95 Aero Hot - advice sought
Discussion
sump drop, clean and retro-fit latest PCV kit for engine longevity. must have fully synthetic
2002 would be B235 with TD04 and 250bhp - not too shabby off the line but it's a weighty old barge. midrange is what these are all about, try a few 50-100 runs. a number of people on various forums now offering T7 mapping, add in a few hardware upgrades (FPR and downpipe mainly)and significant power and torque increases are there for the taking. i've had standard and modified versions of "normal" turbo's, HOTs and Aero's in 9-3 and 9-5 variants - yep, quick cars
front lower arms are service items really, try and avoid the xenon lamps (sensors will fail and the self-levelling will go haywire and the xenon lamps themselves are eye-wateringly expensive), rear droplinks, rear g/box mounting gets floppy (obstructive changes esp into reverse). wet/dirty blocks often lead to HGF being suggested - frequently a head re-torque will fix it. rear susp bushes can get flexy and give you some interesting tyre wear, subframe bushes can give out. i have had some really high mile cars that have been on original clutches but general advice is to expect around 100k per unit. for some reason, i've had to change more than a couple of 'stats on Saabs - cheap generic jobby and easily accesible. don't know if the cooling/heating system had been changed by 02 but unexplained water loss with no symptoms other than a falling level will be the heater by-pass valve. cheap to replace but access is interesting
misfires will be failing DI pack - check it for electrical "burny" type smell, easy but expensive. hard to isolate/intermittent starting problems often traced to crank sensor. you'll not need to spend much money on a replacement but you will have to hire a small handed person in order to get at it.
electrics are pretty robust, security systems tend to behave except for the siren battery back-up. this can be disconnected leaving just the immobiliser or swap the unit for just a few pounds. display pixels will fail - the info display will need marrying to the car using Tech2 when replaced. ICE is also permanently "locked in" electronically to the car and also to the other components - no mix and match i'm afraid. A/C controller can produce some odd malfunctions - the flaps/gear wheels are quite weak and stuff gets very confused - fixes using upgraded bits are readily available
if you do engage in any tuning, pay particular attention to the torque curve - many have now found the weak link in the drivetrain and have got very skilled at swapping gearboxes
regards, paul
2002 would be B235 with TD04 and 250bhp - not too shabby off the line but it's a weighty old barge. midrange is what these are all about, try a few 50-100 runs. a number of people on various forums now offering T7 mapping, add in a few hardware upgrades (FPR and downpipe mainly)and significant power and torque increases are there for the taking. i've had standard and modified versions of "normal" turbo's, HOTs and Aero's in 9-3 and 9-5 variants - yep, quick cars
front lower arms are service items really, try and avoid the xenon lamps (sensors will fail and the self-levelling will go haywire and the xenon lamps themselves are eye-wateringly expensive), rear droplinks, rear g/box mounting gets floppy (obstructive changes esp into reverse). wet/dirty blocks often lead to HGF being suggested - frequently a head re-torque will fix it. rear susp bushes can get flexy and give you some interesting tyre wear, subframe bushes can give out. i have had some really high mile cars that have been on original clutches but general advice is to expect around 100k per unit. for some reason, i've had to change more than a couple of 'stats on Saabs - cheap generic jobby and easily accesible. don't know if the cooling/heating system had been changed by 02 but unexplained water loss with no symptoms other than a falling level will be the heater by-pass valve. cheap to replace but access is interesting
misfires will be failing DI pack - check it for electrical "burny" type smell, easy but expensive. hard to isolate/intermittent starting problems often traced to crank sensor. you'll not need to spend much money on a replacement but you will have to hire a small handed person in order to get at it.
electrics are pretty robust, security systems tend to behave except for the siren battery back-up. this can be disconnected leaving just the immobiliser or swap the unit for just a few pounds. display pixels will fail - the info display will need marrying to the car using Tech2 when replaced. ICE is also permanently "locked in" electronically to the car and also to the other components - no mix and match i'm afraid. A/C controller can produce some odd malfunctions - the flaps/gear wheels are quite weak and stuff gets very confused - fixes using upgraded bits are readily available
if you do engage in any tuning, pay particular attention to the torque curve - many have now found the weak link in the drivetrain and have got very skilled at swapping gearboxes
regards, paul
Edited by paul makin on Sunday 19th May 16:20
i think the template for a TD04 Aero is to aim (eventually) for a 3.5 bar FPR, a 3" downpipe (with or without system - doesn't seem to make a great deal of difference)and then remap.
stage 1 (which is just a raised boost request)adds very little. add in the hardware though and you'll be around 290bhp (although i have seen more) and around 460Nm. generally people refer to this as Stage 3.
getting the power isn't really the problem - traction will be the issue. yours will have TC and ESP, you'd need to play around with it on and off to see which works best.
the stock air-box, intercooler and injectors will be ok at this level. to get above 300bhp (reliably), more than "bolt ons" are going to be required
regards
paul
stage 1 (which is just a raised boost request)adds very little. add in the hardware though and you'll be around 290bhp (although i have seen more) and around 460Nm. generally people refer to this as Stage 3.
getting the power isn't really the problem - traction will be the issue. yours will have TC and ESP, you'd need to play around with it on and off to see which works best.
the stock air-box, intercooler and injectors will be ok at this level. to get above 300bhp (reliably), more than "bolt ons" are going to be required
regards
paul
Thats great Paul
Thank you for all this info - Looking forward to the 'new project' now :-)
Will keep you updated with what happens.
Just found this company Paul.
www.abbottracing.net
Med1c
Thank you for all this info - Looking forward to the 'new project' now :-)
Will keep you updated with what happens.
Just found this company Paul.
www.abbottracing.net
Med1c
yep, Abbott are out there. also have a look for Neo Brothers - later model breakers and, i believe, the official UK outlet for Maptun. Maptun do some real good stuff, albeit at a price.
i also find the M5 Saab Centre and Suffolk Saab (both on the bay of dreams) to be very reliable sellers of used parts
don't spend lots of money on remaps before checking out some of the enthusiasts who offer remaps - there's a lot of debate about which tuners maps are "best" but, in all honestly, i've never needed anything other than a "Noobtune" at a fraction of the cost and with the benefit of real-time mapping if you have the time to pop over to Karl's to get it done
let us know if you do get it, my 04 Aero is about to be retired so that i can concentrate on the Viggen but i will miss it and always like to see others !!
paul
i also find the M5 Saab Centre and Suffolk Saab (both on the bay of dreams) to be very reliable sellers of used parts
don't spend lots of money on remaps before checking out some of the enthusiasts who offer remaps - there's a lot of debate about which tuners maps are "best" but, in all honestly, i've never needed anything other than a "Noobtune" at a fraction of the cost and with the benefit of real-time mapping if you have the time to pop over to Karl's to get it done
let us know if you do get it, my 04 Aero is about to be retired so that i can concentrate on the Viggen but i will miss it and always like to see others !!
paul
ooo- not too sure on this, always had manuals
however, if the car drives normnally once D is engaged then i think you can rule out the simple things - linkages, selector bands etc
could be mechanical (forward clutch?) or hydraulic (valve seals etc). is the level correct and the ATF looking like it should?, history of filter change, any obvious leakage of ATF etc?
is the transmission warning light on?
might be best to leave this one as i'm pretty sure the fix will involve at least one visit to to an auto transmission specialist and could become costly
paul
however, if the car drives normnally once D is engaged then i think you can rule out the simple things - linkages, selector bands etc
could be mechanical (forward clutch?) or hydraulic (valve seals etc). is the level correct and the ATF looking like it should?, history of filter change, any obvious leakage of ATF etc?
is the transmission warning light on?
might be best to leave this one as i'm pretty sure the fix will involve at least one visit to to an auto transmission specialist and could become costly
paul
paul makin said:
ooo- not too sure on this, always had manuals
however, if the car drives normnally once D is engaged then i think you can rule out the simple things - linkages, selector bands etc
could be mechanical (forward clutch?) or hydraulic (valve seals etc). is the level correct and the ATF looking like it should?, history of filter change, any obvious leakage of ATF etc?
is the transmission warning light on?
might be best to leave this one as i'm pretty sure the fix will involve at least one visit to to an auto transmission specialist and could become costly
paul
I'd agree with Paul on this one; there are a fair few HOT 9-5s out there and many of them will have perfectly functioning gearboxes. The delay that you mention could be something simple but a problematic autobox is not something that you want to end up with. Paul and others have also given you the list of things to look out for, I'd simply agree with what they've said. I've got a HOT 9-5 estate ('99 vintage) and it's been great. Cheap (except for the MPG!) and cheerful motoring with big comfy armchairs all round.however, if the car drives normnally once D is engaged then i think you can rule out the simple things - linkages, selector bands etc
could be mechanical (forward clutch?) or hydraulic (valve seals etc). is the level correct and the ATF looking like it should?, history of filter change, any obvious leakage of ATF etc?
is the transmission warning light on?
might be best to leave this one as i'm pretty sure the fix will involve at least one visit to to an auto transmission specialist and could become costly
paul
I'll throw my 2c onto the tail end of this thread...
Being a 2002 model, yours isn't a HOT Aero. Well, it is, but they dropped the HOT designation after 2001 as there was only one Aero after that. So it'll be the 250bhp B235R-engined Aero. A £70 Noobtune stage 1 remap will take this up to 275bhp, which - when you've experienced it - you'll realise is plenty! After that things start getting more expensive with hardware upgrades. Of course things will get expensive from the start if you pay Abbotts £400 for one of their stage 1 remaps - which does the same thing as the Noobtune remap.
You need to sort your auto box issues first though before you cause any long-term damage there. Those Aisin Warner boxes are pretty tough, so maybe a fluid change will help you out. Having driven a lot of manual & auto 9-5's, the auto ones are a lot slower than the manuals - and a lot more juicy - which is why I wouldn't personally buy one.
There's a lot of information on UKSaabs.co.uk, saabscene.co.uk, saabcentral... etc etc.
Being a 2002 model, yours isn't a HOT Aero. Well, it is, but they dropped the HOT designation after 2001 as there was only one Aero after that. So it'll be the 250bhp B235R-engined Aero. A £70 Noobtune stage 1 remap will take this up to 275bhp, which - when you've experienced it - you'll realise is plenty! After that things start getting more expensive with hardware upgrades. Of course things will get expensive from the start if you pay Abbotts £400 for one of their stage 1 remaps - which does the same thing as the Noobtune remap.
You need to sort your auto box issues first though before you cause any long-term damage there. Those Aisin Warner boxes are pretty tough, so maybe a fluid change will help you out. Having driven a lot of manual & auto 9-5's, the auto ones are a lot slower than the manuals - and a lot more juicy - which is why I wouldn't personally buy one.
There's a lot of information on UKSaabs.co.uk, saabscene.co.uk, saabcentral... etc etc.
This is as cheap as it gets: http://www.partsforsaabs.com/product_info.php?prod...
The DIY is here: http://saabworld.net/f29/saab-9-5-automatic-transm...
Not difficult by any stretch. So much fluid is required as you need to essentially dilute the old stuff out of there.
HTH
The DIY is here: http://saabworld.net/f29/saab-9-5-automatic-transm...
Not difficult by any stretch. So much fluid is required as you need to essentially dilute the old stuff out of there.
HTH
Some great advice there Paul!
I constantly think of a 9-5 HOT Aero to replace my Impreza - it would seem to offer the pace of one with a bit more comfort and luxury.
What is the real world MPG like on one - a lot of the ones I see on Ebay bang on about 35-40mpg at the 70mph. Is this achievable, or pie in the sky?
I constantly think of a 9-5 HOT Aero to replace my Impreza - it would seem to offer the pace of one with a bit more comfort and luxury.
What is the real world MPG like on one - a lot of the ones I see on Ebay bang on about 35-40mpg at the 70mph. Is this achievable, or pie in the sky?
Rollcage said:
Some great advice there Paul!
I constantly think of a 9-5 HOT Aero to replace my Impreza - it would seem to offer the pace of one with a bit more comfort and luxury.
What is the real world MPG like on one - a lot of the ones I see on Ebay bang on about 35-40mpg at the 70mph. Is this achievable, or pie in the sky?
I have a 2006 Dame Edna slush boxed Aero estate and in town don't think you'll get 20mpg in rush hour traffic. 18 or 19 at best in stop start traffic. Fully laden with 2 adults, 3 kids and a roofbox saw it average 30mpg from Scotland to France and back again. I constantly think of a 9-5 HOT Aero to replace my Impreza - it would seem to offer the pace of one with a bit more comfort and luxury.
What is the real world MPG like on one - a lot of the ones I see on Ebay bang on about 35-40mpg at the 70mph. Is this achievable, or pie in the sky?
If you worry about fuel then i'd say don't go near one.
I recently bought a 2007 Dame Edna manual Aero estate to replace a manual V70 T5. Going off the computer (life's too short for the old brim the tank and get the calculator out nonsense), I get 24 MPG in mixed town work and 34 on a run. This is in both cases 2 MPG better than the 5 pot T5.
I really wouldn't bother with the slusher - slower, worse MPG and poor CO2 emissions which put later ones into £400 pa road tax - gulp!
I really wouldn't bother with the slusher - slower, worse MPG and poor CO2 emissions which put later ones into £400 pa road tax - gulp!
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