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by Swade

My Saab 9-3 Monte Carlo update

February 8, 2011 in Saabology

Last week saw me get the latest round of upgrades done on my 1999 Saab 9-3 Monte Carlo.

For those not keeping up, the car already had a rear swaybar from Taliaferro, a front subframe brace made by my mate Aussielars, Viggen springs and dampers, steering rack clamp and brace, a replacement ECU and 3-inch cat-back exhaust from Hirsch.

In this round of upgrades, I decided to take things up a notch.

The Hirsch ECU was fantastic, but my generation 9-3 isn’t supported by them as much as the newer models are, meaning higher stage upgrades weren’t/aren’t available (as far as I know) and I was after a bit more grunt.

That got me turning to my friends – and site supporters – at Maptun. Fredrik did me a great deal on a stage 3 ECU, as well as the front section of the exhaust that I hadn’t replaced when I did the cat-back system. The new section is 3-inches from the turbo down and includes a hi-flow catalyst as well. The system is now 3-inch all the way through.

Picture, please!

That picture’s taken from the front and the observant ones amongst you will note that there’s no subframe brace there anymore.

Here’s Aussielars’ Viggen with the subframe brace in place. Compare that with the photo, above.

I had one the same, but now my exhaust is too fat so the brace won’t fit under it.

The car is now quite a bit more powerful and when you really give it some welly, the lack of subframe brace is notable. The car has a notable shimmy and it takes some strong-arm tactics to keep things on the straight and narrow.

Solutions?

I could get longer bolts and some spacers, but I think I’ll most likely bite the freight bullet and order one of Nick Taliaferro’s 6-point subframe braces.

The other thing I got done was to have a new clutch installed. To cope with the extra grunt, I got a Viggen clutch and whilst there was some early concern as to whether it would actually match the flywheel, everything was OK.

The end result – a car that sounds a little bit deeper, goes quite a bit quicker but is moving a little bit sideways under full load. The subframe brace should stabilise things quite a bit and then, I should be done……..almost.

I’ve already got a few more items from Nick Taliaferro on the way – a shortshifter and sports transmission mount.

It never ends!

My thanks once again to the guys at Maptun, who have been solid supporters of the site for a long time now. I can’t recommend their stuff highly enough – and that’s not just because they’re supporters here – it’s because their knowledge and workmanship are absolutely first class.

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by Swade

Carlsson Saab 96 replica leaves Reims for Monte Carlo historic rally

January 31, 2011 in Saabology

Pete Backstrom from the Saab Museum has sent through a few images from the start of the Monte Carlo historic rally in Reims, France.

The car in the images is the one that’s been painstakingly built by the guys at Oldtimer Markts, a magazine in Germany. The magazines editor, Peter Steinfurth, is driving the vehicle with navigator, Thorsten Löber. Unfortunately, a missed time control has meant their early retirement from the race.

The car still looked fantastic at the start, though. Erik Carlsson himself was there to wave them off.

I’ll have some more imagery about the build of this car in the next couple of days.

My thanks to Peter for the images.

Before the start…..

Erik given the honours, waving them off….

And moving a blaze of speed and fury :-) …..

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by Swade

Saabs leave Poland for Monte Carlo Historic Rally

January 28, 2011 in Saabology

We showed some Saabs leaving Stockholm for the Monte Carlo Historic Rally yesterday, and the Erik Carlsson replica will be leaving from Riems, in France (more on that car shortly).

Today, some photos from Poland, including some Saabs that left from Warsaw to go to Monte Carlo for the event. All photos were taken by Robert W from the Saab Turbo Club, and sent in by Justyn D. I’m told there should be more tomorrow.

Click to enlarge….

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by Swade

Saab at the 100th Anniversary of the Monte Carlo Rally

January 27, 2011 in Saabology

RedJ covered the press release relating to this story yesterday, but there’s a little more that I wanted to share with you today.

Peter Backstrom, from the Saab Museum, is heading down to Riems, in France, today. He’s taking Erik Carlsson along with him and together they will salute the chief editor of Oldtimer Markts magazine, Peter Steinfurth, as he drives off to compete in the Monte Carlo historic rally.

This is significant as Mr Steinfurth will be driving a replica of Erik Carlsson’s Monte Carlo winning Saab 96 – a car the magazine staff have been building especially for this race.

You can see some video of the two-stroke engine being fired up for the first time here.

It’s also significant because this year’s Monte Carlo historic rally celebrates the 100 year anniversary of the original event, which began in 1911. Erik Carlsson won the Monte Carlo twice in a Saab 96, in 1962 and 1963. Lesser known is his 4th placing in 1961 in a Saab 95, which had he placed three spots higher might have been one of the only times a rally of such significance was won by a driver in a station wagon!

Peter Backstrom has his camera on hand and will hopefully share some images from the event when it’s all done and dusted.

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A pre-start event was also held in Stockholm a few days ago, and Jörgen from the Saabs United Historic Rally Team was on hand to get some photos and video.

The cars were waved off by Bo Hellberg, the former director of the Saab Rally Team and there was a very nice two-stroke Saab 96 amongst them.

Jörgen and Bo Hellberg….

Some of the starters in Stockholm….

And some video of the Saab 96 two stroke of Fredrik Ekendahl leaving from the KAK club in Stockholm….

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m1MAfljb0c

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by Red J

SAAB returning to Rally racing?

January 27, 2011 in News

Not exactly.

But an exact replica of Erik Carlsson’s car from 1963 will start at this week’s XIVth Monte Carlo Historique.

The press-release from Saab reads as follows:

The classic Saab 96 has been created by German vintage car magazine Oldtimer Markt and will be driven by chief editor Peter Steinfurth and navigator Thorsten Loeber .They will take the start at Reims this Friday (28 January) in a car that recreates the original in every detail, right down to the 283 entry number Erik used that year. He will be on hand to wave them off.

Saab 96, 1963 Rallye Monte Carlo. Specification:
Engine: 3 cylinder, two stroke longitudinal
Displacement: 841 cc.,
Power: 70 hp (52 kW) @ 6000 rpm
Front wheel drive, 4 speed gearbox with freewheel
Brakes: Discs at front
Tires: Dunlop SP 155×15

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Source: http://media.saab.com

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by Swade

Upgrades on the way for my Saab 9-3 Monte Carlo

January 11, 2011 in Troll Stuff

For those of you who are new around here, this is my car…..

Saab 9-3 Monte Carlo

It’s a 1999 Saab 9-3 SE Sport, known as a Monte Carlo here in Australia. We only got 50 of them here, each of them numbered. There are various configurations – 3-door, 5-door, Auto and Manual, all of them with a B204R engine, producing 200hp in manual form. Mine is #9, a 3-door manual.

Since getting the car, I’ve fitted the following:

  • 17-inch wheels from a 9-3SS with Continental SportContact rubber
  • Steering rack clamp and brace
  • Custom made front subframe brace
  • Rear sway bar
  • Carbonfibre dash kit (originally fitted to Viggen here in Oz)
  • Hirsch stainless steel cat-back exhaust
  • Hirsch wastegate actuator
  • Hirsch performance ECU
  • Maptun performance air filter (I have a Speedparts one as well)
  • Saab 9-3 Viggen dampers and springs

I’ve had the car for two years now, which is pretty good for me :-)

I was considering replacing the car some time early this year, but some circumstances have arisen that have made me reconsider. Instead of selling, I’m now upgrading a few bits and pieces.

It became evident shortly after the Hirsch ECU upgrade that my clutch was wearing. I’ve put up with it for a little while now, but I figured that this should be the first upgrade.

Hence, a Viggen clutch has been ordered and should arrive later this week, along with a few other goodies.

Since I’m uprating the clutch, I figured the car could do with a bit more power and some better breathing. Soooooooooo…. I emailed my mates at Maptun to see what they suggested.

Along with the clutch, I’m now looking forward to receiving:

  • Maptun Stage 3 ECU
  • Uprated Forge wastegate actuator (matched to ECU requirements)
  • A big, fat downpipe to complete the exhaust system.

I’m told these upgrades should be good for a theoretical 280hp and around 400Nm of torque.

UPS tracking tells me they’ve left Melbourne, so I’m hoping for a call from my mechanic tomorrow to say they’ve arrived. If so, I reckon I’ll be risking a ticket some time early next week :-)

At the same time as this stuff’s installed, I’m going to get my airbag and stereo controls back, and get Steve the mechanic to look at the front end for an occasional knocking noise.

Sometimes not buying a replacement car can be fun, too.

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by Swade

Thursday Snippets – Aztek edition

February 11, 2010 in Saabology

Am trying – and loving – Google Buzz. Not having to log into a separate platform like Twitter is quite refreshing, although I still like Twitter too.
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Photos and video to come later today, but as I sit here writing this, my Monte Carlo is getting fitted up with a beautiful 3-inch Hirsch Performance cat-back exhaust*.
Am I excited? Yes, I am.
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A woman in Alabama refused to allow her son to use his father’s surname, which happens to be Saab.
She actually got thrown in jail for this. 5 days for each offence.
Don’t mess with the Saab, lady!
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Want more of this?
Saab9-5goodness.jpg
Start here and keep click the photos to the right…..
Magnificent!!!
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Off topic, but in tune with my advertising interest…..
I can’t believe that David E Davis got this column on Go Daddy’s superbowl commercial so darn wrong.
Actually, I don’t understand why he wrote it in the first place, but that’s beside the point.
David, the ads aren’t meant to compete with Snickers. They’re meant to get people familiar with web hosting (not you, I know) to go to the Go Daddy website to view the full ad and then look around at services. It’s sexploitation at its most basic, but it obviously works for Go Daddy as they’re back year after year.
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Is the Nissan Juke the ugliest car since the Pontiac Aztek?
NissanJuke_04_600-600x400.jpg
And does it combine this most uncelebrated of monikers with being less functional than the Aztek at the same time?
You decide.
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Disclosure: Hirsch Performance are the only company with whom I exchange advertising for product and this exhaust, along with the ECU I recieved last year, are payment-in-kind requested by me for advertising services at TS and SU.

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by Swade

Saab 9-3 anti-roll bar – fitted!

November 15, 2009 in Troll Stuff

This morning I ticked another job of my Monte Carlo upgrade list by fitting my new anti-roll bar. Of course, all credit to Mike900, who inspired this purchase with his great writeup of the purchase, fitting and driving story on this subject.
I, too, picked up my anti-roll bar from Taliferro in the US. The price was right and the freight, whilst expensive here to Australia, was very efficient. Half a world in just over a week? No problem. The part left Taliaferro’s warehouse just over a week ago and today it’s fitted to my car.
I won’t repeat Mike’s installation story, but will show my use of the ‘natural jack’ we have at our place. Given that the 99T is now occupying the garage, I couldn’t use the only flat parking surface at our house. The good part about having a big sloping driveway, though, is that it allows you a bit of room where it falls away from the footpath.
IMG_2357.jpg
As you can see, there’s sufficient clearance underneath, although laying down on the slope isn’t ideal and it got a little cramped up around the rear axle.
IMG_2358.jpg
It might have been a bit inconvenient for pedestrians, too, but what the heck…..
IMG_2360.jpg
Given that I didn’t have any supports to hold the bar in place, and things getting a little cramped around the rear axle area, it was a slightly tricky job. It still didn’t take long, though. Probably about an hour or so.
I used a pair of ring spanners to get the nuts tightened as things were pretty tight in there, with a couple of fluid lines adjacent to the bolts. Once they were all snug, out came the torque wrench and then it was test drive time!
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The effects
In a word: sensational.
I took it for a quick drive down one of the local twisties and the confidence and stability provided by this sway bar is a real and tangible improvement. Turn-in is much, much better especially at socially-responsible but slightly higher speed :-)
The bar does have an effect on regular driving, though. It’s subtle, but it’s there. Firm up the suspension and of course, you’re going to feel more of the road. Such is the case here. It’s just a case of more constant feedback from the road, but if you’re the type who prefers comfy cruising then this may be something to think about.
If you’re like me (and many others) and prefer that your car with sporting pretensions be a little more capable, then you won’t worry about it for a second.
They’re my quick additions to what is a very comprehensive writeup by Mike900. If you missed it, check it out here.

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by Swade

Saab O The Week – Truth in plates

November 14, 2009 in Saabology

Has there ever been a band called The Hotness? We had The Darkness a few years ago. Why not The Hotness?
This one was spotted by Mats, at the shopping center just outside of Trollhattan, I’d say. As an owner of a similar vehicle, all I can say is a big, hearty AMEN.
Click to enlarge.
DSC00054.jpg
DSC00055.jpg
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Notes:
Still with the family visit. Around 6 hours of internet downtime didn’t help today, either.
Mike900 – I have sprayed my nuts. Will be having a crack tomorrow. (That’ll make sense to him.)
If you’re in the US, please check with your Saab dealer to see if they will remain as a Saab dealer and add the results of that enquiry here. And yes, I’ve seen the Brewer decision and no, it’s not decent in any sense of the word.

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by Swade

Saab Washer Fluid and Maptun Air Filter – done

November 11, 2009 in sponsors, Troll Stuff

Tonight I managed to squeeze in a couple of the jobs I told you about last night – fitting the Maptun air filter and filling up with the Saab washer fluid.
Maptun Air Filter
It was definitely time to change the stock filter as it was quite dirty at one end. As expected, the Maptun unit fitted straight in and I was off for a drive.
Once again, like the BSR open unit I had before, there seems to be a slight increase in urgency, though that may be psychological. I did take the car on a good sprint before changing over, though, and another one straight after. I therefore think my conclusions are reasonably objective as I was driving in the same conditions both times.
Any increase is marginal, at best. Still, it’s good to have it in there and know that I won’t have to think about it again for a while.
The other good news is that the irritating noise that got me to pull out the BSR unit hasn’t made a return with the Maptun unit. One thought that crossed my mind with that noise is that it could have been a minor split in an air hose somewhere and the noise was accentuated by the increased airflow. It hasn’t returned, though, so I think I must have got one made late on a Friday afternoon.
The BSR unit feels solid and there’s no splits anywhere as far as I can tell. I’ve heard good things from everyone else about them but unfortunately it just doesn’t seem to have worked for me. I’ll definitely miss the noise.
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Saab Washer Fluid
The Saab washer fluid comes in a concentrate form and costs just A$10 here, so it’s very good value for money.
This is pretty clever stuff, actually. The fluid concentrate has got a high alcohol content. This will not only prevent your washer fluid from freezing in the winter, but it also means quick, streak free drying when you actually use it. The fluid has a lubricant in it, too. Modern Saab washer systems have a one-way valve in them and the lubricant in the fluid keeps this valve in good working condition.
Oh yeah, and it cleans the glass pretty darn well, too.
The before shot from my little snap test this evening:
IMG_2354.JPG
And the after shot…. pretty clear though a few stubborn spots remain as this car hasn’t been cleaned in some time (and I need to clean the inside glass, too)
IMG_2356.JPG
The part number for the Saab washer fluid is 12799116 and if you quote that to your local Saab accessories place, they should be able to put their hands on it pretty quick. At $10 here in Oz, it’s pretty cheap and I imagine it’s equally good value where you live.
Though there is one issue……
A note to Saab about this fluid bottle
This is a concentrate, but I couldn’t find any instructions on the bottle as to the right ratio I was supposed to use to mix it.
IMG_2352.JPG
IMG_2353.JPG
I looked in my owner’s manual and whilst it recommended the use of the genuine Saab fluid, it didn’t mention a ratio, either. It just said to follow the instructions on the bottle (or box). The washer fluid reservoir is 4.7 litres so I just guesstimated that around 300-400ml would do the trick
I received my bottle as you see it there. Maybe when you get it over the counter it comes in a box with the instructions printed on it.
I think it’d be a good idea to have the mixing instructions on the actual bottle, too, because there’s a distinct possibility that some buyers would throw the box away after opening it.
Just a suggestion.

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by Swade

New to the SU labs

November 10, 2009 in Saabology

I’ve had a few things float into the SU garage in the last few days.
With the extra daylight we’re enjoying at the moment, I’m hoping to try out all this stuff in the next few days and report back on how it goes. Some of it’s general car care and some of it upgrades. Best of both worlds.
Here’s almost all of it.
IMG_2347.jpg
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Saab Leather Care Lotion
Sent to me by Saab Australia.
One of the great points of shame in my automotive life at the moment is the fact that I’ve only cleaned up the Monte Carlo once since I bought it back in January. It’s well and truly in need of a wash, polish and detail.
This will hopefully do a good job on the seats. I tried Autoglym stuff back when I had the Viggen and didn’t rate it very highly.
IMG_2348.jpg
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Saab washer fluid
Again, sent to me by Saab Australia. I normally just top up the filler bottle with plain water, so this will be a bonus. And judging by the condition of our 9000′s windscreen, we kinda need it, too.
IMG_2349.jpg
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Maptun Sports Air Filter
Ordered by me and arrived yesterday thanks to Saabill, who had it thrown in with the Maptuner and new airbox he got for his new ’07 Saab 9-3.
IMG_2350.jpg
IMG_2351.jpg
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Taliaferro sway bar
The silver bar in the background of those photos is my 22mm sway bar for the Monte Carlo. It arrived today and is a very impressively finished and HEAVY piece of kit.
With the Aussie dollar as strong as it is at the moment, it was a no-brainer purchase.
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I’ll get these installed or used in the next few days so there’ll be plenty to talk over in the next week or so.
Anyone got any regular products they like for the leather cleaning and window washing functions?

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by Swade

Saab 9-3 Monte Carlo update

November 5, 2009 in Troll Stuff

The 99T isn’t the only ongoing project around here at SU central….
I’ve had my 1999 Saab 9-3 Monte Carlo for almost a year now and it’s been a very enjoyable ride. There’s a few things that have proven to be very satisfying about this car.
Saab 9-3 Monte Carlo
The main one, for me at least, is that I was always interested in owning one of these from the first time I ever saw one. It’s great to fulfill a particular Saab ownership dream.
Like many automotive dreams, however, the real thing proved to be not quite as good to drive as the mental image I’d formed in my mind (hello, Porsche 944). So as with the Viggen that came before it, I’ve set out to improve the car – and I think it’s working.
Things done so far…..
Front subframe brace – easy to fit, made by a Saab mate here in Australia (Aussielars). A subtle piece of kit that I need to re-torque as we speak.
Steering rack clamp and brace – the #1 essential upgrade every owner of this generation of car should do. Minimises torque steer to the point where you forget what it is.
Viggen springs and dampers – These aren’t as good as Konis, but the price was right and they’re much much better than the old saggy suspension that was in the car when I bought it.
Open air filter – easy fitting, loved the sound, am unclear about the effects but the unit starting making a vibrating sound I didn’t like. Stock air filter now re-fitted, awaiting upgrade next week.
Hirsch ECU – My first experience with an ECU upgrade and I’ve absolutely loved it!! The extra performance was instantly noticeable and turned the car from being adequate to very, very satisfying indeed.
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The Hirsch ECU has been a blast, but in what I suspect is true tuner fashion, I’ve recently been looking elsewhere. Just for that little bit more.
Whilst visiting with the Maptun guys in Sweden a few months ago, they hooked me up with one of their Stage 1 ECUs so I could try it out. I finally got to fitting it to the car last week and right now I’m one very happy camper. The car’s spooling up even quicker at this point and puts a smile on my face every time I hit the accelerator. I like it so much, in fact, that I’m now putting an order in for a Stage 3 version so I can get just that little bit more – again.
As mentioned, the Hirsch ECU has been fantastic, but they don’t support my model car anymore as they deal with current generation Saabs as Saab’s official tuning house. If I want to take this car a little further – and I do – then I’m more than happy to do it with Maptun.
Of course, all this means I need to a little more work to get the full value out of the Stage 3 setup.
So, in order to improve the handling a bit, I’ve followed Mike900′s lead and placed an order for a 22mm sway bar from Taliaferro. My UPS tracking number tells me that one’s just left Kentucky and is on it’s way here :-)
I also ordered one of Maptun’s new drop-in sports air filters, which has arrived here in Tassie and is now sitting at Saabill’s place (he ordered one of the new Maptuner upgrades for his new 2007 Saab 9-3). I’ll get that one on Monday.
The final piece of the puzzle will be a new exhaust system, which I’m still contemplating at this point. I’ll definitely get one, it’s just a matter of checking the bank account and seeing where it might come from. That’ll probably happen early next year.
I think that should probably be enough tweaking, but you never know.
I’ll post the next round of upgrades as they happen, but at least you know the plan.

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by Swade

Monday Night Snippets – small world edition

November 2, 2009 in Saabology

Gasgoo report that Beijing Automotive, who are mostly known for their heavy machinery rather than passenger cars in the Chinese market, are planning to launch their own ‘Beijing’ branded passenger cars next year.

The partner of Daimler AG and Hyundai Motor Co, BAIC will unveil several of its own passenger car models at the Beijing motor show next April, the source said, and plans to begin commercial production later in 2010.
BAIC will revive its own brand named Beijing for the models, which will include medium and high-end sedans, SUVs and hybrid vehicles, according to the source.
The Beijing badge was created in 1958 but graced only a handful of cars due to limited production.

Anyone want to place best on what those medium and high-end sedans look like?
There have been plans mentioned for BAIC to licence Saab’s outgoing 9-5 model and possibly even the previous generation Saab 9-3 for the Chinese domestic market.
Both are very competent cars that could be produced cost effectively there. I guess we’ll have to wait until April to see how that pans out, and how well the plan is received.
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TTELA report that the Projekt Trifuel cars shown at Gothenburg last week have been very well received and that ANA has received significant interest in the cars, mainly from government institutions as the infrastructure is not ready for mainstream consumer use.
The Tri-fuel cars are ones that ANA (the big Saab dealership in Trollhattan) will convert to run on Biogas, which is a methane gas extracted from organic waste. The Biogas tanks will be added to the rear of the car and the cars will maintain their capability to run on gasoline or E85 like a normal Saab BioPower model.
It’s important to note that the project is not one of Saab’s doing, but is an aftermarket initiative by ANA.
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How’s this for a small-world tale?
Via email this morning from TonyVee……

Today I had the extreme pleasure of meeting two of your countrymen. I run a bookstore for a living here in the states and a customer came in a bought some books. He was having trouble getting the change right, at this point he said he was here from Snydey and didn’t understand our money. I told him I sorta had an acquaintance from Tasmania. Well, from that point on we had one helluva conversation about Saabs. He owns a 9-3 Monte Carlo and a 900. We talked about K-Segg, Saab, Volvo, and of course how lovely The Aussie country is.

There were only 50 Monte’s bought into Australia. Mine is #9.
What are the chances the owner of another one would would into a bookstore on the other side of the world and get into a Saab conversation with the owner, who happens to tune in here?
Fantastic!

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by Swade

Concerns with my air filter….

October 6, 2009 in Saabology

Some of you may know that I recently installed a Hirsch uprated ECU and a new, open air filter in my 1999 Saab 9-3 Monte Carlo (2.0 HOT Trionic 5).
Saab Air Filter fitting
I’ll be swapping out the Hirsch ECU shortly to give a 225HP unit from Maptun a test drive for a few weeks, but I’m wondering if I should swap out my air filter at the same time. The air filter has been an absolute blast to have fitted to the car, but it’s exhibiting one particular trait that’s not only a little annoying, but is also causing me some concern.
Ever heard of Gumleaf music? Ever blown a stream of air along the edge of a sheet of paper? If so, then you’ll know the behaviour and associated noise I’m talking about. It’s not that my air filter sounds like a Cockatoo, but the principle upon which gumleaf music is possible – it’s the vibration from the filter that I’m talking about.
I’m not sure whether I’ve fitted the filter incorrectly – maybe too tight or too loose – but at certain levels of airflow, it stops its normal, addictive Darth Vader soundtrack and vibrates with a resonance that’s rather loud and disconcerting.
The noise isn’t the major problem. What I’m worried about is (my theory only and totally unproven) the possibility that the vibrations causing the noise could be shaking the paper in the filter so much that some of the particles that it’s designed to catch could be let loose to fly into my intake.
Misplaced concerns?
As I said, I love the air filter. I honestly don’t know if it helps with the car’s performance or not and if so (or not), then the effect either way is marginal, at best. What I love about it is the sense of theatre that it lends to the driving experience. It’s great to hear all that air rushing in.
But if there’s a chance that it’s doing damage due to either being a faulty unit or me installing it incorrectly, then I’ve got to get it sorted. I’ve not heard any similar complaints from others. In fact, I’ve read nothing but praise from happy customers about this item, so I’m quite sure it’s a case that’s distinct to my car and filter.
Any advice based welcome…..

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by Swade

Fitting an air filter to my Monte Carlo

August 26, 2009 in Saabology

I’ll return to all the news stuff shortly, but for a moment I’d like to get to some more home-based stuff – the reason why sites like this actually exist – the joy of driving and playing with our Saabs.
The latest little enhancement to my Monte Carlo occurred last weekend and it’s one that I’m very pleased with.
Last month I purchased this BSR/Speedparts air filter kit from Elkparts. Being July, it took a little time to arrive as most of Sweden shuts down for the summer holiday. It arrived eventually, though, and I’m very pleased it did.
The instructions that come with the filter have apparently improved in the last few years, but are still pretty brief. It’s not a difficult job, but here’s my own step-by-step process.
I’ve finished it off with a little review at the end. Click the images to enlarge.
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Here’s what we’re working on. The big black box to the left of the engine bay houses the factory air filter.
SaabAirFilter1.jpg
The first thing you need to do is disconnect the filter from the pipe to the right. Just loosen the circular clamp and it’ll slip off pretty easily.
SaabAirFilter2.jpg

Read the rest of this entry →

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