Saab 9000 Aero - Boost Your Mood

Saab 9000 Aero - Boost Your Mood

Author
Discussion

W00DY

Original Poster:

15,467 posts

225 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
quotequote all
So I've been tooling about in an E39 for a bit less than a year and it's been fantastic. Reliable, economical, comfortable, well equipped and liked by pretty much everyone, it is pretty much the perfect cheap car. If anyone's interested it may be available for sale too wink





But it's just too sensible, so I did what I always do when I get bored of a car. I hit up ebay and threw in some last minute bids at stuff that looked like fun.

And here's the result:












It's an early 9000 Aero manual in the right colours. Which means [i[those[/i] seats and 225bhp from the turbo 2.3. Except this one's been tweaked a little with a Hybrid turbo, huge exhaust, Abbott ECU and rear ARB, Koni adjustable/Bilstein suspension, a dump valve, some polybushes and no doubt some other stuff which I've yet to discover. It's done 214000 miles and hasn't had much use recently. The history includes a 290bhp/307lbft rolling road result.

Unsurprisingly it goes pretty well. Foot down and there's the inevitable lag before it takes off (in third at any rate, second is boost limited and still causes the tyres much distress). It's pretty hilarious and definitely surprises people. So far so obvious, but the real surprise is the handling, which is bloody brilliant, it turns in beautifully, grips well and is very neutral. The suspension is a bit hard and low and the exhaust hangs low enough that it's going to take a beating with my love for a bit of mountain biking.

It feels ancient compared to the BMW and ergonomically it doesn't really work for 6'3" me, but I forget all about that as soon as the roads get quiet and twisty.



Plans are to tidy it up and generally enjoy it. It'd be nice to get it running a nice 300bhp as I'm sure it could use a decent tune up anyway.

Jonmx

2,535 posts

212 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
Going from a perfectly fine E39 to a bonkers old Saab.....excellent work! Utterly daft, but looks like a lot of fun.

tog

4,516 posts

227 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
Looks good! I'd be more jealous if it were more standard, but you can't argue with 290bhp. Interesting also that you find the ergonomics odd for 6'3" - I'm 6'3" and love them! But after being without a 9000 for a few years and driving a Merc 300SE W126 instead, getting back into a 9000 was very weird indeed to start with so I see where you're coming from!

griffin dai

3,194 posts

148 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
Brilliant cars, seats are fantastic, had three 9k's and would have another tomorrow if we had the drive space (....and if she wouldn't go mental because she hated the last one) Gearbox exploded racing a Focus RS one New Year's Eve, so we saw the New Years in on the back of an AA van hehe

Looks nice with the exhausts each side but did he say what hybrid's on there? Should be around 350bhp.

Been tempted to swap my 9-3 for another a couple times when a nice one pops up for sale. Getting rare now and prices are starting to rise for good ones.

Had an auto 2.0 lpt anniversary first, hands down the best car I've owned. Then a Nordic tuned auto 2.3 fpt CDE (quick but thirsty!!!

And then this 450+bhp Aero, should never have got rid of it frown Silly quick (although a tad laggy!!)

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

W00DY

Original Poster:

15,467 posts

225 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
Jonmx said:
Going from a perfectly fine E39 to a bonkers old Saab.....excellent work! Utterly daft, but looks like a lot of fun.
No one in my life screwed up their face at the BMW and that's when I knew I was going wrong!

tog said:
Looks good! I'd be more jealous if it were more standard, but you can't argue with 290bhp. Interesting also that you find the ergonomics odd for 6'3" - I'm 6'3" and love them! But after being without a 9000 for a few years and driving a Merc 300SE W126 instead, getting back into a 9000 was very weird indeed to start with so I see where you're coming from!
Ta, the mods are perhaps a little unnecessary, but that's part of the fun! The seat is as low as it'll go but my legs are still either side of the wheel, my head is in the head lining and the gear lever is a bit too far away. I think it's frustrating because it has the potential to be comfy, but it's just a little off.


griffin dai said:
Brilliant cars, seats are fantastic, had three 9k's and would have another tomorrow if we had the drive space (....and if she wouldn't go mental because she hated the last one) Gearbox exploded racing a Focus RS one New Year's Eve, so we saw the New Years in on the back of an AA van hehe

Looks nice with the exhausts each side but did he say what hybrid's on there? Should be around 350bhp.

Been tempted to swap my 9-3 for another a couple times when a nice one pops up for sale. Getting rare now and prices are starting to rise for good ones.

Had an auto 2.0 lpt anniversary first, hands down the best car I've owned. Then a Nordic tuned auto 2.3 fpt CDE (quick but thirsty!!!

And then this 450+bhp Aero, should never have got rid of it frown Silly quick (although a tad laggy!!)

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Looked through that thread when I was researching (post purchase obviously)! Very cool smokin


Not sure on the turbo, the receipt doesn't say and the last owner didn't know either. I know it's a little low on power on paper, but I don't really want 350bhp so perhaps he was the same or it's missing some of the supporting mods needed for that. I'll mo doubt have it apart when I get bored to see what's what.

skwdenyer

16,172 posts

239 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
Great purchase. I've had 2 9ks; the second was pushing 400k miles when I sold it.

Allegedly they respond well to a little left foot braking in the twisty stuff... They're very well balanced and, with the right tyres and approach, can generate some surprising cornering. Enjoy!

griffin dai

3,194 posts

148 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
W00DY said:
Not sure on the turbo, the receipt doesn't say and the last owner didn't know either. I know it's a little low on power on paper, but I don't really want 350bhp so perhaps he was the same or it's missing some of the supporting mods needed for that. I'll mo doubt have it apart when I get bored to see what's what.
The main Hybrids the Saab lot fit are from Turbo Technics or (if your lucky!!) the Saabflight Hybrid. Around 350's the sweet spot on these, nice & rapid.

Not sure what turbo Abbott Racing use, I went the gt28rs route on mine but had a few AR parts on there.....but if it's been there it's had a few quid spent on it!! Abbott's parts are top notch, their maps aren't very good though, there's a couple on uksaabs who can sort you a good map for not much cash, dead easy to do, just get a spare T5 ECU and have it mapped by post then swap them over. 10 minute job.

Yeah would be good to know what's on there, usually looking at the following mods for stage 5 (td04 hybrid/18t/19t/t28/gt28rs etc)

3" DP
Bigger IC (you've probably got the Abbott IC fitted)
3 bar map sensor
Bigger injectors, ether Green Giants or 630 Dekkas
And an upgraded clutch, standards fine up to stage 4 but slips any higher. Common upgrade is the Sachs kit.

stewjohnst

2,442 posts

160 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
An excellent choice, I'm currently in a similar position and find myself browsing with a grand or so in hand.

The missus (as planned) has taken possession of my soul-less Outlander PHEV to cart the kids around and as her lease car goes back in June, I find myself veering wildly between the sensible choices of E39 (had two before) and LS400 to slightly dafter options like a 9000 Aero, E32 7 series or ropey old Daimlers.

The E39 and LS400 elicit a not quite disapproving mumble from her indoors, the other three and variants of that ilk got a more desirable/amusing (to me) what the fk is that/you don't expect me to get in that do you?

I'm as curious as anyone to see what I end up on when the roulette wheel stops...

themanwithnoname

1,634 posts

212 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
God i miss my 9000 Aero.

Lots of fun, lots of potential.

Throw in a 25mm rear arb to bring the handling more into the centre of the car (Abbott did one, i dint even know if speed parts still exists, or maptun for that matter)

Lovely.

HybridAero

1,340 posts

99 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
What an absolute beaty, congrats!

Twin exhausts are a bit meh but apart from that it's a perfect 9000.

carinaman

21,213 posts

171 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
W00DY said:
Looked through that thread when I was researching (post purchase obviously)! Very cool smokin


Not sure on the turbo, the receipt doesn't say and the last owner didn't know either. I know it's a little low on power on paper, but I don't really want 350bhp so perhaps he was the same or it's missing some of the supporting mods needed for that. I'll mo doubt have it apart when I get bored to see what's what.
If that was previously K14ERO then I suspect it preiviously belonged to a Technician at an independent SAAB specialist near Tavistock, Devon.

carinaman

21,213 posts

171 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
themanwithnoname said:
God i miss my 9000 Aero.

Lots of fun, lots of potential.

Throw in a 25mm rear arb to bring the handling more into the centre of the car (Abbott did one, i dint even know if speed parts still exists, or maptun for that matter)

Lovely.
It may have the doubling up on the standard ARB mod?

W00DY

Original Poster:

15,467 posts

225 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
skwdenyer said:
Great purchase. I've had 2 9ks; the second was pushing 400k miles when I sold it.

Allegedly they respond well to a little left foot braking in the twisty stuff... They're very well balanced and, with the right tyres and approach, can generate some surprising cornering. Enjoy!
Ta, left foot braking is out of the question for me sadly, but it's still great fun to throw about.


griffin dai said:
The main Hybrids the Saab lot fit are from Turbo Technics or (if your lucky!!) the Saabflight Hybrid. Around 350's the sweet spot on these, nice & rapid.

Not sure what turbo Abbott Racing use, I went the gt28rs route on mine but had a few AR parts on there.....but if it's been there it's had a few quid spent on it!! Abbott's parts are top notch, their maps aren't very good though, there's a couple on uksaabs who can sort you a good map for not much cash, dead easy to do, just get a spare T5 ECU and have it mapped by post then swap them over. 10 minute job.

Yeah would be good to know what's on there, usually looking at the following mods for stage 5 (td04 hybrid/18t/19t/t28/gt28rs etc)

3" DP
Bigger IC (you've probably got the Abbott IC fitted)
3 bar map sensor
Bigger injectors, ether Green Giants or 630 Dekkas
And an upgraded clutch, standards fine up to stage 4 but slips any higher. Common upgrade is the Sachs kit.
Good info, thanks! I think it's a Turbo Technics one. Got the 3" DP and bigger intercooler, but not sure on the rest. Do gearboxes become consumables at 350bhp?


HybridAero said:
What an absolute beaty, congrats!

Twin exhausts are a bit meh but apart from that it's a perfect 9000.
I don't mind the exhaust apart from it sticks out about an inch too far and gives a bit of a wheelbarrow look, might see if it can easily be modified. It's a decent stainless system.


carinaman said:
If that was previously K14ERO then I suspect it preiviously belonged to a Technician at an independent SAAB specialist near Tavistock, Devon.
Yep, this is that car and it was his at some point. Anything worth knowing?



I think it's got the Abbott ARB, but haven't had a proper look yet.





W00DY

Original Poster:

15,467 posts

225 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
So, onto some important questions:

1. Do I go ginger?



2. Do I go grey?




You can choose neither, either or both. I'm currently entirely undecided.

carinaman

21,213 posts

171 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
W00DY said:
carinaman said:
If that was previously K14ERO then I suspect it preiviously belonged to a Technician at an independent SAAB specialist near Tavistock, Devon.
Yep, this is that car and it was his at some point. Anything worth knowing?

I thought that owner that worked with that specialist in Devon could tell you what turbo it's running if you contacted them.

I remember that car from that owner advertised it for sale on Autotrader a few years ago now.

My knowledge of that car is only from a previous advertisement.


NiceCupOfTea

25,280 posts

250 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
IIRC early CS 9000s had gingercators (my Dad's K-reg 2.3T certainly did) and if so I suspect yours has had them changed. I think they will look good on a black car.

Personally I prefer the classic silver wheels, particularly on a black car, otherwise the tyres/wheels disappear in the arches. Or maybe get some Azev As cloud9

Lovely car by the way, I have a 2.3T Anniversary languishing in the garage that sadly needs some TLC. Lots of little things that have led me to retire it as the daily (radiator, a/c compressor, clutch on last legs, no synchro on 2nd, frilly wing, suspension/bushes tired) - nothing that a weekend warrior couldn't fix for a few hundred but beyond me. I do miss the hit from the standard 200bhp, coming off a roundabout in second, ease on the gas and pushed back in the seat through 3rd and 4th up to silly speeds...

Hopefully will drag mine out this summer and get an MOT on it.

In happier times:





PS - seating position is a bit odd, always felt like my left knee was jammed into the centre console!

hornetrider

63,161 posts

204 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
Nice motor. A mate's old man used to have one from new, it was awesome. Loved getting lifts in it.

Ginger - yes
Grey - no

MDMA .

8,849 posts

100 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
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

griffin dai

3,194 posts

148 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
W00DY said:
[

Good info, thanks! I think it's a Turbo Technics one. Got the 3" DP and bigger intercooler, but not sure on the rest. Do gearboxes become consumables at 350bhp?
Yeah they're the weak point. Most swap the Aero's 3.61 box for the 4.05 when it goes, but more responsive and not as long legged as the Aero box. I fitted the 4.45 to mine after the first box died, just manic. Never off boost just foot down and off it went.

Re the Abbott ARB, it's a piggy back one, I had his fitted made a nice improvement.

NiceCupOfTea

25,280 posts

250 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
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...