2001 Saab 9-3

[skene]

Hi guys.

Looking at getting a SAAB 9-3 (2000-ish) for my next car, I know I want the 185hp one which is the 2.0T isn't it? as opposed to the 2.0t which are 150?

I'd like one with the more aggressive front end if that makes sense? Is there much to look out for on these reliability wise?

I'd like to get it remapped initially what kind of power can I expect from this? What will I need to extract more power from it? i.e what are the internals safe up to etc.


Thanks

[stevoknevo]

skene said:

Hi guys.

Looking at getting a SAAB 9-3 (2000-ish) for my next car, I know I want the 185hp one which is the 2.0T isn't it? as opposed to the 2.0t which are 150?

I'd like one with the more aggressive front end if that makes sense? Is there much to look out for on these reliability wise?

I'd like to get it remapped initially what kind of power can I expect from this? What will I need to extract more power from it? i.e what are the internals safe up to etc.


Thanks

A stage one map on either car will take you to 225bhp/230lb ft although you will need to source an APC valve and piping for the 2.0t. There was a changeover in 1999/2000 from trionic 5 to trionic 7 engine management. The T5 has a red direct ignition cassette, T7 is black. The T5 engined cars internals are good for 450bhp, the T7s are 310bhp before needing forged pistons. Remaps for either cars are very cheap, look in the performance section of UKSaabs and you'll soon find the guys who can supply remaps.
After that you need a 3" downpipe to increase power further, then it's uprated intercooler, 3 bar map sensor, injectors, fuel pump, turbo and re-mapped to suit.

Edited by stevoknevo on Friday 27th April 21:39

[skene]

stevoknevo said:

A stage one map on either car will take you to 225bhp/230lb ft although you will need to source an APC valve and piping for the 2.0t. There was a changeover in 1999/2000 from trionic 5 to trionic 7 engine management. The T5 has a red direct ignition cassette, T7 is black. The T5 engined cars internals are good for 450bhp, the T7s are 310bhp before needing forged pistons. Remaps for either cars are very cheap, look in the performance section of UKSaabs and you'll soon find the guys who can supply remaps.
After that you need a 3" downpipe to increase power further, then it's uprated intercooler, 3 bar map sensor, injectors, fuel pump, turbo and re-mapped to suit.

Edited by stevoknevo on Friday 27th April 21:39

So would you say it's better to get an earlier one? the trionic 5 I mean

Also, whats an APC valve?

Edited by skene on Friday 27th April 23:20

[dougzino]

skene said:

Hi guys.

Looking at getting a SAAB 9-3 (2000-ish) for my next car, I know I want the 185hp one which is the 2.0T isn't it? as opposed to the 2.0t which are 150?

I'd like one with the more aggressive front end if that makes sense? Is there much to look out for on these reliability wise?

I'd like to get it remapped initially what kind of power can I expect from this? What will I need to extract more power from it? i.e what are the internals safe up to etc.


Thanks

I wouldn't even dream of getting a map done before getting at least a steering rack brace from PFS. Otherwise 225hp is likely to split the bulkhead sometime or another.

What do you mean by aggressive front end?

Check that it has been given fully synthetic oil at changes. When i bought mine it had occasionally been given part synthetic so i had the sump dropped, cleaned & pick up strainer cleaned for piece of mind.

Check the bulkhead for cracks too

[mywifeshusband]

I'm guessing that the aggressive front end is the late specification Aero bodykit as first seen on the Viggen. I quite fancy a 2001-2 aero coupe in grey as my next car. The Aero starts with 205 bhp.

Agree with everything above regarding oil/sump drop/bulkheads/re-map via UK Saab member.

Also consider doubling up the rear anti-roll bar as a cheap and useful modification.

Or maybe look for a Viggen which has the 2.3 turbo engine and oodles of torque.

[dougzino]

I am getting a stage one map this week. I got charged 70 for the map & 30 for a spare 2nd hand ECU. For the Aero it brings power up to 250hp & torque up to 350NM if memory serves correctly.

Talk about bang for your buck! :-)

Wanted to make sure i got the handling tight before i up'd the power so polybushed the wishbones, got a 6-point subframe brace off ebay & fitted the steering rack clamp & brace. I think i might go for the piggyback rear 22m ARB next but not sure where to buy one.

[dougzino]

mywifeshusband said:

I'm guessing that the aggressive front end is the late specification Aero bodykit as first seen on the Viggen. I quite fancy a 2001-2 aero coupe in grey as my next car. The Aero starts with 205 bhp.

Agree with everything above regarding oil/sump drop/bulkheads/re-map via UK Saab member.

Also consider doubling up the rear anti-roll bar as a cheap and useful modification.

Or maybe look for a Viggen which has the 2.3 turbo engine and oodles of torque.

Harder to come by Viggens & you usually pay a grand or more than u wd for an Aero with similar miles / condition

[Job38]

dougzino said:

I am getting a stage one map this week. I got charged 70 for the map & 30 for a spare 2nd hand ECU. For the Aero it brings power up to 250hp & torque up to 350NM if memory serves correctly.

Talk about bang for your buck! :-)

Wanted to make sure i got the handling tight before i up'd the power so polybushed the wishbones, got a 6-point subframe brace off ebay & fitted the steering rack clamp & brace. I think i might go for the piggyback rear 22m ARB next but not sure where to buy one.

I'm all ears, keep us posted.
Sounds great value for money compared with Maptun c.£450, I think...

(2002 Aero Coupe, in grey, with Viggen rescue kit)

[dougzino]

Job38 said:

I'm all ears, keep us posted.
Sounds great value for money compared with Maptun c.£450, I think...

(2002 Aero Coupe, in grey, with Viggen rescue kit)

Well, my new ECU arrived yesterday & proved a total ballache to fit. Its in a pretty tight space but i got there eventually.

Delighted with the results tho. lots more poke about it & i think the throttle response is slightly improved too.

No other mods required. Karl from UK SAABs who provided me with the map said the stock filter is good for 300BHP. For stage 2 & above exhaust modifications have to be made.

It makes me laugh at the amount ppl spend on fancy exhausts & induction kits for measly 10BHP gains.

GOD BLESS FORCED INDUCTION!! ;-)

[K321]

i bought a 2000 93 aero about 2 years ago for a grand
mine is with the red top engine which ive been told by lots of mechanics at saab that this is the engine to have as its more reliable.

3 months after i bought the car i had a 50£ remap done and the difference is very noticeable. however i have realised that you have to get the other car internals sorted too

i got the remap and now its about 235bhp
here is breakdown of whats gone wrong and cost after 15000 miles after having remap done
Di Cassette - £150
Front pads, - £50
rear discs and pads - £200
tyres - £400
Gearbox Mount - £60
Engine Mounts - all 3 disintegrated, and took gearbox with it - £600
Back Box and middle section exhaust -£350
New headlamps - £200
new clutch - £750,
oil leak - £50
belt in enginebay..not sure if cambelt or camchain? needed replacing...when i got to the garage they told e if i had drive 10 more miles in it i would have destroyed the engine- £80
edit to add- driveshafts went, (twice)

people have told me its a money pit but when i drive it its worth it, as i am still amazed by how fast it is for the money and looks decent enough inside with leather seats air con, electric everything etc.

if i had to buy another one and start again i would go for best one i could afford at the time, the remap makes the car go really fast but on the corners its not so good
the car even sounds ok for a hatchback, new hatchback cars like focus st are slower

Edited by K321 on Thursday 3rd May 01:06

Edited by K321 on Thursday 3rd May 21:57

[skene]

By the aggressive front end I meant the Aero bumpers. But being 18 I can't insure one!

So are you trying to say that a remap taking a 2.0T from 185 to ~225 hp is £70? Where is the ECU located?

[dougzino]

skene said:

By the aggressive front end I meant the Aero bumpers. But being 18 I can't insure one!

So are you trying to say that a remap taking a 2.0T from 185 to ~225 hp is £70? Where is the ECU located?

It slots in beside the drivers side of the dash. You need to pull back the carpet in the footwell to access it. If i was to do it again it would probably take less than half the time. There is a knack to it

[dougzino]

skene said:

By the aggressive front end I meant the Aero bumpers. But being 18 I can't insure one!

So are you trying to say that a remap taking a 2.0T from 185 to ~225 hp is £70? Where is the ECU located?

70 quid for map on original ECU or 70 quid + 30 quid for 2nd hand ECU

& postage

[K321]

£50 for a remap from UKSaab Forum

[skene]

Wow call that value! Does it matter wether its a trionic 5 or 7 engine? Or is it the same for both?

[dougzino]

mine was 70 quid for the map frm UK SAABs on the T7 system. Either way, its a propper bargain

[skene]

Absolutely!

[K321]

remap i had was 50£ fitted,trionic 5, it took 30mins and instantly the car felt faster, 3rd gear and 4th especially. i am hoping to dyno it soon so i know what bhp it is for certain

[dougzino]

Yep, I'm going to get mine up on the rollers once its running propperly. Only getting Mreq reading of about 1124 rather than the 1147 expected for 'stage one' so the ECU is holding back for some reason. My tuner thinks it may be that my spark plugs have had it so i've got some NGKs in the post. Fingers crossed