Looking at 9-3 Aero V6, advice please

Looking at 9-3 Aero V6, advice please

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charlie84rum

Original Poster:

90 posts

138 months

Monday 12th February 2018
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Hi

I am going to look at a Saab 9-3 Aero 2.8 V6 which has a JZW remap, FSH and decent Mileage. Any advice on what to look out for would be greatly appreciated. Have been known to let heart rule head when viewing a potential purchase. (the time I bought an MX5 2.5 with a bodykit covering sills springs to mind!)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

griffin dai

3,213 posts

154 months

Thursday 15th February 2018
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I’ve got the v6 with JZW stage 5 tune. Had stage 1 on there for around 2 years. Couple of issues main one was the engine going bang last year but should be fine at stage 1.

Auto or manual? Auto boxes on these are very strong, the 6 speed manual is very notchy, simple Enoch fix with the gearbox turret repair kit but still not great. What clutch is on there? JZW Stage 1 is around 420ft/lbs the standard clutch isn’t strong enough, if it’s new/low mileage it’s probably ok but nearly all JZW tuned cars have upgraded their clutch.

Coils are prone to dying so we fit the newer ‘112’ type coils vs the old type. Plugs should be LFR7AiX for this tune. The rear banks a pain to change front easy.

Some V6’s come fully loaded others prettt basic (no heated seats & basic stereo)

Nice cars though, JzW 1 is plenty quick enough, I fitted the Quaife diff to mine at stage 5. Made a hell of a difference, stupidly quick.

I wouldn’t touch his tunes again though after mine popped. When I eventually fix it (or get a Vec VXR....same car) I’ll swap everything over go down the custom tuning route with a guy called Rabbid

charlie84rum

Original Poster:

90 posts

138 months

Thursday 15th February 2018
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cheers for your reply. Its a manual with a stage 1 JZW and CG motorsports organic performance clutch with single mass flywheel installed 2016. Its in great nick and genuine reasons for sale. Has a Bluetooth sorted already so wont play with that,

griffin dai

3,213 posts

154 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
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Did you get it?

Re the clutch it might be one from the GB I organised 2 years ago. That was for their 666 & 777 race kits. The solid flywheels a bit loud, not sure if I’d get one again but costs were mounting and I needed a kit to comfortably hold 550ft/lbs and went for the 777 kit which should hold 150% over standard (apparently!)

Can just hear the flywheel at the end of the clip:

https://youtu.be/abtMT-tpxkY

charlie84rum

Original Poster:

90 posts

138 months

Wednesday 21st February 2018
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Yes I did get it. Cant get it on the road until I sell my other car though. frown

griffin dai

3,213 posts

154 months

Thursday 22nd February 2018
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Pics!

Just so your aware and don’t burn your clutch out! With these tunes it’s best to take a run up from 60 in 3rd instead of nailing it in 5th or 6th, they really don’t like it plus it puts extra stress on the rods. The torque comes in really early and puts too much stress on the clutch, moreso on standard clutch but worth knowing about. Might also misfire if you go WOT at higher gears.

Coils are a weak spot on these once you tune them, I found one of these OBD2 WiFi scanners a god send as they can pick up a misfire on individual coils. Had one die a few years ago, no CEL but you could feel it misfiring under load. The scanner helped here and saved a trip to the garage swapping coils & plugs out!

Also best to run it on Vpower or Momentun wink

silverthorn2151

6,303 posts

184 months

Monday 26th March 2018
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Sorry for the bump on this but I thought you needed a Tech 2 rather that a simple OBD connection to interrogate the systems.

griffin dai

3,213 posts

154 months

Wednesday 28th March 2018
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The scanners work fine, saved me a few quid taking it to the garage over the years. When my coil went I didn’t get any CEL’s Just the engine misfiring under load. Popped the scanner on there and it detected the cylinder.

Definitely worth getting one especially if the cars mapped as it’s a known weak spot


silverthorn2151

6,303 posts

184 months

Thursday 29th March 2018
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Interesting.

What one you using, specifically, as my reader won't communicate with the car.

griffin dai

3,213 posts

154 months

Thursday 29th March 2018
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I can’t find the exact link mate as it was ages ago but it’s the same as this one. I’m using an iPhone so went for the WiFi version, I don’t think the Bluetooth scanners work with mine

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/ELM327-WiFi-OBD2-Car-Diag...

It’s been brilliant. I’ve been using Dash Command with it.

charlie84rum

Original Poster:

90 posts

138 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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Will add some pics, have finally sold my Type R so will getting the Saab on the road tomorrow! Cant believe its been 2 months now of washing it and regularly moving up and down driveway which means I haven't really got close to stressing the clutch wink . Thanks for the info on the scanner and other info its much appreciated.

Nutty9000

1,375 posts

105 months

Dixy

3,066 posts

210 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
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Just re-joined the fold and have a 55 plate estate 2.8.
It has a miss under load, had planned to just change the plugs but having discovered what a PIA doing 1,3 and 5 are if it is one of the coils it better be changed at the same time. Is it worth replacing all 3.
Is it really a ten quid scanner that can identify which coil.

silverthorn2151

6,303 posts

184 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
quotequote all
It is my understanding that a tech 2 is needed
My usual scanner won't connect and read the system. A chap above suggested that it was possible though but reading the specialist forums leaves me doubtful.

Dixy

3,066 posts

210 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
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Thanks for the reply
Is this what you are talking about
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-V1-95-Vauxhall-Opel...

Ian_sUK

733 posts

185 months

Monday 30th April 2018
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Cheap Bluetooth readers from eBay work fine, I used one for exactly the same purpose a few weeks ago. Do note however there won't be a code until the miss is bad enough to cause an eml.

Do change the rear 3 coils at the same time with Bosch coils with the part number ending in 112.