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Since fitting the poly control arm bushes and having the wheels aligned (I think the alignment was more or less OK until I fitted the bushes), the feel of the car is improved still further.
With the medium setting I have set on the shocks, the car drives very comfortably, yet body roll feels like it is almost zero. Harder settings rapidly become uncomfortable on my local roads, but would be fine for really good road surfaces (racetracks?). The steering is responsive, but not over-sensitive (due to the poly bushes, I think) and the car, far from feeling harsh with all these suspension mods, feels smoother than ever. The poly bushes actually seem to have *reduced* harshness, but again that's subjective and may be my imagination.
Cornering inspires more confidence and there appears to be more grip. However, I'm still let down by the Avon ZZ1s on the front wheels which squeal at the slightest provocation, long before the point where they start to let go, and even ignoring this (which is difficult when there are people around!), they never gripped as well as the Yokohama AVS S1-Zs I used previously. Tempted to try Bridgestone S-03s all round when I come to change them shortly. Hopefully, there'll be some reviews published in the next month or two that will help.
For those interested in the performance of the JT exhaust, I have noticed a definite improvement above about 4500 RPM. However, I'm still having trouble getting the flange to seal at the turbo and have a weak mixture problem that gave me trouble with the emissions test. This might be partly due to the blowing joint - the mixture improved when my dealer managed to seal the joint a bit better. I'll try making some more suitable mounts for the cat - the ones I have are a bit of a stretch and I think re-aligning the system might help. When I get the joint sealed, I'll check the mixture again and take it from there. When it's all OK, I intend to publish a procedure on fitting this exhaust system and cat. My K&N filter stays in its box until I get the exhaust sorted out.
Noise is not too much of a problem. Idle is noticeably throaty. The system "rumbles" between 2000-3000 RPM, but it isn't intrusive. Under hard acceleration, the noise is impressive, but still not too loud.
As you can see, the tailpipe is discreet, with a polished stainless steel trim no bigger than the rest of the exhaust.
As a side note, I took my car for alignment at the place where I usually buy my tyres. They're good there, and I knew I'd have no trouble getting them to set a "custom" alignment - the 1mm toe-in recommended by Abbott for the 9000 fitted with poly control arm bushes. With the car on the ramp, they all gathered underneath to admire the exhaust and were amazed when I told them it cost less than £500 *with* the cat. Then ensued a conversation about Saabs in general, Aero seats and wheels, and the company directors' two Viggen convertibles. I think they were keen to sell me a set of 17" wheels, but I really like the Super Aeros.
Anyway, I'm rambling again...
posted by 62.253...
Abbott Racing suspension kit - first impressions (a bit long)
, Sun, 2 Sep 2001 13:58:35
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