Saab 9-3 aero 2.0 superchip performance

[aruck]

Afternoon all,
Im contemplating switching my Vectra for a 2.0 Saab 9-3 aero. I'd like the 2.8 but don't want to pay the extortionate road tax. I notice that if you superchip the 2.0 it gets an extra 32bhp; I am wondering what affect the chip has on the 0-60 performance?
Thanks
Adrian

[aeropilot]

aruck said:

Afternoon all,
Im contemplating switching my Vectra for a 2.0 Saab 9-3 aero. I'd like the 2.8 but don't want to pay the extortionate road tax. I notice that if you superchip the 2.0 it gets an extra 32bhp; I am wondering what affect the chip has on the 0-60 performance?
Thanks
Adrian

Not a great deal of difference on 0-60 times, as it's a fwd saloon and 0-60 is an academic measurement, but there will a big difference in real world gear acceleration etc.
But, go with one of the Saab specialist tuners for any ECU upgrades on Saab's Trionic engine management system, not a generic 'chip' specialist.

[John D9395]

I bought a 9-3 05 rag top Aero from a main dealer which had already been re maped by the previous owner by 'Superchip', from memory increasing BHP from 210 - 240.

I confirmed with the dealer when I purchased it that the re map didn't effect waranty. The salesman confirmed it didn't.

6 months later the car went into limp home mode. The Saab dealer confirmed that the ECU had thrown a wobbly, possibly because of 'Superchips'. They blew the ECU withe the standard program, and all was well, until I mentioned that I had purchased a 240BHP car, not a 210 and was still not happy!

I think I was lucky, but they gave me the option of re maping with Superchips (who had agreed to do FOC, but with no Saab waranty on the ECU from that date), or have a Hirch 230 remap, alo FOC but with 10BHP less, but with Saab waranty.

I obviously went down the Hirch route.

I think the Superchips gave a bit more 'raw power', certainly moved the turbo guage further into the red, where as the Hirch feels a bit more tame, all be it, more powerful than the standard Aero (which they also loaned me whilst the repair was carried out).

This is the only decent thing this dealer has done for me, because of other events, I wouldn't even trust them with my lawn mower!

[aeropilot]

John D9395 said:

I obviously went down the Hirsch route.

I think the Superchips gave a bit more 'raw power', certainly moved the turbo guage further into the red, where as the Hirch feels a bit more tame, all be it, more powerful than the standard Aero

The Hirsch tune is designed by one of the original Trionic development engineers with full coding access from Saab, and the tune creates the power and torque with the minimal of boost increase, whereas the less Saab specialist aftermarket tuners just try and up the boost levels, which as they don't have intimate Trionic knowledge (there's something like 1000 'maps' in Trionic) makes them feel as if they have more power, but it's 'short-lived' power as Trionic will start to 'knock-back' the power when intake and EGT's climb above safe levels......which means any prolonged levels of WOT will mean you'll end up with almost stock levels of power....
And I've dyno plots with some scary AFR's....

Trionic is still one of the more complex of engine management systems, and not many tuners have 'cracked' it properly.

Swedish tuners Maptun and Nordic Tuning seemed to have achieved the best so far.

[aruck]

Major reason I was considering the superchip was that it is £500 compared to Hirsch at £850.. maybe it would be an extra £350 well spent.. Got to decide if the Saab is the car for me now!

[aeropilot]

aruck said:

Major reason I was considering the superchip was that it is £500 compared to Hirsch at £850.. maybe it would be an extra £350 well spent

Having driven a number of aftermarket tuned Saabs and Hirsch ones, I'd say the extra 350 notes is definately worth it. The Hirsch is sublime compared to the aftermarket tuners.

However, I wouldn't exclude the aftermarket tuners, just go with one that has a bit more Saab experience...i.e one of the Swedish ones or Abbott Racing in the UK.....NOT Superchips.

The BSR Stage 1 is only a bit over 500 notes and has a reasonable reputation see here
http://www.elkparts.com/product_info.php/cPath/76_160_838/products_id/1232 

Although, I'd go with Maptun if it were my money...see here
http://www.maptun.com/webshop/products.php?rubrik=192&kategori=668&model=2351&listorder=106 

Edited by aeropilot on Tuesday 13th May 08:37

[tonyvid]

I have a 9-5 2.0 with SAAB option tuning kit that takes it from 150 to 185 bhp on normal unleaded - it transformed the car, it was like someone had bolted an extra couple of cylinders on. This ECU kit was originally some stupid price like £1200 but I got it as a special for £400 fitted. I think they were trying to clear the stocks at the time but it is worth asking your local parts dept if they have anything similar.

[aeropilot]

tonyvid said:

I have a 9-5 2.0 with SAAB option tuning kit that takes it from 150 to 185 bhp on normal unleaded - it transformed the car, it was like someone had bolted an extra couple of cylinders on. This ECU kit was originally some stupid price like £1200 but I got it as a special for £400 fitted. I think they were trying to clear the stocks at the time but it is worth asking your local parts dept if they have anything similar.

No, there isn't anything similar for the 9-3SS.

What you have was only ever done by Saab for the 2.0 lpt engine in the 9-5, in the days before the tie-up with Hirsch.

Edited by aeropilot on Thursday 22 May 13:08

[tonyvid]

aeropilot said:

tonyvid said:

I have a 9-5 2.0 with SAAB option tuning kit that takes it from 150 to 185 bhp on normal unleaded - it transformed the car, it was like someone had bolted an extra couple of cylinders on. This ECU kit was originally some stupid price like £1200 but I got it as a special for £400 fitted. I think they were trying to clear the stocks at the time but it is worth asking your local parts dept if they have anything similar.

No, there isn't anything similar for the 9-3SS.

What you have was only ever done by Saab for the 2.0 lpt engine in the 9-5, in the days before the tie-up with Hirsch.

Edited by aeropilot on Thursday 22 May 13:08

Thanks for explaining where it came about, thinking back, I seem to remember that was why the dealers reduced the price before Hirch replaced them.

[Prof Beard]

I went for MapTun on my 2002 9-3 Aero Conv. (Mind you the car WAS out of warranty). Not cheap for the stage 3 package I went for, but I got an increase from 205bhp/270Mn to 270bhp/370Nm. I can't vouch for the accuracy of the figures but the car now awesome in mid range as others will testify. Also my fuel consumption when "pottering about" actually improved.