Originally posted by JezF:
[qb]I know that my Speedparts Stage 3 Aero can still pull away from John/'s lovely 9-3 (although the gap is narrowing all the time!!) [/qb][/b]
The gap is narrowing all the time My target is 270bhp which will still be short of Jez's circa 283bhp - but he has got a bigger engine.
I think it is fair to say that neither the GM900, the 9-3 or the 9000 are sports cars. I have driven plenty of 9000s in my time but I shall not comment on them as I have not owned one for long enough. I can relate my experience of the 9-3 and tuning, though.
Standard In standard form the 9-3 is pants; handling is a real disappointment and unrewarding experience. I was very unhappy. The 9-3 had 1,100 suspension revisions over the GM900.
The GM900 got a real slating in the press over its handling when it was launched. I do not recall the same level of frustration with the 9-3, given the changes, but it was still not right. Unfortunately, I think that a lot of people with Saabs read something about something and then perpetuate and embellish that myth without any direct experience themselves. Having said that, standard 9-3 suspension is nothing great.
Handling Why didn't I do this first? What an incredible transformation - even the Saab technician that fitted it was hugely impressed and raving about it when he returned from the test drive. I fitted Eibach pro-kit springs and matched Eibach pro-dampers. I did consider Konis but ruled them out in favour of the dampers made for the springs.
I really can not begin to convey what an improvement this is over standard. The car is much more enbjoyable to drive and it handled pretty respectably on the track. I had considered a stiffer rear ARB but thinking back it has not understeered anywhere as easily as the classic 900.
Power Is it fair to compare 9-3 2.0 with a 9000 2.3? I don't know. Both are good engines, the 2.0 is free revving and responsive. In my experience up to about 240bhp is handled pretty well and forgiving to the shortcomings of the driver. Above this level and you have to be more careful when planting your right foot.
You'll have to ask yourself how much power you want?
Torque-steer Many people who have driven my car are confusion loss of traction on one of the wheels for torque-steer. It did not torque-steer often at 200bhp and I have only really noticed torque steer now that the vehicle is in excess of 250bhp. Whilst running at between 230 and 248bhp it was a quick car without huge a huge torque steer issue. It can break traction easily depending on surface conditions and heavy right foot, though.
Upgrade strategy? It is good advice to sort the brakes before you do anything else. Event Pagid FR pads on standard Saab discs are an improvement over standard, or Pagid FR on Brembo discs.
Best VFM upgrade? Probably a stage one on a 9-3 lpt taking it from around 150bhp to 220bhp.
Stage One - circa 220bhp. OK on standard suspension but you really would benefit from the better springs and dampers.
Stage Two - circa 240bhp. Sort the suspension before going to a stage two!
Stage Three - circa 270bhp. Suspension an absolute must. Brakes could really do with an upgrade, too.
Best experience is to drive a couple of 9000s and 9-3s if you can. I will not belittle the 9000, likewise it seems fashionable to put down the 9-3