Saab 9000 Aero - Boost Your Mood
Discussion
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 
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.
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 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 
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
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 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
Silly quick (although a tad laggy!!)https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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 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.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 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?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.
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.Twin exhausts are a bit meh but apart from that it's a perfect 9000.
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.
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.
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 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.
I do like that look and reckon it could still work.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
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 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 
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!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.
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.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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