Aero performance

[ApexJimi]

To those of you who have owned or have driven a standard 95 Aero - in terms of straight line performance, what other cars is the Aero comparable with?

[davemac250]

Just picked up a 9-5 Aero Hot and it is pretty close to my old Subaru once rolling.

Off the line the Subaru was noticeably quicker.

Compares favourably with 330i/540 BM's - again when up and running just too much wheelspin/traction control activity off the line.

Just ordered the Stage one kit for it which should liven it up a bit more!

[NST]

check out the hirsch site for performance figures here

NST

[aeropilot]

davemac250 said:

Just ordered the Stage one kit for it which should liven it up a bit more!

Depends on the year. If it's a 250hp post 02 car, then it won't really liven it up much at all, as the hardware on the Aero is aleady on the limit at OEM levels, Stage 1 will give a bit more torque for a limited time until the intake/EGT's climb rapidly and the ECU pegs it all back.

Stage 1 and 2 on a 9-5 Aero is a bit of a waste of money tbh.

[aeropilot]

ApexJimi said:

To those of you who have owned or have driven a standard 95 Aero - in terms of straight line performance, what other cars is the Aero comparable with?

Once rolling as has been said, you'd be surprised at what a 9-5 Aero can do. It's a real mid-range monster, once you get to grips with understanding the T7 controlled FBW throttle action.

[WildCards]

Once rolling the performance is impressive, although it doesn't feel fast. Even in Aero trim it's a very nice and comfortable place to be sitting as you accelerate from 40 into licence losing speeds in the blink of an eye.

The performance is very comparable to my old 260hp Legnum VR4, not off the line obviously as that was 4wd but from a rolling start I think the Saab would be the first to hit 100+ speed markers.

Mine is a 00MY 230hp 9-5 Aero BTW.

Edited by WildCards on Thursday 21st January 10:26

[ApexJimi]

Interesting stuff.

Considering one of these as a replacement for my MX5 in a couple of months time.

I know, MX5 - 95 Aero doesn't compute

[davemac250]

aeropilot said:

davemac250 said:

Just ordered the Stage one kit for it which should liven it up a bit more!

Depends on the year. If it's a 250hp post 02 car, then it won't really liven it up much at all, as the hardware on the Aero is aleady on the limit at OEM levels, Stage 1 will give a bit more torque for a limited time until the intake/EGT's climb rapidly and the ECU pegs it all back.

Stage 1 and 2 on a 9-5 Aero is a bit of a waste of money tbh.

Hmmmm, interesting.

Now who to talk to about this. The Hirsch figures suggest +45/+98nm for the remap.

Lies, damn lies and statistics? Wishful thinking?

Was looking at polybushing the suspension and a remap before considering anything more drastic on the basis it worked well on my old (newer) 9-3 Aero.

Bugger.

[aeropilot]

davemac250 said:

Now who to talk to about this. The Hirsch figures suggest +45/+98nm for the remap.

Hirsch certainley don't quote those figures for a 9-5 Aero, so which car are you looking at...?

Hirsch now only list the 300hp kit for the 2006-on 9-5 Aero, and that package is more than just a remap. In fact Hirsch have never ever offered a remap only for any 9-5 Aero.

Edited by aeropilot on Thursday 21st January 13:36

[davemac250]

Figures from the Saab dealer I was in on Monday having a new DI cassette fitted.

Figures from BSR (who I was originally toying with as there is a dealer/agent near me and who I had booked the car in with to get this kit fitted as they were offering a free fit - now on hold)

Stage 1 PPC (+44bhp/+84Nm)-Saab 9-5 2.3 HOT Aero M99-02

Guy in the parts dept was saying the Hirsch was better kit.

So, who is telling the truth?

Do I bother?

What would you consider?

[the wicker man]

thay dont feel fast though thay do kick you back in your seat if you give it some gas pedal at 60mph its only when you look at the speedo you see how fast your going & think oooops better slow down

mid range there great a overtake of 1 car turns into a overtake of 3 cars haha

ive got a MY99 one with auto & i love it im never going to sell it at 28 years old ive found the car for me saving my pennys at the moment to spend at abbort racing

Edited by the wicker man on Thursday 21st January 14:44

[aeropilot]

davemac250 said:

Figures from the Saab dealer I was in on Monday having a new DI cassette fitted.

Figures from BSR (who I was originally toying with as there is a dealer/agent near me and who I had booked the car in with to get this kit fitted as they were offering a free fit - now on hold)

Stage 1 PPC (+44bhp/+84Nm)-Saab 9-5 2.3 HOT Aero M99-02

Guy in the parts dept was saying the Hirsch was better kit.

So, who is telling the truth?

Do I bother?

What would you consider?

Oh dear.

First off, your dealer clearly knows square root of feck all...sadly.

Yes, Hirsch is the better software, because they have full access to the guy who wrote it originally.

BUT.... if your car is a pre-02 Aero, then do you want to pay £3000 odd for the Hirsch upgrade...?
The Hirsch upgrade is more than just a software upgrade, as the hardware is on the limit, so the Hirsch upgrade includes the all import hardware mods as well as the software...hence the price.
Your car is not in warrenty, so there's really no point in going the Hirsch route, and I'm not even sure they will still do the upgrade for your age of car. My Aero is a 2004 and they no longer list it for mine.

Don't even think of going the BSR route, I've seen some questionable dyno results of Saab's using their software, and I wouldn't risk the chance of melted pistons.

There is another option which is almost as good as Hirsch, and that's Maptun, whose software is leagues ahead of any other Saab tuner IMHO and most other people.
Although based in Sweden they do have a couple of UK agents, or you can deal direct with them in Sweden, they speak excellent English
They other good point is that even if you go for a Stage 1, and you get the bug for more mods later, they will do any subsequent ECU rewrite for a nominal sum.

See here...

http://www.maptun.com/tuningGuide.php?kategori=669...

[aeropilot]

the wicker man said:

saving my pennys at the moment to spend at abbott racing

There are much better options for Saab tuning...see above post.

Abbott Racing are OK for suspension and brake stuff, plus the Quiafe LSD etc., but Maptun are by far the best for engine tuning.

Edited by aeropilot on Thursday 21st January 16:19

[davemac250]

aeropilot said:

davemac250 said:

Figures from the Saab dealer I was in on Monday having a new DI cassette fitted.

Figures from BSR (who I was originally toying with as there is a dealer/agent near me and who I had booked the car in with to get this kit fitted as they were offering a free fit - now on hold)

Stage 1 PPC (+44bhp/+84Nm)-Saab 9-5 2.3 HOT Aero M99-02

Guy in the parts dept was saying the Hirsch was better kit.

So, who is telling the truth?

Do I bother?

What would you consider?

Oh dear.

First off, your dealer clearly knows square root of feck all...sadly.

Yes, Hirsch is the better software, because they have full access to the guy who wrote it originally.

BUT.... if your car is a pre-02 Aero, then do you want to pay £3000 odd for the Hirsch upgrade...?
The Hirsch upgrade is more than just a software upgrade, as the hardware is on the limit, so the Hirsch upgrade includes the all import hardware mods as well as the software...hence the price.
Your car is not in warrenty, so there's really no point in going the Hirsch route, and I'm not even sure they will still do the upgrade for your age of car. My Aero is a 2004 and they no longer list it for mine.

Don't even think of going the BSR route, I've seen some questionable dyno results of Saab's using their software, and I wouldn't risk the chance of melted pistons.

There is another option which is almost as good as Hirsch, and that's Maptun, whose software is leagues ahead of any other Saab tuner IMHO and most other people.
Although based in Sweden they do have a couple of UK agents, or you can deal direct with them in Sweden, they speak excellent English
They other good point is that even if you go for a Stage 1, and you get the bug for more mods later, they will do any subsequent ECU rewrite for a nominal sum.

See here...

http://www.maptun.com/tuningGuide.php?kategori=669...

Beginning to think I should start a new thread....

Interesting stuff on there.

The dealer I was talking to was quoting the Hirsch as a re-map only for my car (02 Aero post facelift) at £599. I can see it listed on the website and a 30% reduction being offered but with no starting price. Hmmmm.

I can see the Maptun option being investigated more though as I have a history of carrying on down that road once I start.

I think I'll revert to type for now and start with poly bushes, brake lines and a look at the suspension and set up first. She has the tell tale creaky Saab arse at the moment over speed bumps! (Do all Aero's do that or just the ones I have had?)

[aeropilot]

davemac250 said:

The dealer I was talking to was quoting the Hirsch as a re-map only for my car (02 Aero post facelift) at £599. I can see it listed on the website and a 30% reduction being offered but with no starting price. Hmmmm.

Well, if you can get that in writing from them, I'd bite their hand off, as they will end up over £2.5k out of pocket
I can't believe a dealer is trying to sell you a Hirsch remap only on a 9-5 Aero
Hirsch have never at any time, ever, sold a remap only for a 9-5 Aero.

Click this link below, for the ONLY Hirsch engine upgrade suitable for your car....note the price on the right hand side

http://www.hirsch-performance.ch/Content.aspx?path...

Going back to sensibility, the Maptun route is the best, especially if you have a modding track record

davemac250 said:

I think I'll revert to type for now and start with poly bushes, brake lines and a look at the suspension and set up first. She has the tell tale creaky Saab arse at the moment over speed bumps! (Do all Aero's do that or just the ones I have had?)

Forget the poly bushes route, the 9-5 isn't that receptive to chucking poly at the suspension.
This is where it is very worthwhile spending money on Hirsch stuff. The Hirsch suspension kit is by far and away the best suspension you can fit to a 9-5 Aero. It's expensive, but worth every penny. It's made for Hirsch by Eibach, and has a wonderfull set of progressive springs with matched dampers. The improvement in ride comfort is great, (even with 18" rims with 40 series tyres) and combined with the reduced roll, and increased steering feel, make it the best and really the only thing you need to do to the suspension, Unless you have a manual car in which case a Quaife LSD (from Abbott Racing) is the only other best mod to fit, along with a AP brake kit from Abbott or one of Maptuns 4-pot brake kits.

Link to the Hirsch suspension kit here

http://www.hirsch-performance.ch/Content.aspx?path...

[captainzep]

May have seen this already OP, but in case you haven't: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuYku4GXlx8&fea...

go straight to 7:48.

[alanw89]

30-70 on a flat piece of road in my dads Aero.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYi1YOiMjLc

Sometimes it feels faster than others but its definitely suited to overtaking.

[Prof Beard]

I can't talk about 9-5 mods, but I had my 9-3 Aero given a MapTun Stage 3 job two years back by APL Saab. Took it from 205 to 270bp and 270 to 370Nm - it's been fine and goes rather well. (Mods were: MapTun St3 ECU, 3" Exhaust with Sports Cat, Airfilter, 22mm rear anti-roll bar)