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My favorite topic... Posted by Karl [Email]  (#161) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Karl) on Tue, 31 Oct 2000 02:23:08
In Reply to: New 9K Aero Owner - First Round of Upgrades - HELP!, Derek Lakin, Mon, 30 Oct 2000 18:40:29 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Derek,
First of all, congratulations! You have bought one of the best allround vehicles in the history of automotive industry...
Modifications...
1) Change exhaust to 3" from turbo and back, add a suitable free-flow catalyst, and you're on your way. A free flow exhaust is one of the most substantial improvements you can make to your Aero, as it is highly restricted in stock form.
2) Change air filter to either an open K&N cone filter which you fit in the wheel well (remove stock airbox) or an ordinary K&N or similar in the stock airbox. You can drill some extra holes in the airbox to improve flow. All depends on how much sound you want to make...
3) ECU... Well, there's a multitude available...at least here in Sweden. I know the supply is severely limited in the US. I'd suggest shopping around, talk to the various companies and make your own opinion. The most important is that you feel you can trust the company doing your upgrade. Try these: http://www.hirsch-performance.ch, http://www.saabtuning.com, http://www.abbottracing.com, http://www.maptun.just.nu, http://www.bsrab.se (swedish, browse around), http://www.chipcenter.cc (Swedish also). There are probably a bunch in the US also, but I'm not familiar with all the URL's so I'll leave that to someone more equipped to answer that question...
4) Turbo's, ICs etc. That all depends on how much power you're looking for. I have friends in the Saab Turbo Club of Sweden running all sorts of setups on their 9K's. One guy runs a T04E hybrid w/ a bigger IC moved forwards, a big opening in the the front fender to provide flow and a reprogrammed ECU providing 31 PSI max and 21,5 PSI @ 5500 rpm. He produces around 340-350 hp. Another guy runs a bigger Mitsu TD04 HL-18T, bigger IC, bigger injectors, and different cams and produces somewhere around 330. Then there are those who run extractor pipes and all sorts of "secret" weapons and produce anywhere from 350 and up... Worst case is a guy w/ a 900 NG 2,4 ltr, extractor, hybrid turbo etc...he's dynoed it to 435 hp... I believe he ran a high 12 on the 1/4 mile. Oh, there is one even worse, but his car isn't street legal...
What I'm trying to say is that it all depends on your ambition, and probably depends on what you've been driving before.
All I can say is that I'm extremely pleases with my 97 9000 Aero. Only modifications so far are 3" from turbo and back, no cat (will of course have a free-flow cat installed as soon as I decide which one) and a reprogrammed ECU with appr. 21 PSI max and 16-17 PSI @ 5500 rpm. This provides some really serious performance. I haven't had time to check any acceleration figures, but I will. Bob on this board has my Trionic box now, and I haven't gotten my new one yet. Believe me when I say that very few cars under 50K USD can match my performance once the car gets rolling... I've seen 160 mph+ on the speedo if that's of any interest.
Instead of wasting money on big turbos and stuff I think that money is much better spent on roadholding and brakes. Eibach springs and Bilstein or Koni dampers is a start. Then some polyurethane bushings for sway bars etc. Many options for brakes. Stock size and better pads and steel braided hoses is one way to go. The other is to opt for 17 or 18" wheels and 4 pot calipers (http://www.apracing.com or http://www.movit.de or http://www.hirsch-performance.ch) and some serious 320 mm disks. All depends on how much money you're willing to spend and what you want to do with your car...
Well, that's all I can think of right now...
Good luck!
/ Karl
, Tue, 31 Oct 2000 02:23:08 <-- Viewing This Message
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