SaabsUnited.com

After posting about my Monte Carlo mods yesterday, there were a number of questions both in comments and in my inbox about what’s available (and from whom) in terms of tuning your Saab.
I thought I’d put together a quick guide as to which companies are out there and what they do. This is by no means a definitive guide and I’m sure that others can and will add to it in comments.
My first tip is read these words of wisdom about Saab tuning before you start.
My second tip for new players is to check out Elkparts to get an idea of what’s available in terms of upgrades for your car. I’m writing this not because they’re a long term site sponsor, but more because it’s the first method I ever used to see what was available when I first started getting interested in tuning my Viggen back in 2005/06. You simply click your Saab model in the left sidebar (for my Monte, that’s 9-3 from 98-02), click Performance Tuning on the next screen, choose your particular variant of that model (e.g. 2.0 HOT Sport) and it’s all laid out for you nice and clear. I have never found a simpler site to use. Seriously.
OK, so talking globally, who’s available and what can you expect?
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The Tuners
These are the companies that design and develop their own tuning solutions for Saabs. The list is probably incomplete, but these seem to be the main players.

For each company, I’ve tried to locate one example of their ECU tuning and am using the Saab 9-3 Viggen as a baseline (standard output was 225/230hp and 342Nm). They should all make ECU’s for other Saabs, too, so you’ll have to check their websites for other models, but this is just to give you an idea.
All of them (aside from BSR) make other components to modify your Saab such as intakes, exhausts, brakes, etc.
Abbott Racing
Based in the UK, Abbott Racing are possibly best known for being the original inventors of the Viggen Rescue Kit as well as being expert Saab technicians and tuners of all models going right back to the 900. They do ECUs as well as exhausts, suspension components, accessories and all sorts of other things.
Abbott have agents in various countries. Their work is very well engineered (in-house, to their own top-shelf specifications) and very highly regarded, though I’ve found it to be a touch on the expensive side here in Australia.
Indicative ECU tune for Saab 9-3 Viggen: +40hp, unsure about torque
BSR
BSR are based in Sweden and concentrate mostly on ECU tuning for various makes and models of cars over the last dozen years.
Their key selling point is ease-of-use. Their PPC unit simply plugs into the diagnostic port of your Saab and loads the program into your existing ECU. The beauty of it is that the program is fully reversible, allowing you to take your car back to stock specifications when you want to.
You can buy directly from BSR or you can purchase through various resellers in different countries.
Indicative ECU tune for Saab 9-3 Viggen: +44bhp/+74Nm
Nordic
Nordic Uhr are based in Sweden and provide tuning options for all Saabs going back to the Saab 9000, and right up to current Saabs, even offering E85 tuning options.
Like several of the tuners listed here, Nordic offer ‘staged’ tuning packages, which combine ECUs with matched intakes and exhausts, possibly also integrating different levels of aggression in the ECU tune. These “stages” do come at additional cost, however.
Nordic have agents in various countries, all listed on their website. Whilst you’re there, check out the various project cars!
A friend of mine in Mebourne (whom many here will know) by the name of Steve B has a 2002 Saab 9-3 Aero with a stage 5 Nordic tune. And if you know Steve, you’ll know he only goes with top shelf componentry.
Indicative tune for Saab 9-3 Viggen is a “Stage 3″ tune incorporating ECU, exhaust, Fuel pressure regulator and intake, adding 60hp and 78Nm
Maptun
I hadn’t checked out Maptun’s website for a while. Go check it now. Just do it. Bloody impressive, I’ve got to say. Possibly the best out there.
Like Nordic, Maptun are a Swedish tuning house and have various stage kits available for your Saab. They’re incredibly detailed and can go to exreme limits (for example, there’s a Stage 8 kit available for my Monte Carlo to take it to 430hp and 500Nm!!!)
I have a friend here in Hobart with a Maptun tuned Saab 9-5 Aero and it is a very impressive car. Video here.
Again, like others, Maptun have agents in various countries around the world and the listing is available on their website.
Indicative Saab 9-3 Viggen tune “Stage 3″ adds 60hp and 98Nm
Hirsch Performance
Hirsch are based in Switzerland and have the distinction of being Saab’s official, factory-backed tuners. The one potential downside of using all the other tuners listed here is that you’ll most likely void your warranty if you tweak your car with their components. Not so with Hirsch.
Hirsch’s work is therefore to factory standards and is very highly regarded, though it’s also a tad costly.
Hirsch products are available in most European markets, though sadly still not in the US or Australia just yet. I know work was being done to make this happen, but I take it Saab’s current situation and uncertainty with the dealer arrangements in the US is what’s behind the current delay.
I’ve only got around 24 hours experience myself, but I can tell you that the Hirsch ECU is one heck of a good piece of kit. I’ve also driven a 9-5 Aero in Melbourne belonging to another Saab mate, Jeff B. It is fully Hirsched and it was, to this day, the most aggressive and rewarding Saab I’ve ever driven.
Speedparts
Speedparts are another Swedish tuning house and they have some pretty deep Trollhattan connections, as well as the best T-shirts in the business.
More than that, though, they have the full range of ECU, intake, exhaust and brake options offered by all the other tuning houses. They are Saab nuts through and through and are the name behind several very radical Saab performance cars. Again, check out their project cars page to see their work.
Indicative Saab 9-3 Viggen “Stage 3″ tune adds 55hp and 100Nm
Jak Stoll
Jak Stoll is a US based custom tuner who I don’t know much about, but have heard good things about. He’s based in North Carolina and can pretty much custom tune your car to your requirements. He’s a qualified Saab technician so has plenty of knowledge as to how the cars should run and what they’re capable of.
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The One-Stop Shops
There are several Saab re-sellers who stock performance tuning parts for the various companies listed above, as well as genuine Saab replacement parts and accessories.
Elkparts
My personal favourite. John has been a long-term supporter of TS and SU, but more than that he offers a brilliant range of stuff at great prices and has service and response times that are second to none.
Elkparts sell products from the following tuning companies, making it easy to compare different options for your car:

• Hirsch (selected products)
• BSR
• Speedparts

They also sell other components from companies such as Brembo, Sachs, Eibach and many more trusted names in the performance community.
Taliaferro
Taliaferro (otherwise known as Genuine Saab) design and manufacture a lot of their own performance components as well as being US agents of performance ECU tuning for the following tuning houses:

• Nordic
• BSR

Taliaferro have a big presence in the US Saab tuning community and their service and backup is very well regarded. I had a Taliaferro intake pipe in my own 9-3 Viggen and it was great – for a day. Unfortunately I wrote the car off the day after it was installed (but geez it was running well that day).