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There is really very little that can be done to increase power in a normally asperated engine. More power requires more fuel an air. You can't get significantly more air without a turbo.
You have a high compression engine. You can get improved torque at high RPM's with a low restriction air filter. But to take advantage of that you would have to have a driving style where you stay in lower gears and get high rpm's at full throttle. If you drive that way, then a low restriction exhaust system would also help. But you can't use the Saab Sports exhaust as it will be extremely noisy. I am not aware that anyone has found a good aftermarket bolt on alternative. Stainless is nice to have if you can find it. But with a 6 year old vehicle there are cost benefit issues to consider. If your current exhaust is near end of life, then a lower restriction system makes sense. The Saab stock replacement exahaust system is expenive enough to make alternatives cost attractive.
You engine is very fuel adaptive. If you are using low octane fuel, and you want to keep doing that, then you will not get the engines power potential. The power increases that you will get if higher octane fuel seem to produce a benefit, will be apparent in the lower and higher prm's ranges. So a lowwer rpm advantage would be great if you can get it.
With the high compression, your engine will be very knock sensitive, and dirty injectors and combustion chamber deposits will cause the engine to de-tune, especially with low octane fuel. The turbo engines are sensitive to these problems as well, but they have a lower compression ratio. So your engine might be needing Techron concentrate, just like a turbo. Every 8 thousand miles. If you have not been using such cleaners, I suggest that you do two consecutive treatments.
If your plugs are worn or have deposits, this can also contribute to knock avoidance detuning. If your plugs are dark, try a hotter heat range.
So try a K&N 33-2663 panel filter, and modify your air box as done for the turbos, if you find that you feel a difference that that your driving style is allowing you to take advantage of it.
Try the Techron Concentrate and the K&N filter and high octane fuel. If you find that things are noticably improved, then consider modfiying the air box and search for a low restriction exahaust that will work with a normally asperated engine.
Note that the air box mods may create some intake noise. If you do the funnel mod, the air box does not gt cut up, and the mod is totally reversable.
The Techron Conentrate will also increase the octane rating of the treated tank. So thre will be a short term increase in octane. Keep that in mind as you evaluate. Note that the Techron will be more effective in city driving. So don't add it for a long duration highway trip.
Inspect your plugs and replace if in doubt. Hard driving, full throttle, causes rich mixtures and darking of the plugs. So you driving style and city/highway ratios will determine what the plug deposits will be. So if do find some benifical changes and start driving more agressivley, then your plugs could be getting more deposits from WOT (wide open throttle) runs. If you have some highway commutes most of the time, such deposits will often burn off under these conditions.
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