) Interestingly, it is quite a bit slower than my previous one, with noticeably less grunt from low- to mid- RPM. Standard Aeros usually need some revs to get the big turbo spooling, but the difference is such that it makes me wonder if my old one had been chipped by a previous owner.

MrMoonyMan

2,584 posts

212 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
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Nice! I was looking at that one when it was for sale. The seller has had quite a few 900s and 9000s previously from what I remember.

Be interesting to find out what turbo it's running. As long as you've got the larger down pipe it should be knocking on the door of 300 quite easily. Possibly more with those mods.

I see you've already seen my 9000, those are its winter wheels, normally runs with Azev As during warmer months.

Two recommendations if I may, stick to vpower petrol wise. I get the best performance and economy. Last tank I managed 39mpg over 450 miles but it was a little dull to do!
Secondly, if it's running an Abbott map I'd get that changed - speak to Jules on UKS who will help you out and get the power it should be running safely.

Congratulations though. They really are awesome cars and as has been said; massively over engineered.

Drive it fix it repeat

1,046 posts

52 months

Thursday 23rd April 2020
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Apologies for the big thread bump.

Do you still have this car OP? What with all the time on my hands and the fact I sold my car just before lock down I've been browsing all the normal selling sites. I've developed a big thing for Saabs. Sensible head says get a
9-3 aero. Car enthusiast head says get a 9000 aero as they are cool AF. Would love to know how you are getting on. Love the styling of these and the tuning and handling potential is very interesting, the apparently weak gearboxes are a bit scary though, cheers.

W00DY

Original Poster:

15,508 posts

227 months

Friday 24th April 2020
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Sadly it failed the MOT and having a proper look underneath, there was a fair amount of rot around the rear suspension mounting which given the condition of the body and fair condition of most of the underside seemed odd, but it's fairly common, so I'd say that's the thing to look out for. That and the lack of a Cat meant it was more work than I wanted to do so it went off to an Enthusiast in Carlisle where it got a new MOT, but that lapsed last year.

It was a great car, good fun and I definitely recommend it, but a lot have had a hard life and will need money spending on them.


The last photo I have of it.